Thoughts on a suitable small bike

[young1]

I am looking at doing a trip at Xmas time, maybe down South on my 990. I would like my son to come along on a bike also. He has had lots of experience on bikes off road (RM85, KDX 200 etc) but does not have a license to ride on road yet. This means he needs a 250.

Are there 250s out there that would be suitable for maybe a 10 day trip, sitting on 110km hr on the open road, that wouldnt cost me a packet?

Do they have the range to do a trip like this? Would like to go through Molesworth Station etc

Does anyone hire 250 bikes like this.

Also I have a 2005 KDX200 for sale, excellent condition, if you want more details PM me.

mike

[sunhuntin]

ive got a virago 250. took it from wangas to invercargill and back last year without a hitch, and will be doing the same next month as well. that first trip, id only just got the bike so was twitchy and stayed at about 80k. since then, ive learned she will happily go 130k, so will be travelling a bit faster this year. last years trip was 11 days, and this years will be 14.

[marks]

DT230 is ideal

Could drag off my 660 and sit at 110km as well as any small light bike.

There was one on trademe a few weeks ago for $3800 ono

there is also this (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-122776721.htm) one on trade me but he wants too much for it.

cheers


Mark

[clint640]

As you're probably finding out, road legal 250's cost heaps. More so if they're dirt capable. If you want a reasonable level of dirt ability how about an XR250? They're good power wise for a 250 single & the 97 on R models are a good basic trailbike too. DRZ250's are similar. A DT230 would be another option, as would a Gas Gas Pampera 250.

If you want a really cheap option how about a DT175? The young(er)1 would think it was a POS compared with his KDX though!

I hired a DR250 Gerbil for a trip when I first got into adv riding, but that company has closed down.

Cheers
Clint

[young1]

DT230 is ideal

Could drag off my 660 and sit at 110km as well as any small light bike.

There was one on trademe a few weeks ago for $3800 ono

there is also this (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-122776721.htm) one on trade me but he wants too much for it.

cheers


Mark

Thanks Mark, did you have any luggge on the 230? I was really thinking of a 4 stroke as i hadnt considered 2 strokes. This is all just a thought for now but I am looking at options etc.

Trouble I have with him is that he does not like being on the back, he likes to be in control (I cant say that I blame him!)

[Transalper]

The DR250 Djebel is a great little bike, perfect for what you want, J has followed me about between Chch and Nelson over the Rainbow and Molsworth several times on one. Oil cooled and their stock 17 litre tank helps. Not that many of them about, cost up to $5000 in a shop or around $3500 to $3800 in good condition private sale.

If it's just the Molseworth then any thing will do, road bikes go through there all the time, but if you go else where a little more rugged then it's back to street legal traily.

Hondas NX250 was a great duel sport too, bit like a mini Dominator, but only a 9 or 10 liter tank again.

Don't the 990 hold quite a bit of fuel, you could always take some from its tank when needed.

[marks]

Thanks Mark, did you have any luggge on the 230? I was really thinking of a 4 stroke as i hadnt considered 2 strokes. This is all just a thought for now but I am looking at options etc.

Trouble I have with him is that he does not like being on the back, he likes to be in control (I cant say that I blame him!)

Only done day trips like Motu Rd and back as we had a car and trailer with us last time so no experience with how it would handle luggage. We figured out we could fit a large tank bag behind the rider but you would have to assume that the 990 would be the pack horse (and the source of all money.....).

cheers

MArk

[XF650]

Thanks Mark, did you have any luggge on the 230? I was really thinking of a 4 stroke as i hadnt considered 2 strokes. This is all just a thought for now but I am looking at options etc.

Trouble I have with him is that he does not like being on the back, he likes to be in control (I cant say that I blame him!)

Mate rode my DT230 to Brass Monkey with gear bag, back pack etc no problem. Extra weight didn't effect handling on gravel either. However the DT can be thirsty @ 110km/hr, so one of you would need to carry extra fuel.

A great 4 stroke option would be the Yam TTR250

[avgas]

DT230
SL230
XT225
GB250
KDX220
would be my pics

[Crisis management]

Zukin had a DR 250 he was trying to sell (I think) after the round NZ ride so you could try a PM to him.
I've ridden with a DR250 (he was two up) and they never had too much trouble keeping up, remember that on gravel we only average 60-km/hr (waits for barrage of nana comments) so little bikes will be fine.

[young1]

All good replies thanks. As I said just thinking about this at the moment, maybe 10 days away, as far south as Milford Sound?

Does anyone rent out bikes like this?

[marks]

However the DT can be thirsty @ 110km/hr, so one of you would need to carry extra fuel.

My sons DT230 uses the same amount of gas as our family wagon - a 3.5L Mitsi Diamante.....

[FlangMasterJ]

Check out this XR250: http://supermotard.co.nz/for-sale.html

Sorted:niceone:

[Das Bruce]

The DR250 will do you well although you may want a sheepskin for the seat depending on how far you're going. I rode my old DR from Dunedin to Auckland in two days so you know they're a solid bike, only problem is the range is about 150km.

[scrubs]

If you can't get hold of the DR - I would highly Reccomend
an XR250 I put quite a few miles on one of them with 15 mates
all riding the same and non of them once let us down. solid little bikes.
very cabable in the dirt and enough (relative) poke to chug on the highway.

[$CENSLS1$]

KLX250 :niceone:I've got one and they're a great bike, enough said

[P38]

Sounds like an awesome trip to do with your son.

Your a lucky guy.

I wouldnt advise your son riding a dirtbike for such a long distance unless you plan on travelling on lots of dirt roads.

Dirtbikes should stick to what they do best... tearing up the paddocks, doing jumps, cilmbimg hills etc

If your mostly sticking to the sealed roads I'd go for the Virago, simply because they are designed for the road, well built and a nice bike to ride.
They comfortable too which will enable longer riding and less fatigue and I'm pretty much one eyed when it comes to crusiers:headbang:.

Consider the type of tyres, riding position, luggage storage and range too.

Well thats my 2 cents worth.

Hope this helps

Have an awesome ride with your son and keep safe. :niceone:

Cheers
P38

[merv]

Having had XRs and the DR250R and now the XR250L I'd say go for the Honda every time, but then my XR cost $9,000 new and I see that motard was $7,500. Look for a good condition XR250 from 1996 on. Failing that DR, KLX, XT, TTR or whatever would all be OK if you can get one for the right price.

You are riding an adventure bike yourself so I'd say get him a dirt bike. I wouldn't recommend the WR250F style bike for the long haul coz of them basically having a race engine.

I'm quite happy riding my XR all over the place and when we were young and didn't have decent road bikes we rode our traillies everywhere anyway. The 250s easily handle 100km/hr on the road and the Hondas I have owned were/are all happy to be ridden with the throttle hard against the stop and never broke.

The older XR250Rs are more hard out than the L so drink a wee bit more gas but my new L model does between 26 and 30km/l on a 9.7 litre tank so easily does 250km on a tank.

Richard from TSS and his Mrs went through Molesworth on their DT175s before doing Rainbow with me and they said they needed extra gas on Molesworth - getting not much over 100k before reserve - which was OK on Rainbow. The 4 stroke bikes of course eat the distances without extra gas.

[clint640]

If your mostly sticking to the sealed roads I'd go for the Virago,

Cheers
P38

Er, given this is the 'Adventure/Dual Purpose' forum & Young1 is asking about something to do the 100+km of UNsealed Molesworth Road a cruiser may be less than ideal. :)

In fact I'd give a 16yo ex KDX pilot chasing his 990 mounted dad about 10km on gravel before a Virago 250 was a twisted wreck in the the ditch. :D

Cheers
Clint

[Garry.W]

I have a nice 2006 XT250 for sale, would be well suitable for your son Mike.

Cheers
Garry

[young1]

I have a nice 2006 XT250 for sale, would be well suitable for your son Mike.

Cheers
Garry

Thanks Garry, I have a nice KDX200 for sale (ex my sons) which I want to sell off! I would rather hire / rent a bike etc as if I buy one he will then want to ride it around town and I dont want him doing that. Otherwise a cheap older bike would be better I think. Unless you want to hire it out....

[Wolf]

Garry's XT250 would be an ideal bike - does 110 no probs and will sit on it all day if you want, reliable "bulletproof" engine, light weight, enduro styling (so it'll be more like the posture your son is used to, handles dirt and gravel no problem, will climb any hill you're likely to encounter.

Can have loads of fun off-road on it, too if you get the opportunity.

Lacks the pep of a 2-stroke but it's practically unkillable and its light weight enables it to climb things a large 650 enduro can't get up.

[P38]

Er, given this is the 'Adventure/Dual Purpose' forum & Young1 is asking about something to do the 100+km of UNsealed Molesworth Road a cruiser may be less than ideal. :)

In fact I'd give a 16yo ex KDX pilot chasing his 990 mounted dad about 10km on gravel before a Virago 250 was a twisted wreck in the the ditch. :D

Cheers
Clint

Well Clint I did say I was one eyed.

The young lad should NOT try to chase down his dad or he just might end up hurt.

But dad will know this and not ride too fast and outpace his sons abilities.

100+kms of unsealed road Vs 9 3/4 days of riding sealed roads elsewhere in the south island, I'd still choose the Virago.

But each to his own

Still sounds like an awesome ride.

Cheers
P38

[young1]

Well Clint I did say I was one eyed.

The young lad should NOT try to chase down his dad or he just might end up hurt.

But dad will know this and not ride too fast and outpace his sons abilities.

P38

We did Desert Storm back in 2005, him on his KDX, me on my DR400. I learnt then that I couldnt keep up with him! Or was it that he knew that if he dropped the bike that dad would pay!

It is looking unlikely that we will do a bike trip, but may go in the car and try to make it like a bike trip with lots of stops for scenery, back roads, country pubs, camping on beaches etc etc.

[warewolf]

ViragoThat's just plain wrong (in this forum) for so many reasons I won't even start.


It is looking unlikely that we will do a bike trip, but may go in the car and try to make it like a bike trip with lots of stops for scenery, back roads, country pubs, camping on beaches etc etc.That's a shame, but I appreciate the realities of life.

Something else you could throw into the mix would be stops at some of the little motor museums around the place: WOW in Nelson, Yaldhurst in Chch, the bike one in the cafe just off SH1 at Waitarere.

Ditto stop at some of the bike-focussed cafes, like the Chequered Flag @ Rangitata.

Just ideas to keep with your theme! ;)

[marks]

But dad will know this and not ride too fast and outpace his sons abilities.

buuullshiit

it would've ended up being one big gravel drag race around the south island.

teenage sons do that to you...

[P38]

That's just plain wrong (in this forum) for so many reasons I won't even start.

LOL ..... you gotta relax an get out more mate.:apint:

[Wolf]

LOL ..... you gotta relax an get out more mate.:apint:
I think he was referring to the fact that this is a forum devoted to Adventure or Dual Purpose bikes and the Virago, while a very good bike, is neither. It would be like suggesting in the Cruiser section of the site that a suitable new bike to upgrade to, from one's Suzuki Savage, would be a DR650 - also a very good bike but certainly not a Cruiser.

Hence his parenthetical "in this forum". I'm sure warewolf gets out quite often.

From my experience, cruisers are not great on gravel, just like enduros are not the most comfortable on long straight bits of tarmac.

[warewolf]

I think he was referring to the fact that this is a forum devoted to Adventure or Dual Purpose bikes and the Virago, while a very good bike, is neither. It would be like suggesting in the Cruiser section of the site that a suitable new bike to upgrade to, from one's Suzuki Savage, would be a DR650 - also a very good bike but certainly not a Cruiser.'xactly what I was thinking... apart from the bit about the Virago being "a very good bike." Back when I was doing 1000km/week average and had at times 2 services booked in with the shop, they knew not to give me the Virago as a courtesy bike. I'd rather have the beaten up Yammie RX125 2T commuter; at least that thing had some pep, handling and cornering clearance, even if the tacho and rear indicators were dodgy, and it was 15 years older than the baby cruiser.


I'm sure warewolf gets out quite often.Hmmm lessee... last 4 (err, 5) weekends:

6 hour cross country race - ironman class - on the KTM 200EXC (in the rain)
weekend away with the Missus on the Triumph Trophy Super III down to Blackball (nice day) and back (in the howling rain - can't win 'em all)
commute Nelson to Auckland on the KTM 640 Adventure via Wanganui River Rd, Waitomo, Hauturu-Kaingaroa Rds
zap down to Turangi for the Rusty Nuts Grand Challenge - 1000 miles in 24 hours - basically Turangi-Kaitaia-Turangi this year (in the rain) then Monday back home to Nelson via Maungatapu Track (in the rain).

Last weekend I was down at Punakaiki in the car with the missus, shame to be so close to the Greymouth races and not attend, but it was some well-deserved "us" time and the annual national caving conference pulls rank (half the time we turn up on the bike anyway). Might not have been on the bike this year, but I did abseil/prussik a 43m waterfall entrance to a cave (in the rain) which is just as much fun. And I did talk to some bikers at Punakaiki Rocks and check 'em out at the Tavern, too.

So yeah, think I get out quite often! :rockon:

[P38]

Wow!

You guys are way too sensitive.

I do realise this is the Adventure/ Dual purpose forum.

Didn't see no sign that said you cant discuss any other type of motorcycle.

Young1 did ask for everyones opinion.

and I did say I was one eyed.

nuff said.

Young1.
I still hope you have a good trip even if it's in a Tin Top

Marks.
Your right.
P38 has four teenage sons and all of them would try it on. Thats what teenage boys do.

Cheers
P38

[warewolf]

Didn't see no sign that said you cant discuss any other type of motorcycle.Mate you can say whatever you like. But ya gotta remember, so can we! :D

[Wolf]

Mate you can say whatever you like. But ya gotta remember, so can we! :D
Yeah, lets head over to the Cruiser forum and talk Adventure Bikes. :devil2:

P38, it's not a matter of people being "sensitive". It's a matter of noting the question was about an adventure ride on unsealed roads, not a cruise along 4-lane tarmac.

Overly wide tyres (skitter across the surface of gravel rather than digging in) with shallow road-oriented tread; inappropriate suspension and steering geometry - that which makes a cruiser ideally suited for riding straight sealed roads makes it completely inappropriate (in fact, downright unsafe) on winding unsealed roads.

Warewolf saying that a cruiser is an inappropriate choice (given the forum and young1's question) does not mean he is sensitive, strung-out or in need of "getting out more".

Young1, a real bugger it looks like it's going to be a car trip. Enjoy it as best you can, anyway and take notes for a future bike trip through there....

[young1]

Wow I did open a hornets nest!

I am still trying to find a bike, but however we go we will just cruise (if in the car we can throw the mountain bikes in the back!) and have a ball!

[pritch]

The original request was couched thus:


I am looking at doing a trip at Xmas time, maybe down South on my 990.<snip> Are there 250s out there that would be suitable for maybe a 10 day trip, sitting on 110km hr on the open road, <snip>
Do they have the range to do a trip like this? Would like to go through Molesworth Station etc

Regardless of the forum "Virago" is probably as good an answer to that question as most.

My suggestion would be GN250 - or Yamaha Scorpio, again strictly in answer to that particular set of requirements.

The majority of that trip would have been on the road so the correct answer would probably be a road bike. I would have thought the "forum" was less important than a sensible answer

[marks]

if in the car we can throw the mountain bikes in the back!

did exactly the same thing with Glen a year or so ago. We had a great time. There are some great mtb tracks around wanaka and queenstown.

of course you could take a trailer with the drz and kdx with you?

If you end up having some time when you pass through wellington let me know and I'll shout you a coffee or something.

cheers


Mark

[NordieBoy]

Regardless of the forum "Virago" is probably as good an answer to that question as most.

My suggestion would be GN250 - or Yamaha Scorpio, again strictly in answer to that particular set of requirements.

The majority of that trip would have been on the road so the correct answer would probably be a road bike. I would have thought the "forum" was less important than a sensible answer
"Would like to go through Molesworth Station etc"

>100km of gravel? I wouldn't like to attempt that on a cruisery type bike and I loved my Yammy SR185 and Suzuki Savage.

[Zukin]

Wow I did open a hornets nest!

I am still trying to find a bike, but however we go we will just cruise (if in the car we can throw the mountain bikes in the back!) and have a ball!

What on earth are you talking about!!!
Something has made you go weird, all this talk of touring the South Island in a car :crazy:

GO the Bikes!!! :clap:

If you get really stuck I have the DRZ250 here, that you maybe able to borrow for the trip :wacko:
I would have to clear it with Carissa first (as it is her bike) :dodge:

Let me know

Cheers Scott

[young1]

What on earth are you talking about!!!
Something has made you go weird, all this talk of touring the South Island in a car :crazy:



No I havent gone weird I still have my KTM!

Scott can you pm me with your phone number?

If we do have to take the car we will probably do the far north and avoid paying for car on the ferry crossing.

Mark - good idea to take the DRZ and KDX but the KDX is spotless as I want to sell it! And my son has a habit of going hard on it and falling off....

[marks]

Mark - good idea to take the DRZ and KDX but the KDX is spotless as I want to sell it! And my son has a habit of going hard on it and falling off....

If I spend to much more time aboard Glens KDX I may have to buy your sons kdx for me. They are a real blast.

[young1]

They are heaps of fun as you are finding out. Tony's bike is spotless!

[Pickle]

I have a KLR250 for sale cheap, registered & WOF'd. We have done Molesworth & Rainbow on them, ridden them to Tauranga via Gisborne, Motu & return via Waikeremoana. Have riiden all over North Island on them & they will sit on 100/110kmh all day. Not a real serious dirt bike but great fun on tight gravel roads & will embaress road bikes when ridden hard.
pm me if interested I can send photo's if required

[young1]

I have a KLR250 for sale cheap, registered & WOF'd. We have done Molesworth & Rainbow on them, ridden them to Tauranga via Gisborne, Motu & return via Waikeremoana. Have riiden all over North Island on them & they will sit on 100/110kmh all day. Not a real serious dirt bike but great fun on tight gravel roads & will embaress road bikes when ridden hard.
pm me if interested I can send photo's if required

Thanks, pm sent

[Wolf]

"Would like to go through Molesworth Station etc"

>100km of gravel? I wouldn't like to attempt that on a cruisery type bike and I loved my Yammy SR185 and Suzuki Savage.
hehehe

I was borrowing strayj's Hyosung Aquila while my XT was awaiting parts and I encountered a 5km stretch of road works. Both the front and rear wheels were moving all over the show like I was trying to ride on thousands of ball bearings.

I had forgotten what the savage had been like on gravel and was used to how the XT copes with gravel.

The Aquila was a pig on gravel, I had to drastically reduce speed and I was having to constantly correct the steering as the front wanted to wash out.

5 km was further than I wanted to endure that.

[young1]

It looks as though the trip is all go, thanks to Zukin and a very kind offer of his wifes DRZ. Thank you Scotty!!!

My son is buzzing, it is going to be an awesome trip away, friends are also going to come with us on their 650BMW.

So if anyone else is going to be at the top of the South Island after Xmas, it would be good to catch up somewhere!

Thanks again Scott!

[Wolf]

It looks as though the trip is all go, thanks to Zukin and a very kind offer of his wifes DRZ. Thank you Scotty!!!

My son is buzzing, it is going to be an awesome trip away, friends are also going to come with us on their 650BMW.

So if anyone else is going to be at the top of the South Island after Xmas, it would be good to catch up somewhere!

Thanks again Scott!
Hey great to hear! And big ups to Scott and his lovely lady.

Enjoy your ride.

[deanohit]

Awesome mate, I'll be down Marlbrough after christmas, but will be in the truck. Sounds like you guys will have a great trip now on the bikes.

[cooneyr]

It looks as though the trip is all go, thanks to Zukin and a very kind offer of his wifes DRZ. Thank you Scotty!!!

My son is buzzing, it is going to be an awesome trip away, friends are also going to come with us on their 650BMW.

So if anyone else is going to be at the top of the South Island after Xmas, it would be good to catch up somewhere!

Thanks again Scott!

Where and when? I'll hopefully be in Hanmer from Boxing day till the 29 or 30th. Could be keen for a day run through the Rainbow/Porika/Breaburn etc or Molesworth (don't mind traveling north to meet you) if you are in the area.

Also there will be a few venture riders round Nelson between New Years and the 5th (Dusty Butt Day) or so.

Cheers R

[young1]

There will be 3 bikes and 4 people in our group. Do you think it is worth starting a new thread to find out how many people will be in the general area near New Years day and try to meet up for a ride or camp together?

[Zukin]

There will be 3 bikes and 4 people in our group. Do you think it is worth starting a new thread to find out how many people will be in the general area near New Years day and try to meet up for a ride or camp together?

A reminder that Dusty Butt 08 will be on the 5th Jan :niceone:
I hope to be there, what exactly are your plans?

I may consider staying over a while afterwards and having a bit of a vacation down there after that

Cheers Scott

[cooneyr]

There will be 3 bikes and 4 people in our group. Do you think it is worth starting a new thread to find out how many people will be in the general area near New Years day and try to meet up for a ride or camp together?

I'll be with the in laws :beer: so I'm not up for camping but remember that the Nelson Port races are on the 2nd. Like Zukin said the DB 08 is on the 5th (this thread (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=59894)).

Between the port races and the Dusty there are plenty of other places round NN with heaps of gravel to explore. After Hanmer I'm off to NN till the 6th. I'm keen to meet up with some of you fullers from the "other" island and happy to act as local guide for a bit.

Cheers R

[young1]

We still have to plan exactly where we want to go but for now it will hopefully include;
Molesworth (when is that open after Xmas)
Rainbow
French Pass
Anakiwa - Outward Bound (for son to show me where he was last year)
Love to get down to Punakaiki (sp?) but not sure about that yet.

Maybe ferry across on 27.12.07 back in the new year.

As plans progress I will put more on as it would be good to have a few "quiet ones" on New Years eve and spread the bull shit stories that bikers love to spread!!

[warewolf]

We still have to plan exactly where we want to go but for now it will hopefully include;
Molesworth (when is that open after Xmas)
Rainbow
French Pass
Anakiwa - Outward Bound (for son to show me where he was last year)
Love to get down to Punakaiki (sp?) but not sure about that yet.

Maybe ferry across on 27.12.07 back in the new year.

As plans progress I will put more on as it would be good to have a few "quiet ones" on New Years eve and spread the bull shit stories that bikers love to spread!!All sounding good! Punakaiki is only 3.5 hours from Nelson by car. If you are going to explore the likes of the Porika and Maruia Saddle, then you're half-way there.

Jen (Mygsxf) mentioned she'd like to have a New Year's Eve party like last year. Lots of KBers there as many road-race folks were up for the Port races. Sounds like there's going to be plenty of gravel demons in town, too! We'll have to confirm that.

[CRM]

I have an XL250 Degree - 1995. Great reliable bike and surpisingly good off road. It's water-cooled and will cruise at 100-110. I've seen a few on Trade Me they are all imports. My son is learning on it at the moment.

[deanohit]

Oooh oooh, can some one pm me the details of the Nelson Port Races, I'm gonna be in the area and want to see them since I'll miss Wanginui again this year.

[young1]

Jen (Mygsxf) mentioned she'd like to have a New Year's Eve party like last year. Lots of KBers there as many road-race folks were up for the Port races. Sounds like there's going to be plenty of gravel demons in town, too! We'll have to confirm that.

So when you say "like last year" is that something we should be looking forward to or escape from!!!