Thinking of venturing to the dirty side - points of interest around Manurewa?

[zeocen]

Well a new job prospect and a very understanding other half has led me to be in a situation where I can buy another bike! I've a couple of questions regarding this new dirty, muddy track I may be venturing down on;

First of all, I'm in Manurewa, I'll be getting a road legal dirt bike so I can ride to my destinations, have a play and ride back. Are there any points of interest around where I live that would provide some fun places to learn how to not fall over on gravel, great scenery, variety of surfaces?

Secondly, as mentioned, road legal dirt bike - suggestions? I went into MtEdenMC and sat on a KLR650, was perfect for my height (6'2) but felt like it could be hard to manage, I have no experience on anything other than road and gravel. Constantly picking up a KLR650 didn't seem very interesting! I also think 650cc could get me in trouble in the wrong places?

I then looked at the one next to it, a KLX250S, it was very nice! I came home and had a read about it and found it may be an old engine in a new frame, perhaps not cut out for what I want? Or maybe it is perfect for what I want? I'm not sure! It felt quite manageable in comparison to the KLR650.

And THEN, I scoured Trade Me and found DRZ400 and DR650s, these were either cheaper than the bikes I was previously looking at (The kawasaki kind and WR250) or were around the same price with more to offer - so why are these such a bargain in comparison to the other bikes? Will they suit off road and adventure riding?

I suppose that's all for now, looking at bikes I can do at any time, but it will be for naught if there's no place to ride them off the beaten track around here!

Thanks in advance guys, PS. I chose to post in this forum rather than the off road forum as I'm more looking for bikes to have an adventure on and ride both road and off road (road being just to get where I want to be off road) so I hope I chose the right sub forum.

Cheers!,

Matt - zeo.

[warewolf]

Sounds to me like you are wanting a road-legal dirt bike, rather than an adventure bike. When it comes to fun & learning off-road, smaller bikes are better. So I'd suggest looking at any 250-ish bike, 4T or 2T.

Manurewa is close to the Port Waikato gravel playground that stretches south to Awakino. There is a dirt bike park (Kimmy's?) down that way somewhere for more technical off-road riding.

The problem with the DR650 & KLR650 is not so much the 650cc - they are sturdy touring bikes, not fire-breathing race weapons - but their weight, and depending on how technical you want to get, their suspension. Dirt bikes they are not. Great for gravel, not so great for off-road per se.

The DR-Z400 is a good compromise. Trail ridden, raced, toured, it can do it all. Not as well as more focussed kit, but has broader appeal than many.

[Ally67]

Of the bikes you mention in your post I'd recomend the DR400, from what I've seen they are probly the most versatile.
I'm actually trying to convince MrsJatz one would be perfect for her(and I could play on it

I can see this thread going down hill rapidly

Jatz

[zeRax]

get a drz400e or "klx400r" they are the exact same bike,

this 400 is lighter than my old xr250, so yea, lots of nice smooth grunt and can do anything~

[Padmei]

DRZ400. You'e got enough bikes for other type of riding.

[bart]

DRZ400 is an awesome bike. It never ceases to amaze me that I haven't killed mine yet. Not the most comfy for big road miles, but great at the dirty stuff.

Trail riding, with the bike stripped down, I can keep up with my bro on his CRF250R (and he's a lot lighter and fitter then I am). On the gravel it's a blast. On the seal...................well it sucks, but you just grin and bear it, because you know it's not far to the gravel again.

[Woodman]

I think this can of worms has been opened way too many times. I agree with the others and will say that the DRZ is probarbly the best choice especially if you wanna play on technical stuff. Not saying technical stuff cannot be done on a KLR or a DR650 because it can.