Which Road Legal Offroader?

[kb-zxr]

Hi people,

Used to be on this site all the time a few years ago, but sold my K4 600 a few years ago, and been without a bike since

For years I've wanted to get more into offroading, and think this may be the year!

As I can't really tow with my car, I'm considering something like a road legal WR250 or XR250. As I would be riding on the road I would prefer a bike with less frequent rebuilds, so loads of BHP isn't too important.

Does anyone know of any other bikes that might fit the bill? BTW apart from riding to/from offroading I won't really be doing any road riding or commuting.

Thanks

Oh, I reckon my budget will be up to around £2.5k!

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

XR400?

Not much heavier, but a lot more torque, and copes with the road sections more easily.
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[P.]

KTM 300 EXC?

[kb-zxr]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will look into them

Is there a magazine or website that has the majority of off road bikes listed with tech specs (sort of Evo or Top Gear magazine listing style). Since I haven't been riding bikes for a while my knowledge has faded a bit

Would be interesting to see a list, may be a few bikes I've forgotten about!

[P.]

I'm in the process of listing most offroad/SM conversions It is major effort.

For overall weight>fun factor I reckon the 300 EXC is a good call, but I've not ridden one that size, the 200 is a peaky little bugger, 300 is loaded with USD forks and a bigger engine, whats not to like

[kb-zxr]

[P.]

Some lazy ones like the TTR600 are apparently bomb proof but a bit too heavy for offroad use.

The 250 4 strokes I'd imagine are fairly decent off road but again, on the road you are pushing them.

[G]

How far riding to off road stuff?

The WR250 is peaky and does likely have fairly high maintenance.
The 2 stroke competition bikes are a bit lower in maintenance AND are lighter. Only thing you lose on the 2 stroke is engine braking.

The 300 EXC is a good choice - to some degree it's "less fun" for me as it's not as frisky as something like Paddy's 200 - but that means it's easy to ride and you don't have to be in the perfect gear to make good progress - you also don't get the hit of the powerband mid-corner.

If you want a 4 stroke, the XR250/400 make a decent enough choice, though they're a good chunk heavier than the 300EXC with less power. Go up a little bit of weight and you'll get a DRZ400 which gets you an electric start.

Incidentally on that, while the 2 strokes are much easier to start, with that budget you might just be getting one of the electric start ones.

Another option worth considering is a CRM250 - it's a 250 2 stroke trail bike. So not too bad on servicing, but more power and less weight the 4 strokes.

[Fizzer Thou]

I would suggest a Yamaha TTR250R.No radiators to damage.Electric start for those awkward moments Front and rear discs.Four stroke reliability.Lowish seat height.Not too heavy.Kickstart for when the battery fails.Comes with full road legal gear (indicators,clocks,brakelights etc)

https://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x435/ringholer/yammy%20bikes/ttr1.jpg
https://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj21/Clancy88/Photo0252.jpg

A friend bought his for £900 and has found it easy to pick up when he has binned it.Of course you could spend £1500 for a really nice one,but if you owned one for 12 months you would be able to sell it for similar money so as to move on to something better.
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[Fladdem]

Another shout for a TTR 250!

Love it, bit small, physically, for me.

I still can't ride it to it's limits yet, in mud, and that's what the reviews say you'll find first.

The front end is very soft when going hard across gravel and you hit a bump, but mine does everything, although I won't take it round a motocross track again.
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Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.

[kb-zxr]

Thanks for the informative replies everyone

I don't mind whether it is a two stroke or four stroke really. I was always under the impression a two stroke might require loads more maintenance so thanks G for clearing that up

Fladdem and fizzer - I had forgot all about the TTR250! I will definitely be looking into them

You got any photos of you EXC paddy?

[kb-zxr]

Forgot to say G in last post that it's less than 10 miles each way on the road I mainly will be riding to and from

[G]

I'd be happy doing that on a 2 stroke.

If you want to do enduro or even more so motocross, the 2 stroke dirt bikes are a good bit less tiring too.

For me on greenlanes it doesn't make so much difference as I'm not going as fast.

[kb-zxr]

[P.]

[kb-zxr]

Nice I'd be happy with that!

[P.]

[kb-zxr]

[P.]

In hindsight, the 300 EXC with a nicer front end set up would have been better, but as I said, it is mainly for pissing around, 35hp 2 stroke is enough.