Advice on bike choice

ribrage · L Plate Warrior Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Karma :

Hi All

I am having a mid life crisis and thinking about buying a bike, i used to own a pe250 and then an xr 350 then had 3 kids and a millstone around my neck.
kids have grown up and cleared off(ish) and i hanker for some offroading again, nothing to heavy a little green laning and maybe a laid back event for old farts if there is such a thing ??
I want a light weight quickish roadlegal enduro machine, reliable, and cheap on parts.
also any info on clubs local to Poole/Bournemouth or like minded bike owners that want company of a weekend out laning ?

all advice gratefully received

Ta Ian

JBurrows88 · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 May 2006 Karma :

Depends on your budget and how many miles you will be doing. Do you want to use it for other than trail riding?

2-strokes are light, but as G has one i'll leave that to him as i've never ridden a 2smoke offroad. I've been toying of having a "fun" bike whilst at uni... Something similar. KTM do quite a large range of 4 strokes and 2 strokes.

Yamaha have introduced the new WR250 which has 6 gears and i've had a short blast on one. They are ok... but lacked power on the road, but might be more fun offroad.

XR250 is a solid reliable offroad bike, however they seemed to be over pricey for what they are! Guess you have to look hard to find one thats not been abused and not overpriced!
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Dave
XJR400 Kenney Roberts Paint Job

ribrage · L Plate Warrior Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Karma :

Budget is around 2k will be using it for a short commute on sunny days and mainly laning, i will be looking to join a local club or get to know some body else with one.

I have been looking at the ktm 200 exc Im tempted down the 2 stroke route lighter in weight etc.......... opinions please

silky666 · Captain Rulebook Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Karma :

Yamaha WR is all you need.
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GRUFF · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Karma :

I'm thinking of getting a WR myself, thing is i'll need it for a small bit of commuting. I assume it doesn't have a steering lock or key ignition so aside from chains it's pretty unsecure. That's a bit worrying for me. Also i think a lot of insurance companies wouldn't like the no key ignition either.
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01 YAMAHA YZ250F
05 YAMAHA DT125X

silky666 · Captain Rulebook Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Karma :

michael j · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I've got a 200EXC and I think it's ideal for club-enduro events.
When you're halfway up a hill trying to pick the bike up, the weight difference is quite noticeable over a 4 stroke!
Even compared to a Husaberg (lighter than the WR) it feels almost toy-like in it's lightness and size (actually it's about the same size, but it's just the 'feel'.)

Note that the 200 as standard has a very revvy/peaky nature, requiring you to really try keep up a good pace. The 300, while it's got even more power at the top is easier to ride at a 'medium' pace.

I've heard of people commuting on the 2 stroke EXCs fine; though not sure I'd do it regularly myself. The bigger cc ones are probably a bit better for this.

Not sure about Poole etc, but a bit further North (I'm in Reading), there's the 'Chiltern Hills Enduro Club' which is definitely on the 'friendly' side... they have four hour races, but with a an hour lunch break, which makes it a bit more 'manageable'.

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

GRUFF · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Karma :

silky666 · Captain Rulebook Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Karma :

GRUFF · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Karma :

Yeah the plug cap idea makes sense, i was just thinking to myself if i left the bike chained up the little shits would have fun starting it up lol

Work isn't a problem for me either, i'm a CCTV operator & have cameras watching the parking area outside my work so no worries there.

Definately tempted now, although just to check it is under 33BHP right? A 250 i mean!

Also whats the Honda CRF250X like? Seen a few of those riding around.
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08 SUZUKI DRZ400SM
01 YAMAHA YZ250F
05 YAMAHA DT125X

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Might be worth making a "I'm the CCTV operator and I've got a baseball bat under my desk" sticker up Smile

.

The bike being discussed is the WR400. When this was suggested before I was (or maybe did) question it's reliability, but a quick google revealed the 400cc version wasn't too bad; the 450cc version caught up with it's rivals need for regular maintenance it seems.

I would expect the WR250F to need the regular maintenance and being ever revvier, be even less suitable for commuting.
There's a new bike out called the WR250R - this is a trail rather than competition enduro bike, so will be ideal for commuting, however it gains weight and loses power. Basically a slightly faster XR250R.
I'm pretty sure the WR250F makes more than a claimed 33hp - but real-world probably is around 33hp at the rear wheel.
The CRF250X is generally considered to be a bit more serious than the WR, though I don't think there's that much in it for the latest models.

JBurrows88 · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 May 2006 Karma :

The WR (new one) makes about 30-32 at the crank iirc. If also been told is was 28 at the wheel! Rolling Eyes

(just take that its under 30 and not /that/ powerful) Very Happy

They look fun, i just wonder whether they are built 'well' (will it rust to bits like the yam 125cc's) Confused

____________________
Dave
XJR400 Kenney Roberts Paint Job