New bike ideas

[Mole_C]

Im thinking about selling my zxr and getting a dual purpose bike. I've only just got my restricted so has to be a 250. Want to use it for my normal pointles road trips and be able to stick some gravel in them. Also something i can take down to the beach and learn to do wheelies on :yes: Also something that doesn't require too much maintenance.

Had a look around here but the only thing i could find was the XR250 so any more ideas would be good.

BTW im 6ft 3inches and 85ish kg so something big would be good :yes:

Cheers

[NordieBoy]

dt230?
ttr230?
dr250?

[Mole_C]

dt230?
ttr230?
dr250?

Any advantages or disadvantages of each? I havn't really thought about dual purpose bikes much until now so really have no idea whats good or what to look for in the bikes.

[far queue]

Get hold of the March '07 Kiwi Rider, page 107, for the test on the TT-R250. It sounds pretty good. TTR230 and TTR250 are both available but are different.

[Ruralman]

My advice would be buy something cheap until you get your full and then get a 400+ cc bike and spend more on that one. Any of the bikes mentioned above would work - but if its a temporary purchase until you can move up you need to keep in mind what will hold its value and sell easiest - the XR 250 is pretty hard to beat in this regard.
Of the bikes mentioned the DT230 has the most poke by a wide margin but its a 2 stroke which isn't everyone's cup of tea. 'XF650' now has one and he haunts this page so hopefully he'll comment. If you're up to it, it it will probably provide the most exciting ride for your $. The TTr will have better off road suspension than the DT but at considerably more $

[Mole_C]

How do these look?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=91914657
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=92107018

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=91428657

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=92639693

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=93166902

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=58299004

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=77117953

[Ruralman]

How do these look?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=91914657
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=92107018

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=91428657

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=92639693

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=93166902

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=58299004

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=77117953

They look like an awful lot of links - why don't you pick a preferred one or two.

[xwhatsit]

Cool! Neat to see you've (according to Ixion http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=988972&postcount=4) either grown a dick or become comfortable with it's existing size, and you're ditching the scary hose-sprouting banshee thing :D

I know nothing about off-road bikes, but that Suzuki Djebel thing looks very cool. If not, get an XR250, then I can steal your carburettor next time I see you parked at uni.

The 250cc single is a beautiful thing. It'll suit you better anyway -- it's unexpected to see such polite, well-mannered young men riding those heathen 250 straight fours :lol:

[Mole_C]

They look like an awful lot of links - why don't you pick a preferred one or two.

Well i don't know whats good or whats not so was trying to get a bit of info on all the ones that i can find :yes:

But if i must choose a few then

A 2004 Honda XR250
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=91914657

2003 SUZUKI DR250RX DJEBE
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=93166902

Hoebag RX250
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=91428657

[cooneyr]

The Dejebel has awsome range out of the 17l tank if you can put up with the massive bloody headlight. I had one to get my learners on. It would pull around 110 ok with me (6'1" and 110kg). Geared kinda high though - not great for really low speed (10kph) trail riding but good for what I would call adventure riding.

Been riding with guys on TTR250's. Not great range, good for low speed trail riding but pretty well taped at 90-95kph.

Dont know squat about XR250

Obviously the gearing on all of these can be modified slightly but will likely still be a compromise. I would say that the Dejebel is a better longer distance bike than the TTR and possibly the XR (not sure on this one though) and not so great at slow speed trail riding.

Only other thing is I found the Dejebel a bit crampt in the standing position but I'm tall and it was with standard bars (after market bars can help heaps).

Cheers R

[CM2005]

if you're a kwakka man, what about a KLR250, or a D-Tracker Supermotard. they're cool. rolling stoppies anyone?

[Ruralman]

Well i don't know whats good or whats not so was trying to get a bit of info on all the ones that i can find :yes:

But if i must choose a few then

A 2004 Honda XR250
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=91914657

2003 SUZUKI DR250RX DJEBE
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=93166902

Hoebag RX250
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=91428657

OK for what its worth my first comments still stand - spend as little as possible until you are able to get a 400+.
Cooneyr sums up the Djerbel well - the XR is one of the newer Tornado versions which I think are made in Sth America. Both bikes are very definitely dual purpose and are pretty heavy and soft for serious trail rides - people do use them on some of the organised rides I have done but they're not a patch on a "proper" XR or DRZ. For your described use for gravel roads and a few beach rides they'd both be fine - if you want to wheelie it then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed unless you put a lot of work in and know how to do it - neither of these will wheelie on demand unless your going quite slow (probably 1st gear and maybe second at a stretch) back off then give it heaps while throwing all your weight back on the bars. If you're expecting to be able to do power wheelies then forget it, and even the slow wheel raises needed to get over obstacles will take some work.
If you want exciting wheelie type action then the DT230 is probably the best bet in this market at this sort of money - if you've got heaps to spend then a new WR250 would also do it, and can be street legal, but you're into a quite high maintenance category if you go there.

[Ruralman]

Im thinking about selling my zxr and getting a dual purpose bike. I've only just got my restricted so has to be a 250. Want to use it for my normal pointles road trips and be able to stick some gravel in them. Also something i can take down to the beach and learn to do wheelies on :yes: Also something that doesn't require too much maintenance.

Had a look around here but the only thing i could find was the XR250 so any more ideas would be good.

BTW im 6ft 3inches and 85ish kg so something big would be good :yes:

Cheers

BTW if you're 6ft3in and only weigh 85kg you need to eat more:Punk: :Punk:

[cooneyr]

BTW if you're 6ft3in and only weigh 85kg you need to eat more:Punk: :Punk:

Na - then you have to start mucking with suspension or put up with an under spring bike like me! Just chop the legs of at the knees - get further weight reduction too! :done:

Cheers R

[Mole_C]

Thanks for the feedback guys. The DT230 sounds good but cant find any for sale :angry:

Anyone know anyhting about the hyosung?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=93332161

Theres a couple of KLR250's on TM and pretty cheap. What are these babies like? Look horrible in the green thou :gob:

And i eat plenty, a good 4 meals a day :yes: Don't know where it goes thou.

[Zukin]

I am selling my XR250 :yes:
Everything you need :)

Here is some pics
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=40448&d=1156995901
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=40445&d=1156995044

And the blurb from Trade Me
This is an immaculate example of a great bike that is road legal.
A great adventure bike for the learner, or for someone that wants a lighter more agile bike.

The kms are genuine and I am only the second owner, the previous owner brought it new.

In the pictures you will see two different tanks; they both come with the bike.
The plain looking one is a larger (15 litres) which will get you well over 300 kms between fuel stops
The one with the decals on it is the factory tank and they are easily interchangeable.
I also have the Ventura Rack system and a sports rack which also comes with it.
It is always garaged.

Rego and WOF expire in April.

I have recently completed the following service on it
1. Replaced fork oil
2. Replaced sprockets and chain (less than 500km ago)
3. Completed a full service (oil etc)

I have only used it on the road (gravel and tarmac) and never used it off road.
I currently have MT21 tyres fitted, however the rear one is almost due for replacement

Any questions please email or call
I will consider a swap for a DR650 and any cash difference.

[Mole_C]

Oh, finally found a dt230. Hows it look and is the price about right?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-93538862.htm

[cowpoos]

I would normally try the salesman pitch and try lease you a DRZ250.....but I would get a wr250....honestly....best bike in the genre'

[cooneyr]

Oh, finally found a dt230. Hows it look and is the price about right?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-93538862.htm

From a picy it looks nice and shiny - dont know about sprokets, seals, bearings etc etc. Buy now price is roughly $1k more than I paid for my Djebel with 8k kms - is the 2smoke effects (sorry couldn't say benefits) worth it to you? If it suits you for size and suspension then you might consider it worth it as a slightly longer term bike than just getting the F license. I had sold the Djebel about 2 months before the full and never intended on keeping longer term.

Cheers R

[Horney1]

My advice would be buy something cheap until you get your full and then get a 400+ cc bike and spend more on that one. Any of the bikes mentioned above would work - but if its a temporary purchase until you can move up you need to keep in mind what will hold its value and sell easiest - the XR 250 is pretty hard to beat in this regard.
Of the bikes mentioned the DT230 has the most poke by a wide margin but its a 2 stroke which isn't everyone's cup of tea. 'XF650' now has one and he haunts this page so hopefully he'll comment. If you're up to it, it it will probably provide the most exciting ride for your $. The TTr will have better off road suspension than the DT but at considerably more $

I agree with Ruralman, go modest until you can move up (how long are you newbies restricted over there in NZ these days?). I never really liked the power (or lack there of) of 250s. I think you may end up a bit bored and cramped if you do many road miles. WR sounds like a goodie if you want to spend a bit but you'd probably be looking at higher maintainance costs than an XR....

[Ruralman]

Oh, finally found a dt230. Hows it look and is the price about right?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-93538862.htm

It does look really tidy and with low Kms like that its got a heap of life left in it before you need to do anything to it.
There are some DT230 owners on here - XF650 just bought one a few weeks ago so PM him for comments.
They do go really well and I understand you can squeeze 160km out of them reasonably easily. I don't know whether they require premix (so you would have to carry oil with you and add the right amount at each fill) or whether they have a separate oil reservoir and have an oil injection system. That is really the only significant potential hassle for this 2 stroke - the advantages on the other hand are considerably more power than any older similar sized 4 strokes, easy to maintain, very cheap to do a motor overhaul if ever required, and they are by their nature also a lot lighter than older 4 strokes which is great off road.
AND if you can't pull a power wheelie on this thing you need your arse kicked - what you will find though is that if you're not used to the power delivery of a 2 stroke it will take a while to get used to sitting it up on the back wheel.

One thing some of the older 2 strokes did sometimes need attended to was the oiling up of the rear baffles in the muffler - if this gets badly blocked it really kills their performance. It is easily fixed with a gas torch to burn off the rubbish.

Price wise it seems quite a lot for a bike of that age even though the kms are very low - but start the bidding and see what happens.

[timg]

I don't know whether they require premix (so you would have to carry oil with you and add the right amount at each fill) or whether they have a separate oil reservoir and have an oil injection system.


No premix, they have an oil tank :) Went for a ride with XF650 with his new toy a couple of weekends ago up the Rangitata Gorge (shingle). The DT230 went very well indeed. :Punk: Made me look decidedly noob (which I am!). Only down side was the 2 stroke vapor trail following him :sick: Nice wee bike tho. Cheers.

[Motu]

The DT230 is a shit load better than any air cooled 250's,and still makes more power than most of the late model water cooled ones.....but the suspension won't be as good,and they are inbetween on the weight factor too.They have no vices....but aren't a ''nice'' ride on the road.Power delivery is pretty aggressive down low,but hasn't the punch up top of a high performance 2 stroke - so this is a bike that's out of the traffic lights like a hole shot and blasts out of corners real hard.The power kick is not up top like an MX bike,but off the bottom in a strong surge......225cc and 40hp,you won't be able to get enough of it.

I'm not sure about the year of that one,I thought the blue ones were 1999 on.Maybe a bit steep on price,but it will depend on condition.

[XF650]

Motu is the guru on these bikes but I like the DT230 cause it's light, lowish seat & features an electric start, long life motor (for a 2 stroke). It handles gravel well & has plenty of power, but it's not a YZ or WR for performance.
They are very hard to find NZ new (only 14 were sold here) but Jap imports are occasionally advertised. However it would have to be a low km's, excellent condition example to pay more than $5,000.

I think the DT230's closest cousin is the TTR250, both being designed as true, sub 250cc dual purpose bikes. The TTR250, DRZ250 & some KLX250's have added feature of electric & kick start, which seems to help re-sale.

[Ruralman]

I see this one on Trademe as well:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-93538710.htm

Its a '96 and it says DT200 - is it a 200 or 230? - quite a bit cheaper than the one you're looking at but not sure this one is road legal.
cheers

[XF650]

I see this one on Trademe as well:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-93538710.htm

Its a '96 and it says DT200 - is it a 200 or 230? - quite a bit cheaper than the one you're looking at but not sure this one is road legal.
cheers

From what I have read on the interweb, the DT230 engine is based on the DT/WR200 motor but with obvious extra cc & "traction control system". So the trademe description is correct & WR200's are reported to be a great bike.
The DT230 is more "dual purpose" focused than the WR200, & shares similair frame to the current DT125 model in the UK.
The WR200 is more "off road" focused than the DT230 & has a more sophisticated suspension etc.

[Motu]

I don't know what the hell that is...but it may be a real DT200.The DT200 was higher performance than the 230,kinda like the KDX 200/220 - the bigger motors have smaller carbs and are tuned for bottom end power.It has USD forks,high rear guard and seat right up the tank,like a WR200 maybe.But still has lights and an oil pump......and it's later model Yamaha blue.It'd be more off road biased,but looks like a bargin.

[Mole_C]

Hmm that DT200 does look nice, sent him an email. Thanks for the link and info about it. Off road biased should be alright as long its can still cruise alright on road at 100ks and corner decently. Im pretty slow anyway :scooter:

Think either of them could survive a trip down to mt ruapehu?

[Mole_C]

Well as much as i want the dt230 I don't think i can spend $5k on it atm.
What you guys think of these 2? Cheap but crappy brands. Any info or suggestion about them welcome :yes:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=93611675
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=93332161

BTW Motu how much did you pay for your dt230? I might end up waiting for one to pop up for around 4k if that sounds like a normal price?

[Zukin]

Well as much as i want the dt230 I don't think i can spend $5k on it atm.
What you guys think of these 2? Cheap but crappy brands. Any info or suggestion about them welcome :yes:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=93611675
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=93332161

Hey

I personally wouldnt touch any of these Chinese bikes.
We looked at one of those brands as an import for work (Nationwide deal) but decided not to bother after we discovered that there was a lack of parts, service etc.
Not to mention that after what the importer called extensive field tests, that I managed to lose about half the bolts, destroy the front sprocket and the engine cover as a result of the chain flying off :shit:
That was over a period of 4 hours on a flat to easy rolling hil country farm and not doing anything silly (like jumps etc)!
Then we went through the process of trying to source the parts....... dont even bother!!

Just my thoughts

[pevs]

Traction control?? FFS
Have you considered a Honda CRM 250? Never heard a bad thing about them.. except the colour schemes!

[Mole_C]

Thanks Zukin, thought that might be the case. Your bikes still on my watchlist btw :yes: can you wheelie it? :innocent:

[Crisis management]

Thanks Zukin, thought that might be the case. Your bikes still on my watchlist btw :yes: can you wheelie it? :innocent:

I'm not sure Scott can wheelie anything.......(sorry, really, really sorry but I can never resist these urges) :dodge:

Mole, while you have focused on the make / model of bikes so far give a thought to the condition of the bike too....there are loads of bikes on Trade me and loads of different "caring" owners, some have maintained their bikes but most haven't made the slightest effort.
My advice would be to sift thru the info already given, pick two or three of the most available models and then hunt around until you find a good one that you, or someone you trust, can inspect before buying. It is a tight market as 250's are popular but it's no use buying a heap of crap.

If you want to talk about bikes / adventure riding or an opinion on a local bike (I am happy to go and look with you if that helps), just send a PM.

By the way Zukin's (Scott) bike would be a good buy, I don't know what the price is, but I know Scott's a very straight up guy.

[Zukin]

I'm not sure Scott can wheelie anything.......(sorry, really, really sorry but I can never resist these urges) :dodge:


Haha!!

But you are right, I have never had the front wheel of the XR off the ground on a self made wheelie (other than to cross creeks etc) but I know the XR is a good wheelie bike :yes:

[Ruralman]

Hey

I personally wouldnt touch any of these Chinese bikes.
We looked at one of those brands as an import for work (Nationwide deal) but decided not to bother after we discovered that there was a lack of parts, service etc.
Not to mention that after what the importer called extensive field tests, that I managed to lose about half the bolts, destroy the front sprocket and the engine cover as a result of the chain flying off :shit:
That was over a period of 4 hours on a flat to easy rolling hil country farm and not doing anything silly (like jumps etc)!
Then we went through the process of trying to source the parts....... dont even bother!!

Just my thoughts

OUr experience with chinese bikes is much the same - they look nice when new but all the issues as above plus they are relatively heavy compared to the bikes they supposedly copy as they use inferior and heavier materials to get the cost down. OK as commuter bikes probably, but won't go the distance for off road use.