What sub-250 dual-purpose bike for a newbie?

[Oakie]

My daughter's boyfriend has expressed an interest in getting a dual purpose bike. Something that's useful as a commuter but can still be taken off road. I'm totally out of that scene (apart from an XL175 I owned about 25 years ago) so can you guys suggest a suitable dual purpose bike for this fella. He's thinking about 50/50 road use vs off-road use. Remember ... sub-250cc. He can spend $4000 to $5000.
Cheers

[NordieBoy]

Super Sherpa

[buggsubique]

I'm a suki fan and grew up on my later model dr 250. She would do 120 easy, you just outgrow the motor is all. Pick a plated one up for ~$3k. try and get one with less that 10k on the clock, none of that 30-40,000km stuff. The bikes will do that sort of mileage easily, but that's a large part of a little 250's life. Now I've "graduated" to my DR-Z 400, which is more trailbike than commuter, but man is it fun on the Wellington streets and motorway.

[Ruralman]

My daughter's boyfriend has expressed an interest in getting a dual purpose bike. Something that's useful as a commuter but can still be taken off road. I'm totally out of that scene (apart from an XL175 I owned about 25 years ago) so can you guys suggest a suitable dual purpose bike for this fella. He's thinking about 50/50 road use vs off-road use. Remember ... sub-250cc. He can spend $4000 to $5000.
Cheers

I presume when you say sub-250 you mean he's on his learners/restricted ?? In which case he can ride a 250. As long as his legs are long enough then basically any road legal Japanese trail bike will do what you describe and you'll find a good second hand one for the money he's got available. While the Chinese stuff is improving I still would buy second hand jappa rather than new Chinese.

An XL250, DR250 or possibly DRZ250 (seat a bit harder than the DR but a bit more off road able) would be good -
I have a Yamaha TTR250 (a 1998 Jap import) which would also do the job pretty well

[Garry.W]

My daughter's boyfriend has expressed an interest in getting a dual purpose bike. Something that's useful as a commuter but can still be taken off road. I'm totally out of that scene (apart from an XL175 I owned about 25 years ago) so can you guys suggest a suitable dual purpose bike for this fella. He's thinking about 50/50 road use vs off-road use. Remember ... sub-250cc. He can spend $4000 to $5000.
Cheers

I've got a 2006 Yamaha XT250 for sale that would be just spot on for that. I'll knock $250 off the price if he can stretch to $5500.

See latest Kiwirider for ad or go to http://www.bikemart.co.nz/modules/catads/adsitem.php?ads_id=2455 for a look at details and photos

Cheers
Garry

[warewolf]

suggest a suitable dual purpose bike for this fella. He's thinking about 50/50 road use vs off-road use. Remember ... sub-250cc. He can spend $4000 to $5000.What Ruralman said. But you need to clarify "off-road". Gravel roads, trail rides?

The XR250, DR/-Z250, TTR250, KLX250 are all older-style trail bikes. Enduro weapons in their day.

There is a range of used Jap imports based on these bikes, but are more civilised/touring focussed. They are, respectively, the Baja, Djebel, Raid and ??? maybe not. They have softer, simpler suspension; larger usually lockable tin tanks; more comfortable, lower seats; the Baja has the electric leg like the DR/TTRs; luggage racks; bigger headlights... lots of creature comforts. Big plus for commuting/touring work, but the suspension really lets them down "off-road" compared to the full-blown bikes, and trying to upgrade them is a bit of a lost cause.

Then there are bikes like the XT225, the DR200SE, the Honda SL230 or XR200B. All these ones are a little bit smaller and easier to manage, a little more commuter than trail. Not necessarily lighter and most struggle at the open road speed limit. They'll do it, but there's not much in reserve for hills, headwinds, luggage, overtaking etc.

[Zukin]

And I will have available soon a road registered 06 DRZ250, one one with about 8000km on the clock

One careful lady owner, and has only used it on one trip :clap: (just happened to be a big trip ;))
It has been professionally lowered by Suzuki NZ and has a comfort seat on it, with Ventura Pack Rack and Bag

Carissa has to have reconstructive knee surgery so wont be riding for a while :(

Let me know if you are interested :)

[NordieBoy]

Carissa has to have reconstructive knee surgery so wont be riding for a while :(

Ouch!
GWS Carissa's knee.

[Rosie]

Super Sherpa

:niceone: The sherpa is a cool bike, but you don't see many second hand, so may not be able to get one for $4-5k.
The XT225 is fairly similar to the sherpa, and they are easier to get hold of second hand. I didn't think the XT was quite as nice as the sherpa, but there wasn't a lot in it.
I haven't done any serious off road on either bike, but they are both nice to ride on seal and on the gravel.
They both have quite low seat heights (and correspondingly low bars), so if he's tall he'd probably find them a bit cramped. OTOH, being able to reach the ground easily can help your confidence when learning to ride.

[Oakie]

What Ruralman said. But you need to clarify "off-road". Gravel roads, trail rides?

I think 'just a bit of fun in the paddock' is the story.

[quallman1234]

If i had 5-6K i would buy a decent 250CC road bike for about 3-4 And then buy a enduro bike to learn on for about 1-2K.
Although my bikes great for both. Buts its really hard to find decent tyres what do both things well.
Ive been swapping my tyres like a mofo the last couple weeks.
A WR would be awesome btw

[warewolf]

I think 'just a bit of fun in the paddock' is the story.In that case virtually anything at least resembling a trail bike will do the trick. :niceone: There's probably nothing in the Japanese road/trail sector that we'd unanimously advise to stay clear of.

[avgas]

sl230, good on road as it is off.
looks sexy.
one here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-115498657.htm

[warewolf]

sl230, good on road as it is off.A mate's wife had one, he reckoned it was a lot more useful bike than the DR200SE that I had. 10% or so more cubes is a lot more torque.

[avgas]

A mate's wife had one, he reckoned it was a lot more useful bike than the DR200SE that I had. 10% or so more cubes is a lot more torque.
I rode one way back when i had the RG.
If they had a SL600 i would buy it now.
So damn comfy, shame its a bloody honda.