2018 Yamaha TT-R230

Jeep’s Wrangler and a Baja 1000 trophy truck can both go off-road, but there’s a world of difference between them. Same goes for Yamaha’s TT-R230 trailbike and rabid WR250F. Instead of being a wild child on wheels, the TT-R instead offers gentrified performance for those wanting to simply enjoy trail riding rather than world domination. Accordingly, this Yamaha keeps things simple with an air-cooled, carbureted, two-valve 223cc single, a basic steel frame, a conventional fork, and disc front/drum rear brakes.

Built for adult (or at least mostly grown) riders, the TT-R230 has full-size 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, though its tires are narrower than those found on a competition-spec dirt bike. Fortunately, the seat height is moderate for a grown-up dirt scoot at 34.3 inches (almost 4 inches lower than on the WR250F). Taken as a whole, the TT-R230 works fine as a learner or playbike, but its modest power output, economy suspension, and 251-pound wet weight aren’t ideal for the motocross track. An MSRP barely over half that of the above-mentioned WR250F, though, makes it perfectly sensible for casual use.

Likes: Affordable price point, grown-up dimensions, electric starter

Dislikes: Not much power or suspension in reserve when your skills grow

Verdict: An easygoing full-size playbike