From the dirt to the road.

**flyingcr250** · 14th August 2009, 23:19

so im going to get my road licence soon and i need a 250cc bike to cruise around on sporting my sexy L plates(when i pass). im keen on a dual purpose dirt bike like a KLX ir XR but motarded. i dont really want to spend heaps on a bike i probably wont have for long so ive set a cap of $5000. any ideas on what would be a good buy? ive seen acouple on tard me

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-235177063.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-232329194.htm

**tnarg** · 14th August 2009, 23:53

Im the same, thinking about getting my road license and want a dual purpose or motard. Really want a drz sm. Maybe get a KTM250exc and convert to SM but wont be overlly cheap.

**Reckless** · 15th August 2009, 00:41

Being a roady of many many years! Get a road bike!!!! (if you want to actually enjoy it)
Those bloody things will scream their tits off and only give you a sore arse within 5 mins!!
You won't be able to enjoy the pleasure of a nice long road cruise on a beautiful sunny day with a bunch of mates!!!!
My son just bought an 02 VTR250 and has shiny new L plates but he ferkin loves it!! bout the same money too I think!
Road in the week, dirt in the weekend best of both worlds, Peerfect!!
Just my 2c!!

**B0000M** · 15th August 2009, 00:51

cbr250rr seems to be most peoples preferred choice of 250 road bike, of course doesnt match up to your list of wants- but you allready have a dirt bike, why get a half pie dirt bike as well?

**flyingcr250** · 15th August 2009, 07:20

Originally Posted by B0000M

cbr250rr seems to be most peoples preferred choice of 250 road bike, of course doesnt match up to your list of wants- but you allready have a dirt bike, why get a half pie dirt bike as well?

i dont really want a "road bike" just yet, ive tested acouple of mates bikes (KTM 690 smc, CBR250, DRZ250 SM)and ive found im more confident on a bike that i already know how to ride if you know what i mean. also i just like that style of bike at the moment, maybe when i become a better road rider ill move to look at a proper road bike like a duke or a CBR 600 etc...

**ready4whatever** · 15th August 2009, 08:25

I have a 97 Dt175. fun around town etc but on the open road im ringing it out (2 stroke redlining= da da da da da)

**flyingcr250** · 15th August 2009, 08:41

Originally Posted by ready4whatever

I have a 97 Dt175. fun around town etc but on the open road im ringing it out (2 stroke redlining= da da da da da)

yea at the moment im only looking to commute to work and to zip around town

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-234055525.htm

**CRF119** · 15th August 2009, 09:48

I had a bandit now looking at a CBR250RR you will get sick of a low CC motard you really need a 450CC+ to have fun. I didnt bother with L Plates as you will get pulled up in the 100km zone for exceeding your 70km limit

**Rupe** · 15th August 2009, 09:55

Originally Posted by flyingcr250

yea at the moment im only looking to commute to work and to zip around town

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-234055525.htm

I thought you said you'd never own a 4stroke????

**tommorth** · 15th August 2009, 10:25

what bout one of these they come up on trademe every few months
http://www.bikepics.com/yamaha/tdr250/

250 2t twin so plenty of power in a dirt bike chassis not the prettiest bike around but you could change bits around I quite like the black and red on at the bottom looks evil

**Rosie** · 15th August 2009, 12:21

Good luck with the licence test!
Small dual purpose bikes are excellent for commuting and zipping around town. You can get road tyres that fit on standard dual purpose wheels, if you were only going to be using it on the seal. Road handling wouldn't be quite a good as motard wheels, but it could be a lot cheaper and easier.
A few guys in the Adventure forum have, or have had KLX250s and seemed pretty pleased with them.

**camchain** · 15th August 2009, 13:23

Dude, just watch yourself on the road whatever type of bike you get. Much more serious injury/death potenial on road with those large, armoured quads in your ride space.

This may seem totally obvious but be aware that riding techniques are a bit different for road, eg less body english and a lot more counter steering.

A dirt-type bike may make you feel more at home, but as I found the hard way, some dirt riding instincts might get you into trouble; In '04 I took off for a trip up north on a big fat Honda ST1100 after 20 years off any type of bike. Everything was going great until I suddenly came into a very tight corner way too quick (no advisory speed sign). I hit panic button, dirt reactions/instinct took over and I tipped the bike over hard - but kept body upright, slid arse off seat to outside & put foot out in front. I barely got around that corner and my dirt technique would have looked as dodgy & ridiculous on that 250kg mother as it felt!

Whatever type bike you get, spend an extra $30 and get a copy of Keith Code's superb book - A Twist Of The Wrist. It's really aimed at racers but you'll be glad you read it. Full of excellent techniques I'd never heard of. You could ride for years and never learn them or pick them up. Almost straight away became a better, safer rider - on the road at least, lol.

**flyingcr250** · 15th August 2009, 14:36

Originally Posted by camchain

Dude, just watch yourself on the road whatever type of bike you get. Much more serious injury/death potenial on road with those large, armoured quads in your ride space.

This may seem totally obvious but be aware that riding techniques are a bit different for road, eg less body english and a lot more counter steering.

A dirt-type bike may make you feel more at home, but as I found the hard way, some dirt riding instincts might get you into trouble; In '04 I took off for a trip up north on a big fat Honda ST1100 after 20 years off any type of bike. Everything was going great until I suddenly came into a very tight corner way too quick (no advisory speed sign). I hit panic button, dirt reactions/instinct took over and I tipped the bike over hard - but kept body upright, slid arse off seat to outside & put foot out in front. I barely got around that corner and my dirt technique would have looked as dodgy & ridiculous on that 250kg mother as it felt!

Whatever type bike you get, spend an extra $30 and get a copy of Keith Code's superb book - A Twist Of The Wrist. It's really aimed at racers but you'll be glad you read it. Full of excellent techniques I'd never heard of. You could ride for years and never learn them or pick them up. Almost straight away became a better, safer rider - on the road at least, lol.

thats why i want a dual purpose bike first so i can teach my self not to dirt ride on the road lol, and si i can get myself out of trouble if i ever have a crazy moment like that, would have looked cool though. at the end of the day im not looking to be rossi i just want to get to work with out too much traffic hassles and maybe go on a couple day trips etc....

**jt119** · 15th August 2009, 14:41

Originally Posted by flyingcr250

thats why i want a dual purpose bike first so i can teach my self not to dirt ride on the road lol, and si i can get myself out of trouble if i ever have a crazy moment like that, would have looked cool though. at the end of the day im not looking to be rossi i just want to get to work with out too much traffic hassles and maybe go on a couple day trips etc....

hamich seems to like that xr of his rides it to work 5 days then trail rides it on the weekends things still going ok

**Reckless** · 15th August 2009, 17:29

Originally Posted by flyingcr250

i dont really want a "road bike" just yet, ive tested acouple of mates bikes (KTM 690 smc, CBR250, DRZ250 SM)and ive found im more confident on a bike that i already know how to ride if you know what i mean. also i just like that style of bike at the moment, maybe when i become a better road rider ill move to look at a proper road bike like a duke or a CBR 600 etc...

Na thats cool mate, it was only my 2c, each to their own! Have fun watch out for crazy cagers!!!