Road legal trail/enduro choice ?.

[wagontrain]

Have owned & been very happy with my FJ1200 for the last 20 years,but now need advise on a new biking adventure.Have now sold my FJ & want to buy a road legal green lane bike to pop on & off in my retirement,[hopefully in a controlled fashion].
Want a good second hand choice that won't bust the pension & would prefer something around 400cc +.Still young & fit enough to handle a reasonably lively steed & suggestions so far include the Suzuki DRZ 400.
Any constructive advise from you seasoned green laners would be much appreciated.
Ta, Dave...
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Dave H.

[boundy]

Copied from another thread I posted in.


I've owned a few off road bikes so I'll give a you my view of what I've had

1992 Honda CRM 250 - great little bike, very good road manners at the expense of being not as focussed off road. Makes a great little trail bike.

https://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s95/boundy69/Motorbikes/28082009045-1.jpg

2004 GasGas EC300 - What a stonker of a bike, power of the 2 stoke with the traction of a 4 stroke, rubbish on road unless you want to go balls out, then its really fun, would be a great bike if bits didn't keep falling off.

https://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s95/boundy69/Motorbikes/IMG_0036.jpg

2002 KTM EXC400 - The ultimate all rounder, loved this bike to bits, would do the enduro loop at Four marks track no problem, spend a day at Ashdowm MX track or 100 miles of green lanes across Salisbury Plain. It pulled like a train, was good on fuel and never let me down.

https://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s95/boundy69/Motorbikes/2011-08-11163610.jpg


2000 KTM EXC250 - only just got this one so can't really comment on how good it is.


Don't rule out an EXC400, they are that good. Handy for me as I live 3 miles from a KTM dealer. Not sure what you mean about them being expensive, so many parts are interchangeble with other models it makes it nice and easy to get bits, especially as every other bike you pass on a trail is orange, so if you do break down some one will be along shortly with the bit you need.

Don't forget, regardless of what bike you get, they will all feel like crap on the road with Enduro tyres fitted.

There is no perfect all rounder, go out test a few bikes, see what you like, don't rule out anything untill you've had a go.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

If price is the main concern then Honda XR400, else KTM 400EXC.
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[wagontrain]

Thanks for your time & effort given to your response,a great help.
Dave..
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Dave H.

[waffles]

DRZ400 are a popular choice but they are very heavy, definitly something to take into consideration if you have to drag your bike out of somewhere!

Im a big fan of xr's, my 250 is (now finally!) responsive, nippy, easy to work on and so far has survived more grief than I thought it would. The 400 is a lot more stable and easier to ride plus it is more forgiving if you select the wrong gear or don't give it enough gas. The only downside to the 400 for me is that I found it hard to kickstart. Once you get the knack I have been told that its easy!
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[jamesrs250]

i had a drz 400 they are a good all rounder..good on fuel. powe wise is enouth for green lanes. they all most hold 2lts of oil so less oil changes. only problem with them is they are quite heavy. i think 130kg to 135kg

which is the main reason i sold mine and got a ktm 200 which is well light at 97kg

[Imonster]

Ah, this is one of those threads where we all recommend our own bikes is it?

The first thing I would do is make a decision on four stroke vs two stroke. And my own view is that I would go with the four - they're much more controllable for the novice and I wouldn't consider one for solely laning. I've spent the day on a GasGas 300, and a CRM 250 as both mentioned above by Boundy but find them tiring to be honest - great for 3 hour enduros I'd reckon but pretty grim for a day on the lanes.

From there, why something 400cc plus? For the lanes in this country you don't really need anything bigger than a 250 - I've done a fair amount of offroad mileage in Andalucia and there the larger capacity machines make sense due to the nice fast and open trails. Here, I find them a bit of a ball ache. That said, if you want to do a fair amount of road work too they make sense I guess.

Me? I'd have a look at the TTR 250 for cheap to buy, reliable and novice friendly. Downside is it is a bit heavy compared to more up to date machinery but still perfectly useable.

Have fun
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Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

[Fizzer Thou]

A few friends have TTR250R and find them very good if you are only greenlaning them.Air-cooled,electric start,discs front and rear,resonably economical,cheap - about £900 buys a good one.

Check www.enduronews.com , www.trailbikemag.co.uk , www.trf.org.uk , www.xrv.org.uk and Trials and Motocross News for bikes and advice.

https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Honda%20750/My%20bikes/Picture374-1.jpg

This is my choice after I 'retired' the XR400 from enduros/greenlaning.
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[chris-red]

I have a EXC520 the 400's big brother to all intents and purposes the same bike, I've been happy with mine, they are pretty simple to work and and parts are plentifull chances most parts are the same across the range barring the engine.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[chris-red]

I have a EXC520 the 400's big brother to all intents and purposes the same bike, I've been happy with mine, they are pretty simple to work and and parts are plentiful chances most parts are the same across the range barring the engine.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.