KLR's stupid questions thread

[KLR600]

I'm looking around at enduro bikes at the moment as I want one again but unless one comes up really cheap I won't be getting one (or at all probably, kind of daydreaming if anything). I'd want it for mud plugging but also for road and general hooning so supermoto wheels would be handy (basically just want to learn to wheelie without risking throwing the ZRX up the road!!).

At the lower end of the price scale is quite a few of the older XR600/650's, DR600's and KLR600's etc which while I know are down on power on the newer bikes, they are also heavier. Obviously it's pretty easy to add power with some tuning and throwing money at it but how easy is it to make a bike lighter?

I'd imagine stock exhausts are quite heavy so fitting an after-market system would help as well as increase power a bit but other than that I'm not really sure where you'd go. I'm not stupid enough to think about drilling holes in frames as I've seen other people do and making a bike lighter would almost be like tuning it anyway right?

Just musing and thinking out loud really. I'd love to just be able to go and buy some competition spec supermoto (I had a go on a mates Husaberg 600 something or other and that was crazy) but on the unlikely chance I do suffer a moment of weakness, any bike I got would have to be under £1,000 so that rules out anything newish.
____________________
Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
<My Bikepics Page> <My Yootoobes> <My Websites> <My Photos>
<Take Cool Photos!>

[MaybeGuy]

You can probably pick up a KTM 400 EXC or similar for around a grand. Something around 1999-2000 mark.
____________________
Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[KLR600]

Where are you looking when you find these cheap bikes? I'm not going to be looking for a minter obviously, I'd just want something that isn't about to fall apart or need a load of money spent on it. I've been looking on ebay, gumtree, biketrader, preloved and some local free ads.
____________________
Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
<My Bikepics Page> <My Yootoobes> <My Websites> <My Photos>
<Take Cool Photos!>

[MaybeGuy]

KTM forum have them once in a while, and I sold my 520 EXC to chris red for a grand on a 52 plate.

I recently saw a CRF450 supermoto go for a grand on there, as well as an 05 450exc for 1300

https://www.ktmforum.co.uk/bikes-bits-sale/101274-crf-450-a.html
____________________
Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[KLR600]

*Looks harder in future*
____________________
Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
<My Bikepics Page> <My Yootoobes> <My Websites> <My Photos>
<Take Cool Photos!>

[G]

If anything, the DR600 etc are lighter than modern bikes.
Well, it may come in similar weight to a DRZ400; but not too bad considering it's up 200cc, even if it's not got much more power (though a good chunk more low down.)
Certainly the 600s are a good chunk lighter than the 650s that replaced them.
XT600E is worth a shout, it's listed as heavier than the DR600/XT600

Competition bikes are another matter and haven't got massively lighter per manufacturer.

The competition bikes are going to be higher maintenance and you should consider this around the likely use.

And finally - really shouldn't be a worry crashing when initially learning to wheelie.

[Suntan Sid]

A word of warning in case you see a DRZ400.
Most of the weight reduction was done in the factory, the most weight you could save, over standard, is not going to amount to more than a couple of pounds.

Check out "ThumperTalk" for confirmation!

The Deezer's a bit of a lard arse really, but it does get the job done!
____________________
"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[G]

Yea, similarly for other bikes.

Exhaust will save a bit. After that, you're really pushing it to keep it road legal and useful.
I'm sure you could get lighterweight lights, maybe loose some padding out of the seat, but there's not really an awful lot else I'd want to miss out.

I found the DR600 fine for greenlaning and I've done a hare and hounds (my first one) on my KTM690 which is a similar sort of weight. Bit too much for motocross I reckon, though I have seen it done (hell, there's a video of someone mixing it on some heavy 600, but a lot to do with skill and a tad tiring I expect.
Of course, that doesn't mean a lighter bike is better.

Might be able to get an old TE610 for that sorta money, but don't know about reliability of the older models.

[KLR600]

[G]

Think a competition bike is definitely the way to go, but going to have to select carefully.
I would go for over 250cc personally, but wouldn't get too stressed on size; a 400cc competition bike makes plenty of power for off road certainly.
KTM have been winning all sorts with their 350cc bike in the 450cc classes!
Do fancy a Husaberg 650 for supermoto fun, but a lot more bikes I'd have in the list in front of that.

It was an XR650L; that's the heavy and slow 'dual sport' bike, rather than the one designed to win the Baja 1000 (XR650R):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70jokjTaGT4

[MaybeGuy]

service intervals aren't so bad. On my 520 I was changing the oil every 1000 miles, filter every other oil change and valve clearances every other filter change. The engine on it was perfect and I did about 7000 miles on it, although I did change the rings in that time, but they were the originals.
____________________
Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[KLR600]

Ha ha that video was quality Like you said though, I suspect it's probably the riders ability more than anything in that video!

My other consideration is that I'd have to ride it to wherever it was I was going to hoon hence preferring a bigger cc bike. I suppose though that if I wanted to go fast in a straight line on the road I'd just go out on the ZRX so a 400 would probably be a good place to start as I imagine they'll be a bit nimbler than a 600/650.

My friends Husaberg was insane. He's doing a full nut and bolt re-build on it at the minute as it blew a cam chain out the top of the head or something equally horrendous but he said he's going to finish building it back up, run it in and then sell it giving me first refusal so that might an option if I can save some pennies up for a few months!

1000 mile service intervals sound fine. I was looking at my ZRX folder earlier and I've only done about 1500 miles since the last MOT (11 months ago ). I suppose there's always the option of trading it in but I just know I'd regret it instantly and the ZRX isn't in fantastic condition so I doubt I'd get much for it anyway.
____________________
Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
<My Bikepics Page> <My Yootoobes> <My Websites> <My Photos>
<Take Cool Photos!>

[KLR600]

Picking this back up after my holiday to Morocco where I managed to get a bit of off-road time on an XR125! I've decided to start saving up as much as possible and just go with a bike when I can afford it although still looking at (much) less than £2,000. Would I be right in thinking that there isn't the same kind of buy/sell season as with road bikes? I know a lot of road riders buy big trailies to ride through winter but then there'll be plenty of people wanting to ride off road in summer when it's dry so it'd be much of a muchness?

[Raffles]

Have you considered a Kwak 300? It will do all of the things that you require. I have owned one for the past 4 years and it has never let me down. They aren't the most comfortable ride on tarmac but they're terrific off road.
There's one due up soon on the bay that might fit your budget and he is open to offers:-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/kawasaki-klx-300r-2002-/170818058577?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item27c58cb951
____________________
A good loser will always be a loser.

[G]

[MaybeGuy]

Just found this if you're quick, it might go pretty cheap.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-KTM-ORANGE-/270949882838?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3f15df1bd6#ht_500wt_1416

Although, the 250 ktm 4 strokes are renowned for being pretty gutless at low rpm.
____________________
Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[G]

[KLR600]

I'm in no rush to buy one now as I have no money at the moment (well, about £150...!).

I just had a look on gumtree and with a budget of £1500 there seems to be a wealth of KTM400/450's, some slightly older 620/525 supermotos, Yamaha WR/YZF400/450's and some big old 600+ thumpers! Not sure if I'd be able to get over my "gumtree is where the stolen stuff gets shifted" suspicion though. Also, call me a sceptic but it's amazing how many of these bikes advertised have "had a recent re-build" or have "sat in a garage for the last year". I know that mileage isn't as important as condition when looking at off road bikes but it does my head in when someone advertises a bike as a minter but can't even be bothered to clean the bike before taking a photo for the advert!!

Would I be right in thinking that a 2 stroke would require more maintenance or is it much of a muchness with the kind of 4 strokes I'd be looking at?

Thanks for all the input so far, good to not just rush into something and have a bit of knowledge beforehand!
____________________
Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
<My Bikepics Page> <My Yootoobes> <My Websites> <My Photos>
<Take Cool Photos!>

[G]

[boundy]

[HD]

I'm not as experienced here as everyone else here but I'll give my two pennies worth.

First off, I know of two people with exc 400's who got them for around a grand and a mate nearly bought one a few weeks back for £1200 inc. supermoto rims.

With engine size in mind, as you said you would be doing distance on your bigger bike so I would say to stay lower in terms of size. As when I used to do motocross, picking up even a 125 but especially a 250 when you are hanging out of your arse and you have armpump can kill you, imagine something a fair bit heavier! My mates dad has an exc 450 and rides it most weekends at motocross. Gets on well with it, stays in like 3rd and 4th with an occasional bit of clutch. Has had a few holeshots as well! On the road, giving it big fists of throttle brings the front up pretty sharpish so its got the go for the road. He had a wr250 before which can be picked up cheapish on eBay cos I was looking at some a while back. He sold an absolute minter for just over £2000 and average condition wr250's can be picked up for £1500ish.

Otherwise thats all of the advice I have. But if your only going to be riding to and from places as well as the actual off roading, I would say to go for a 250-450. You aren't going to be going too mad on the roads anyway with the tyres in mind I would think. As said, my opinion and I'm probs wrong
____________________
Rusty '02 Vito Camper + CBR600F3

[KLR600]

All good points so far

I did a bit of a search (I say I, I mean my girlfriend did, we're both massively procrastinating from uni work at the moment) for riding spots local to Manchester and I was surprised to find quite a few motocross tracks within 20-30 miles as well as a place called Abram Motopark which looks good. It's only added fuel to my fire so I need to save up quicker!

Having looked at rather a lot of bikes online recently it seems to me that there is a pretty constant supply of decent bikes for around £1500 so I'm not so worried on that front any more.

I appreciate what's been said about the weight for doing motocross stuff but I doubt I'll be spending the majority of time on motocross tracks (as much as I'd like to) and my ability will be far more restrictive than the weight of the bike at first I'm sure!

I'm familiar with arm pump from mountain bikes, it sucks I doubt I'll be riding competitively though so I'll just stop for a break if I get too tired. I've learnt from mountain biking when to stop for a break and the consequences if I don't! I mentioned riding a few enduro events as it seems a good way to ride a legal track and get a bit social at the same time.

As far as what bike goes I'm just going to have to wait until I have the money to make a decision as to what I go for I think. I'm definitely erring on the side of a 400cc(ish) 4 stroke at the moment as while a 600cc supermoto would be good on the road I think it'd be too much of a penalty for the off road stuff I want to do and my ability to begin with. Saying that, if someone ends up waving a really nice 600+ KTM supermoto in my face when I have the money I don't think it'd take much for me to ride off on it

I'll probably come back to this thread periodically to think out loud and annoy you all
____________________
Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
<My Bikepics Page> <My Yootoobes> <My Websites> <My Photos>
<Take Cool Photos!>

[HD]

Remember on enduro/motocross events, its a good idea to put all of your stuff in. Especially if you break something you can just stick the bike in the back and drive home. Or if you break something on yourself then the bike is probably going to be a mess anyway. So someone can stick your bike in the back for you and a mate cab come and drive it home.

Not saying you have to, just food for thought to aid your 'thinking out loud'
____________________
Rusty '02 Vito Camper + CBR600F3

[G]

I suspect you won't be too bad - but also suspect you'll find the weight will ***** the lack of experience.
An expert rider will be fine on a heavier bike, just a bit frustrated at points maybe - a new rider may find it a lot more problamatic compared to being on a heavier bike.

One of the 300cc 2 strokes should 'do it' if that's what you want - should have more peak power than a xr400 definitely, though maybe not up to the levels of the bigCC competition bikes - but with better low and midrange. I'd say my KTM300 probably was better at low revs than the Husaberg 501 4 stroke - though I think the Husaberg was geared a bit higher.
Lightweight and thus suspension that can better cope with motocross properly.

When I first got the Husaberg I was told it'd be a nightmare to ride slowly etc - as you don't get any weight penalty over a smaller cc bike (it weighs a chunk less than an XR400 actually, I believe) I never found it to be an issue. If I didn't want so much power, could merely use a higher gear or even just not turn the throttle as much.

There is some penalty in rotating mass on tight twisty stuff - but probably similar to an XR400 - this is another bit where the 2 strokes win - generally less stuff spinning in the engine as well as needing less revs for the same power means they should be a bit nice in tight single track woods.

[KLR600]

HD - I was just planning to ride to wherever I was going to ride off-road. Just put all my gear on and take extra stuff in a bag or something. Obviously it's not ideal for when I'm knackered after a days ride and if I come off and break myself/the bike then that will be a bit of a problem but it's what I've done with mountain biking for years and generally I have come off ok! I don't have a car any way but if I did I'd probably get a trailer for the bike to go a bit further afield and to have all my stuff in.

G - You're making lots of convincing arguments for a 2 stroke! Won't I have to be rebuilding it every week with a new piston kit etc or would you think it'd be roughly the same kind of maintenance as a 4 stroke? The balls to wall riding style associated with 2 strokes (or did I make that up?) doesn't massively appeal to me hence erring on the side of 4 strokes at the moment. I think the gearing thing for me will always end up being a compromise between road and off road so I will have to see how I get on with that when I get a bike.
____________________
Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
<My Bikepics Page> <My Yootoobes> <My Websites> <My Photos>
<Take Cool Photos!>