Unboxing, Assembling, and Reviewing Walmart's Trac 250 Motorcycle: A Comparison with Dealership Purchases and a Performance Test Against a Classic Honda
Summary:
This video chronicles the unboxing and assembly of the Trac 250, a new Walmart motorcycle priced under $2,400 with no dealer fees. The host attempts to assemble the bike and ride it within the estimated average time it takes to purchase a motorcycle from a dealership.
- The Trac 250 arrived largely pre-assembled within its metal crate, a notable improvement over prior models that required front wheel installation.
- Initial concerns included miscellaneous loose metal parts, a "drier lint" blanket used for packaging, and an oil leak.
- Assembly challenges included non-standard bolt sizes and the bike's instability upon removal from its crate, leading to it falling over.
- The process was unexpectedly interrupted by police, who requested the crew to leave the Walmart parking lot, prompting a rushed completion of the assembly.
- After locating hidden keys and adding fuel, the bike started but initially stalled and had spongy brakes, which improved with riding. The fuel gauge also initially read empty.
- A performance comparison test against a 30-year-old Japanese-market-only Honda CBR 250 (which redlines at 18,000 RPMs) revealed the Honda was superior in both 0-30 acceleration and braking. The Trac 250's biggest flaw noted was its lack of a distinct model name.
The fully assembled Trac 250 motorcycle inside its metal shipping crate, partially covered in white protective wrapping. [ 00:04:49 ]
Introduction to Walmart's Trac 250 Motorcycle [00:00:06]
The video begins with the host expressing his enjoyment of unboxing unusual motorcycles. Walmart has released a new, upgraded, and cheaper motorcycle, the Trac 250.
- This bike is shipped directly to the customer's door, bypassing dealership fees, and is priced just under $2,400.
The large cardboard shipping box of the Trac 250 motorcycle, with "$2400" prominently displayed. [ 00:00:43 ] - The host intends to unbox and assemble it, comparing it to the previous GTX 250 model, and eventually pitting it against a classic Japanese 250 sport bike.
Dealership Purchase Time vs. DIY Assembly Challenge [00:01:08]
Before attempting the assembly, the host called several motorcycle dealerships to inquire about the average time it takes for a customer to purchase a bike and ride away.
- Dealerships quoted times ranging from 25 minutes to 2.5-3 hours, with most likely understating the actual time to attract customers.
The host speaking on the phone, calling motorcycle dealerships to inquire about sales processing times. [ 00:01:20 ] - The host estimated an average of 45 minutes for a dealership purchase.
The host standing next to the boxed motorcycle, with "45 minutes" superimposed, indicating his target assembly time. [ 00:02:20 ] - He challenged himself to unbox, assemble, and ride the Walmart Trac 250 within this 45-minute timeframe.
- An interview with an actual motorcycle sales guy confirmed an average purchase time of about two hours, depending on financing.
The host interviewing a motorcycle sales guy in a parking lot about average purchase times. [ 00:02:40 ]
Unboxing and Initial Impressions of the Trac 250 [00:03:10]
The Trac 250 arrived in a cardboard box on a pallet with wheels, containing a metal crate.
- The box indicated gross weight (390 lbs) and net weight (313 lbs) but had a cutout where the VIN number should be, raising a concern.
The cardboard shipping box for the Trac 250, showing the model name and a cut-out where the VIN number should be. [ 00:03:26 ] 
A close-up of the shipping box, revealing a cut-out section where the VIN number should have been displayed. [ 00:03:41 ] - Upon removing the cardboard, the motorcycle was revealed to be largely pre-assembled within a metal cage. This was a significant improvement over previous models that required the front tire to be installed by the buyer, which is often difficult without proper tools.
The Trac 250 motorcycle, mostly pre-assembled and secured within its metal shipping crate. [ 00:04:23 ] 
A close-up of the Trac 250's front wheel already installed and secured during unboxing. [ 00:04:28 ] 
A comparison shot from a previous year, showing the host struggling to attach the front wheel of the GTX 250 motorcycle. [ 00:04:35 ] - The bike featured a blue and white paint scheme, resembling a Yamaha R6 or R3 from the front.
The front view of the Trac 250 motorcycle, showcasing its blue and white fairing design. [ 00:09:53 ] - Further inspection revealed:
- Loose, random metal pieces inside the crate.
Random metal pieces found loose on the ground after unboxing the motorcycle. [ 00:05:51 ] - A blanket used for packaging, humorously described as "half blanket, half drier lint," easily torn apart.
The host holding up the gray, flimsy blanket used for packaging, described as "drier lint." [ 00:06:33 ] - An apparent oil leak, which the host tasted and confirmed was oil, raising a "mildly concerning" quality control issue.
Oil stains visible on the cardboard base beneath the motorcycle, indicating a leak. [ 00:06:48 ] - Dual exhaust pipes were observed, but upon closer inspection, it was a single-cylinder engine whose exhaust split into two pipes for aesthetic purposes.
The rear of the Trac 250, featuring dual exhaust pipes as part of its aesthetic design. [ 00:10:17 ] 
A close-up of the motorcycle's underside, showing the single-cylinder engine with an exhaust pipe splitting into a dual exhaust system. [ 00:10:27 ] - A custom swingarm, noted as an improvement over typical tubular designs found in most Chinese bikes.
The custom swingarm and rear wheel assembly of the Trac 250 motorcycle. [ 00:10:45 ]
- Loose, random metal pieces inside the crate.
Assembly Challenges and Unexpected Interruptions [00:11:09]
The assembly involved removing the Trac 250 from its metal cage using tools purchased from Walmart.
- The timer on screen shows time passing during the assembly.
The host working on the motorcycle in the Walmart parking lot, with the timer displayed at 26:25:21. [ 00:12:16 ] - Most bolts were 10mm, but two were an odd size, either a "fat 10" or an 11mm, indicating a lack of consistent quality control.
A power tool being used to remove one of the bolts from the motorcycle crate. [ 00:12:20 ] 
A close-up view of the host struggling with a non-standard bolt on the motorcycle frame. [ 00:12:45 ] - The host had to install the mirrors and handlebars.
The mirrors and associated hardware laid out on the ground, ready for assembly. [ 00:15:40 ] 
The host attaching the handlebars to the motorcycle. [ 00:16:00 ] - Once the bolts were removed, nothing was keeping the bike stable, making it challenging to remove the cage without the bike falling over.
The host attempting to lift the metal crate away while simultaneously trying to stabilize the motorcycle. [ 00:13:32 ] 
The host struggling to detach the motorcycle from its metal frame, showcasing the difficulty of the assembly and the bike's instability. [ 00:14:35 ] 
The Trac 250 motorcycle lying on its side in the Walmart parking lot after becoming unstable during assembly. [ 00:14:47 ] - The assembly process in the Walmart parking lot attracted attention, leading to an unexpected visit from the police.
Police officers speaking with the host and his crew in the Walmart parking lot, asking them to leave the property. [ 00:16:35 ] - The police informed the host that Walmart management wanted them to leave the property immediately. The host negotiated to quickly finish assembling the bike and ride it away instead of loading it back up.
- The host continued working on the bike, racing against the clock.
The timestamp displaying 44:13:00, indicating that the host has almost reached his 45-minute assembly target as he works on the bike. [ 00:17:05 ]
First Ride and Functionality Check [00:17:04]
With only seconds left on the 45-minute timer (actually finishing around 50 minutes due to interruptions), the host completed the assembly.
- Crucially, the keys were missing but found taped to some trash inside the packaging.
The crew searching through the packaging and surrounding area for the missing motorcycle keys. [ 00:17:37 ] - After adding fuel, the bike started up, though it initially stalled multiple times and had "spongy" brakes, which improved after riding.
The host pouring fuel into the Trac 250 motorcycle's tank. [ 00:18:23 ] 
A first-person view of the Trac 250's dashboard and handlebars from the rider's perspective. [ 00:18:59 ] 
A first-person view of the Trac 250's dashboard, showing the bike stalled. [ 00:19:10 ] - The fuel gauge was pegged to empty, despite a gallon of fuel being added, but eventually began working.
The Trac 250's dashboard displaying the fuel gauge incorrectly pegged to empty. [ 00:20:54 ] - The host attributed the initial stalling to the engine "learning how to breathe oxygen for the first time," typical of new, untested engines.
Performance Comparison: Walmart Trac 250 vs. Honda CBR 250 [00:23:01]
The Trac 250 was then taken to the shop and prepared for a comparison test against a Japanese-market-only Honda CBR 250, known for redlining at 18,000 RPMs and considered one of the greatest 250cc bikes ever made.
- The host stands next to the Honda CBR 250 in the garage.
The host standing proudly next to the red Honda CBR 250, which is presented as "the greatest 250 ever made." [ 00:23:09 ] - The test involved a 0-30 mph acceleration and braking challenge.
- The Honda CBR 250, despite being a 30-year-old carbureted bike, was warmed up and tested first.
- The Trac 250 was tested next.
- In the head-to-head comparison, the Honda CBR 250 proved to be faster in both acceleration to 30 mph and braking performance.
Two motorcycles, the red Honda CBR 250 and the blue, white, and green Trac 250, parked side-by-side for comparison. [ 00:23:22 ]
Final Thoughts on the Trac 250 [00:25:24]
The host acknowledged that the 30-year-old Honda was superior in performance. However, he also noted that for a bike purchased for under $2,400 from Walmart, the Trac 250 ran "pretty good" and had "great job with the color scheme," especially for its price point. Its biggest flaw was its lack of a distinct model name.
