Hi Guys n Gals,

my daily commuting bike is my much used, Brazilian XT225, which has now covered 78,000 miles and rides really well. She feels like an old pair of favourite slippers, if you know what I mean.

When I have an urge to have a bit of two stroke fun, I jump on one of my Kawasaki AR125's. They never fail to leave me with a massive grin, and nostrils filled with the delights of 2S fumes.

So what do I use for camping trips and special days, well I have my lovely CCM GP450, which weighs the same as a Serow but has three times the power, stunning suspension and awesome brakes. An amazing machine but there's one serious problem with her in that she's just too darned loud! It's not possible for me to ride at the front, as everyone behind complains about the noise. We have plenty of horse riders that take to the local roads, so the volume isn't ideal for them either.


My decision has been for the CCM to go, as they run really badly if using a properly silenced exhaust!

What could I possibly buy that fits me, but has low mileage (so she can be kept for gentle camping trips only), and wouldn't cost a fortune to purchase additional luggage for?


Having kept the Happy Trails panniers/racks from my previous XT250 Serow, it would be ideal if a low mileage, mint condition XT250 Serow came up for sale, that was local.

Well would you believe it, one came up yesterday!

Anyway I'll be heading over to the Isle of Man Classic TT races at the weekend, along with Pops, so I've got everything sorted out today and when we get back there'll be a different bike to go in my garage!

I really must decide on which image hosting service to use so I can post some images but I must tell you all, she's absolutely beautiful! A 2008 Japan Serow S, in a champagne colour scheme, with less than 4,000 miles on the clock.

That will return me to being a three XT owner, one 225 on the road, one 225 in the shed and one 250, just how I like it.

Hi Guys n Gals,

Let's see if I can use this IMGUR website!

https://imgur.com/a/0nZiF1z

Nice! I like the gold wheels on those bikes.

Hi Peejman,

so do I. I've even got a brand new pair of gold wheels complete in my stash, in the loft. To be honest, I'd like to mount them on a wall, as they're works of art but I'm going to save them until I get around to doing a full rebuild on my dad's old Serow, in the future.

I've sent the Happy Trails racks over to the powder coaters, as the original finish was diabolical. I don't reckon they're produced with our Brit, salt ridden Winter roads in mind!

That's a beauty Reggie where you find it, they're rare as hens teeth. I remember you had a 250 that you fitted out with those panniers? What happened to that one?

Shame you can't silence the CCM, I recall making an exhaust for a vintage R/R back in me yoof, I fired me C15 up and stuck it on the end to test it, all I could hear was my rattly engine. It was a straight through design with 4 small perforated tubes packed with f/glass & 2 open end sections, so no restriction.

I've got one of the 350mm Delkevics on my Serow now, that is a tad noisy. The original sadly grew holes. Did you need to rejet? mine seems ok, no usual signs of weak mix.

Hi Paul,

total fluke that it came my way!

My last 250 Serow went in as a part ex towards my CCM, with lots of miles but was a great deal. I removed the panniers and frames, just in case I was lucky enough for another one to come my way.

I have a Delkevic fitted to my 225. OK it's louder than the OEM but it's much, much quieter than the CCM! No re-jetting required.

Hi Guys n Gals,

tomorrow's a big day, work in the morning, finish mid afternoon, then over to the dealers to collect my latest Serow.

I can't wait.

Exciting times!

Pics are compulsory!

Always nice to score a new ride. For guys that is better than sex or tools. Well, sometimes. Yes pix. Hope the transaction goes smoothly. Ride safely.