I'm interested in getting a dual sport

**Matariki** · 30th July 2011, 16:50

Right, I finally know what sort of bike to get but at the moment I'm trying figure out which brand and model. My budget is $2700, though I can manage $3000. I need a model that is suitable for a learner (like myself) isn't too big in size (I'm 5 foot 8), road legal, and between 125cc to 250cc.

At the moment I am looking at getting a Honda XLR 125cc. Has anyone had one of these bikes before, if so is it any good? I had a look at one at my local motorcycle store, I like the size of it and it looks pretty good. Though the price is a bit out there (its a new model) and I'm looking at getting a second hand one instead.

I found this one on trademe http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-394293905.htm but I would need someone to go over and check it out for me (I have a broken leg and recovering at home).

**blackdog** · 30th July 2011, 17:33

This would be a better idea. Or similar, they come up all the time.

It's the mileage that gets me, 1500 vs 15000.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-394839823.htm

**Matariki** · 30th July 2011, 19:33

Originally Posted by blackdog

This would be a better idea. Or similar, they come up all the time.

It's the mileage that gets me, 1500 vs 15000.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-394839823.htm

Whats the difference between the XLR and the NXR?

**Taz** · 30th July 2011, 22:18

Originally Posted by Hotkebab

Whats the difference between the XLR and the NXR?

Lots. Google....

**JATZ** · 31st July 2011, 19:34

IMHO you'd outgrow both the little Hondas pretty quick, and they both have drum brakes. FFS it's the 21st century
What about this one ? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-394861335.htm
Or if that's too tall http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-392711346.htm could be worth a try for size.

**Rosie** · 1st August 2011, 08:58

Originally Posted by JATZ

IMHO you'd outgrow both the little Hondas pretty quick, and they both have drum brakes. FFS it's the 21st century
What about this one ? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-394861335.htm
Or if that's too tall http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-392711346.htm could be worth a try for size.

The stockman is a good bike, but I'm not sure if they are road legal. The KL250 Super Sherpa is essentially the same bike, but with all the road gear on it. Mine did nearly 50,000k's of adventure touring and I was really pleased with it.
The XT225/250 (sometimes called a Serow) is another good learners bike with a low-ish seat. DR200's are also fairly low, but they don't have quite as much power as a 250.
Some of the taller dual purpose bikes can be 'lowered' cheaply by shaving some of the foam off the seat.

**Matariki** · 1st August 2011, 17:03

Originally Posted by JATZ

IMHO you'd outgrow both the little Hondas pretty quick, and they both have drum brakes. FFS it's the 21st century
What about this one ? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-394861335.htm
Or if that's too tall http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-392711346.htm could be worth a try for size.

My only concern is that it might be too tall for me. Can you get the height adjusted on these bikes?

**Matariki** · 2nd August 2011, 15:40

Hmm... I might just wait then until a bike comes up that fits what I'm looking for.
Are there any bikes I should keep an eye out for in the meanwhile?

**JATZ** · 2nd August 2011, 17:23

Originally Posted by Hotkebab

My only concern is that it might be too tall for me. Can you get the height adjusted on these bikes?

Anything can be lowered,

Just depends how much you want to spend. At least you know what sort of bike you want. I suggest you go and try some on for size, maybe go to some bike shops, and while you are looking you'll be getting some more coin together.

Edit: Monstaman on here is selling his wifes sherpa, probly be a nice bike so long as he hasn't ridden it too much

**Matariki** · 2nd August 2011, 18:48

I had a look, apparently these are the top models for 250cc and under:

Suzuki DR200SE - $4,199 (brand new and cheapest price)
Honda CRF230L - $4,999 (brand new)
Kawasaki KLX250S - $4,999 (brand new)
Yamaha WR250R - $6,490 (brand new) The best of the list.

Now, I can put down a down-payment with $2700 for all of them except the Yamaha if I were to buy brand new. I found this one that I might be interested in getting.

SUZUKI DR200SE 2003

**Matariki** · 2nd August 2011, 19:11

Originally Posted by JATZ

Anything can be lowered,

Just depends how much you want to spend. At least you know what sort of bike you want. I suggest you go and try some on for size, maybe go to some bike shops, and while you are looking you'll be getting some more coin together.

Thanks for that. I was worried for a moment that motorcycles came at a set size and weren't adjustable. I probably will go shopping around looking at different sizes of bikes. At the moment I'm trying to make a list of bikes I should be looking at.

**hayden01** · 2nd August 2011, 19:27

look for a honda ax-1 or nx250 there and older bike and can be quite rare but are a really good bike and can be found prety cheap go quite good think theres a couple on tm at the mo for under 2k the ax is the same bike but with better features like alloy wheels and swing arm and disc brakes front and rear

**blackdog** · 2nd August 2011, 19:29

Nothing wrong with the DR. It would be a good bike for you.

**ellipsis** · 2nd August 2011, 19:30

...you seriously need to go to a race track sometime...check out the big boys doing well on smaller bikes...and the small guys doing better, on bikes that seem too big for their little frames...its in the head..its all balance and the odd bit of wanting to be where you need to be...

**JATZ** · 2nd August 2011, 19:32

If you look at the "bike type" for the DR it says..... agriculture

which is probly about right. Don't get me wrong, we have 4 DR's in our house, I just think, like the 125 hondas you would get bored on it pretty quick.
Here's some other things to think about on your bike.....
How many gears, 5 is adequate, 6 is beterer
Whats the seat like ? must be comfortable, 'cause you'll probly spend a bit of time on it.
Whats the fuel range ? is a bigger tank available ?
Service interval.... don't want to be doing oil changes after every ride...
Lighting, 'cause if it's a good ride you'll be leaving home in the dark and coming home in the dark too.

there ya go.... mull that over

and poke your nose into the Adv/dual purpose forum and ask your question there. Or go to http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=12