For Sale: Super Sherpa City Scrambler from Urban Mechanics…
The Kawasaki Super Sherpa (KL250) was an affordable four-stroke dual-purpose machine initially available only in Japan until its introduction to international markets in 1999. It had electric start, a six-speed gearbox, weighed just ~280 pounds wet, and the fairly low seat height and front fender gave it something of a trials bike look.
The bike could be a farm runabout, urban commuter, play bike, beginner’s dual-sport, RV bumper bike — you name it. Riders loved the little Kawasaki workhorse, as innumerable owner reviews attest. Minnesota Motorcycle Monthly veteran Thomas Day (aka “Geezer with a Grudge”) bought one after riding a 500-lb touring bike to Alaska and back.
“I rode often it for three solid years; to work, on errands, on meandering trips into the countryside, and anywhere I would ride a bigger bike as long as the trip total doesn’t exceed a few hundred miles. The bike is comfortable, insanely fuel efficient (70-90mpg!), fun to ride around town, lightweight, mostly easy to work on, and an absolute blast off road. The Sherpa is no motocrosser, but it’s a fun trail bike. It’s not powerful, but it can get out of its own way. I’ve even played trials with it, going up a staircase at work and hopping logs in my back yard. The 10″ of ground clearance makes for a pretty versatile off-roader.” –Geezer with a Grudge
The crew at Urban Mechanics garage in Athens, Greece, decided to build a 2002 Super Sherpa for “the city that’s a jungle.”
“Our daily commute around the city on two wheels helped us develop everything a motorcycle needs to be suitable for everything: to and from the office, for an after-office drink, and for that weekend getaway when the weather is right.”
Without altering the stock machine’s geometry, they gave the Japanese thumper a much more classic scrambler look with a metal tank, custom seat, number plates, and different headlight, bars, fenders, tires, frame end turn signals, etc. Both tank and frame received a custom paint job. They also outfitted the bike — dubbed the “Urban Jungle” — with practical necessities such as a USB charger and side bag.
Fast forward a few years, and 23-year-old Vasilis Mavroeidis (@b.mavroeidis) — a robotics designer and engineering student who grew up wrenching on bikes with his old man — picked up the “Urban Jungle” from the previous owner…in rough shape.
“I bought it used, the motor was in bad condition burning a lot of oil. I really liked the looks of this bike and the low weight, so I decided to rebuild it.”
Working with his local mechanic in Patras, Greece, Vasilis jumped into a full top-end rebuild, complete with a re-sleeved cylinder, resurfaced head, polished valves, new piston, and a pair of GSX-R cams. They also rebuilt the forks and overhauled the brakes with new rotors, pads, and lines.
The result is rebuilt urban commuter that’s highly practical, looks classy, and could do some light off-road work with a change of tires. Vasilis is currently selling this bike, and you can find the listings at Marketplace and Car.gr.
Full Owner Interview: Super Sherpa Scrambler
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I’m Vasilis Mavroeidis, 23 y.o. from Greece, studying mechanical engineering, working as a robotics designer/researcher. I always loved the look of custom bikes and even though I do not own a workshop, my father and I always did some “wrenching” on his Honda VRX400 and Honda CD250U. This is where it all started.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
Kawasaki Super Sherpa 250, 2000.
• Why was this bike built?
This bike was originally built by “Urban Mechanics” a garage in Greece. I bought it used, the motor was in bad condition burning a lot of oil. I really liked the looks of this bike and the low weight, so I decided to rebuild it.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
This bike is designed to be usable in an urban setting / commute but to also be enjoyable for a Sunday ride. It’s a small bike with off-road capabilities that suit the Greek terrain / use case.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Cosmetics:
Custom seat
Custom tank
Custom paint (frame and tank)
Different headlight, bars, fenders, tyres, and frame end turn signals (custom built).
Mechanical:
Cylinder is sleeved and resurfaced
Head resurfaced
Valves polished
Full top-end rebuild
Custom camshafts from gsxr k6 (I think)
New original piston kit
Brake rotors from TBR
Pads from EBC
Rebuilt fork
High pressure brake lines
A lot of thought, time, money and effort was put for the rebuild. It was done with my mechanic in Patras, Greece.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
“Urban Jungle.”
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
30hp, around 120kg, 6 speed, max speed around 130km/h, 3.5 L/100 fuel consumption.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
Very fun to ride in twisty roads, and light off-road use (with off-road tyres). Great fun to commute, it’s a real head-turner that everyone asks about. Would not recommend highway use and extensive two-up; your girlfriend must really love you to fit in the seat :p
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Not yet installed, but I’m building a custom 3D printed metal indicator panel.
Follow the Builder
Original Builder: Urban Mechanics
Owner Instagram: @b.mavroeidis
Sales Listings:
- FB: www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1377286270576081
- Car.gr: www.car.gr/classifieds/bikes/view/56373709-kawasaki-sherpa
