Looking for a dualie.

[Pedro]

Looking into getting a (cheap) dual sport bike. Restricted to 33bhp on my licence and would prefer not to restrict it (How well enforced is the power to weight side?), other than that, I'll consider anything.
Any suggestions on bikes would be appreciated.

Currently riding an ER-6F which i'll keep, meaning this bike will just be for short distance trips.
____________________
RX-50 > Varadero 125 > Er-6f
CBT - May 2010 <> Theory test - July 2011 <> Mod 1 - July 2011 <> Mod 2 - August 2011
Restricted to 33bhp (I'm 17)

[Teflon-Mike]

[Pedro]

Something more like a wr250 would be what i'd prefer.
It will be used in the winter when theres grit on the roads to save my ER-6F, and maybe some green laning. Lightweight, 2 or 4 stroke and between 20-33bhp and I'd be happy with it.
____________________
RX-50 > Varadero 125 > Er-6f
CBT - May 2010 <> Theory test - July 2011 <> Mod 1 - July 2011 <> Mod 2 - August 2011
Restricted to 33bhp (I'm 17)

[Nexus Icon]

Pretty sure the WR250 actually contravenes the power:weight ratio law but there must be plenty of bikes that don't.

DR350?
____________________
Greetings from Shitsville!

[Pedro]

How strictly enforced are the power:weight laws?

I'm going to do a few insurance quotes on some bikes to see what comes out the cheapest.

Can I get the names of some bikes 125-400cc, 2 or 4 stroke, road legal and dirt bike style from a website, or some helpful people?
____________________
RX-50 > Varadero 125 > Er-6f
CBT - May 2010 <> Theory test - July 2011 <> Mod 1 - July 2011 <> Mod 2 - August 2011
Restricted to 33bhp (I'm 17)

[Nexus Icon]

[Teflon-Mike]

For a winter rider, and if you have no experience of trailes; I'd advocate 'cheap' and old. DR350 would fit the bill nicely. Old KMX200 for a two stroke. Though have personal penchant for the old air cooled DT175 of early 80's vintage.

Trailies aren't built to make big power; it's all about power delivery, and having power thats easily managed. Most trailies are running out of puff at around 70mph anyway; they aren't all that 'nice' over 60 curtecy of the architecture; high centre of gravity, short wheel base, soft long travel suspension, and block tread tyres, they tend to get a bit 'flap-happy'.

Idea they are 'better' for slimy tarmac winter riding also a falecy; block treads work best on loose surfaces. On tarmac they have big square blocks of rubber that are poorly supported and not great at squeegeeing water out, though area of relief grooving is impressive, actual purformance tends not to be!

Its a curiouse way to go; from a capable all-rounder to a trailie as 'winter' bike. The ER-6 is likely to be far better in the dark and damp. Trail bike lights are NOT wonderful!

So think long and hard about it; ER as an alrounder is not a bike that will loose huge value for signs of 'use'...... so use it & keep it clean, through the winter; might not be any worse off, and in many better.

Meanwhile; trailie performance; it really shouldn't MATTER about the power & power to weight; just pick something legal. Something up on te limit where you have to worry about it is likely to be more of the wild veriety, and NOT most helpful for a novice trailie rider, or winter road riding.

Back to that 'old' DR350........
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Slacker24seve...]

https://www.sportouring.com/itemImages/image/acf-50can.jpg

Plenty of this, liberally applied to your current bike is the answer
____________________
Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[Rogerborg]

[Pedro]

I travel down an unmade road about 3 times a week, which is where the benefit of a trail bike comes in. Also, I wouldn't worry about dropping it in snow/ice.
It probably won't be used that much at night, so lights aren't a huge deal. Likewise, I doubt i'll be doing excessive speeds on it.

I may want to have a go at green laning too, as there's a few nice tracks in my area, so lightweight is a big plus. Something that is reliable and good at it's job for a reasonable price would be suited.

The cheapest I can insure a DR350 for is £920 tpo, which is £250 more than my ER-6F TPFT, so that's not really an option.
____________________
RX-50 > Varadero 125 > Er-6f
CBT - May 2010 <> Theory test - July 2011 <> Mod 1 - July 2011 <> Mod 2 - August 2011
Restricted to 33bhp (I'm 17)

[Teflon-Mike]

[Pedro]

Thanks, I'll have a look into those.
The lane isn't terrible, but my ER6F struggles with it. And I've already had 2 punctures from it (one on my Varadero, one on my ER-6F).
My old RX50 used to go down it flat out.
A WR250 is about £520 for me to insure TPO, so I may try and find a decent one of those and hope no one cares about power-weight.
____________________
RX-50 > Varadero 125 > Er-6f
CBT - May 2010 <> Theory test - July 2011 <> Mod 1 - July 2011 <> Mod 2 - August 2011
Restricted to 33bhp (I'm 17)

[P.addy]

DRZ400, can be on or off road based, 3x3 mod and some fettling

Insurance is cheap...dont you dare tempt fate by doing TPO on a nickable desired bike TPFT on a DRZ for me is about £180

[Pedro]

[Teflon-Mike]

It's becouse they are trailies and so nickable.

Just for the lolz; indulge me, while you are chasing Insurance quotes.

1 : 1992 Yamaha DTR125
2 : 1982 Yamaha DT175MX
3 : 1989 Kawasaki KMX200
4 : 1987 MZ 250ETX
5 : 1993 Ural 650 'Solo'
6 : 1980 Suzuli TS250
7 : 1998 Honda SL650
8 : 1888 Armstrong MT350
9 : 2007 KTM 300 ETX
10: 2001 BMW F650GS

I cant say for SURE what results will be; BUT, I suspecvt that they may be surprising.

I would expect that the Ural, as its an unpopular machine will probably come out quite low; as will the MZ. DTR125 I suspect will possibly be one of the highests; DT175 I'm not so sure about; and I dont know whether it will be more or less than KMX200. KTM could go either way; as could the BMW.... its 'big' and its expensive; BUT, its a BMW.... and that MIGHT make a big difference.

Thing against you is your age and location; what we are looking for is whether they are stiking in an 'add-on' loading, or a multiplier loading. If its an add on; you get bezarre effect that bike risk makes little odds and you can go for something as adventurouse as you like, becouse makes less significance in the premium; if its a multipler; then going more adventurouse will swing is to daft levels. BUT between the two, there are going to be some anomolies where you can get best 'deal'.... hence looking at curiouse and eclectic selection of bikes, then working from there.
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[P.addy]

Shame with the insurance prices mate Seriously looking for a DRZ in a year or so...

[Pedro]

All quotes TPO bike at £1500 value 0 years no claims.

1 : 1992 Yamaha DTR125 £518
2 : 1982 Yamaha DT175MX £573 (next cheapest is £1100)
3 : 1989 Kawasaki KMX200 £988
4 : 1987 MZ 250ETZ £497
5 : 1993 Ural 650 'Solo' Can't get a quote for one.
6 : 1980 Suzuki TS250 £866
7 : 1998 Honda SLR650 £870
8 : 1988 Armstrong MT350 £842
9 : 2007 KTM 300 EXC £598
10: 2001 BMW F650GS £900

The KTM looks quite good, as do the Yamahas.
I hate being young
____________________
RX-50 > Varadero 125 > Er-6f
CBT - May 2010 <> Theory test - July 2011 <> Mod 1 - July 2011 <> Mod 2 - August 2011
Restricted to 33bhp (I'm 17)

[Slacker24seve...]

Am I right in thinking that KTM is one of the most mental bikes on that list?

Its bonkers the way insurance is worked out
____________________
Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[Pedro]

My ER6F was cheaper to insure than to renue my Varadero insurance.
Makes a lot of sense that, 140mph 650cc making 74bhp cheaper than 70mph 125cc making 14 bhp.

Also, had about 5 phone calls so far from insurance companies wanting me to take out a policy. Thanks, Mike.
____________________
RX-50 > Varadero 125 > Er-6f
CBT - May 2010 <> Theory test - July 2011 <> Mod 1 - July 2011 <> Mod 2 - August 2011
Restricted to 33bhp (I'm 17)

[Teflon-Mike]

[Teflon-Mike]

[dangerousdave]