Buying adv bike sight unseen?

[warewolf]

Right, now I'm even more confused.
...
Seems they're all good in there own way. I'll sort something out with those bikes then report back. Spose the cheapest non-lemon bike will be most ideal until I decide what riding I really enjoy.

There's a huge range in the adventure spectrum, and you really need to decide how you want to use the bike before you can decide which one. Getting something/anything that will not lose too much money on changeover, while you work out what you want, is a good idea. Doesn't necessarily have to be cheap, just saleable for close to what you paid.

You can get quite analytical; make a list of the must haves, the must nots, and see where the bikes fall.

Or you can follow your heart not your head, and buy the one you lay awake at night dreaming about. Riding is about enjoyment. It's no good buying the one the soulless accountant recommends if you aren't enjoying it and wish you were on something else.

[SlowHand]

So drz400 up and down a drive, not exactly thorough I know.

Felt slow for road, and maybe slightly heavy for real tight stuff. So I can see what it was designed to do. Lot more pep than what I expected after riding my mates drz250.

Can't help but wonder what another 200cc would be like

[CRM]

So drz400 up and down a drive, not exactly thorough I know.

Felt slow for road, and maybe slightly heavy for real tight stuff. So I can see what it was designed to do. Lot more pep than what I expected after riding my mates drz250.

Can't help but wonder what another 200cc would be like

Yeah that was how I felt when I test rode mine - gearing was too low/ close for comfortable open road cruising - even around town I would get into 5th and be looking for another gear sometimes. Also the height and weight combined if you have shorter legs was a challenge in the tight stuff. It was ideal for forestry roads, open farmland, tight gravel - that sort of thing (Mine was a DRZ400E - off road one that had been made road legal) but not fun doing any distance on seal.

[NordieBoy]

I felt the DRZ400 I rode on the DB1000 went fine. Nice and light and a nice responsive motor. Good suspension too. Tootled throuh the twistys fine and revved out to 140kph on gravel ok.




The seat however...

[mattsdakar]

I currently have my 1999 DR350 on TM for $3,400 ono
I quanrantee it is as described and in excellent mechanical order.
My phone contact details are in the TM add, give me a call
Rgds Matt