Advice wanted about what bike to buy

[Waikato Matt]

Hi everyone,

I live in Te Aroha Waikato, and I am trying to get as much advice as possible on buying a new bike please. So before I go out and spend the $$$ and make the wrong choice, can anyone help me, and put me in to the right model.
My budget is 10k FIRM, not a cent more. I have been waiting all year for the 2016 models to come out, in the hope to grab a 2015 run out deal with my money.

I'm after brand new, i'm an older guy in my forties, and i'm fussy.
What i'm after, is a bike I can jump on after work, head off down the road, explore some off road gravel roads, get into the bush on, head into the Thompson track with, and just generally have a few hours of fun on, two to three times a week, weather being the key factor.

I like the idea of two strokes, purely as I grew up on Honda CR250s and the like. I love the buzz of a two stroke, and do not intend to ride hard out for hours and hours at a time, due to my age, and fitness level. Just a fun bike, to put a smile on my face, that can be ridden off road, with no racing in mind. Was thinking the KTM EXC300, but sadley 10k will not buy me one brand new.

That being said, I am not opposed to the new 4 stroke bikes, so long as they have some WOW factor, not after a tractor, and also it's just the thought of not many hours required before rebuilding them, and the cost of doing so, scares the heck out of me. ( TBH I'm not up on the play of the modern 4 stoke ) However, I have looked at the Honda crf 450 X as well as it's little brother the crf250 X as possible bikes of choice. All of which can be purchased under, or on my 10k budget.

Any help, advice, and information would really be great. Thanks in advance.

[mossy1200]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-840400155.htm

Get one of these while they are cheap. Its the enduro version so less rebuilding. Less top end power and not as capable doing big jumps.

[eldog]

Hi everyone,

I live in Te Aroha Waikato, and I am trying to get as much advice as possible on buying a new bike please. So before I go out and spend the $$$ and make the wrong choice, can anyone help me, and put me in to the right model.

What i'm after, is a bike I can jump on after work.
I like the idea of two strokes, purely as I grew up on Honda CR250s and the like. I love the buzz of a two stroke, and do not intend to ride hard out for hours and hours at a time
That being said, I am not opposed to the new 4 stroke bikes, so long as they have some WOW factor, not after a tractor, and also it's just the thought of not many hours required before rebuilding them, and the cost of doing so, scares the heck out of me. ( TBH I'm not up on the play of the modern 4 stoke ).

age is no barrier
dont be settled on a bike till after you test ride then go back and test ride it again.
Its a bit like buying your first house, the house looks great on the second visit you spot different things.
Myself 4 stokes but I am not familiar with the sort of riding you are after.
Most modern bikes seem to be reliable as long as they are serviced.

If you are worried about $ then look at service interval and get a quote so at least you know what you are in for. I found out the hard way, I didnt realise air cooled smaller bikes have a shorted service interval.

Check out what features you need, you need to think about height, range etc.
if you are going out on gravel and dont have much experience a smaller bike is a good start to get the basics right.

Something i have found, my ideas/tastes about riding and bikes has changed since I started.

have fun

[Waikato Matt]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-840400155.htm

Get one of these while they are cheap. Its the enduro version so less rebuilding. Less top end power and not as capable doing big jumps.

Thanks for that mate. I did throw a leg over this model, as to the Honda crf 450x, both bikes felt very heavy for me. Strange as i'm 5.11 and 85kgs, but the weight just felt a tad on the heavy side. There is no question the price tag of 8999k is hard to go past.

[mossy1200]

Thanks for that mate. I did throw a leg over this model, as to the Honda crf 450x, both bikes felt very heavy for me. Strange as i'm 5.11 and 85kgs, but the weight just felt a tad on the heavy side. There is no question the price tag of 8999k is hard to go past.

Yep that's the enduro in it rather than MX and the bigger cc. Will be easier to ride than a 2 smoke.
A demo bike would tell you quickly if its you or not.
4 stroke rmz250 or kx250f is the only other real options in your price range. Problem being will the power still be ok in 3 months time.

2 smokes will be over 10k but you may find the 4 strokes a better bike to explore on anyway.

[george formby]

Hmmm. Road legal? Sounds like you need a new, old school trailie. I've been looking for such a thing myself. The closest for me would be a WR250r or some such. The KTM, Beta, Sherco, 300cc and 250cc street legal (just) 2t enduro bikes look great but I doubt they are as comfortable or have the range and low maintenance of the old school bikes.

Best of luck. I will watch this thread with interest.

[pipe]

Almost get a YZ250 for that budget not that suitable for back road exploring but lot of fun for trail rides.
Can get a Wr250R new round 10k but its more a trail bike then enduro/MX

[Waikato Matt]

Hey thanks guys for the feedback. Yeah it's a bloody hard one to solve. All the bikes that can fit the bill, are out of my price range, like the KTM EXC250/300 models. The ones that are in my price range feel to heavy, and are not road legal ( CRFs and KXL can not be compliant with out a lot of $ ) sad but true, to heavy anyway. I have been quoted a great deal on a new 2014 CRF 450x Honda with black rims, at a run out of $10,400. But just felt to big for me. Same with the KLX450r at 8500k, just to heavy at 126kgs.

I do see that Yamaha for 2016 are bringing out a YZ250X 2 stroke, again, wont be road legal but, at 103kgs, would suit me better. but at a guess will be 13 to 14k, so no point waiting for that to arrive. Bummer as it has the 18 inch rear wheel, wide ratio 5 speed box, softer suspension, and a few other trail ride tricks, like kick stand etc

I think at the end of the day, I have two or three choices for my budget. Either go with the 4 bangers but be prepared to join a gym to hold them up on rides.
Or, buy the current YZ250 2015 model, or 2014 KTM XC both on run out deals, both within my budget, and just make do, take the chance with country back roads and the fact we live in a one cop town anyway. ( as long as you stick to the back roads, and don't go being stupid, they seem to leave you alone ) Buy a small trailer if I want to venture further than what's on offer just down the road ( Thompsons track etc ) OR con the wife into opening up the wallet and getting the right bike for another 2.5 to 3k. ( can use the excuse the tickets will add up pretty fast if I get caught lol ).........Na, the truth is we are tapped at 10k, there is no more money in the kitty.

Will keeps you guys posted on how I go.
Thanks again.

[george formby]

I still reckon the WR ticks the boxes. Apparently very reliable, too. 135kg but probably less tiring to ride than a 450.
Have a read of this article. http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2013/0...0r-comparison/

Some lateral thinking. OK the TE is a grand over budget, but...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-867680985.htm

And Gasgas have gone bust..
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-908558815.htm

[Ender EnZed]

Not quite new but within budget. Probably just as heavy as the other 450s though.

[Tazz]

Not quite new but within budget. Probably just as heavy as the other 450s though.

I was going to link this. Wish I had the cash to 'up year'.

Also punches in a shade lighter than a WR250R last time I checked? The only bike you are really going to win with weight wise that I can think of has already been ruled out, and that's the KTM300. They are around 100kg from memory but I'm not sure if that is wet or dry.

Those other linked bikes you won't be getting road legal for 10k or under.

An easy under 10k puts you on a DRZ250, DR650 or something along those lines I would have thought. New that is.

[puddytat]

Whats the problem with a 125kg bike.....are you built like Mr Bean?
That WR is the shizz...

[FlangMasterJ]

It's only heavy when you fall off.

[Stylo]

Whats the problem with a 125kg bike.....are you built like Mr Bean?
That WR is the shizz...

We've come a long way by the sound of it then,

A KX500 weighs in at 101kg, no gas but ready to go....

Go figure

[puddytat]

It's only heavy when you fall off.

That's what I was thinking....I can pick my 4hundy up, piece of piss. Mind you Im 72kg of lean & mean.

Maybe Matt....are you carrying your spare tyre round your waist or is that the Waikato?