What bike to buy?

[irsh]

Hi
i'm interested in changing from my Suzuki freewind to something a bit more offroad orientated to make use of some of the great terrain welly and nz has to offer .i would stick some knobblys on the freewind but it's far to shiny for that carry on and i wouldn't forgive my self if or WHEN i fell off !!
I'm a total noob to off roading (apart from the odd quad tour) but have been riding on road for about 10 years ..
I'm looking at going to a 400ish road legal trail bike that can be used (sometimes) as a commute and be ridden off road on the weekend or after work.
hope i don't start any fights here but what would you recommend as a good all rounder ?
so far iv'e been looking at these ,DRZ and KLX400, KTM 400exc, WR400, XR400 and so on !

oh and I'm looking at spending 5000 tops for a 2nd hand machine and would like to keep it above 98 .

would love to come out with some welly riders when i get sorted if you dont mind sharing your knowledge with an irish noob!!

[dino3310]

if ya think highly of the freewind you would not go wrong with the DR650, same donkey just more offroad oriented, theres a few good ones around for cheap... its still a buyers market.
good luck with choosing a bike, its a never ending debate, just demo ride as many as you can till you find the right one, and only you will know whats right for you.

[Eddieb]

+1 on the DR650. Very smiliar to what you have already obviously, capable of off road riding and still good for road trips. And for that money you should be able to get an early 2000's bike with money to spare to spend on goodies.

[Waihou Thumper]

Yep, for the money, I would definitely go that way. Zuki reliability, they will tractor along all day, and will take a camels load on the back too! I have seen them loaded to the gunwhales.....(Navy Term..) :)
Don't float though like ships, but will go through water nicely...I would certainly go down that road for that ball park figure!

[junkmanjoe]

yea same her . +1 on the dr650. i feel your 400cc choice, you my regret for the longer trips to the rides.
a naked dr650 is light and nimble, and a fuel range of around 220-230kms for the 12 liter tank.

in todays market, 5k will land a good late model bike.

a couple possible options

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-246372860.htm this one bang on your money...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-252360328.htm

talk to Bart as he used to own a DRZ400 and traded up to a dr650, im sure he be happy to chat to you.

be great to see you out and about,

JMJ

[topo]

How about my bike:whistle:, 2nd only to a 690r and right on the money.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1129648685

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn175/topo-t-south/ktm%20build/P2110062.jpg

Even got some room for negotiation regarding the panniers.

[JATZ]

How about my bike:whistle:, 2nd only to a 690r and right on the money.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1129648685

removed image..... don't wanna get a smack

Even got some room for negotiation regarding the panniers.

That aint your bike ! ........ can't be..........hasn't looked like that in aaaaaages.

It is a good bike though Irish.

[warewolf]

I'm looking at going to a 400ish road legal trail bike that can be used (sometimes) as a commute and be ridden off road on the weekend or after work. Sounds to me like you are wanting to do primarily off-road/trails with some road legal stuff thrown in. In that case, I would point you at the 400 class as you have been. I would only say DR650 if you wanted to do longer trips and struggle off-road.

For every reason the 650 is better on the road, the 400 will be better off-road. Take your pick.

[marks]

Sounds to me like you are wanting to do primarily off-road/trails with some road legal stuff thrown in. In that case, I would point you at the 400 class as you have been. I would only say DR650 if you wanted to do longer trips and struggle off-road.

For every reason the 650 is better on the road, the 400 will be better off-road. Take your pick.


wot this man said

there is an invisible line somewhere beween a drz400 and a dr650. ones a trail bike you can ride on the road and the others a road bike you can ride off road. neither does both things well - nothing does :(



take your pick

[bart]

Hard to say what you want. If you plan on doing <200km days with technical (ish) off road, the DRZ400 or similar is great. 300+km with mostly road (or gravel), you can't go past the DR650.

Total different beasts. Engine on the 650 has a lot more torque. 400 is way more nimble in the tighter stuff. The 400 seems to handle being dropped better. Close ratio gearbox is the only real downfall for the 400. 650 seems to thump away all day, and isn't quite as finicky as the 400.

If you're not planning on full on trail rides, that yellow one in Joe's post looks a good deal. If you want serious offroad stuff, that black KTM of Topo's looks real pretty.;)

[Gizzit]

As others have said, the DR650 is a great bike, and real good value for money. It is a compromise though, as are all dual sport bikes. The DRZ will definitely be better off road, ... no doubt about it. The DR650 will be much better than the DRZ .... on road, over longer distance in particular ( I wouldn't want to ride far on road on a DRZ ... but some people can .. ?)
And some of the guys here take DR650's off road, into some pretty hairy places ..... because they will go there ( and so will the bike !! :D ), ...... just not as easily as a DRZ.

"You pays your money and takes your chances" !! Like the Speights add says ..... "It's hard to find the perfect woman, boy !! ( I mean bike !! lol)
Best of luck.

[irsh]

Thanks for all the great advice advice lads.
topo your KTM bike has me drooling :drool: ... might just be sending you a PM at some stage
i had thought of going to a DR 650 alright and have looked into them. it's definitely been a contender and now could be back in the running
one of the reasons i was looking going under the 600cc mark was to avoid paying the full wack for having a "POWERFUL" bike if or when these A-holes in the govt and ACC send the rego through the roof :angry2: . i know i shouldn't let them pricks decide what i drive But the other reason would be the amount of on road use i do lately. I basically live 15ks from my job and when i do use the bike i have to commute through the city to get there so no real open roading .As for touring... in the last 2 years i've done one long hauler to Christchurch for the pearl jam concert. i generally take the car with me on big trips as i'm a keen fisho and bring heaps of shite with me when i go anywhere, but i guess i'd be limiting myself to welly if i went with the 400 .....oh now i'm confused :wacko:

like dino3310 says i should probably get out and demo some machines and see what tickles me fancy!
thanks a again fellas

[Toureg]

Dont limit yourself to Welly, just harden up and do some riding. I had a r1200gs, real nice bike but it made me lazy and shy of rough terrain. So now I take my 400 on 500km days regularly over a mixture of terrain. Did a 4 day 2100km rounder of both cape lighthouses in November last year and am heading south for 9 days late march for a top to bottom run with a bunch of mates. These days you cant do much over 100kmh before you attract attention and there is a perverse satisfaction in actually maintaining a good speed average over a long haul on a small capacity bike. I have a ball on the gravel and am not knackered at the end of the day. In the tight windy seal it is a hoot, if a little flat on the hills so that when I snap off a few pics and roll a durry.Just get out and do it irish!

[bart]

I basically live 15ks from my job

That far....I've got 3km....but I go home for lunch, so that's...ummm...12km a day. The DR650 loves it. The DRZ400 was a bitch, as it didn't get warmed up until it was to late. (reminds me of something else???):pinch:

[dino3310]

sounds like the XR600 (591cc ) might be a contender here. :whistle:

[GPS MAN]

Yea, the DR 650 is more dirt oriented than the KLR...

It would be my choice for more dirt work!!!

Did I say Work?????? UGH!

[Taz]

My 525exc is the bees knees for the rides themselves. I prefer to trailer it to rides more than 150 kms away tho as it aint the most comfy road bike. Mine came with the motard wheels and I have fitted a knobby to the rear motard rim to use on the road (thats gravel and seal) based adv rides as the motard wheel has the cush drive. It's a very smooth powerful sweet handling ride in these conditions. The things that really make it better than the DRZ are the suspension and 6th gear. I can put along in first thru the bush yet still do 160km/h on the road (private closed road of course). Think you'll struggle to find a good registered one for 5k tho.

[countryguy]

I've just got back into trail riding after several years and ended up with a 08 DR650 that is off road biased through the addition of a 13th front sprocket, bash plate and knobblies. I also use it to ride to work 8k's. After riding the likes of xr 200's and 250's years ago I find I can take the DR most places I would have years ago except for very knarly areas where I cant ride slow enough.

With my present set up 100-110km's on the road is about top cruising speed but its a piece of cake to put the original sprocket back on. It does tend to get a bit unstable over these speeds on the knobblies though.

Just my thoughts from a relative 'newby' to dual sports.

[Gizzit]

I've just got back into trail riding after several years and ended up with a 08 DR650 that is off road biased through the addition of a 13th front sprocket, bash plate and knobblies. I also use it to ride to work 8k's. After riding the likes of xr 200's and 250's years ago I find I can take the DR most places I would have years ago except for very knarly areas where I cant ride slow enough.

With my present set up 100-110km's on the road is about top cruising speed but its a piece of cake to put the original sprocket back on. It does tend to get a bit unstable over these speeds on the knobblies though.

Just my thoughts from a relative 'newby' to dual sports.

Good choice !!! :niceone: I have a new DR650 .... having previously owned one in 2008. I should never have sold that one !!! :)

[Pedrostt500]

The DR650 is my pick of the bunch, a good simple bike, plenty around and suzuki has done little to change the formula on them, if getting a second hand one, look for one that some one has put all the Goodies on, I'm happy with my one, and its stock standard.

[irsh]

I'm starting to think DR650 more and more now . i just missed out on one yesterday on TM for 4995 but they're popping up regularly. In the mean time i need to get rid of the freewind so i've put it on TM.
i have been going cross eyed looking at bikes and checking out reviews but the DR comes up trumps for most of the applications i would subject it to. will definitely be putting some new fruit on it when i get one if it's not already been pimped .what would be thefirst things to look at ?......i suppose protection and safety wise first :yawn: ....then performance :devil2:

[veny]

Ever thought about why DR's are popping up on TardMe so regularly?
Why are they not hanging on to them like KLR owners?:yes:

[Padmei]

Veny Veny Veny... sigh... You have awakened the beast...

[dino3310]

Ever thought about why DR's are popping up on TardMe so regularly?
Why are they not hanging on to them like KLR owners?:yes:
dont even f@#k%n go there :shutup:

Veny Veny Veny... sigh... You have awakened the beast... yeah kinda turning into an old record aye mate

[dino3310]

or you could buy this
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-273836939.htm

[Ally67]

Ever thought about why DR's are popping up on TardMe so regularly?
Why are they not hanging on to them like KLR owners?:yes:


Perhaps it's because KLR owners know they won't be able to sell :Pokey: :bleh:

sorry..... had to be said...... as you were






jatz.....

[Padmei]

or you could buy this
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-273836939.htm

That would be a great buy. Like a DR but good



(sorry it just came to me)

[NordieBoy]

Ever thought about why DR's are popping up on TardMe so regularly?
Why are they not hanging on to them like KLR owners?:yes:


Veny Veny Veny... sigh... You have awakened the beast...


dont even f@#k%n go there :shutup:
yeah kinda turning into an old record aye mate

:D





Shall I or shant I?

To respond or not to respond – that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outraged KLR'ista,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And, by farkling, end them.

[pete376403]

Ever thought about why DR's are popping up on TardMe so regularly?
Why are they not hanging on to them like KLR owners?:yes:

Touche....

[bart]

I'm happy with my DR. Bit of a clunker. Kind of like a Lada. Very capable at most things, and not too much plastic to fall off.:yes:

Get's me to all sorts of weird places (and the gearbox hasn't broken yet).

[junkmanjoe]

I'm starting to think DR650 more and more now . i just missed out on one yesterday on TM for 4995 but they're popping up regularly. In the mean time i need to get rid of the freewind so i've put it on TM.
i have been going cross eyed looking at bikes and checking out reviews but the DR comes up trumps for most of the applications i would subject it to. will definitely be putting some new fruit on it when i get one if it's not already been pimped .what would be thefirst things to look at ?......i suppose protection and safety wise first :yawn: ....then performance :devil2:


i know of a XT 660 up for sale.. hes a kiwibiker chap.

JMJ

[irsh]

ha ha i knew a fight would break out at some stage ...keep it clean boys !!:bash:
the klr's are a nice bike but i want something with a little less plastic to break off.

dino3310 i have that xt 600 on my watch list alright but for the same money i'd probably opt for a DR650.

junkmanjoe How much is that xt660 going for and what year is it . i had a 96 xtz tenere660 a few years back . it was a nice big thumper but i kept having to put the plastics back together every time i came off .oh and the exhaust cracked and made it sound like a black hawk helicopter. i like the newer models though

[irsh]

i've been looking into the XT600E a bit more and they seem to have decent reviews . there's a couple of post 2000 models on trademe at the moment for the right money . how do they fair against the DR650 . the cc rating is perfect as it keeps it below the 600 mark to avoid being shagged by ACC

[dino3310]

i'll always rate the DR as a better bike but i am very bias:innocent:

but there must be some good reasoning why the bike hire places use the xt600:yes:
you'l see the odd one still ticking over at 150k

[Woodman]

i've been looking into the XT600E a bit more and they seem to have decent reviews . there's a couple of post 2000 models on trademe at the moment for the right money . how do they fair against the DR650 . the cc rating is perfect as it keeps it below the 600 mark to avoid being shagged by ACC

Ask thepom (kenny) about them. He had a minter , well in the morning anyway.

[bishxt]

i've been looking into the XT600E a bit more and they seem to have decent reviews . there's a couple of post 2000 models on trademe at the moment for the right money . how do they fair against the DR650 . the cc rating is perfect as it keeps it below the 600 mark to avoid being shagged by ACC.

Having had my 02 XT600E for 8 years prior to it pegging out on the DB1k, I'd certainly rate it as a good bike does everything, goes most places and very prang proof (can testify to that after many trail-riding offs!). But after having had a DR for a month I'd agree with dino, other than the reliability which I've yet to find out :shit: It goes, stops and wheelies better and is generally an easier less lardy beast on the trails. Also the farkling bits seem much easier to come by in NZ than those for the XT....

[irsh]

hi guys , well I've still not managed to secure a bike and one of the reasons being nobody's been showing an interest in mine untill the other day . A guy is interested in doing a swap for the freewind with a 2001 DR650 and i'm pretty keen to accept the offer and the values seem about right. the one thing that has me concerned is the ks .they're up to 44k but by the look of the pics and the word of the owner it seems to have been well looked after and serviced regularly . in your opinion(s) would the high ks be anything to worry about with the DR engine or is there anything in particular to look out for aprt from the usual stuff...the guy is a mature man in his 60s and says he's only ever used it on the seal and a few gravel roads and he's had it since 10k . the bike comes with ,bash plate ,heated grips, comfy seat,bark busters etc and good rubber ....oh and wof and reg.
like i said i'm pretty keen but fools rush in as they say.

[NordieBoy]

Check to see if there is a small sticky-outy bit with a rivet in it on the base gasket under the cam-chain tensioner. If there isn't then the base gasket will need doing at some stage.

Apart from seeing if there is a whine in 3rd (my '01 didn't) there's not really much to look for.

[dino3310]

like i said i'm pretty keen but fools rush in as they say.

:lol: i know all about that :whistle:


see if you can swap for a day so you can get her into ya garage, strip her and go over her with a fine tooth comb.
never any garranties with second hand mate, sounds alright though.