Adventure bike/dirt bike buying advice needed

[Nacnud12]

Hey Kiwi bikers, bit of an advice thread this one.

I am in the market for a adventure dirt bike kind of thing. I had my eyes on that R80 G/S before it was listed on trade me but decided against it.
I was a bit worried about the weight and think that i would be after something more trail bike biased. My trade me watch list is getting out of hand with bikes!

Looking for something that is street legal but would still handle a good time down at Woodhill or Muriwai beach and that would get me out there or over to Coromandel or further if I desire.

I had old XR100 as a kid on my parents farm and loved that and it went forever! I thought a road legal XR400 or something would be the ticket. Ive had a look at a 97 (i think it was) DR650 in red barron in Auckland and that went well but I just can't decide what to go for after reading so many reviews of them and different bikes.
Light 250 4stoke like a KTM or WR or TTR or 400XR or a 650 like the DR or a NX650.
I also have a bit of a budget I want to stick with of $4000ish

A few that I am watching on trade me currently
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=742205584
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=695978906
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=740203886
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=736858308
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=737510180

All advise greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[2smokes]

Think very carefully about your intended use. You want to ride to coro and back? the seat on the KTM will grow teeth and eat your ass. And it's a competition style motor. Great bike for the forest. Stay away from the old drum brake stuff unless that's your thing. Bikes like the DR and XT will do big miles if they are well maintained but they are not the fastest. The fast stuff will require rebuilding on a regular basis. Like I always tell my wife-no such thing as a perfect bike, that's why I need several! Buy the KTM for the bush and the big XT for the road.:2thumbsup

[petegl58]

I agree about deciding about intended use.
There is a great range of adventure bikes and varying capabilities.
Some are more road oriented some more trail.
If you have a good riding skill set i.e. you are capable of riding trail bikes on real trails the decision will be easier.
I started on a 78 Honda XL500s and moved to a 99 DR650 Se ( 14 years now). My DR eats road miles and handles most gnarly trails. It doesn't have plastic body work to break when the handlebars touch the ground . . . and they will !
It will carry a pillion with discomfort. It was priced well. It is cheap to maintain and reliable.70km now.
I am not suggesting that this is THE bike, it has worked well for me. I also have a Yamaha WR 250 F for real trails.
An R80 is an old bike now and will need constant fettling to keep reliable.
There are lots of Adv of varying price and hence sophistication.
Go out and ride a few. Get a test track and try them on this. If people or dealers want to sell, they will help with this.
If you lack offroad skill , seek coaching. It can only serve you well.
Skills required , riding standing up, feet on the pegs all the time, uphill and down hill riding, river crossing technique.
Good luck

[clint640]

Of that stuff on TM, I'd go for the TTR250. They are one of the higher performance old skool 250 trail bikes, not too heavy, not too high maintenance, ok suspension & brakes. Will get over to Coromandel happily while still being fun on a trail ride.

After some riding it may turn out that you want something more offroad focussed, or more touring oriented, but the TTR would do everything ok & would be especially good to get started on if your offroad skills are a bit rusty, heavier bikes aren't fun in the sand or trails unless you are on your game.

Cheers
Clint

[Oscar]

Hey Kiwi bikers, bit of an advice thread this one.

I am in the market for a adventure dirt bike kind of thing. I had my eyes on that R80 G/S before it was listed on trade me but decided against it.
I was a bit worried about the weight and think that i would be after something more trail bike biased. My trade me watch list is getting out of hand with bikes!

Looking for something that is street legal but would still handle a good time down at Woodhill or Muriwai beach and that would get me out there or over to Coromandel or further if I desire.

I had old XR100 as a kid on my parents farm and loved that and it went forever! I thought a road legal XR400 or something would be the ticket.

I have had a couple of road legal XR400's and they are very suitable with a coupla modifications (countershaft sprocket, that sorta thing).
On the same theme, a DRZ400EK (that's the road legal enduro one, as opposed to the DRZ400S) might be worth a look.

[Gremlin]

An R80G/S is not what you're really after if you're talking Woodhill, trails etc. Sure, it can do it, but you had better be on your game.

Which are you going to do more... trails or road. Either can do the other, but if you're doing a little road to get to the trail, then you want something more trail biased as that's where you're having fun. Or vice versa...

The 250s are going to be better for the trail stuff, but then possibly boring as hell on the road... fit for purpose and all that.

[Padmei]

I agree with Oscar. A drz400 (or KLX400 - same bike different colours) would be be a good bet. They play well but are bit of a bugger on longer rides. You have to search for a road legal one tho.
In saying that KLRs can do anything - & in style:Punk:

You do know that once you buy your bike (whatever one you want) you will be looking for a second bike to do the things your first bike won't do.

[R650R]

The DR650 is the jack of all trades adventure bike, buy the right one and you wont lose any $$$$ if you switch to something else later.

[Nacnud12]

Awesome thanks for all the comments and info!

I think the riding I do will be a bit more off road and trail orientated.

I am pretty used to nasty seats, last month I rode my 64 Lambretta on a 1600km round trip to Cape Reinga and back ha! It just went numb.
Reading up on the KTMs they do sound a lot more maintenance heavy, which I am totally ok with dealing with my self but the Kwakas, Yamaha's etc do sound like more trouble free riding.

I really want to improve my off road skills, which would take a bit of change from my current on road skills. Would the TTR250s sit at 100-110km on the open road ok? Don't want to be straining it too much.

Starting to get pretty interested in the DRZ400 or Kawasaki equivalent. Just not sure if I will find one in my $4000ish budget…
This DR650 looks like a good buy, just worried it will be a bit heavy for trail riding for me http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-742662483.htm

[SE950]

ktms are ready to ride, and yes they do need loving, drz400 hard to bet, xr650 would be the best if it had starter motor, a 250 would be the bike to start on, it will help your through those hard parts, make sure swing arm, head set, disks, suspension are in good con, these could cost you good money, chain, sprockets, tyres, brake pads are part of owning a bike, as other posts have said two bikes are the go. all bikes brands fail, if not looked after.:2thumbsup:banana:

[clint640]

Reading up on the KTMs they do sound a lot more maintenance heavy,

It's not a KTM thing, more a lightweight enduro/MX racebike thing. That 250EXC will be no more maintenance intensive than Yamaha's equivalent, the WR250-F. The difference is that Yamaha make a bunch of totally different 250's as well that are lower performance but don't need servicing every few hrs.

The TTR250 will do 100-110 ok but not much left for hills/headwinds/passing.

Cheers
Clint

[Nacnud12]

Hopefully having a go on a drz400 this weekend. More I look at them I think that or the ttr250 is they way to go.

A 2001 dzr400 has just popped up on trademe in Nelson. Doesn't seem much change in that year to the current year apart from graphics. Anything to look out for with them? Klx400 has also been listed in Christchurch but I think it will be over my budget by the time it gets to auckland.

[DR650gary]

Enjoy the search but I would suggest you limit the search to bikes you can actually go and touch, in the nicest possible way. Even the best description will not be perfect.

As it is your first adventure bike you need to know what the fit and feel is IMHO.

Good luck and try to ride a few.

Cheers

[Padmei]

I would actually pretty much jump at that DRZ in Nelson. There don't come many in that price range & if you got a safaritank you'd be set.

Have you checked out Thumpertalk? All you need to know about DRZ's is in there. I think the only thing that may be a problem is the stator shits itself - I think.
I had a KLX that was tweaked & it had way more grunt than I could use offroad - way more than the 350. Unfortunately they didn't include a 6 speed box with the 400 otherwise it would be one of the best adv/trail bikes for your money.

[pete-blen]

Of that stuff on TM, I'd go for the TTR250. They are one of the higher performance old skool 250 trail bikes, not too heavy, not too high maintenance, ok suspension & brakes. Will get over to Coromandel happily while still being fun on a trail ride.

After some riding it may turn out that you want something more offroad focussed, or more touring oriented, but the TTR would do everything ok & would be especially good to get started on if your offroad skills are a bit rusty, heavier bikes aren't fun in the sand or trails unless you are on your game.

Cheers
Clint

if you look at a TTR250... listen for a clunk when the motor is shut down...
it's a tell tail that the starter gears are soon to go.... is about the only
falt with the TTR...

[Nacnud12]

Sneaked out from work for a bit this morning and had a play on a drz400. Really liked it! Then called up about the one in Nelson and had a good chat to the owner. He put up a buy now so I went for it. Also has a new vtnz wof. All happened so fast but I'm damn excited to get the bike! Just need to sort out delivery now

[DR650gary]

Well done.

Just organised Biketranz to bring a bike up from Invercargill.

They were negotiable so may be worth a call.

http://biketranz.co.nz/contact/

Cheers

[Padmei]

Do a ring around. Some places don't like coming to Nelson as it is out of the way from the main trunkline. One crowd who picked up a bike I sold were hopeless & were expecting me to ride it to them in Picton - they also lost the stock exhaust pipe that went with it.

Well done. you'll have heaps of fun. look out for a safari tank now- you'll need it.

[Nacnud12]

I've used a couple before both Bike tranz and Mototcycle Movers. Bike tranz have quoted 390+gst and motorcycle movers 350inc. Both companies I've found have been really good. Can't wait to get the bike!

[RMOTO]

Sneaked out from work for a bit this morning and had a play on a drz400. Really liked it! Then called up about the one in Nelson and had a good chat to the owner. He put up a buy now so I went for it. Also has a new vtnz wof. All happened so fast but I'm damn excited to get the bike! Just need to sort out delivery now

DRZ400? Terrible bike, I'd never ride one. I'd call him and see if you can get your money back

:p

Good job mate, I'm sure you will enjoy it...

[pete-blen]

DRZ400? Terrible bike, I'd never ride one. I'd call him and see if you can get your money back


yer..you have been though a few motors haven't yer ? :nya:

[Nacnud12]

Woohoo! Bike turned up this morning. Can't wait for the weekend and a play. Until then commuting duties for it over the Lambretta
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/2y3e6ezy.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/vusype2a.jpg

[.chris]

Woohoo! Bike turned up this morning. Can't wait for the weekend and a play. Until then commuting duties for it over the Lambretta



Nice ride, bet you will enjoy it, got plans for the weekend? Was thinking of heading out myself.

[RMOTO]

Woohoo! Bike turned up this morning.

You're lawns will never be that short again :msn-wink:

[Nacnud12]

Nice ride, bet you will enjoy it, got plans for the weekend? Was thinking of heading out myself.

I want to pick up a new helmet and some boots Saturday morning and then keen to head out to Woodhill or Muriwai beach and have a play and get the hang off the bike.

Let me know it would be great to ride with some one. Don't know too many areas out there.

[Padmei]

I want to pick up a new helmet and some boots Saturday morning and then keen to head out to Woodhill or Muriwai beach and have a play and get the hang off the bike.

Let me know it would be great to ride with some one. Don't know too many areas out there.

If you are going for a fang keep an eye out on the fuel tank. I see you have your auxillary one strapped on. I used to run mine dry very quickly as the throttle always wanted to be wide open. I don't want you to run out & be left on the bombing range. You'll prob want good knobs if you are going off road out there.

If it hasn't got case savers they may be a good idea if you are going adventuring & also people file the inside of the gear lever as it has a sharp edge that can purportedly pierce the case.

Oh & take a pillow if you intend to ride it for more than 50 kms:pinch:

[Nacnud12]

What sort of range will one tank do?

Yeah the last owner made up that rack, fits a 5l of petrol and has a couple spots for 1l of oil to slot into. Also came with a new set of knob lies, don't think they are road legal though.
Seat has also been chopped down and re upholstered, tidy job but might hunt for an original one.

I am about to order a set of case savers from thumper talk, maybe a couple of other bits too.
Quite keen to get the Edge tail light and indicator system, much nicer looking than the stock unit!

[.chris]

I want to pick up a new helmet and some boots Saturday morning and then keen to head out to Woodhill or Muriwai beach and have a play and get the hang off the bike.

Let me know it would be great to ride with some one. Don't know too many areas out there.

Cool, where are you planning to shop? I could meet you there, infact there is a helmet at motomail I would not mind having a look at.

[Nacnud12]

Can't go for a ride Saturday sorry, homebrew competition I forgot about! Hoping to go out on the Sunday instead. I'll go hunt for some gear Saturday morning still though, Motomail or redbarron

[Crisis management]

Can't go for a ride Saturday sorry, homebrew competition I forgot about! Hoping to go out on the Sunday instead. I'll go hunt for some gear Saturday morning still though, Motomail or redbarron

Try Cycletreads as they are having their mid winter sale at the moment.
Just a suggestion on your first ride, Woodhill and the beach can be a bit challenging if you are new to off road as sand takes a certain determination with the throttle to achieve much progress. There is a ton of good gravel roads to start off on between Auckland and Wellsford, you can wear yourself out on them easily in a day.

Good choice for a bike, I like them for chucking around.

[Nacnud12]

Awesome I'll check them out. Does anyone auckland based have a pair of size 9 boots they want to sell? Thought I should hunt for some second hand ones to start with.

Yup I will defiantly taking it easy first time out.

Do group rides happen much?

[Nacnud12]

Went out for a hoon around Muriwai and Wilson's road with Chris on Sunday. Heaps of fun! Did about 150ish Kms I think, started to get a sore butt near the end with the seat haha but not as bad as I thought it would be.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/07/je5aryte.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/07/huranusy.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/07/yzyhe9aq.jpg

Can't wait for another hoon next weekend.

[400sm]

Good choice.
Any questions . . . go onto the Drz400 thread, in this forum :-)