Few motorcycles better represent Yamaha’s rapid rise during the golden age of Japanese motorcycling than the 1970 Yamaha DS 250.

Throughout the 1960s, Yamaha steadily developed its DS series, refining its lightweight two-stroke twins and building an enviable reputation for extracting impressive performance from relatively small-capacity engines. By the arrival of the DS6, and subsequently the highly successful DS7, the direction was clear: Yamaha intended to make the 250cc class its own, combining lively performance, light weight and everyday usability with unmistakable sporting character.

Much of that success came directly from Yamaha’s extensive racing experience. Competition was central to the company’s engineering philosophy, with lessons learned on the racetrack rapidly finding their way into its road motorcycles. The DS lineage ultimately helped provide the engineering foundation for Yamaha’s formidable 250cc production racers, including the legendary TZ series. This close relationship between road and racing machinery became an important part of Yamaha’s identity, making these early DS models much more than nostalgic two-strokes; they represent an important chapter in the development of the performance motorcycles that would establish Yamaha as one of the great names in motorcycling.

• This bike is in very good condition and the air-cooled Yamaha two-stroke engine impressed not only with exemplary economy, but also with great reliability and balanced driving characteristics.
• Like its successor, the Yamaha RD 250 , this is one of the most popular models on the market for old two-stroke engines.
• The rugged engine and attractive, understated design are still as appealing today as they were over 40 years ago.
• 250cc twin two-stroke that makes nearly 30 hp @ 7,500 rpm.
• Top speed 93 mph. 12v battery ignition.
• Runs and drives very well.

Be quick on this one, Yamaha DS7’s are getting hard to find in this condition, so it won’t be here long at this price.

The 1960s saw a revolution in the world of motorcycles, with Japan paving the way for some beautiful machines that still remain favorites among enthusiasts. There has been a lot of argument on the technical performance of these Japanese motorcycles, but one thing is agreed upon by every lover of the ride; these bikes touch souls.

This revolution was important as it came as a big hit to British and American manufacturers who refused to change their ancient ways.

The 1970 Yamaha DS 250 occupies an increasingly appealing niche in the classic motorcycle market, representing the formative years when Yamaha was establishing its reputation for lightweight, high-performance two-strokes. With its lively 250cc twin-cylinder engine, distinctive period styling and engaging riding character, the DS captures much of what made early Japanese motorcycles so exciting.

Today, much of its appeal lies in nostalgia, rarity and originality. While these motorcycles were relatively common when new, good surviving examples are becoming increasingly difficult to find, particularly machines retaining their correct finishes, exhausts and period components. Their unmistakable two-stroke sound, simplicity and classic Yamaha styling evoke an era of motorcycling that has largely disappeared.

Values remain relatively accessible compared with the headline Japanese superbikes of the 1970s, making the DS 250 an attractive entry into serious Japanese motorcycle collecting. As interest continues to grow in early Japanese classics, well-preserved and correctly presented examples have strong potential to remain desirable, combining genuine rarity, nostalgia and increasing collectibility.

New Zealand Sales
Unless otherwise stated, vehicles sold for use in New Zealand will be supplied with a new Warrant of Fitness (WoF) and 12 months New Zealand registration at the time of sale.

Transport & Shipping
New Zealand transport and worldwide shipping can be arranged on the Buyer’s behalf and at the Buyer’s cost and risk. Any freight, shipping, insurance, customs charges, duties, taxes, import costs, certification or compliance costs are the responsibility of the Buyer unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Export Sales
For vehicles purchased for export, the Buyer is responsible for determining and satisfying all import, registration, certification, compliance, tax and regulatory requirements applicable in the destination country.

Viewing
All vehicle inspections and viewings are strictly by appointment only.

Applicable Law
All sales are subject to applicable New Zealand law. Nothing in these Conditions of Sale excludes or limits any statutory rights or obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

For more information about this vehicle, please contact us Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 6:00pm (New Zealand Standard Time) on +64 (0) 3 310-6485. Alternatively, you may email us at [email protected] anytime, or contact us through the form below.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Group Ltd as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak.

NOTIFICATION AS TO NATURE OF GOODS IN TERMS OF THE CONSUMER GUARANTEES ACT 1993

Waimak Group Ltd is a New Zealand registered company and accepts that the vehicle being sold must be of “acceptable quality” in terms of section 7 of the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (the Act) having regard to “the nature of the goods”. Waimak Group Ltd is not aware of any specific defects with the vehicle, however (a) such a vehicle being a classic vehicle may have mechanical breakdowns, electrical failures at inconvenient times and maintenance costs being part of and parcel of ownership of a classic vehicle; (b) reliability is a combination of the particular nature of the classic vehicle, how it is being driven, how it has been maintained, and to a certain extent luck; (c) because of the age of the vehicle, and its propensity to rust, it is likely that the vehicle would have been fully or partially restored, or at least repainted at some point in its life, maybe even more than once. Waimak Group Ltd does not know, and cannot give advice on how good any restoration work on the vehicle had been.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the vehicle is being sold as a classic car; that in terms of the Act and the nature of the goods, the vehicle is an old car, bike or boat, that may have visual and hidden faults, unlike a new motor vehicle.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Group Ltd as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak Group Ltd.

The Purchaser acknowledges that they have read and fully understand this notification and the nature of a car which is many years old.