Sorry folks, but one of each has come up locally for sale and I was just wondering which one would be the better bike? Pros and cons for each. I presently have a TLR200 but am led to believe that any of the TY's were a better trials bike.
IF THE 250 IS THE WATERCOOLED MONO SHOCK THAT OVER THE 350. IF THE 250 IS AIR COOLED TWIN SHOCK THE MONO SHOCK 350 WOULD BE THE ONE. OF COURSE THE CONDITION OF EACH BIKE WOULD BE THE BIG FACTOR. THOUGH THE TLR MAYBE THE BETTER BIKE OF THE BUNCH. MY .03 CENTS WORTH I HAVE OWNED ALL 3 OF THEM. AND LIKE THE REFLEX
The ty 350 is the better bike by far. They were made in 85` and `86. The `86 was the best year. The TLR can be made to be better, but will always be under powered and too heavy. P.S. I just rode a tlr sunday in our vintage class and it is a pig.
Mick Andrews and Nigel Birkett both of whom were involved with developing the TY mono, only ever used to ride modified 250's, and it seems strange that if the 350 was the better of the 2 bikes, that they were never imported into Europe, which has perhaps the biggest world market for trials machinery?
At that age, I would say the only thing that matters is the condition of the bike and parts availability.
I suspect that lineaway is answering from a U.S. perspective. The only TY250 we got was the 70's dual shock model. Unless I am mistaken, we never got the 80's mono shock TY250.
Oh geeeeez. And now to make matters even more confusing.........a friend just offered up a 70's Montesa 123. What to do, what to do????
I wasn't aware of that. We had both models in the Great White North and I had friends with each of them. The general preference (if memory serves me) was for the 250, being lighter and handier feeling for most. Easier to start too! A few of us on the larger side preferred the grunt of the 350, so I expect like so many such comparisons it would come down to individual preference.
Avoid the 125 based Montesa bikes, kickstart and gearbox problems are very common, and parts to repair are very difficult.
Yes, I remember a couple of them coming through the Yamaha shop I worked at back in the day. I can't imagine a lot of them were sold, but there are a few still around. They did look pretty trick at the time compared to the older twinshockers I had ridden before...not the reaction you get now after looking at today's offerings! Still, it would be nice to have one even now for local club trials and air-cooled vintage events...with parts availability and reliability being a big plus over some older types I expect.
You could say the same even for it's successor! The TYZ is even more rare I expect, but just saw one for sale. I think the parts and riding options are better for the older bike however. While both are obsolete trials bikes, the former is still capable AND eligable for some vintage classes!
Another consideration is where you ride. Here in New England the TY350 (I have an 85) must be ridden in the Modern class, due to the mono-shock. So, if you want to compete in the Vintage class, the 250 Twin Shock would be the way to go.
Well, my competition days are long gone and I ride like Benny Hill. Sand naps. To be honest, I really want something my grandson can learn on (he races MX and Endurocross) while I can use it to sharpen my skills in the back yard and run trails in the back country. That being said, perhaps the twin-shock would be the way to go, since in today's modern competition, the 350 would probably be outclassed.
TY 350 hands down. And, that way while both of you are "toughened" you can save for a new Gas-Gas or the like which he will be pestering Gramp for next
Let see the last time I won our expert class on a ty 350 was like `96 then sold it cuz that is what I did. I rode what I took in trade no matter what it might be and the ty was damn good. (but I did put a disc brake on it) The twin shock was a pile of shit!:eek1 Your grandson would destroy a old ty 250 in no time. The only time I rode a twin shock ty250 was when the Yamaha learn to ride program was going around the states. In two days time we almost destroyed 5 ty`s in a parking lot!!!! And we smiled at the dealer when done!
