|
Author |
Message |
TbirdX |
This post is not being displayed .
|
TbirdX Crazy Courier
Joined: 06 Dec 2015 Karma :
|
Posted: 17:30 - 17 May 2017 Post subject: |
|
|
You want a DRZ. I'm in this boat (ish) too and have spent many a long hour researching the bikes. The general consensus seems to be there are better off road bikes, there are better road bikes but there's precious little that does both as well as the DRZ.
Reliable, low maintenance, magic button, spare and aftermarket parts support out the wazoo and a wealth of knowledge on forums.
You can get an 'E' version which is slightly more dirt focused if you wish but unless you want to do serious off roading the S will be fine for laning. You can lower it for the lady too.
That said, no, buy....er....something else. Just in case you outbid me for a Z ____________________ VFR800X - TTR250 |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
G |
This post is not being displayed .
|
G The Voice of Reason
Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
neeklondon |
This post is not being displayed .
|
neeklondon Two Stroke Sniffer
Joined: 12 Jan 2013 Karma :
|
Posted: 18:56 - 17 May 2017 Post subject: |
|
|
I've owned a few off-road / dual-sport bikes in the past.
Honda CRF 250L - Brilliant all rounder. More than capable for pretty much all green lanes and fine on the roads too.
Best points are low maintenance and great MPG. A fair amount of off-road dedicate parts too (rad guards / bash plates etc), but new..a lot of these have to be sourced from the US which is a pain (plus expensive).
Top speed is fine for 50/60mph even with fairly off-road oriented gearing as far as I remember.
Yammy WR250F - I sold the Honda and went for one of these cos I was trashing (dropping) the bike and it was in perfect nick (I wanted to keep its value as much as possible). So I got something cheap 'n dirty that I wouldn't care if it broke basically.
The WR is better off-road of course - most noticeable is that it's lighter than better suspension. It's a competition based engine though, which means high maintenance (think oil change every 3 rides or so). Don't really know what MPG I got as I just fillled up for the ride and re-fuel at certain points. No fuel gauge of course, and no steering lock. Super easy to work on
Another plus point (for me) is that it's carbed. Handy as it's easier to work on should something go wrong. And finally, the mighty kick stand can be useful sometimes (although most wr250f's have electric starter too).
The engine on the wr is fairly bomb proof too.
Finally the DRZ 400 - I've had the SM version which isn't massively different, although the S or maybe even the E version are the ones to get for any off-road stuff. Feels about the same weight as the CRF, but has no 6th gear which can be annoying sometimes (although not on green lanes).
A couple of other options. wr450 is pretty similar to it's younger brother, even in terms of weight/handling, but won't hate you so much for extended road-work usage.
If I was buying again, and new I was going to be doing some road-work, my 1st choice would be a Yam WR250R - the R version is low maintenance, but better than the CRF as it has adjustable suspension. 2nd choice would be the CRF, and 3rd would be a tossup between the DRZ and the WR450f. |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
G |
This post is not being displayed .
|
G The Voice of Reason
Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha |
This post is not being displayed .
|
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha World Chat Champion
Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
bamt |
This post is not being displayed .
|
bamt World Chat Champion
Joined: 15 Dec 2013 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
G |
This post is not being displayed .
|
G The Voice of Reason
Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Monkeypony |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Monkeypony World Chat Champion
Joined: 21 Sep 2011 Karma :
|
Posted: 20:39 - 17 May 2017 Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks so much for all the input folks. Got a shortlist of 4 or 5 bikes that I've found locally and can hopefully get seen and ridden by the end of this weekend. Perfect!
____________________ Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU) |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
TbirdX |
This post is not being displayed .
|
TbirdX Crazy Courier
Joined: 06 Dec 2015 Karma :
|
Posted: 20:54 - 17 May 2017 Post subject: |
|
|
Let us know which way you go ____________________ VFR800X - TTR250 |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Raffles |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Raffles World Chat Champion
Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Pigeon |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Pigeon World Chat Champion
Joined: 27 Sep 2012 Karma :
|
Posted: 22:49 - 17 May 2017 Post subject: |
|
|
I've been using a kickstart only, wobbly knobbly shod XR250R for my 4 mile each way daily commute for 6 months. And done a little offroading (got quite carried away last time, lucky to be in one piece).
I did fit it with indicators and got a full MOT.
Would I buy a dirtbike again, absolutely!
+ Points
It's incredibly light (105kg).
65mpg
Servicing is a doddle
Cheap to insure and run
No battery, saves weight + expense.
Endearing and fun.
Very capable off-road (all about momentum).
- Points
Seat is VERY high. I'm 6ft2 and its high.
Brakes are hilariously bad!
Knobblies at 60mph aren't great, but are ok.
Short gearing is a bit of ballache. You pull out of junctions and just throw gears at it for the first 50 meters until your in 4th and you finally are at road speed. It's already +1 front, so I'm also trying -4 rear shortly, which hopefully won't ruin its offroad punch too much.
If you are offroad, you probably want lightness and knobblies. When it comes time to move on, I'll be looking for >350cc. I think the extra weight offroad will be noticeable, but I'd prefer some sort of engine power for the road. I think 125kg would be ok. Personally, I'd not want anything heavier than that until I was considerably more capable, plus it would remove some of the fun I think. |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha |
This post is not being displayed .
|
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha World Chat Champion
Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Kentol750 |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Kentol750 World Chat Champion
Joined: 24 May 2016 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Rogerborg |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
|
Posted: 08:20 - 20 May 2017 Post subject: |
|
|
Tru dat, DRZ400 asking prices are insane in the membrane. £3200 for a 9 year old bike - with no MOT, even. ____________________ Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
TbirdX |
This post is not being displayed .
|
TbirdX Crazy Courier
Joined: 06 Dec 2015 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Monkeywrenche... |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Monkeywrenche... Nearly there...
Joined: 27 Mar 2015 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
ZX-7R |
This post is not being displayed because the poster is banned. Unhide this post / all posts.
|
ZX-7R Banned
Joined: 24 Jan 2016 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Rogerborg |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Monkeypony |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Monkeypony World Chat Champion
Joined: 21 Sep 2011 Karma :
|
Posted: 06:49 - 22 May 2017 Post subject: |
|
|
So, after a weekend of much test riding and head scratching, I finally gotst me one of these
https://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm52/monkeypony/20170521_114807_zps4pcqwuyg.jpg
2003, 15k miles. Mechanicals in excellent order. Even had heated grips and a second set of tyres. A well under budget bargain at £1800.
Drips a bit of fuel if you leave it parked with the tap open, but that shouldn't be too much of a faff to sort out.
Thanks for all the advice folks. Much appreciated ____________________ Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU) |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
DRZ4Hunned |
This post is not being displayed .
|
DRZ4Hunned World Chat Champion
Joined: 15 Apr 2014 Karma :
|
Posted: 08:50 - 22 May 2017 Post subject: |
|
|
Good choice
Needs new exhaust and a spare set of SM wheels though. ____________________ DRZ400-SM
FZS600 |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Monkeypony |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Monkeypony World Chat Champion
Joined: 21 Sep 2011 Karma :
|
Posted: 08:52 - 22 May 2017 Post subject: |
|
|
DRZ4Hunned wrote: |
Good choice
Needs new exhaust and a spare set of SM wheels though. |
Way ahead of you on that!
New exhaust ordered and the hunt for rims is underway ____________________ Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU) |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Rogerborg |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
|
Posted: 09:21 - 22 May 2017 Post subject: |
|
|
Gizza go, mister before it gets stolen. ____________________ Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Monkeypony |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Monkeypony World Chat Champion
Joined: 21 Sep 2011 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Monkeypony |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Monkeypony World Chat Champion
Joined: 21 Sep 2011 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
mudcow007 |
This post is not being displayed .
|
mudcow007 World Chat Champion
Joined: 01 Feb 2012 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 6 years, 225 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
|
|
|