DR200 Trojan

[Elleon2Wheels]

hi folks
I did a search for this bike on the forum but found nothing so forgive my 1st post if it's a repetition of another.
Firstly, I don't live in NZ but have family in Dunedin whom I visit fairly often.
During a recent visit, I spotted the DR200 Trojan at a dealer. We don't get this bike in the UK & I was really excited to find a comfy trail bike that I could easily touch the floor on!
The dealer explained there were 2 versions & the one I looked at was the farm bike.

Back in Blighty, I own a '93 XT 225 Serow and a '91 DR250 for a bit of trail riding & I would love to find something similar to keep in NZ.

However, I've been informed that the farm bike is not for road use but the SE version is. I'm not familiar with all the NZ regulations so don't understand why the farm bike couldn't be adapted to ride on the road (only seems to need indicators and road legal tyres). I liked some of the accessories and styling that the SE version doesn't have as standard.

So my question to those who know....
- with minor modifications, could the farm bike be registered for road use?
- would the SE version be fine to use on NZ (light) trails?
- do older versions of the SE model exist? (I don't really want to buy a new bike)

Also - assuming my daughter would actually "own" & register the DR
- can I legally ride it during my visits? If not, what else do I need to do?

I realise that's a lot of questions, thanks for your patience

[unstuck]

Should be able to register one for road use, may be expensive though.
Would be fine on any trails in NZ.
And yes, you would be able to ride one here if registered to another, as long as you have the appropriate license.

[dino3310]

Theres the odd one regestered and on the road, couple of members on here have one or have had one for adventure rides
heres one thats registered http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-571234291.htm will be a few more on there

[fridayflash]

as said above, you 'could' get a trojan or df200 road legal but the expense and mucking about woulndt be worth it
really, unless you lived here and were happy to do the required tinkering at home etc
the se is a great bike, really lightweight etc, also there is the imported 'djebel' model which has
a rear carrier as standard (usually) and a larger headlight, and on some models a larger tank
these are often cheapish in road legal trim (circa $2000) for a ten year old bike.
you could have the bike here, in your daughters name, keep the rego on hold
whilst your away and just pay for rego wholst your in the country

[Ender EnZed]

So my question to those who know....
- with minor modifications, could the farm bike be registered for road use?

Possibly, but it wouldn't be worth it. Getting old vehicles back on the road in NZ is generally only worthwhile for something rare or valuable. A DR200 is neither of those and I'd suggest you'd get better value (and much less hassle) buying a bike that's already registered.

- would the SE version be fine to use on NZ (light) trails?

Yes.

- do older versions of the SE model exist? (I don't really want to buy a new bike)

There are some older road registered DR200s that come up for sale occasionally but most of them are mid-2000s on.

Also - assuming my daughter would actually "own" & register the DR
- can I legally ride it during my visits? If not, what else do I need to do?

Yes, that's fine. You don't need to own a bike to legally ride it in NZ.

[fridayflash]

speaking of how good the little dr200 is, take drgirls one for example
she bought it new at an 'on special' price and has used it for multiple
trailrides, adventure rides and even road touring trips including
a one day 1000km ride, on knobblies! it always manages to do
the speed limit so keeps up perfectly fine. great value!

[Waipukbiker]

I can vouch for DRGirl cruising at 100kph, Ive ridden with her many times and she reckons the mighty 200 is tapped out at 100 kms but she has been caught out going a weeee bit quicker eh Robyn. I would definitely go for the SE version then there are no hassles with legalities. Robyn has also dropped the front sprocket from a 15 to a 14 tooth on hers which makes life easier for the little engine. With the right tyres, the DR200 will handle some pretty serious trails with reasonable rider skill so no worries with its trail abilities.

[fridayflash]

incidently, i did a couple of loops of a fairly tight enduro trail track on her bike and it handled it awesome
clawed through the boggy bits and weaved through the pine trees like a pro...so much more fun than
my rmx250 had been on the previous few loops!

[Beem02]

After 5 years of ownership I can certainly say they're a great little bike
Very reliable and economical to run and can sit OK at 100 kph. So good for around town and for light trails, gravel roads,adventure riding etc.

If you're interested (unassamed plug) I have just listed one for sale here http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-620574999.htm

This one has been on back road trips in both North and south Islands: Forgotten highway/Whangamomona, Motu Road, through Karapoti, Molesworth, Maruia Saddle, Hakataramea Pass, Danseys Pass etc. It has Zeta handguards, Rear rack similar to the Trojan with a top box attached, so all set up for light weight adventure riding.

Will be sorry to see it go, but my boys have moved on to DR650s now, and I don't have room in the garage to keep it.

[GPS MAN]

Like the top box...This would be my pick in the 200 range...

[unstuck]

After 5 years of ownership I can certainly say they're a great little bike
Very reliable and economical to run and can sit OK at 100 kph. So good for around town and for light trails, gravel roads,adventure riding etc.

If you're interested (unassamed plug) I have just listed one for sale here http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-620574999.htm

This one has been on back road trips in both North and south Islands: Forgotten highway/Whangamomona, Motu Road, through Karapoti, Molesworth, Maruia Saddle, Hakataramea Pass, Danseys Pass etc. It has Zeta handguards, Rear rack similar to the Trojan with a top box attached, so all set up for light weight adventure riding.

Will be sorry to see it go, but my boys have moved on to DR650s now, and I don't have room in the garage to keep it.

Thats a very nice looking wee bike.
I have a 85 dr 200 for bush bashing and they are tough little bikes.

[Elleon2Wheels]

Thanks for all the replies - it very good news to know I could ride a bike that was registered to my daughter.
Some may have been confused by the DR200 reference as the bike I reviewed at the dealers was brand new, not an old 90's model. I already have one of those. I'm familiar with the Djebel model but that's a lot taller than mine. Quite rare to see though.

After 5 years of ownership I can certainly say they're a great little bike
If you're interested (unassamed plug) I have just listed one for sale

That looks an ideal bike
Is it the same specification as the brand new SE? http://www.suzuki.co.nz/Motorcycle/S...+Street+Legal/
I'm a shortie but know, after sitting on the farm bike at the dealers, that I can touch the floor on that model (810mm seat height).

Currently, my daughter and her partner are overseas - one working, one on holiday (different countries). I've sent them the trademe link but know they're not checking emails or messages very often.

It's a real shame that Suzuki are still excluding these lightweight trail bikes from the UK - there's a growing market for them!

[Beem02]

That looks an ideal bike
Is it the same specification as the brand new SE? http://www.suzuki.co.nz/Motorcycle/S...+Street+Legal/
I'm a shortie but know, after sitting on the farm bike at the dealers, that I can touch the floor on that model (810mm seat height).

Yes the 2007 model has same specs including the low 810 mm seat height.

Also in case you're not aware, these bikes have a strong following on AdvRider, with lots of useful info on riding, mods, repairs etc.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229927

[Elleon2Wheels]

Yes the 2007 model has same specs including the low 810 mm seat height.

Also in case you're not aware, these bikes have a strong following on AdvRider, with lots of useful info on riding, mods, repairs etc.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229927

thank you again
I'm a member of ADV & have posted about my own DR250 but because the DR200 is no longer imported into the UK, assumed that thread was for old models.
Now I know different

Good Luck with the bike sale but if it's not sold by the time my (future) son-in-law returns home, I will pass on the bike details to him.

[Eddieb]

After 5 years of ownership I can certainly say they're a great little bike
Very reliable and economical to run and can sit OK at 100 kph. So good for around town and for light trails, gravel roads,adventure riding etc.

If you're interested (unassamed plug) I have just listed one for sale here http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-620574999.htm

This one has been on back road trips in both North and south Islands: Forgotten highway/Whangamomona, Motu Road, through Karapoti, Molesworth, Maruia Saddle, Hakataramea Pass, Danseys Pass etc. It has Zeta handguards, Rear rack similar to the Trojan with a top box attached, so all set up for light weight adventure riding.

Will be sorry to see it go, but my boys have moved on to DR650s now, and I don't have room in the garage to keep it.

If that was a bit closer I'd be coming to see it for her indoors.