Market prices for 400cc dual-purpose bikes?

[Cynos]

Hi all,

Not a current dual purpose owner, but looking to buy one, and I'm wondering about the prices for second hand bikes. I'm used to road bike prices, so when I see something like a low ks (10K) 3 year old DRZ400 for 5 - 6K, I'm wondering if it's because that model has a bad rep, if 400cc dual purpose bikes are considered undesirable (underpowered?) or if it's because dual purpose bikes are probably going to suffer more wear and tear...

...or if it's just a completely different market altogether. Basically, my mental model for fair bike prices is based on road bikes, so I'm trying to learn what factors I should be considering in looking at a second hand dual purpose.

Cheers in advance for any advice.

[clint640]

Hi all,
or if it's because dual purpose bikes are probably going to suffer more wear and tear...
.

You got it there. Most DRZ400's get used as trail bikes so don't do a lot of km's, but the km's that they do can be pretty hard ones. It's vital to have a close look at the condition & mechanical history of dirt bikes as they can need a lot more maintenance per km than something used on the street.

Cheers
Clint

[Kokopelli]

Of course this doesn't apply to 800cc bikes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/Berwyn/DSC00455-1.jpg

[Cynos]

You got it there. Most DRZ400's get used as trail bikes so don't do a lot of km's, but the km's that they do can be pretty hard ones. It's vital to have a close look at the condition & mechanical history of dirt bikes as they can need a lot more maintenance per km than something used on the street.

Cheers
Clint

Hehe, so does it work like dog years? 1 off road kilometre is the equivalent of 7 on road?

[paddy]

Of course this doesn't apply to 800cc bikes.

A little off the topic - but where was that picture taken?

[Kokopelli]

A little off the topic - but where was that picture taken?

Today, at the Kawasaki Sandpit in the Woodhill forest.

[.chris]

Today, at the Kawasaki Sandpit in the Woodhill forest.

(absolutely off topic) Mid week riding at woodhill, you lucky devil.
We should organise a dualsport day at the forest. Could be some fun.

[Kokopelli]

(absolutely off topic) Mid week riding at woodhill, you lucky devil.
We should organise a dualsport day at the forest. Could be some fun.

I am not going back there on my R80GS. I only did about 5km of this and only because it's all one way traffic and I couldn't go back. It's like holding on to a tiger's tail you can't do it slowly.

The Waitemata MCC Family Day Trail rides are doable, but this stuff is way beyond my skill level. A tree could jump out at you at any time.

Sorry about the off-topic hijack.

[clint640]

Hehe, so does it work like dog years? 1 off road kilometre is the equivalent of 7 on road?

Not that easy sorry - it really depends on how well the maintenance has been done, a bike has been ridden hard but cleaned & lubed after every ride & had all the servicing done on time will be totally different to something that has been ridden hard & put away wet.

It also depends on the type of bike, the lighter, faster more enduro style machines like a KTM EXC or a Yamaha WR wear out much faster than the likes of the DRZ.

Cheers
Clint

[Cynos]

Not that easy sorry - it really depends on how well the maintenance has been done, a bike has been ridden hard but cleaned & lubed after every ride & had all the servicing done on time will be totally different to something that has been ridden hard & put away wet.

It also depends on the type of bike, the lighter, faster more enduro style machines like a KTM EXC or a Yamaha WR wear out much faster than the likes of the DRZ.

Cheers
Clint

Hmm, thanks... are there any telltales for poor or infrequent maintenance? I guess damage from being dropped is fairly common, but what shows wear the most obvious? I imagine structural and suspension issues are more likely than engine problems?

[george formby]

I'm scratching my head as I type, been a while since I was in your position, sadly. Apply everything you know about road bikes to your dual sport, a bikes a bike. Prices are what you find in the marketplace, I guess, no rule of thumb. A dirtbike can look pretty dinged but still be mechanically sound if it has been looked after. Engine should not be rattly, air filter should be clean, no play on any bearings, clean oil etc. Gear lever should not wobble around, sprockets & chain should not be ground down & hanging off. Suspension should have no weeps, nor should it bounce round like a pogo stick. Head bearings should not knock. Check frame welds for cracks & any dubious rounded off nut's. I'm sure you get the picture. Good luck!

[bart]

A lot comes down to how the km's were gathered. 10000km of trail riding would be a lot, with the bike working hard for a large portion of the time.

10000km of adventure riding isn't so bad, as this doesn't equate to many rides when doing 300-400 km a day. This is all warm running, with the engine idling along at road speeds for most of it. Lots of cold starts does more harm than lots of km's.

DRZ's new are around 10k (road legal model), so 5-6k seems fair for something like this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=244967891

:whistle::whistle::whistle:

[Waihou Thumper]

Who's the Zuki owner of this one....hmmm:whistle:

[paddy]

Today, at the Kawasaki Sandpit in the Woodhill forest.

Wow! You took the R80 through the sandpit? I've thought about going up with the DR250 a few times but I figured I would just irritate the MX riders.

[NordieBoy]

I've thought about going up with the DR250 a few times but I figured I would just irritate the MX riders.

And what would the downside be?

[Kokopelli]

Wow! You took the R80 through the sandpit? I've thought about going up with the DR250 a few times but I figured I would just irritate the MX riders.

There weren't many people there. As a matter of fact, I would have felt more comfortable to know that other people might come through. In hindsight, going in alone was somewhat stupid. However, it was certainly exciting.

[warewolf]

Today, at the Kawasaki Sandpit in the Woodhill forest.Geez I miss riding out there!! :crybaby:


I've thought about going up with the DR250 a few times but I figured I would just irritate the MX riders.My DR-Z250 went to the Sandpit shitloads. No problem at all, the MX fellahs held me up about as often as vice-versa. Most excellent training ground out there, I thoroughly recommend it. And loads of fun :2thumbsup

[Padmei]

And what would the downside be?

Ummmm a mouthful of roost?

[Taz]

We should organise a dualsport day at the forest. Could be some fun.

Also off topic but at least it serves as a bump....

I'd be into that on my dualsport :)

[Crisis management]

Also off topic but at least it serves as a bump....

I'd be into that on my dualsport :)

Been there, done that on the DR650, I'm taking the 200......

[Kokopelli]

I'd be in, if I had a KDX200 or at least a DRZ400.

[clint640]

I'm scratching my head as I type, been a while since I was in your position, sadly. Apply everything you know about road bikes to your dual sport, a bikes a bike. Prices are what you find in the marketplace, I guess, no rule of thumb. A dirtbike can look pretty dinged but still be mechanically sound if it has been looked after. Engine should not be rattly, air filter should be clean, no play on any bearings, clean oil etc. Gear lever should not wobble around, sprockets & chain should not be ground down & hanging off. Suspension should have no weeps, nor should it bounce round like a pogo stick. Head bearings should not knock. Check frame welds for cracks & any dubious rounded off nut's. I'm sure you get the picture. Good luck!

Good reply, one of the other key things to check on a dirtbike that you wouldn't give much thought to on a road bike is the rear suspension bearings &/or bushings. Give the back wheel an up-down wiggle to check for play. If the bike has seen lots of mud & water & the swingarm has never been serviced you can be up for $100's of parts & a world of pain trying to press out nasty old rusty bits. This is really more applicable to trail bikes than more road biased adv machines but if you are looking at DRZ400's a lot of them get used as trail bikes.
Also be aware that people that are using a bike for trail rides will often strip off all the road gear, including the speedo, for offroad, so the actual kms might be more than shown.

Cheers
Clint

[Taz]

Engine should not be rattly,

Unless it's a KTM RFS or a Yamaha WR450F They are rattly from new.

[Cynos]

Good reply, one of the other key things to check on a dirtbike that you wouldn't give much thought to on a road bike is the rear suspension bearings &/or bushings. Give the back wheel an up-down wiggle to check for play. If the bike has seen lots of mud & water & the swingarm has never been serviced you can be up for $100's of parts & a world of pain trying to press out nasty old rusty bits. This is really more applicable to trail bikes than more road biased adv machines but if you are looking at DRZ400's a lot of them get used as trail bikes.
Also be aware that people that are using a bike for trail rides will often strip off all the road gear, including the speedo, for offroad, so the actual kms might be more than shown.

Cheers
Clint

Cheers mate, good to know.

[warewolf]

Unless it's a KTM RFS or a Yamaha WR450F They are rattly from new.Hell yes. Compared to my 2T they sound like a can of bolts in a paint shaker.

[bart]

Good reply, one of the other key things to check on a dirtbike that you wouldn't give much thought to on a road bike is the rear suspension bearings &/or bushings. Give the back wheel an up-down wiggle to check for play. If the bike has seen lots of mud & water & the swingarm has never been serviced you can be up for $100's of parts & a world of pain trying to press out nasty old rusty bits. This is really more applicable to trail bikes than more road biased adv machines but if you are looking at DRZ400's a lot of them get used as trail bikes.
Also be aware that people that are using a bike for trail rides will often strip off all the road gear, including the speedo, for offroad, so the actual kms might be more than shown.

Cheers
Clint

There are a few positive things about these bikes too. Bullet proof engines with plenty of power, and light enough to throw around in the tight stuff. Some of them even get looked after. :2thumbsup