Tell me what to buy....

[HenryDorsetCase]

My plan of buying a Triumph scrambler is down the dunny for this year at least.

I am quite liking the idea of plunking down some gravel road/farm tracks and whatnot.

Thinking of a wee road registered DP bike.

the last one I owned was my very first bike, a 1974 Suzuki TS125 and I did have a TS185 a while after that.

I have short little legs (28 inch inseam). I have no interest in being Bubba Shobert or whatnot.

I have always quite liked XL250 Motosports (and there is an XL350 on tardme at present).

Say my budget was three grand or thereabouts:

recommend me a dual purpose bike that is road registrable, able to be ridden by a short arse, suitable for gravel roads and whatnot, and cheap.

Thanks.......

[marks]

Buy this (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-172718456.htm)

or this (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-172581200.htm)

[NordieBoy]

Yep.
I'd go for the 350 but in the back of my mind would be the fact the 250 has the digital enduro dash off the DRZ400 - cool.

[Tony W]

The 350 looks too tall for you. The DR250 range, especially the Djebel
seems to offer good features for the money.

[NordieBoy]

That 250 on TM isn't a Gerbil but one of them would be even better for you.
Cool armoured headlight too.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I had thought of those CL400 scramblers that Haldanes have on tardme but $5k is waaaaay too much money for one of those. I suspect it would be a mere pretender to dirt road adequacy though.

I think the 350 is too tall also.

I do feel a trip to the LBS coming on though. Just lookin' yunnerstan'

[monchopper]

I had thought of those CL400 scramblers that Haldanes have on tardme but $5k is waaaaay too much money for one of those. I suspect it would be a mere pretender to dirt road adequacy though.

I think the 350 is too tall also.

I do feel a trip to the LBS coming on though. Just lookin' yunnerstan'

The 350 is a tall-ish bike. My my bro-in-laws 94 is about the same height as my XR400 which known not to be shortass friendly

[cooneyr]

My bro - here in Chch should have a TTR Raid (close to a 250 TTR with big tank and headlight) for sale next Wednesday all going well. Send him (El scooto) a PM if you are interested.

Cheers R

[Rosie]

By the sounds of it, you are a little shorter than me, so the likes of a DR250 (unless it's been substantially lowered) is going to be very tall.

The XT225/"250"/Serow isn't a bad bike. They are broadly similar to my Sherpa, not quite as nice, but you are more likely to find one in your price range.

Honda SL230 is one of the bikes that was recommended to me when I was looking for a DP bike. I've never seen one (they stopped making them in the 90's-ish and I was looking for something newer), but I've heard that they aren't bad bikes.

If you are having trouble finding something the right height - it is surprising how much difference a seat reshape can make. A lot of DP bikes have quite fat foam right at the front of the seat - if you hack a lot of that out and replace it with thinner, narrower, firmer foam, it should be easier to find the ground.

[eastlight]

As an owner of a DR350X, and a smudge under 6ft myself, it WILL be too tall! Then again, imagine the fun you would have getting on and off it!

Howabout this?? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-172865284.htm

[CRM]

Hi Henry...
I'm wanting to sell one of my bikes to a good home (you get kind of attached to them). They are both pretty much about the lowest seat 250 bikes you can get. 1995 Honda XL250 Degree - 13000km - great reliable machine just had new bars and bark busters (not shown in the picture) wanting around $3200. Other is 2006 GasGas Pampera 2stroke - very light a favourite with little legged people (like me). Wanting around $4200.

pm me if interested in either.
CRM

[bart]

Hey, welcome to the 28 inch inseam club.

Balance is the key. I don't have any problems........until I have to stop.

[pete376403]

Kawasaki Sherpa is good for vertically challenged people
eg http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-143461971.htm

[meteor]

Just for your info, I have a DR250 (the Djebel version) and I'm 6" (35 inch inseam) I'm on tip toes if I try to touch the ground with both feet. With a 28" inseam, you'd have a bit of a lean on I guess.... size does count eh!

[bart]

Shorter legs = further lean to get a knee down

yee haa

[Winston001]

No idea really HDC but the XL250 is tried and true. You'd never go wrong with one.

[AllanB]

Hmmm maybe some of those dual purpose tyres on the Hornet.

:niceone:

[cooneyr]

Just for your info, I have a DR250 (the Djebel version) and I'm 6" (35 inch inseam) I'm on tip toes if I try to touch the ground with both feet. With a 28" inseam, you'd have a bit of a lean on I guess.... size does count eh!

Just for HDC and others info - the Djebel can be lowered using factory adjustments just like the DR650. From memory I think you can get the seat height down to 840mm and the full height is 860mm. With the seat trim you could probably get it down to around another 20mm.

Cheers R

[bart]

Something I've been meaning to do for a long time is modify the suspension on my DRZ400. Because I'm a little wide for my height, lowering the suspension with the spring has turned the bike into a soggy sponge pud. Lengthening the linkage whojimmywhatsits (thats a very techanogical term), will lower the bike heaps. By doing this, you have to raise the handel bars also to keep the geometry right.

With this method you're not just limited to 250cc or less bikes.

[xwhatsit]

I have always quite liked XL250 Motosports (and there is an XL350 on tardme at present).
Yes! Motosports stir something deep in my loins :eek:

Shit you've got good taste, although I still question your sanity for selling the CB400Fs.

[warewolf]

Lengthening the linkage whojimmywhatsits (thats a very techanogical term), will lower the bike heaps. By doing this, you have to raise the handel bars also to keep the geometry right.Lowering pullrods are available for many bikes, but they are one hell of a compromise.

Changing the pullrods changes the rising rate curve of the shock linkages, which puts it out of whack with the damping. It can make the rear end harsh and prone to bottoming.

Pulling the forks through the triple clamps to maintain the same geometry is also prone to problems. The handlebars can be too close to the fork tops to allow the same height change, and the front wheel can run out of clearance to the lower triple clamp.

If I had my time again, I'd put the money into a proper suspension re-tune instead. The cost of reducing the shock travel through internal mods is about the same as the pullrods - while the shock is apart for a routine service - and you'll end up with a tuned & lowered shock that operates better than a standard one.

[warewolf]

the Djebel can be lowered using factory adjustments just like the DR650. From memory I think you can get the seat height down to 840mm and the full height is 860mm.That sounds about right, vs the DR-Z250 which is 890mm.

The 400 is up there in enduro territory at 945mm.

[avgas]

SL230.....if you can find one
otherwise the BAJA were good too

[warewolf]

I have a DR250 (the Djebel version) and I'm 6" (35 inch inseam) I'm on tip toes if I try to touch the ground with both feet.That's not consistent with what I know about them. Are you sure it's in standard trim? Have you got the shock preload cranked right up? Has a previous owner fitted a tall seat?

You are describing what sounds to me like a Djebel with a seat height over 1000mm?!

I'm 5'7" and 31" (32?) inseam. My DR-Z250 was 30-50mm taller than a Djebel and I could reach the ground no problem, not quite flat-foot it. Even my 640A at 917mm seat height lets me get the balls of both feet on the ground.

[bart]

If I had my time again, I'd put the money into a proper suspension re-tune instead. The cost of reducing the shock travel through internal mods is about the same as the pullrods - while the shock is apart for a routine service - and you'll end up with a tuned & lowered shock that operates better than a standard one.

Thanks for that. I may have a rethink about lowering the 4 hundy. I do a lot of off road also, so have been reluctant to play around with the suspension too much. Platform shoes may be the answer.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I saw a motard DRZ 400 today. It was low. so that with dual purpose tyres? though its a bit out of my price range.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Yes! Motosports stir something deep in my loins :eek:

Shit you've got good taste, although I still question your sanity for selling the CB400Fs.


when I was a kidi riding round on my TS125 a mate had an XL250 motosport. (his parents were rich and bought it for him). We thought it was the coolest thing ever, and Ive wanted one ever since.

to be honest, I have missed the red 400F a bit. It was a great little thing to zip about on. The money from the 400F's went into the "scrambler fund" .....

[NordieBoy]

when I was a kidi riding round on my TS125 a mate had an XL250 motosport. (his parents were rich and bought it for him). We thought it was the coolest thing ever, and Ive wanted one ever since.

My (other) brother has a TS125 squirrilled away somewhere.
An XL250 motorsport would be cool but I'm making do with my '79 XR250.
I wouldn't mind putting a motorsport style pipe on it though :2thumbsup

[martybabe]

Hd ,I like you am feeling the urge to get splattered in a bit of NZ mud and like you I've got little legs and a long body.

I recently cruised all the dual purpose shops I could find. In one of these shops as I lusted over all the 125s with a seat height on a level with my nipples, big dave's bigger brother suggested this and that and I'm thinkin, it's all right for you ya bleedin giraffe but if ya think I'm gonna ask for a box to stand on for your amusement ya can go and fark ya bleedin deformed gigantor self. :no:

My point is this, I did try a lot of them out and with all but one of them, I could get both of my feet on the deck. It might be stating the obvious but these things have long travel suspension for a reason but a huge percentage of the total travel was taken up by impressive man lard, Indeed some of the taller more imposing ones ended up lower than the lower ones, if ya get my drift.

Sit on a bunch H , You'll be surprised and strangely capacity doesn't seem to have much to do with seat height.The DR650 was perfect for me.

Good luck mate

[CRM]

I lowered my DRZ400 with a koubalink that I ordered from the states (about $120NZ incl shipping from memory) and also had to fit bar risers so i could lift the forks to compensate on the front. It actually was pretty good - lowered the bike about 30mm. But any more than that and you would be doing bad things to the geometry. But even then you couldn't describe the bike as low - it was still way taller than my XL250 or Pampera.

[Oscar]

when I was a kidi riding round on my TS125 a mate had an XL250 motosport. (his parents were rich and bought it for him). We thought it was the coolest thing ever, and Ive wanted one ever since.

to be honest, I have missed the red 400F a bit. It was a great little thing to zip about on. The money from the 400F's went into the "scrambler fund" .....

My first bike was a TS185L, it was about 5 years old at the time and cost me $850. I loved it. My mates all had orange XL175's, and then 4skins turned up on a bored out XL350 motosport....wow...

[NordieBoy]

then 4skins turned up on a bored out XL350 motosport....wow...

How long before it blew up?

[mstriumph]

tell you what to buy, Mr Case??

chocolate


- i LIKE chocolate .... :yes:

[Oscar]

How long before it blew up?

I don't think it did.

My brother-in-law stuck a similar motor (XL350 with a high comp 410 kit in it) in an RM250C frame. What a weapon! I remember spending a lot of time and effort getting it started though...

[HenryDorsetCase]

I sat on some bikes on Saturday. Winner so far is the DR650. even on the "high" setting it was usable but I would drop it down for comfort.

lot of bike for $9k but $9k iis a bit more than I want to spend.

dR200 was OK too, and I think I could live iwth a CRF230L. but the CRF is $7500 new.....

I also really liked the look of tha Gas Gas Pampera 450 which I think would have been OK. only issue again was price.

So I think maybe a second hand DR650.

maybe on Motard wheels as well?

[Rosie]

I sat on some bikes on Saturday. Winner so far is the DR650. even on the "high" setting it was usable but I would drop it down for comfort.

DR650's can also be 'lowered' a surprising amount by reshaping the front of the seat with thinner foam. :)

[NordieBoy]

2nd hand DR650.

The guy I got mine from went to an LS650 and has now got a.... new DR650 :D

[CRM]

I sat on some bikes on Saturday. Winner

lot of bike for $9k but $9k iis a bit more than I want to spend.

dR200 was OK too, and I think I could live iwth a CRF230L. but the CRF is $7500 new.....

I also really liked the look of tha Gas Gas Pampera 450 which I think would have been OK. only issue again was price.



Hey my 250 Pampera is about the same size as the CRF230, lighter, better suspension and performance and half the price. Got full details now at http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=81186. Price is very negotiable.:2thumbsup

[HenryDorsetCase]

Thanks for the heads up. I think though that what I want is what you're moving to (adventure/road/backroad tour) type stuff.

Ive now had a look at a Transalp, and F650's. Both would do what I want quite nicely.

I like your cat: very cute!

[nallac]

Another vote for the DR650...
lotsa fun ,easy to get a bit more ower out of them.

[NordieBoy]

easy to get a bit more ower out of them.

Only if you fall off.

[CRM]

Thanks for the heads up. I think though that what I want is what you're moving to (adventure/road/backroad tour) type stuff.

Ive now had a look at a Transalp, and F650's. Both would do what I want quite nicely.

I like your cat: very cute!

Yeah he's a cool guy - likes to hang out and do the bloke stuff :niceone: Comes for free with the bike :lol:

Your looking at a lot of money for the Tranny or F650 but I admit they are real nice, but you can get a new DR of KLR for the same as a five year old high mileage Honda or BMW. I've been looking at 650 Dominators as another option. Haven't been made for few years but there's some tidy ones around e.g http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=176821668. Anybody know much about how they would compare to a DR650 or KLR650?

[marks]

you can spend your time going round in circles looking at bikes but the reality is that DR650's and KLR650 offer unmatched value for money both new and more particularly if they are a year or two old.

Nothing else comes even close

why would anyone consider a 12 year old dominator when for another grand or so you could get a 2 year old DR/KLR

[richyrich]

yep i would go with a kwaka sherpa,low seat,modern,reasonable suspension and
don't look to bad either.

[warewolf]

I've been looking at 650 Dominators as another option. Haven't been made for few years but there's some tidy ones around e.g http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=176821668. Anybody know much about how they would compare to a DR650 or KLR650?I had a 1995 Dominator some years ago as my first foray into "proper" adventure bikes. I seem to recall spending (or planning) a lot of time and effort to get it more trail-worthy, noting it was like an F650 in that it was a road bike dressed up to resemble a trail bike - although perhaps more trailie than the BM, given the XR heritage.

One weakness is the plastic fairing panels bolted to the tin tank. The fairing panels are prone to breakages and the tin tank to dents. I see that one already has a high front guard conversion.

1995-on models were manufactured in Italy, with enough subtle differences to cause issues with fitment of after-market accessories, eg the Acerbis long-range tank.

The Domi is a nice enough bike, but Marks is on the money. The DR is natively more trailie, designed for rougher and dirtier use... like a cheap slapper! :niceone:

Hope this helps. Buy whatever floats your boat, and to hell with the naysayers! :headbang:

[HenryDorsetCase]

I went looking at KLR650's today. No go. waaaay too tall.

back to DR or F650 it is!

(they did have a KTM 690 duke which was really f****n cool, but sadly well out of my price range, and an RC8 YEAH BABY)

I want ALL motorbikes is the trouble. C50, Blackbird, Busa, Bevel drive ducati, 999, 1098, Honda CB1300S, about five of the new triumphs and even a harley. Gah!

why can't I marry well, or inherit a buncha money?

[Blackbird]

I want ALL motorbikes is the trouble. C50, Blackbird, Busa, Bevel drive ducati, 999, 1098, Honda CB1300S, about five of the new triumphs and even a harley. Gah!

why can't I marry well, or inherit a buncha money?

Mrs B has been casting covetous eyes at an M109 for its looks as well as comfort because one of her hips plays up on the 'bird if we ride more than 100 km or so at a stretch. I'm not mentally ready for a cruiser and she isn't about to grant a 2 bike concession:oi-grr:. I'm with you on the buncha money front although if I don't want to be sucking food through a straw in hospital; I must categorically state that I DID marry well.:whistle:

[pete376403]

I went looking at KLR650's today. No go. waaaay too tall.

back to DR or F650 it is!

I tried a mates DR650 and I didn't think there was anything in it, height-wise, between that, my KLR and a Dakar650. (But the Dakar has a superb seat)

Lowering links are available for KLRs (and probably DRs) and you can lift the fork tubes through the yokes at the front ot compensate.

Also - what model KLR? The older ones had more suspension travel than the current model, (ie a taller bike whn unladen) but sagged a lot with a load on. The new ones have reduced travel, but you don't loose half of it when you get on.

[NordieBoy]

I tried a mates DR650 and I didn't think there was anything in it, height-wise, between that, my KLR and a Dakar650. (But the Dakar has a superb seat)

Lowering links are available for KLRs (and probably DRs) and you can lift the fork tubes through the yokes at the front ot compensate.

The DR is lowerable without buying anything.
1 bolt in the rear shockand either slide the forks up or pull them apart and re-arrange the bits according to the manual.