New to dual purpose/off road. A couple of questions

**colsan1** · 2nd August 2009, 18:59

Hi all, i've only been in NZ for a year and already, in that short time, i've decided the roads here are not for me.
I've been riding for around 30 years and i dont want to give it up because i've now got rid of the road bike.
I was thinking of looking at a dual purpose bike, something like a dr250/350, klx/klr250 maybe a kdx200 if i can find a road legal one at a good price.
I'd be interested to hear more experianced riders thioughts on what would be a suitable bike for a relative off road novice.
I've had an xr400 in the past but didnt like the fact that it was kick start only and i found it a bit to much of a hand full when things got a little slippery.
I know the kdx is kick only but strokers are a lot easier than an XR.
My other concern is where to ride. In the UK there were ROW's and green lanes that i could use and these were all clearly shown on any decent map.
I live in Cambridge and am surrounded by hills and forests yet as far as i can tell its all someones land and i'm guessing i wouldnt be allowed to ride on it.
So the question is if i want to ride out somewhere, do a little green lane stuff and generally mess about off road without travelling for hours to get there where can/could i ride.
I dont meen the organised trail rides, just places where i get out and bugger about

**Eddieb** · 2nd August 2009, 19:27

Out towards Raglan there's heaps of gravel roads heading north and south. Thats maybe an hour from you. Not far west of Te Awamutu I gather there's a few good roads round the mountain.
There's several KB members near Whatawhata and NZKTM is in Te Aroha, they'll know places to ride. There's a track up Mt Te Aroha that varies from not too bad to bloody hell! depending on the season.

I would have thought east and northeast of Cambridge there must be a few gravel roads, it's just finding them.

**buggsubique** · 2nd August 2009, 19:28

can't help with the locations sorry, but sounds like maybe a DRZ250 or 400 would be good for you if you're not hammering the roads too much. DR350 another option like you say if you can find a good one.

Enjoy!

**Eddieb** · 2nd August 2009, 19:34

Out of interest cause I've done a lot of riding over there why are NZ roads not for you?

Apart from the fact that even our larger ones = UK B roads at best and a lot (All the fun ones) would be a C road.

**meteor** · 2nd August 2009, 20:23

I know where there is a nice 2003 DR250 for sale for the right price

electric leg, big tank, reg & warrant to 2010.......
look at my profile album

**colsan1** · 2nd August 2009, 22:10

I tend to ride fast when i'm on the road.
Modern bikes are ticking over at 140-160kmh.
The road surfaces are just too poor.
Loose stone chip gravel all over the place or you get
the dangerously slippy patches where the tar seal has seeped up
giving you nice ice rink feeling when it wet.
add to that a legal speed limit that it the lowest in the world and
over zealous police, it just kinda takes the fun out it.

**Waihou Thumper** · 3rd August 2009, 05:13

When you get your bike, I will reveal all around your way....
There are lots of good roads in the Waipa and Waikato for adventure riding.....

**CrazyFrog** · 3rd August 2009, 09:19

Originally Posted by colsan1

I tend to ride fast when i'm on the road.
Modern bikes are ticking over at 140-160kmh.
The road surfaces are just too poor.
Loose stone chip gravel all over the place or you get
the dangerously slippy patches where the tar seal has seeped up
giving you nice ice rink feeling when it wet.
add to that a legal speed limit that it the lowest in the world and
over zealous police, it just kinda takes the fun out it.

I'm hearing you, story of my life. After too many run ins with the law, and constantly sitting on maximum demerit points, I decided to go down the ADV road, and discovered how much fun you can have on the gravel, or simply by exploring up dirt tracks. Yes the bike has to be ridden on the road, but have learned to behave a bit more, even though the KTM is capable of 170kmph.
It's a lot more fun blasting down the gravel at 120 then doing 200 on the highway and worrying about cops/other road users. Also, it's a great way to see the back blocks of NZ and really explore this country. There's some great riding to be done in Central North Island, just get a good detailed map and look for secondary roads, and accessable forest park tracks.
I personally wouldn't ride anything smaller than a 400 if you intend riding the road for any distance, otherwise a modern 250 will be fine.

**Taz** · 3rd August 2009, 09:23

Originally Posted by CrazyFrog

I personally wouldn't ride anything smaller than a 400 if you intend riding the road for any distance, otherwise a modern 250 will be fine.

The one exception to this would have to be the new Yamaha WR250R. Took one for a demo ride and I was well impressed. 40000km valve checks too.

**Mystic13** · 3rd August 2009, 09:44

As for bikes DRZ400, KLX400. They're the same bike with different badges and colours.

The 250's are to small to ride there and back. The 400 is 119kg which is I think 1kg lighter than the DRZ250. The DRZ650 is the next step up and still capable.

I'm not a fan of the 200+ kg off road bikes. Just too much to pick up and too much to damage in a drop.

Good luck with the adventure riding. PM if you're looking for a really good DRZ400 road legal. I struggled trying to choose between the 400 and the 650 and chose the 400. I've now got a friend bailing on a 650. If I do a year or so with that then I'll know which one to keep longer term.

**Eddieb** · 3rd August 2009, 10:01

Originally Posted by colsan1

I tend to ride fast when i'm on the road.
Modern bikes are ticking over at 140-160kmh.
The road surfaces are just too poor.
Loose stone chip gravel all over the place or you get
the dangerously slippy patches where the tar seal has seeped up
giving you nice ice rink feeling when it wet.
add to that a legal speed limit that it the lowest in the world and
over zealous police, it just kinda takes the fun out it.

Fair call on all of that. I've just sold my Ducati for much the same reasons.

**MXNUT** · 3rd August 2009, 10:20

Originally Posted by Eddieb

I've just sold my Ducati.............

Well done, you will be pleased about that

**Eddieb** · 3rd August 2009, 10:44

Yup. thinking about shifting one of the BMW's too. The garage is still pretty full.

**marks** · 3rd August 2009, 12:35

Originally Posted by Eddieb

I've just sold my Ducati

at last

does that mean a new adv bike is on the horizon?

going to upgrade to a KLR?

**clint640** · 3rd August 2009, 13:49

Hi Mate, I've never seen a road legal KDX200. The trouble with road legal 250 dirtbikes is that 1/2 the learners in NZ want one & they tend to be $$$.

Near Cambridge there isn't much in the way of public access to proper offroad, lots of nice gravel road routes around though. There are however lots of organised offroad trail rides on around the (south) Waikato / central North Is & over winter particularly there would be something within a 90min drive most weekends.

As a novice on these rides a KDX200 or something similarly light & small would be a good pick, but such a machine won't be much good, (or legal) on the road of course.

Cheers
Clint