Looks like a good place to drop this-
I recently returned home from 10 days at the North part of Padre Island. (south of Port A & Mustang Island)
(for mr72- No skeeters, but tar balls a plenty)
I purposely bough this XT 250 for this trip and future similar trips as it was my best compromise of cheap to me, light enough to haul on the back of my travel trailer and not too terribly small. I mounted Rocket launchers to haul two fishing poles. Strapped a tackle box down to the back rack and hauled fish home in the backpack cooler.
All went as planned except for the blistering winds for the first 4 days and lack of fishing skills on my behalf- although fish were caught and eaten.
Cruising down the beach front (chasing birds working and such) was a hoot.
I received many a thumbs up and approving head bobs when skirting through town or up and down the beach.
In hindsight- the TW200 with its fatty tires would have probably handled the lose sand better, but oh well - I skied in first gear when transversing the powder to get around vehicles and such. (when high tide had the trucks parked towards the soft stuff- I would maneuver around slowly as to not cross between the vehicles and waterfront).
It got a thorough washing once home, but I know the salt will find its way into places where I wish it weren't- hence buying a somewhat sacrificial, yet fun scooter to do this on.
(and to clarify.... this bike never rode through any salt water- just got close a time or two
)