Bike advice?

[surfchick]

A wee spot of advice -
I'd like to do some dirt riding -but am a novice only done ag/farm riding before- but was wondering if there's a decent dirt bike that's easy to switch to road ride to commute on? Only thing is Colemans noted there's not really a decent bike that does both the commute and the sandpit?

I've been reading net reviews, but figured some of you are running motoX bikes to work cause I see you round the CBD :)

I've got the duc. for weekend and track days so was thinking a light-cheap commute would be awesome and then go to woodhill in the weekend?

trouble is I keep looking at the supermotards and going drool - but know they won't really do dirt...

I'm open to smaller engine bikes like 250cc, prefer used (so i don't have to sell the duc) but keen on road legal...

keen to hear pros and cons of running one bike for commute/dirt
best used ones to go for
people's other thoughts on sticking to specialist bikes

[Taz]

My pick would be a Yamaha TTR250. Or a DRZ400.

[Reckless]

let me ask you a question first.
Is the 996 your only transport or do you have a car you can hitch a trailer to??
I ask this because I looked at your profile and your nice shoulder lean on the 996 into that corner doesn't suggest the sort of chick that would be happy with some 1/2 way bike for very long on the trails or the MX track.
The KTm exc range does come with lights etc and would be the best choice I would suggest. But we would never round off our Knobbly tyres etc on the road and expect to be happy with the bike on the trails. The KTM 200 or 250 would have heaps of 2 stroke power but not as good at commuting. The Yamaha TTR range or the good old suzuki DRZ400 or Kawasaki KLX300. But I think you'll find the last two quite big bikes on the trails. I'm about out of Ideas but I'm sure there is a few there for you to look at and others will have more suggestions. You porbably wanna stick to a 4 stroke if your primarily commuting but if you wanna give the dirt a good nudge the KTM's would be good.

[takitimu]

My 0.02c would be have a look at WR250R, I've never ridden one but heard good things, or if you want to tip the balance full dirt as Reckless says look at KTM EXC / Yamaha WR250F / WR450F.
( The WR250R was reviewed in kiwirider ~3-4 months back ).

[surfchick]

[QUOTE=Reckless;1620003]let me ask you a question first.
Is the 996 your only transport or do you have a car you can hitch a trailer to??
I ask this because I looked at your profile and your nice shoulder lean on the 996 into that corner doesn't suggest the sort of chick that would be happy with some 1/2 way bike for very long on the trails or the MX track. "...

I have a defender that could tow a trailer with. Don't want to commute on the duc to avoid the gas bill on the truck as it will depreciate the value at a worse rate!

After a few more track days I may sell the duc so the nu mx type bike might be my only bike for a while - I guess I really would like something I could trick out in a slightly mean way for either trials or street -so I love it (not just like it :) will just go check your suggested bikes on tardme...

[FROSTY]

Boy do I have a deal fer you--sell ya duck buy my KDX 220 trail bike and the er6 I have in stock. And have change left over from that to fuel up the defender for er--ok a day

[surfchick]

Boy do I have a deal fer you--sell ya duck buy my KDX 220 trail bike and the er6 I have in stock. And have change left over from that to fuel up the defender for er--ok a day

hello frost myster!
mohoho the defender is diesel and is more economical than my old toyota corolla s/w. still costs 130 to fill plus RUC tho -which is frightening since last year it only cost 60\5 to fill. goes over 600ks on that tank tho... bummer is most those ks are work commute till I go surfing

[Reckless]

Forgot about the Yamaha WR range do they come with lights?? I think they do! My mates got a 450 he bought new, but they put the white YZ plastic kit on it B4 it even left the shop. But a Wr250 is a good suggestion to look at.

Just had a thought we are changing our oil every 2 rides and piston on a Wr or KTm every 100hrs or so?? How would you go puting all those road miles on a Enduro bike???

Surfchick you might be better off looking at an adventure bike and adventure riding that would be a better raod/dirt combination. Wouldn't have the thrill of a cross country ride or MX day but it would give you a better road based bike.

[surfchick]

I know that oil care might be a bit mental for commuting... poohs might have to have 2 rides...:shit:

[daytona 2]

hae my dad was in the same situation as you...he wanted to go to the sandpit and ride with me but also wanted to drive to work..he ended up geting a drz400 dual pupose{he takes the lights,mirrors and indictcators off when dirt bikeing} which is the biggest bike you at the sandpit and its nice and powerful for the road...its light and 120kg, 48HP

[merv]

Big question - how tall are you? Seat height on the dirt bikes these days is a real issue if you are commuting on them particularly, foot down at lights in town etc.

The new WR250R got a mention above - it is the new model with long service life engine well suited to the road and is a good looking bike http://www.yamaha-motor.co.nz/motor/index.htm?prod_detail.asp?MD_ID=454&modelcatid=3. It is heavy compared to the WR250F http://www.yamaha-motor.co.nz/motor/index.htm?prod_detail.asp?MD_ID=441&modelcatid=4 like I have which is really an enduro race bike with the engine needing more service attention.

Both are road legal and comparo is:

WR250R: Dry Weight 125kg, seat height 929mm, four valve fuel injected engine, six speed gearbox.
WR250F: Dry weight 109 (my older one was said to be 102), seat height 990mm, five valve carburettor engine, five speed gearbox.

To include a commute only the R model is suitable, both would be good on the trail but there the F has the edge.

[surfchick]

I'm 5 7 - ... I liked the sound of the longer service intervals as I reality I'd prefer not to have to nurse it w. oil every week! just looked up the drz400 and quite like it -will try and get a test ride on one soon... I think i'd be more commuting w occiasional sand/dirt track stuff unless I got real into it... which is always a danger...mind you the shock of 48 hp vs the 123hp I'm used to will be a shock. but I'd kind of like to drop back in speed actually

[surfchick]

oh my that nu white yamaha is lovely

[clmintie]

Hey surfchick this might be a good way to try out off road.

HI Everyone

For the Trail ride this weekend (Sun 29th June at Woodhill forest) Botany Honda will have a range of test bikes available for your pleasure - for just $5 you can try out the latest and greatest Honda range. The test bikes will be available from10:30 am till 2 pm. Come along and have a go on these 2008 models with Botany Honda.

Greg Power

Please email or call 0274454429 if you want any information

Our address: 26/10 Airborne Road, Albany, Auckland - Box 302438 North Harbour.

[oldguy]

also have a look at the DRZ400SM :msn-wink:

[MVnut]

Get Frosty to stick a 916 engine in a dirtbike chassis for ya:Punk:

[FROSTY]

:Punk:hasnt ducati already done summat like that?

[MVnut]

you call that a dirtbike frame????????????? just think about my old supercharged Norton in the Bultaco