I'm interested in getting a dual sport

[Matariki]

Right, I finally know what sort of bike to get but at the moment I'm trying figure out which brand and model. My budget is $2700, though I can manage $3000. I need a model that is suitable for a learner (like myself) isn't too big in size (I'm 5 foot 8), road legal, and between 125cc to 250cc.

At the moment I am looking at getting a Honda XLR 125cc. Has anyone had one of these bikes before, if so is it any good? I had a look at one at my local motorcycle store, I like the size of it and it looks pretty good. Though the price is a bit out there (its a new model) and I'm looking at getting a second hand one instead.

I found this one on trademe http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-394293905.htm but I would need someone to go over and check it out for me (I have a broken leg and recovering at home). :yes:

[blackdog]

This would be a better idea. Or similar, they come up all the time.

It's the mileage that gets me, 1500 vs 15000.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dirt-bikes/auction-394839823.htm

[Matariki]

This would be a better idea. Or similar, they come up all the time.

It's the mileage that gets me, 1500 vs 15000.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dirt-bikes/auction-394839823.htm

Whats the difference between the XLR and the NXR?

[Taz]

Whats the difference between the XLR and the NXR?

Lots. Google....

[JATZ]

IMHO you'd outgrow both the little Hondas pretty quick, and they both have drum brakes. FFS it's the 21st century
What about this one ? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-394861335.htm
Or if that's too tall http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-392711346.htm could be worth a try for size.

[Rosie]

IMHO you'd outgrow both the little Hondas pretty quick, and they both have drum brakes. FFS it's the 21st century
What about this one ? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-394861335.htm
Or if that's too tall http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-392711346.htm could be worth a try for size.

The stockman is a good bike, but I'm not sure if they are road legal. The KL250 Super Sherpa is essentially the same bike, but with all the road gear on it. Mine did nearly 50,000k's of adventure touring and I was really pleased with it.
The XT225/250 (sometimes called a Serow) is another good learners bike with a low-ish seat. DR200's are also fairly low, but they don't have quite as much power as a 250.
Some of the taller dual purpose bikes can be 'lowered' cheaply by shaving some of the foam off the seat.

[Matariki]

IMHO you'd outgrow both the little Hondas pretty quick, and they both have drum brakes. FFS it's the 21st century
What about this one ? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-394861335.htm
Or if that's too tall http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-392711346.htm could be worth a try for size.

My only concern is that it might be too tall for me. Can you get the height adjusted on these bikes?

[Matariki]

Hmm... I might just wait then until a bike comes up that fits what I'm looking for.
Are there any bikes I should keep an eye out for in the meanwhile?

[JATZ]

My only concern is that it might be too tall for me. Can you get the height adjusted on these bikes?

Anything can be lowered, :facepalm:
Just depends how much you want to spend. At least you know what sort of bike you want. I suggest you go and try some on for size, maybe go to some bike shops, and while you are looking you'll be getting some more coin together.

Edit: Monstaman on here is selling his wifes sherpa, probly be a nice bike so long as he hasn't ridden it too much :bleh:

[Matariki]

I had a look, apparently these are the top models for 250cc and under:

Suzuki DR200SE - $4,199 (brand new and cheapest price)
Honda CRF230L - $4,999 (brand new)
Kawasaki KLX250S - $4,999 (brand new)
Yamaha WR250R - $6,490 (brand new) The best of the list.

Now, I can put down a down-payment with $2700 for all of them except the Yamaha if I were to buy brand new. I found this one that I might be interested in getting.


SUZUKI DR200SE 2003 (http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/View/Used/SUZUKI-DR200SE-2003/18954.aspx?N=4294967251+4294966489+0)

[Matariki]

Anything can be lowered, :facepalm:
Just depends how much you want to spend. At least you know what sort of bike you want. I suggest you go and try some on for size, maybe go to some bike shops, and while you are looking you'll be getting some more coin together.


Thanks for that. I was worried for a moment that motorcycles came at a set size and weren't adjustable. I probably will go shopping around looking at different sizes of bikes. At the moment I'm trying to make a list of bikes I should be looking at.

[hayden01]

look for a honda ax-1 or nx250 there and older bike and can be quite rare but are a really good bike and can be found prety cheap go quite good think theres a couple on tm at the mo for under 2k the ax is the same bike but with better features like alloy wheels and swing arm and disc brakes front and rear

[blackdog]

Nothing wrong with the DR. It would be a good bike for you.

[ellipsis]

...you seriously need to go to a race track sometime...check out the big boys doing well on smaller bikes...and the small guys doing better, on bikes that seem too big for their little frames...its in the head..its all balance and the odd bit of wanting to be where you need to be...

[JATZ]

If you look at the "bike type" for the DR it says..... agriculture :facepalm: which is probly about right. Don't get me wrong, we have 4 DR's in our house, I just think, like the 125 hondas you would get bored on it pretty quick.
Here's some other things to think about on your bike.....
How many gears, 5 is adequate, 6 is beterer
Whats the seat like ? must be comfortable, 'cause you'll probly spend a bit of time on it.
Whats the fuel range ? is a bigger tank available ?
Service interval.... don't want to be doing oil changes after every ride...
Lighting, 'cause if it's a good ride you'll be leaving home in the dark and coming home in the dark too.

there ya go.... mull that over :yes: and poke your nose into the Adv/dual purpose forum and ask your question there. Or go to http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=12 :blink:

[Rosie]

I had a look, apparently these are the top models for 250cc and under:

Suzuki DR200SE - $4,199 (brand new and cheapest price)
Honda CRF230L - $4,999 (brand new)
Kawasaki KLX250S - $4,999 (brand new)
Yamaha WR250R - $6,490 (brand new) The best of the list.

Now, I can put down a down-payment with $2700 for all of them except the Yamaha if I were to buy brand new. I found this one that I might be interested in getting.


SUZUKI DR200SE 2003 (http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/View/Used/SUZUKI-DR200SE-2003/18954.aspx?N=4294967251+4294966489+0)

The CRF would be my pick from those ones. The KLX and WRR are fairly tall, and, as Jatz said, the DR200 might be a touch underwhelming power-wise. The Yamaha XT250 would be worth adding to your list.
Go around some dealers and have a sit on a variety of road-legal dual purpose bikes, and get an idea of seat heights you are comfortable with. Taller bikes can be lowered, but personally I think it is easier to start with something that is the right height to begin with. And don't let anyone talk you into a bike that feels much too tall - if you aren't comfortable with the bike, you can lose confidence and be put off. Better to start on something shorter, then upgrade to a taller bike once your skills and confidence improve.

If you want some short bike information overload, check out The Shortypants Thread (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=669666) on ADVrider.

[Matariki]

If you look at the "bike type" for the DR it says..... agriculture :facepalm: which is probly about right. Don't get me wrong, we have 4 DR's in our house, I just think, like the 125 hondas you would get bored on it pretty quick.
Here's some other things to think about on your bike.....
How many gears, 5 is adequate, 6 is beterer
Whats the seat like ? must be comfortable, 'cause you'll probly spend a bit of time on it.
Whats the fuel range ? is a bigger tank available ?
Service interval.... don't want to be doing oil changes after every ride...
Lighting, 'cause if it's a good ride you'll be leaving home in the dark and coming home in the dark too.

there ya go.... mull that over :yes: and poke your nose into the Adv/dual purpose forum and ask your question there. Or go to http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=12 :blink:

I'm happy with 5 gears, yes I would like a comfy seat (the bike would be my main form of transport), big tank if possible (economical too), I would prefer not to do an oil change after every ride if possible, good lighting is a must as well as good brakes and tires. Though if I pick up an older model, chances are I would be upgrading these things anyway (the light, brakes, tires and possibly seat).

[Rosie]

I'm happy with 5 gears, yes I would like a comfy seat (the bike would be my main form of transport), big tank if possible (economical too), I would prefer not to do an oil change after every ride if possible, good lighting is a must as well as good brakes and tires. Though if I pick up an older model, chances are I would be upgrading these things anyway (the light, brakes, tires and possibly seat).

Seats are easy to change around. I've given a couple of seats the hack with the electric breadknife, and glued on some different density foam (F3 contact adhesive gel is great for gluing foam), then stapled the cover back on. When reshaping a seat you can also make the front a bit lower and narrower, to make it easier to reach the ground.

[clint640]

I had a look, apparently these are the top models for 250cc and under:

Suzuki DR200SE - $4,199 (brand new and cheapest price)
Honda CRF230L - $4,999 (brand new)
Kawasaki KLX250S - $4,999 (brand new)
Yamaha WR250R - $6,490 (brand new) The best of the list.



Where did you find a WR250R for $6.5K new? They were about $12K last time I looked. Probably not the Yamaha for you anyway if you're worried about seat height, you want the XT250 which is 11cm lower in the seat. KLX seems too cheap also, maybe you are looking at USA websites?

Also keep an eye out for the Suzuki DR250 Djebel, 2nd hand only now but a good everyday dualsport & not too tall.

Cheers
Clint

[Matariki]

YAY! :D

I think I found my new bike, its a Yamaha TW. Its within budget, fits my height and can be made road legal. I'm going down to check it out tomorrow.

[JATZ]

YAY! :D

I think I found my new bike, its a Yamaha TW. Its within budget, fits my height and can be made road legal. I'm going down to check it out tomorrow.

They are quite a funky looking bike.:yes: I do like fat tyres
Is it already road legal ? or does it need a bit of work to get it on the road

Oooo Oooo..... found this for a bit of light reading for you :blink:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=422523

[Matariki]

They are quite a funky looking bike.:yes: I do like fat tyres
Is it already road legal ? or does it need a bit of work to get it on the road
[/url]

I'm hopefully going to find out later on today, but it looks perfect for what I want to do. I'm happy with the find.

[blackdog]

I'm hopefully going to find out later on today, but it looks perfect for what I want to do. I'm happy with the find.

Fingers crossed it's a good one. A cool ride to get you started. Can anyone have a look at it for you?

[LankyBastard]

I had a look, apparently these are the top models for 250cc and under:

Suzuki DR200SE - $4,199 (brand new and cheapest price)
Honda CRF230L - $4,999 (brand new)
Kawasaki KLX250S - $4,999 (brand new)
Yamaha WR250R - $6,490 (brand new) The best of the list.

Now, I can put down a down-payment with $2700 for all of them except the Yamaha if I were to buy brand new. I found this one that I might be interested in getting.


SUZUKI DR200SE 2003 (http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/View/Used/SUZUKI-DR200SE-2003/18954.aspx?N=4294967251+4294966489+0)

Let me know where you are getting these awesome prices from, these are all way cheaper than I have ever seen!! I want in!

[Matariki]

Let me know where you are getting these awesome prices from, these are all way cheaper than I have ever seen!! I want in!

Yeah, as one other member pointed out I think those are American prices.

New Zealand prices:

Suzuki DR200SE: $6500
Honda CRF230L: N/A
Kawasaki KLX250S: $9995
Yamaha WR250R: N/A

[LankyBastard]

Yeah, as one other member pointed out I think those are American prices.

New Zealand prices:

Suzuki DR200SE: $6500
Honda CRF230L: N/A
Kawasaki KLX250S: $9995
Yamaha WR250R: N/A

Damn you had me excited there! haha

If you are still looking at a DR200 I am going to be selling mine, 2010, still in plenty of warranty, 470kms on the clock (yes that low) had its first service and will come with two sets of tyres (on and off road). Will be asking $5000.

[motor_mayhem]

Either of these would be good bikes, well the ktm would awesome (yeah a bit of biase because I have a 525 EXC which is sublime)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-397266568.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-394343495.htm

[Matariki]

I had a look today at the Yamaha TW200. According to the individual I spoke to, he said it would be pointless to get it on the road due to the amount of work that would have to be put into it, not to mention the papers that would be needed to prove where the bike came from (South Africa). Also to do all of that would work out to cost more than the actual bike is worth. Here's a photo of the bike - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=384251108. :facepalm:

I also had a look at the Honda XLR 125 Duster, but it was out of my price range ($3999). It was a brand new bike and suited my height perfectly.
I'm not really after bike that is powerful at this point, but a bike that is economical, road legal (can get me around town), reliable, farm friendly (gravel road friendly in particular) and lastly learner friendly. I can get a bigger bike later on. I could really do with some expert opinion and help with this one. I have approximately $2700 but can spend up to $3000 is necessary.

I'm still keen to look at these ones but I don't know whether they are road legal or not by looking at them (I mean they look road legal but I have doubts after my trip to the motorcycle store).

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-394293905.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-391658273.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-340698729.htm

[Spearfish]

Probably best to post a question or three to the trademe sellers.
They all have plates at least, maybe they will get a wof if you ask so you only need to reactivate the rego.

[Matariki]

Right, considering I'm using my insurance money to get this bike, I'm confident now with my choice of model. I've decided on the Honda NXR125. I've read lots of good reviews about this model and I'm confident that it will give me a good introduction into riding dual sports. I can always buy a bigger bike in the future once I'm ready to upgrade, but for now I'm sure I'll have plenty of fun with this one. Also, its within my budget and I can use it around the farm, road and beach too. :yes:

[JATZ]

Right, considering I'm using my insurance money to get this bike, I'm confident now with my choice of model. I've decided on the Honda NXR125. I've read lots of good reviews about this model and I'm confident that it will give me a good introduction into riding dual sports. I can always buy a bigger bike in the future once I'm ready to upgrade, but for now I'm sure I'll have plenty of fun with this one. Also, its within my budget and I can use it around the farm, road and beach too. :yes:

Are you sure ? :Pokey:

Nah... it should be alright as a starter bike, I think your firs ride should be a hoon out to whiterocks. You guys really are spoilt for choice when it comes to dual sport riding.
When you've got your bike sorted don't forget to check in with the Wellington rideout thread over in the adv forum. Not a bad bunch of guys...... except for the turkey on the crazy loud KLR :weird:......:msn-wink:
They come over the hill quite often and wouldn't mind riding with people of all skill levels, I'm sure

[Cayman911]

Honda NXR.

perfect bike.
buy it.
wont regret it.

I love mine more than my sports bike. or anything else ive ridden or been on.

[Matariki]

Hmm... I have a question referring to an NXR I'm currently looking at, does anyone know how much it would cost roughly to have bike that is registered for beach use to be changed or upgraded for road use? :confused:

[Spearfish]

what do you mean by beach use?
It got plates but lapsed or never been registered or I think farmers can rego a bike at a different cost but there is a limited distance from the home farm they can travel.

The cost will depend on its history

[Matariki]

what do you mean by beach use?
It got plates but lapsed or never been registered or I think farmers can rego a bike at a different cost but there is a limited distance from the home farm they can travel.

The cost will depend on its history

I was told that If I did purchase it I could fill out the required papers at VTNZ, I have no idea how much that would cost though, I can't seem to find much information on their website either. The bike that I'm look at is being sold by dealer up in Palmerston North (this one actually) - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=350358650

This was the email I got:

The bike is registered for beach use. It can be changed to road use by filling out the special forms at VTNZ.

[Spearfish]

I was told that If I did purchase it I could fill out the required papers at VTNZ, I have no idea how much that would cost though, I can't seem to find much information on their website either. The bike that I'm look at is being sold by dealer up in Palmerston North (this one actually) - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=350358650

This was the email I got:

I have never heard of beach use rego.
I think maybe its been put on hold so you will have to make sure its up to WoF standard, pass the wof then go get your registration.
If they have lapsed then you will have a little bit more work to do.

Maybe ask for its rego plate info then get a carjam report, it should answer your questions.

[blackdog]

Give ANZA a phone call, the guys are there to help. Ask them how much for the bike rideaway or 'on the road'. I imagine it needs a WOF at least and they are equipped to do it all for you.

Once they give you a price, remember to negotiate.

[Cayman911]

probably some kind of an exemption to get cheaper rego by the last owner/dealer.

But anyways good you are getting it.
you will love it and keep it for the rest of your life ;)