Loosely based on Yamaha’s TZ250 racer, the TZR was a 2 stroke sportbike built between ’86 and ’99 – in 1986 it was the first production 250cc motorcycle to lap Isle of Man’s TT course at over 100 miles per hour.
The base model (2MA) had a 249cc two-stroke reed valve engine which produced 50 horsepower at 10,000 rpm (the Japanese market model was the 1KT and it was capped to 45 horsepower). Period reviews suggest it was the slowest steering and the most “practical” (if such a word can be used with a 2-stroke 250cc sportbike) of the Japanese 250s.
This example (VIN: 13875677H71) is offered with a Canadian title and US import documentation – the seller says he can get a Florida title for $400 and I’d highly recommend that you have him do it so you don’t have to trouble yourself. Personally, I’d go for a later TZR (either the reverse cylinder 3MA or the V-Twin 3XV) but the early ones don’t come up for sale very often so it could be interesting for someone that already has the other generations and wants to complete their collection…
Find this TZR250 for sale in Seminole, Florida with an unmet opening bid of $8,500 or a BIN of $11,000 here on eBay.