Dirt bikes don’t come dirt cheap. It turns out, motorcycles specifically built to withstand punishment are expensive to manufacture. A decent dirt bike (we’re mushing in the dual-sport category into the mix here) includes decent components which should be capable of enduring the rigorous demands of its rider. This adds up to the markup price that you pay at the showrooms.

However, in the Nepalese market, some dirt bikes are so expensive that it completely dissuades the average enthusiast from buying them. And then there are motorcycles masquerading as extremely affordable dirt bikes, but they just don’t get the job done. Crossfire motorcycles in Nepal have managed to find a sweet spot in this segment with their comparatively affordable and capable dirt bikes. Through the years the company has been able to amass a substantial following in the motorcycling scene of Nepal.

Recently, they have added to their roster a new member that goes by the name Tracker 250. While it isn’t a true blue dirt bike the Tracker 250 certainly is off-road focused. More importantly, it comes in at Rs. 3,48,000 which is drool-worthy for the segment. Now, the question is, does the Crossfire Tracker 250 have more than just the price tag to keep motorcyclists interested? We find out.

Design and Styling

The Crossfire Tracker 250 looks like a rugged off-roader. Purpose-built to traverse unchartered terrain as well as pitched roads, the narrow frame is a steel tube single beam that allows the motorcycle to remain nimble and responsive to rider inputs. It gets a healthy 240mm of ground clearance and a slightly frugal 7.5l petrol tank which is still characteristic of a dirt bike. Similarly, the dual-purpose tyres, spoke wheels, plastic fairings, and mudguards, and generally slim dimensions are also typical of off-road motorcycles.

There is an air of “old school dirt bikes” that comes with the Tracker 250. This could be attributed to elements like the circular halogen lights, analog speedometer, and fork gaiters upfront along with the high-mounted stainless steel muffler, rectangular taillights, and a kick-starter that are reminiscent of the yesteryears of dirt-biking. Nonetheless, it is still a modern motorcycle and it gets elements like an electric starter, a gear-position indicator, a low fuel indicator, and slim LED indicators.

Ergonomics

The ergonomics aren’t aggressive, especially in comparison to motorcycles that one would consider to be dirt bike. Riders of the average Nepali height and build have reason to rejoice; unlike many dirt bikes available on the market, the Tracker 250 has a manageable seat height. Furthermore, the seat is reasonably comfortable and should not pose any issues unless you’re riding long distances.

The rider’s triangle is pretty neutral providing a relaxed seating position. However, this does hold you back if you decide on doing some serious trail work. Taller riders will have a tough time gripping the tank and you will notice a substantial space between you and the bike when you’re up on the pegs. This is understandable considering the smaller overall proportions of the Tracker 250.

Pillion riders will have a difficult time finding a comfortable seating position if they aren’t willing to grab a firm hold of the rider. Pillions do get the option of holding on to the rear rack, but it isn’t an ideal place to be, especially if you are a person of a larger frame.

Performance

Powering the Crossfire Tracker 250 is a single-cylinder 4 stroke 249.5cc engine which puts out 20BHP of maximum power at 7000rpms and 185 Nm of maximum torque at 5500 rpm. This engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Most of the torque comes lower in the rev ranges and this makes the Tracker 250 great at getting off the line. Midrange torque is also adequate which makes in-city riding a lot of fun. Twist the throttle and you can make your overtaking maneuvers with ease. The power does seem to trail off at higher speeds and you’re left wanting a little more from the 250cc engine.

The Tracker 250 is quite agile on its feet and you can easily maneuver it through traffic. Thanks to its dual-sport tyres it performs well on the tarmac. A firmer rear suspension would have been welcome. The 200mm discs up front and 180mm discs in the rear are in charge of the braking duties. They both do a good job of bringing the motorcycle to a halt. When you pick up the pace and decide to chuck it into corners, it complies with your orders. It feels stable due to its low center of gravity and provides good feedback on the road.

Off the road, the Crossfire Tracker 250 can hold its own. While it isn’t as aggressive and adept at the dirt work as the other machines in the Crossfire roster, it is still a capable dirt slinger. You might not be as eager to hit the jumps and berms, but you will still be able to plough through rough roads with ease. The 19-inch front tyres work well, a 21-inch rim might have been more suited for going over obstacles but since the Tracker 250 is not as committed to off-roading, the 19s work well. Once again, the shorter seat height and stature work well for Nepali riders.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a serious dirt bike, the Crossfire Tracker 250 isn’t it. What it is though, is a great starting point for dirt bike enthusiasts. If you are new to motorcycling but the idea of taking your machine off the beaten track intrigues you, the Tracker 250 could be a good choice. It is decently good to ride in the city, and it is capable of tackling off-road terrain. It also comes with an affordable price tag. If you are looking for a motorcycle that can serve as a segue to bigger, better options for off-roading, the Tracker 250 is worth considering.

It is difficult to comment on the longevity of the Tracker 250 at this point. We would have loved it if the build quality was better, especially since questions have been raised about the durability and reliability of other Crossfire motorcycles. However, we must keep in mind that the Tracker comes at a very reasonable price, undercutting the Hero XPulse 200 by a noteworthy amount.

Furthermore, The Tracker 250 is a motorcycle that appears to be easy to live with. It is equipped with reusable parts, such as, reusable air-filters, reusable oil filters, etc. which are commonly replaced during servicing. This lowers the scheduled servicing cost down to only the engine oil, which is a game-changer. To top it off, the company offers Lifetime Free Servicing, where, for the duration of the company offered scheduled servicing, the customer will bear no labour charge.

Additionally, Classic Wheels Export and Import (authorized distributors of Crossfire Motorcycles in Nepal) has announced its plans for increased commitment to the after-sales of Crossfire motorcycles in Nepal. They have laid out their plans to renovate and upgrade their Service Centers and also increase their Authorized Service Points (ASPs) throughout Nepal. This will make servicing and maintenance more accessible to Crossfire Owners all over the country.

They have also partnered with Upaya City Cargo through which they will provide a hotline number for existing Crossfire & ItalicaMoto customers. By calling this number, customers can request a vehicle to pick up and deliver their vehicles to the nearest Crossfire Service Center if the customer finds themselves in a situation where their motorcycle or scooter is non-functional, these could be cases such as mechanical breakdown, accidents, etc. At the moment, this service is limited to Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Pokhara, and Butwal.

Lastly, the Crossfire Racing Components (CRC) division, which focuses on providing components that are suitable for the Nepali roads, should ensure that the availability of components like handlebars & controls, brakes, body, fairing & fender, lighting & electricals, suspension, exhausts, etc should be more readily available.

The efforts put in by Classic Wheels Export and Import are commendable and they should put a lot of minds at ease.