Yamaha DT230, anybody got one?

**marks** · 5th July 2010, 20:39

Originally Posted by warewolf

Interesting comment, got me thinking. Haven't ridden a DT230, but vaguely interested in buying one myself at the moment.

well you know where I live (more or less)
as long as you promise not to scratch it

you can take it for a decent blat through the mungy's or better still Odlins Rd - it is an utter blast on that track

**rogerh** · 5th July 2010, 23:18

Originally Posted by XF650

It's more of a dual purpose bike than a trail bike but with limited fuel range (150 km's & no after market tanks).

This is the exact opposite of the Pampera. See Motu's comment below. Right on the money. And the Pampera only has a 6l tank! (including reserve??) Have not tested the range, as the bike is only used off road.

Originally Posted by marks

I've breifly ridden a pampera and they have considerably less ooomph - particularly when the revs get up.

I can't agree with this Mark. We have one here that my wife rides, and it has plenty of ooomph up top too. I have done 140 on it with out effort. At that point I was becoming a little uncomfortable on such a light weight bike! It certainly has the two stroke thing going on at the top end, but has a hell of a flywheel, so is a little slower to rev than most two strokes.

Originally Posted by Motu

I reckon the Pampera would be a better trail bike in tough stuff.

This is where it absolutely excels, but is only a low speed machine due to the suspenders.

In summary. Light. Fun, particularly off road for a rider that needs confidence. The suspenders are pretty basic, but with good maintenance should be OK. Very like the trail bikes of old, but light weight and modern construction. Think a TS250 built this century. There is plenty of power, and it feels like a lot more than the figures quoted earlier. Maybe Warewolf is right about how it is measured??? The frame is very light weight, and the bike will not deal with air too well, but other than that it is very good for an inexperienced rider. It will climb anything and is great for practice and technique sharpening. But it is no mx bike, and never will be. As I said though, our one is pretty good on the road. It certainly has a two stroke power band up top, but would be buzzy on the road, and is fairly hard to kick over for a lighter person. A button and key would be good, but it is what it is, and I think it is a really good trail bike.

Originally Posted by warewolf

I think the DT230 makes a more versatile/tourable machine so I'm unlikely to choose a Pampera even if it was as powerful.

I would have to agree with this

If anyone really wants to try one, give me a yell. It goes to Woodhill (the Sandpit) from time to time, and we live on a small block with some great practice areas.

**XF650** · 6th July 2010, 13:00

A couple of other dual purpose 2 smokes i'v ridden (both imports):
TS200 - Suzuki's version of the DT200? I really liked it, my size & felt quite nimble but no electric leg (not that it was hard starting).
Honda CRM - a weapon, but I think the last ones were over done with emissions stuff?
Still happier with the DT230 though.

**Monstaman** · 7th July 2010, 12:54

Originally Posted by XF650

Paul rode my DT230 today and now he wants one more than ever!
Turns out he's brother of Monstaman - it's a small world.

I deny all knowledge of knowing my twin brother for 43 years.

Yeap its true, he has got back into bikes after many years away which is very cool, he got sucked into gettin a DR650 too.

So I am looking forward to him gettin a DT so he can pay for it and I can ride it ... like a true Dutchman

**NordieBoy** · 7th July 2010, 20:48

Originally Posted by Monstaman

So I am looking forward to him gettin a DT so he can pay for it and I can ride it ... like a true Dutchman

So he's not a true Dutchie?

I mean. Buying a bike and letting someone else ride it?

**Monstaman** · 8th July 2010, 01:11

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

So he's not a true Dutchie?

I mean. Buying a bike and letting someone else ride it?

...dunno yet cos he hasn't got one yet ... in a bruvvaly love kinda way he might tell me to stuff off!!

**Trials Rider** · 8th July 2010, 15:06

Well yes I took Struans DT230 for a skid last week, have to confess if I walked to his place I would have riden home before he noticed, bugger eh.

Was very impressed, nice and light (compared to the DR650), tons of grunt, nice and quiet, keen to get one.

Bloody typical Dutchie wants me to pay and him to ride, bloody twin brothers!!!, mind you I wouldnt mind a ride a NEW KTM990SMR

Cheers

Paul
Sherco 250 2007
Suzuki DR650 2010
Soon Yamaha DT230

**XF650** · 27th July 2010, 22:10

I back loaded Paul's new toy from Nelson last week & recognised the DT230 (import Lanza) as one I had test ridden before I bought mine. It was easy to identify with factory bash plate & optional kick start, lowering links and dished seat.
Luckily NigelP & I had recently grabbed a parts bike, so Paul now has all the bits he needs to get it back to std ride height. He's a very happy chappy:

**Motu** · 27th July 2010, 22:19

'98? Half n half colour scheme - blue tank and front guard,white rear guard and black seat.I saw one like that in a Wellington shop.

**NordieBoy** · 28th July 2010, 09:24

How long before it does it's first trial?

**Trials Rider** · 31st July 2010, 22:26

Got my new toy, Big thanks to Struan for transporting it back from Nelson for me.

First impressions, love it

Second impressions, love it

Third impression, love it

I am very pleased with the bike, goes very well, lots of low down snot, wind the throttle and jobs on , shit it goes, love the adjustable rebound and compression, low centre of gravity.

I have since put a white head light on so it is 96, 97, 98 model now. added a new pic.

For anyone looking for a light weight trail bike with tons of hoof I would say ride a DT230, you will be impressed.

**Trials Rider** · 26th August 2010, 21:43

Conway flats ride

Went to the Conway flat trail ride last week, first ride out on the DT230, went very well, had nobly tyres on which was a must as it was boggy as hell.

I did a we mode to the bike, I put an on/off switch on the power valve to see what would happen, basically it seems to leave the exhaust port small so it knocks the power band back to more predicable even acceleration but I would be interested if anyone else has played wit them.

Back to the Conway, the reckon there would have been 130 to 150 bikes, great event, lots of fun, lots of mud, lots of guys lying on the ground with their bikes.

Cheers Paul

**Motu** · 26th August 2010, 22:35

You want a 2 stroke to be predictable? It's still waiting to smack you on the back of the head with a 4x2 when you aren't watching.It wasn't so much the top end power,but the strong surge off the bottom end that made it tricky in tight and slippery conditions....even with the so called traction control.

**Trials Rider** · 27th August 2010, 11:02

Well when I say predictable it is nicer in the technical creek areas, you can give it a fist full with out a big surge so no 4x2 suprizes, with the power valve on it wicks up the tyre pretty quickly, if I don't keep my ducks in a row I can get out of control particularly in greasy poop.

Well I would love to know how the so called traction control actually works, it a bit of a mystery to me too.

Cool bike though.

**timg** · 27th August 2010, 23:10

Originally Posted by XF650

I back loaded Paul's new toy from Nelson last week & recognised the DT230 (import Lanza) as one I had test ridden before I bought mine. It was easy to identify with factory bash plate & optional kick start, lowering links and dished seat.
Luckily NigelP & I had recently grabbed a parts bike, so Paul now has all the bits he needs to get it back to std ride height. He's a very happy chappy:

Oh great! Now I gotta put up with two blardy two smokes

Looks nice tho. Look forward to catching up with it