2014 SSR Motorsports SR250 - First Ride

Off-road on the cheap.

With dirt bike prices knocking on $10,000, market forces are calling for a bike such as the SSR Motor­sports SR250. Never heard of it? Unless you’ve been a fan of Chinese-made minibikes and side-by-side ATVs, you probably haven’t, which isn’t surprising, but the SR250’s $3,699 retail price certainly is.

At first glance, the SR looks like a close facsimile of Honda's CRF250X, aluminum chassis and all. Power is provided by a nondescript four-stroke single that likely serves duty in a multitude of other Chinese offerings.

Build quality is better than expected, though you can tell it isn’t quite as polished as the Japanese model it mimics. Electric starting brings the SR to life, while engine response is amazingly peppy for a bike with a non-pumper carburetor. The cable-actuated clutch’s pull is a little heavy, but the engagement is smooth. First gear is low enough for trail riding, and the spread of the five transmission ratios is wide—a little more than typical for a 250. Power is plentiful for pulling through the transmission gaps, but the bike revs a bit slowly, lacking the snappy and aggressive response of 250cc motocross bikes.

The front end feels raked out but provides a stable ride, which should be comforting to novices. Suspension is set up on the stiff side, but you can jump this bike and not worry about the landings, unlike with most other bikes in this price range.

Swapping out the heavy CST tires would improve handling, while a couple of other small mods would transform the bike into a solid-performing machine. The SR250 already comes with an aluminum skid plate, but add a spark arrestor and the bike is ready for the trail. Other minor mods that would help would be a new seat (stock is too soft), grips, and better control levers.

However you feel about Chinese bikes, the SR250 is a fun motorcycle at a very attractive price, and it performs at a level typical of machines costing much more.

SPECIFICATIONS
PRICE|$3,699
ENGINE TYPE|249.6cc four-stroke single, liquid-cooled
BORE & STROKE|77.0 x 53.6mm
INDUCTION|34mm carburetor
COMPRESSION RATIO|N/A
VALVE TRAIN|Sohc, four valves
TRANSMISSION|Five-speed manual
FINAL DRIVE|Chain
FRONT SUSPENSION|47mm fork, 9.8 inches of travel
REAR SUSPENSION|Pro-Link shock, 4.5 inches of travel
FRONT BRAKE|Single 240mm disc
REAR BRAKE|Single 240mm disc
FRONT TIRE|CST, 21-inch
REAR TIRE|CST, 18-inch
RAKE|N/A
TRAIL|N/A
WHEELBASE|60.0 in.
SEAT HEIGHT|38.0 in.
CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT|260 lb.
FUEL CAPACITY|1.7 gal.

Off-road action shot #1

Off-road action shot #2

Off-road action shot #3

Off-road action shot #4

Off-road action shot #5

Off-road action shot #6

Static right-side view.

Static left-side view.

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