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What on road/off road(ish) bike?

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TbirdX
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Joined: 06 Dec 2015
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PostPosted: 17:30 - 17 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 Wink
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G
The Voice of Reason



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PostPosted: 18:36 - 17 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

It was the mention of the WR450 - the WR250F is however a competition bike - the WR250R is heavier with longer service intervals (just to be confusingly the opposite of road bikes, F typically means 'race bike' while r means 'slower version).

I think the R is only a little lighter than the KTM690/TE610.

Quote:
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.

As above - KTM690 and TE610 both are better all around pretty much - CCM404 takes the DRZ-E engine and adds better suspension with the al the road kit of the S and weighs less.
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neeklondon
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PostPosted: 18:56 - 17 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 Smile

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.
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G
The Voice of Reason



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PostPosted: 19:02 - 17 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Incidentally, it wouldn't be my choice as a 'general' bike, but I believe the WR400 was supposed to be a good bit tougher than the new bike as far as maintenance goes - thanks to steel rather than titanium valves.

However no electric boot and they're going to be getting on a bit now.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha
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PostPosted: 19:26 - 17 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't get why the crf250l continually receives all the attention that should be split evenly with the klx250. In fact, the latter should receive more than half the recommendations - it's the same power but 6kg lighter. It also has more adjustment available on the rear shock. Afaict, the finish on the KLX is as good as the honda - and everything else worth mentioning is separated by a fag paper. Apart from price i.e. - where the klx usually comes in at least £200 cheaper. Sometimes a lot more.
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bamt
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PostPosted: 19:49 - 17 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

A few months ago I did a day riding around Salisbury plain. Talking to the owner of the company that rented the bikes and led the ride, they'd bought some CRF250Ls to replace their ageing 230s, but stopped using them. As I recall, he said they found them to be less reliable (due to the electronics) and as the plastics were painted rather than self coloured they looked old and tatty very quickly as they got scuffed. One bike got dropped on the road, and bent the frame as the footpeg is mounted straight on it rather than on a sacrificial hanger.

I'd been thinking of one as a fun summer / bad weather winter bike, but that put me off.
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G
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PostPosted: 20:13 - 17 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

For "short and light", the CRF230 could be a nice choice.

Won't be so good on faster roads and lacking pep for more spirited off-road fun.
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Monkeypony
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PostPosted: 20:39 - 17 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

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!

Thumbs Up
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TbirdX
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PostPosted: 20:54 - 17 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Let us know which way you go Smile
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Raffles
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PostPosted: 22:28 - 17 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

trevor saxe-coburg-gotha wrote:
I don't get why the crf250l continually receives all the attention that should be split evenly with the klx250. In fact, the latter should receive more than half the recommendations - it's the same power but 6kg lighter....

I couldn't agree more. Compared with KLX250's, CRF250's are massively overrated.
I own one of the KLX250's bigger brothers, a KLX300R. It weighs less than a CRF and kicks it's ass power and overall performance wise.
KLX's are ultra-reliable, good value for money and well worthy of consideration.
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Pigeon
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PostPosted: 22:49 - 17 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha
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PostPosted: 14:16 - 19 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pigeon wrote:
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.


Same(-ish) - but what bike even is there, that's not primarily competition-orientated (w/ accompanying service intervals of 15 minutes and 27 seconds)?? I haven't done a *massive* amount of research but I'm tempted to say they don't exist.
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Kentol750
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PostPosted: 00:33 - 20 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

All decent bikes in this sector command a high premium....the trf website will tell you why.

There is nothing better than a dual purpose 130kg, 40hp single cylinder bike for fun and short commutes. However, there isn't one(istbc). 2007 drz400sm costs as much now as it did when they offloaded them at £3800...and, it's not an 'e' model..20kg lighter and fitted with wheels that like knobbly tyres.
Been in this murky pond looking for the right bike for years, ended up wanting a 660 tenere with 10bhp more and 15kgs lighter.

Good luck.
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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 08:20 - 20 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tru dat, DRZ400 asking prices are insane in the membrane. £3200 for a 9 year old bike - with no MOT, even.
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TbirdX
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PostPosted: 09:32 - 20 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

What you ask and what you get are not always the same though.

Prices do seem a bit crazy but you can find something more realisticly priced....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-SUZUKI-DRZ-400-SK5-YELLOW-and-BLUE-/282472441401?hash=item41c4ab6639:g:X3YAAOSw42dZEyD6

Have you seen how much XR400's are going for Shocked
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Monkeywrenche...
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PostPosted: 10:35 - 20 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

TbirdX wrote:
What you ask and what you get are not always the same though.


He said to Roger, without a hint of irony. Laughing
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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 11:30 - 20 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Monkeywrencher wrote:
TbirdX wrote:
What you ask and what you get are not always the same though.

He said to Roger, without a hint of irony. Laughing

Got his schtick in my schtick, good and proper. Mad
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Monkeypony
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PostPosted: 06:49 - 22 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 Thumbs Up
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DRZ4Hunned
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PostPosted: 08:50 - 22 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Monkeypony wrote:
DRZ


Good choice Thumbs Up

Needs new exhaust and a spare set of SM wheels though.
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Monkeypony
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PostPosted: 08:52 - 22 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

DRZ4Hunned wrote:
Monkeypony wrote:
DRZ


Good choice Thumbs Up

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 Thumbs Up
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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 09:21 - 22 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gizza go, mister before it gets stolen.
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Monkeypony
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PostPosted: 09:28 - 22 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rogerborg wrote:
before it gets stolen.


Laughing

Quite.

Fingers crossed it'll still be in the garage when I get back from the Isle of Man!

Still, if someone does steal it, there is at least a chance that they'll have a crash and die.

I'm providing a valuable social service Thumbs Up
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Monkeypony
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PostPosted: 16:09 - 17 Aug 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Aaaaaaaand Stolen.

Fun while it lasted.
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mudcow007
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PostPosted: 16:58 - 17 Aug 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

for realz???
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