Bastardised something....

[Silver_Fox]

The weather's terrible....

To still be able to get out in this and have a bit of fun, could I get something small and cheap with soft suspension like a CBR/CBF125 and stick some dualsport/knobbly tires on and use it for both on and off road/green laning?

[stinkwheel]

See if you can find an MZ125 (the old 2-stroke ones). Cheap as chips, easy to maintain and have a proven six day trials heritage.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Silver_Fox]

None around it appears. I'd like a nice easy 4 stroke, something readily available and cheap to play with until the proper weather appears I don't know anything about it but there must be tyres that will do both on and off road

[DRZ4Hunned]

Does it have to be a 125? What's your budget?
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DRZ400-SM
FZS600

[G]

[Silver_Fox]

Thanks. Not necessarily a 125, I was just thinking light, cheaper etc (and the other half could use it too while she's learning), and off-road style bikes seem to be pretty tall generally (I'm 5ft 6). But no, not necessarily a 125


I've since found this. Pretty awesome

(although I can't find these tyres in the UK)

https://www.dualsportbc.com/forums/showthread.php?12447-Tomcycles-CBR125R-conversion-to-CBR125DS

https://www.dualsportbc.com/photogallery/data/973/medium/SDC11926.JPG

[G]

What's your budget?

I believe they did an off road version of the YBR125, but don't think it was in the UK and it's just a case of spoked wheels and some hand guards I think.

I'd probably take a bodged CBR125 over that - ideally with a spare set of wheels so you can swap for road use.

Could also consider a road legal pit bike, but not great if you want to leave it anywhere witout a massive chain. Offers the option of a perkier engine with bigger cc.

I believe small wheel 85cc motocross bikes have 17" fronts while big wheel of the same have 17" rears; motocross tyres will be a lot more aggressive than those pictured, but that's often what you need in gloopy English mud.

[thx1138]

[Cdb1991]

how about a dt125 ? perfect for green laning and made as a road legal bike so cant be all bad

[DRZ4Hunned]

Instead of bastardising something that's not meant to be, why not just buy something like an XR125 or XT125?

Personally though, I wouldn't get a 125 unless I had to as you'll likely pay learner prices for it.
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DRZ400-SM
FZS600

[thx1138]

[Fladdem]

I would keep an eye out for the cheapest reasonable 125 you can get your hands on. I would sooner take a less sought after 125, maybe one that slipped past the learners so much for a cheaper price.

Although to be fair, I am keeping an eye out for a DOHC 16 Valve 1.4 Micra K11 without too much rot, for a reasonable price, to put knobblies on it.
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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.

[Silver_Fox]

https://memecrunch.com/meme/4WPOB/rolf-harris-approves/image.png?w=500&c=1

Too soon?


Seriously though, the sensible choice is something already designed for the job. Not as comical as that CBR above though. I'd love to rock up to the biker Café on that

[G]

[Silver_Fox]

I've no offroad experience on a motorbike (although I'm fairly handy on a mountain bike), so I don't need anything for proper off roading, just capable of taking less than perfect conditions or a field etc, but still be road legal.

If I was going the CBR route for example, any suggestions where to look for tyres etc?

[G]

I'd have thought something like this ... 100/70 17 motocross; note, probably isn't road legal, but will give you plenty of grip.
There definitely are other (cheap) options available that are less serious but road legal.

[Suntan Sid]

I can't find it at the moment but there is an, extensive, thread on here about someone converting an old Honda road bike into to something off road.
There's even a photo of it flying over a jump, (still in on piece)!
I think it was a CD200 or similar, I'm sure someone will remember it.
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"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[Silver_Fox]

Zoikes....DT, XR and XL all starting from £1300. I wanted a cheapy bit of fun

[DRZ4Hunned]

[thx1138]

I swear a Honda City Fly could take some abuse before it fell apart, just bin all the bits you don't need, stick some knobbly tyres on it, and try not to break the clutch?

[Suntan Sid]

[Fladdem]

[Silver_Fox]

Funny you should say that, it was actually someone getting the very same bike that got me thinking about it! Is there something about the Cityfly that makes it semi-suitable from the off? I thought it looked kind of faux off-road but didn't see more than that really...

[thx1138]

[Fladdem]

I can't think of anything, other than the fact it sort of looks the part. Probably will be not much different to a CBR 125 with knobblies but with higher ground clearance, possibly stronger wheels? Longer suspension, and needs less work to prep for how you're describing.

Like I said earlier, probably cheaper than the CBR all dem yoofs want.

I keep thinking about an SLR650 but I'm not sure if I'm ready to commit to that yet, I suspect it might be a bit disappointing.
____________________
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.