First launched in late 1973, the MT250 trail bike was based on the CR Moto-cross machinery of the same name. Early models, the KO type, had a chrome plated heat shield on the Hi-line exhaust system. All model years had silver fuel tanks, with Daytona orange, Tahitian red and Aquarius blue/black fuel tank top stripes. The five speed piston port two strokes all had oil injection, and were as good as anything at that time the opposition could produce.