Trail bikes, what's the story?

[Shaft]

First of all, I realise there's a separate section for this, but it doesn't seem to be very well populated; if I'm causing serious offence, feel free to move this thread.

Anyway, my mate has convinced me that we need to go off road, so now I've got to find the right bike; we're just talking about a bit of greenlaning, nothing serious or competitive.

He's Mister Xtreme and he doesn't do anything by halves, so he's muttering about KTMs and Huskies, no doubt he will end up with something mental.

I'm a little more conservative, plus it will probably double up as my commuter, so I don't want anything that needs servicing every week, or is likely to explode if it's even slightly abused.

I also like my old stuff (cheap insurance and I'm a dinosaur) and I don't like revving the knackers off everything, so 4T, 250-400, budget around £1500 (happy to pay less, could be persuaded to squeeze a touch more).

My first ideas were DR, XL/XR, XT, but I'm open to suggestions and, maybe more importantly, things I should keep clear of.

Any thoughts?

Ta
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[Ollie1995]

XR 400
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[Imonster]

XR250 or TTR250 from what you've described
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[at106]

I've been riding my dr350 since january and really like it. I use it both on and off road and haven't had any issues. It'll do happily do 70mph on the road and it is pretty good off road although if you drop it a lot it is quite heavy.

My dad has just bought a 2005 ttr250 although that may be out of your budget, from the small amount of time ive spent on it i prefer it to my dr. The stock suspension is better, the brakes are better and it feels a bit lighter. However on the road it isnt as quick and there dont seem to be as many used parts for it.

[Imonster]

[RideLimousin]

I agree on the DR350 if you want an older bike, fairly solid machines and make a bit more power than the old 250s.
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[thx1138]

[Zen Dog]

I've been thinking about getting an offroad bike too, pretty much identical requirements.

A friend of my brother (who's into all this muddy nonsense) reckons that almost all old trail bikes are nails, either abused as commuter hacks, or just plain abused in the rough stuff. Having spent the last couple of months looking at bikes in my local area, I'm beginning to agree.

His advice is to buy something newish, as at least you'll be the one abusing it, but I can't really justify spending a load of money on something I might not really get into, and that I'm likely to crash and wipe half the value off.

I'm still half-heartedly looking at the free-ads, but I'm beginning to lose hope a bit to be honest.

Zen Dog
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[Shaft]

Thanks for the input so far.

[MarJay]

Just throw caution to the wind and buy a GasGas EC300.
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Fizzer Thou]

[Shaft]

[G]

Note that a competition 2 stroke 250/300 enduro bike will be less revvy than a competition 4 stroke or a trail 4 stroke too, for that matter. Very flat power delivery with lots low down.
Lighter and more nimble too.

However, not ideal for commuting.

XR400 always a good compromise bike for 'do everything'.

DRZ400 a bit more modern, but a bit heavier. DR600 similar to the 400, though no electric boot (man-foot needed) and a bit more midrange.

If you're using the same tyres for off-road and commuting, you're going to be quite compromised for one, if the option includes muddy byways (most of them in the UK).

I don't mind it TOO much myself, but still much prefer proper tyres - it does take a while to get used having no steering control on road biased tyres and occasionally ending up in hedges etc.

Most people that buy 250 4 stroke trail bikes end up upgrading - but that doesn't mean that an XR250 isn't a very capable bike in it's self.

[thx1138]

Plenty of old nails around, it's true. But shop around, I agree with a previous poster about upping the kitty by 500 quid.

Last year, all I could find was winter projects, or will sail through mots, or dross, I increased what I was prepared to spend and the distances I was prepared to travel, and got one with a brand new mot, on it, and had a test ride before I bought it. IT wasn't pretty, it was quite worn comsetically, but did the job, and I tarted it up a bit over the winter.

My mate has bought a brand new CRF. If I drop my XR I just tut, pick it up, kick the lever back into shape if I need to. I reckon if he drops his, he'll be gutted - and cause a bit of damage too. Over time mine has already parted company with indicators, mirrors, might bin the lights next year. .... oh and he has a radiator.....

[ian505050]

I have a WR400F that set me back a grand and i spent £150 on it doing it up to this stage. Its a 2000 plate

https://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/ian505050/ian505050%202/DSC00992_zps1df9a396.jpg

My WR250F is a 2007 plate and cost £1650 and i spent about £200 getting it taxed, mot'd and road legal.

https://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/ian505050/ian505050%202/DSC00589edited.jpg

[ian505050]

My brother is selling this for £2000

https://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/ian505050/ian505050%202/IMAG2290.jpg

Its 2009 KLX250 with 3000 miles on the clock.

Its road legal and ideal for 50% tarmac 50% off road riding.

Its capable of getting you to place so you can take snaps like this

https://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/ian505050/ian505050%202/DSC00315.jpg

It also attracts sheep

https://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/ian505050/ian505050%202/DSC00449.jpg

If anybody is interested i the Kawasaki KLX250 please PM me for full details.

[Kradmelder]

If it is a 2nd or 3rd bike used primarily off road an XR is a good option. Nothing beats the grin factor of a KTM though. Your budget limit says you will be better off with an XR.

If you kit it for offroad with knobblies, you will be going through tyres quite fast if you do a lot of tar riding.

You already said you want to commute with it as well, so a tyre compromise is already in order to a DS tyre. Since you are already compromising, a 400 will be better on road, and your tyre compromise means it is not a log jumping full on MX bike anyway, so you don't need to go ultra small and light.

How tall are you? Seat height may be a factor.
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2009 BMW 1200 GS

[thx1138]

[J D]

Dont suppose your selling your wr 250 ian?
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[Kradmelder]

[G]

[Kradmelder]

[Fizzer Thou]

Up in Wales you can ride for miles with views like these

https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Dirt%20bikes/20090118_5.jpg
https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Dirt%20bikes/20090118_15.jpg
https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Dirt%20bikes/20090118_17-1.jpg

And with the bigger 13L tank in place it is quite easy to ride for 150 miles without a need to find fuel.Not so much the other bikes though.

But the Katey is much more fun with the smaller 8.5L tank,which will give me a range of 85 miles or so.But in the South-East of the UK there are plenty of lanes within a reasonable distance of London

https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Dirt%20bikes/Picture056-2.jpg
https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Dirt%20bikes/Picture013.jpg
https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Dirt%20bikes/Picture055.jpg

Even a 950 Adventure can be ridden down some quite steep and slippery Byways in Kent - even this Roman Agger

https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Dirt%20bikes/Localride3.jpg
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Always have a 'Plan B'

[Fowlersrs]

What throws a spanner in the works is the word "commuter" for me!!

A green lane bike really wants to be light, therefore rule out all the old shite u can pick up for pennies because they will be heavy and when ur in a rut theres nothing worse than picking up a heavy bike and believe me u will come off if greenlaning. For me it has to be 2 stroke, simple to maintain, yes ul be spending a bit more time fettling but then who doesnt when they smell so nice

if you have a heavy commute then maybe a 450 4 stroke and get stuck in at the deep end with learning to tame the beast, oh and get an electric start on the bike if your not hardcore cos believe me there is no better test of a mans will power when stuck on the floor in mud and shit and having to hall your ass back on the bike, and then kick the fucker over 12 times to get it started!!

heres me on my gas gas looking awkward:

https://devongtrf.activeboard.com/download.spark?ID=1279671&aBID=124986

this is what always happens lol:

https://devongtrf.activeboard.com/download.spark?ID=1279677&aBID=124986

[thx1138]