Post Sale Update: After 21 bids on eBay, this TDR250 sold for $7,150.
Yamaha’s TDR250 enduro was never officially sold in the US, though a handful were sold in Canada and some (like this bike) have since crossed the border. Here’s a rare example that might disappoint purists but should still make the average street rider drool. A unique two-stroke supermoto that’s registered in California? Yes, please.
Stock, the TDR250 (also referred to as the “Ultimate Dual” was basically a retuned TZR250 motor in a dual-sport chassis. The 249cc two-stroke parallel twin motor was good for just under 50 horsepower, which was plenty for the 302 pound dry weight. As a comparison, it makes 13 horsepower more than a new KLR, yet weighs 92 pounds less. For more on what made the TDR special, check out this article on ADV Pulse. Per Yamaha, this was the first two-stroke motor to utilize both a CDI and an electronic advance system. This example (VIN: JYA3NRN09KA00325) has had lots of work done during a recent rebuild that also resulted in a supermoto conversion.
The seller has owned the bike since 1997, though he put the bike on non-op status for years and just registered it again for 2018 in California. The bottom end is stock and it has 4,800 miles on it. The top end has new pistons and rings in “mildly ported” RZ500 barrels, and they’re all stuffed into a TDR head. The rear end has been swapped out from an Aprilia RS250, and both wheels with corresponding Brembo brakes are from the little Aprilia as well. Suzuki GSX-R upside down forks have been swapped in and it has “newer” decals on decent paint. The tail light was replaced with a Honda NC30 unit, and a few spare parts will be included. The seller says everything works great and that it’s ready to go. I hope the new owner puts a lot of miles on this thing, it looks like it would be a blast to have an upright enduro riding position with a two-stroke powerband.
Find this TDR for sale in Mill Valley, California with bidding up to $4,051 and the reserve not yet met or a BIN of $8,700
It should be noted that the seller also has this bike here on Craigslist, where he is asking $8,000 and says you might be able to save a few bucks by going around the auction.
This bike-uriousity brought to you by Frank S!