TY250 vs. TY350

[prsdrat]

OK folks anyone have an opinion?

[lineaway]

You would have to say what you are trying to compare. As far as U.S. models they were years apart.

[prsdrat]

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.

[gasgasman]

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

[lineaway]

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.

[Twin-shocker]

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?

[2whlrcr]

At that age, I would say the only thing that matters is the condition of the bike and parts availability.

[brewtus]

Originally Posted by lineaway

P.S. I just rode a tlr sunday in our vintage class and it is a pig.

So did I. And yes, it is a pig.

[motojunky]

Originally Posted by Twin-shocker

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?

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.

[prsdrat]

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????

[Thumpermeister]

Originally Posted by motojunky

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.

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.

[Twin-shocker]

Originally Posted by prsdrat

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????

Avoid the 125 based Montesa bikes, kickstart and gearbox problems are very common, and parts to repair are very difficult.

[roadholder]

Originally Posted by Thumpermeister

We had both models in the Great White North and I had friends with each of them.

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.

[Rockcat]

Originally Posted by prsdrat

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????

Run away from the 123.

[Thumpermeister]

Originally Posted by roadholder

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!

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!