Market prices for 400cc dual-purpose bikes?

[Kokopelli]

Wow! You took the R80 through the sandpit? I've thought about going up with the DR250 a few times but I figured I would just irritate the MX riders.

There weren't many people there. As a matter of fact, I would have felt more comfortable to know that other people might come through. In hindsight, going in alone was somewhat stupid. However, it was certainly exciting.

[warewolf]

Today, at the Kawasaki Sandpit in the Woodhill forest.

Geez I miss riding out there!!

I've thought about going up with the DR250 a few times but I figured I would just irritate the MX riders.

My DR-Z250 went to the Sandpit shitloads. No problem at all, the MX fellahs held me up about as often as vice-versa. Most excellent training ground out there, I thoroughly recommend it. And loads of fun

[Padmei]

And what would the downside be?

Ummmm a mouthful of roost?

[Taz]

We should organise a dualsport day at the forest. Could be some fun.

Also off topic but at least it serves as a bump....

I'd be into that on my dualsport

[Crisis management]

Also off topic but at least it serves as a bump....

I'd be into that on my dualsport

Been there, done that on the DR650, I'm taking the 200......

[Kokopelli]

I'd be in, if I had a KDX200 or at least a DRZ400.

[clint640]

I'm scratching my head as I type, been a while since I was in your position, sadly. Apply everything you know about road bikes to your dual sport, a bikes a bike. Prices are what you find in the marketplace, I guess, no rule of thumb. A dirtbike can look pretty dinged but still be mechanically sound if it has been looked after. Engine should not be rattly, air filter should be clean, no play on any bearings, clean oil etc. Gear lever should not wobble around, sprockets & chain should not be ground down & hanging off. Suspension should have no weeps, nor should it bounce round like a pogo stick. Head bearings should not knock. Check frame welds for cracks & any dubious rounded off nut's. I'm sure you get the picture. Good luck!

Good reply, one of the other key things to check on a dirtbike that you wouldn't give much thought to on a road bike is the rear suspension bearings &/or bushings. Give the back wheel an up-down wiggle to check for play. If the bike has seen lots of mud & water & the swingarm has never been serviced you can be up for $100's of parts & a world of pain trying to press out nasty old rusty bits. This is really more applicable to trail bikes than more road biased adv machines but if you are looking at DRZ400's a lot of them get used as trail bikes.
Also be aware that people that are using a bike for trail rides will often strip off all the road gear, including the speedo, for offroad, so the actual kms might be more than shown.

Cheers
Clint

[Taz]

Engine should not be rattly,

Unless it's a KTM RFS or a Yamaha WR450F They are rattly from new.

[Cynos]

Good reply, one of the other key things to check on a dirtbike that you wouldn't give much thought to on a road bike is the rear suspension bearings &/or bushings. Give the back wheel an up-down wiggle to check for play. If the bike has seen lots of mud & water & the swingarm has never been serviced you can be up for $100's of parts & a world of pain trying to press out nasty old rusty bits. This is really more applicable to trail bikes than more road biased adv machines but if you are looking at DRZ400's a lot of them get used as trail bikes.
Also be aware that people that are using a bike for trail rides will often strip off all the road gear, including the speedo, for offroad, so the actual kms might be more than shown.

Cheers
Clint

Cheers mate, good to know.

[warewolf]

Unless it's a KTM RFS or a Yamaha WR450F They are rattly from new.

Hell yes. Compared to my 2T they sound like a can of bolts in a paint shaker.

[bart]

Good reply, one of the other key things to check on a dirtbike that you wouldn't give much thought to on a road bike is the rear suspension bearings &/or bushings. Give the back wheel an up-down wiggle to check for play. If the bike has seen lots of mud & water & the swingarm has never been serviced you can be up for $100's of parts & a world of pain trying to press out nasty old rusty bits. This is really more applicable to trail bikes than more road biased adv machines but if you are looking at DRZ400's a lot of them get used as trail bikes.
Also be aware that people that are using a bike for trail rides will often strip off all the road gear, including the speedo, for offroad, so the actual kms might be more than shown.

Cheers
Clint

There are a few positive things about these bikes too. Bullet proof engines with plenty of power, and light enough to throw around in the tight stuff. Some of them even get looked after.