250 on an Adventure ride??

[Zukin]

Hi there

What would you think if I said I was thinking of riding a 250 around New Zealand?
Thats approx 7000km and in about 20 days

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Cheers

[Madness]

I wouldn't reccomend doing it this week, or next for that matter.

[Zukin]

Lol

Yep your right there!!
I was thinking Feb 07

[paturoa]

took a 400 around nz 25 years ago with a pillion - no probs

[merv]

The trusty XR should handle it if that's what you are taking. If you are doing mainly road and a bit of gravel and no hard trails put a bigger front sprocket on it for easier cruising. If you've got the standard 13T/50T or 13T/48T combo change the front to a 15T and that will mean easy cruising at 100-120. Usually 2T extra doesn't require a longer chain, just move the back wheel forward on the adjusters.

[bobsmith]

I say go for it, I want to take my fxr around north island tip to tip sometime before I get a bigger bike, just for the challenge of it... of course, we'll see if that ever happends, I'll definately be going to auckland though but that's only half the way.

[T.W.R]

That will be a real adventure & an awesome memory to look back on in years to come.

Did almost all of the south island on a XT250 (2v head) as well as a couple of rallys on it too back in the 80s , had an awesome time.
Also rode an 82 XL250 from Ashburton to Huntly in one day fully geared up, was a great trip.

[Motu]

There was an English couple who did a NZ tour using XT225's,there was a write up in Kiwi Rider.I don't see a problem,only in fuel range - you may need to suss out some extra capacity.

[Zukin]

The trusty XR should handle it if that's what you are taking. If you are doing mainly road and a bit of gravel and no hard trails put a bigger front sprocket on it for easier cruising. If you've got the standard 13T/50T or 13T/48T combo change the front to a 15T and that will mean easy cruising at 100-120. Usually 2T extra doesn't require a longer chain, just move the back wheel forward on the adjusters.

Thanks for your help Merv.
I am thinking of upgrading to a newer 250, and have considered both Honda and Suzuki's
I am thinking of with the DRZ-250, as there are some good things that I like that I have outlined below.

1. It’s a middleweight off-road bike.
2. They offer abundant power combined with lightweight handling.
3. To show non riders that with DR-Z250 you can enjoy adventure riding in the weekend, then use it to commute to work Monday and have less of a hassle with parking and traffic.
4. A broad spread of power from the powerful oil-cooled motor.
5. A slick 6-speed transmission
6. Disc brakes front and rear.
7. Long-travel suspension for a plush ride.
8. Electric start (with a kick-start backup)

I am sure you will all hear about this little adventure soon, and why I have elected to do it on a 250

Planning is well underway, so any constructive critisim will be greatly appreciated

Cheers

[Paul in NZ]

Dude...

If CSL could ride around the south island on 'Black Betty' (CB250RS in slightly less than pristine condition- sorry cathy-, garaged under gods sky and muchly loved over MANY miles) then I reckon it would be no sweat. I'd do a regular service (change the oil) at least once myself but I'm odd like that..

Paul N

[merv]

Hey I had a 1998 DR250R and the DRZ has not changed the model really since then as they are basically just cosmetically different and I say don't buy one. The engine is too buzzy and the gear ratios are too close. That's why I now have a WR250F and for general trail and road I had always wanted an XR250L and I now have one of those seeing that Blue Wing finally imported them.

While the Suzuki did seem to have an engine that might last it just had the wrong power characteristics for a decent dirt bike, the flat slide carb was way too sticky making the bike jerky to ride and the driveline lash was unbelievable. I only buy new so don't think I'm talking about a shitty old bike.

The Honda is a far superior bike - it is so smooth and comfortable to ride compared to the jerky Suzuki and on a long trip like you are planning you will thank me for telling you this. Go buy one. They have a vacuum carb which doesn't make them feely rorty at the low end but then fuel consumption is miserly it does close to 30km/litre and it feels like it has more top end than the Suzuki had.

I generally keep bikes forever, the Suzuki I only kept 5 years and hated it the whole time I had it so that was a short ownership for me.

The XR250L already comes geared suited for road and trail so if you buy one of those you won't need to change the ratios as they run 13T/40T stock. Good for up to about 140km/hr on the speedo with that gearing and still lower geared in first than the Suzuki because the gearbox has nice wide ratios.

[chris]

Thanks for your help Merv.
I am thinking of upgrading to a newer 250, and have considered both Honda and Suzuki's
I am thinking of with the DRZ-250, as there are some good things that I like that I have outlined below.

1. It’s a middleweight off-road bike.
2. They offer abundant power combined with lightweight handling.
3. To show non riders that with DR-Z250 you can enjoy adventure riding in the weekend, then use it to commute to work Monday and have less of a hassle with parking and traffic.
4. A broad spread of power from the powerful oil-cooled motor.
5. A slick 6-speed transmission
6. Disc brakes front and rear.
7. Long-travel suspension for a plush ride.
8. Electric start (with a kick-start backup)

I am sure you will all hear about this little adventure soon, and why I have elected to do it on a 250

Planning is well underway, so any constructive critisim will be greatly appreciated

Cheers

I wouldn't discount the Honda XR250L or WR250F.

[merv]

Forget the WR250F on a 7,000km trip. I love it on the trail as the power is fantastic and ride it a few kms on the road but it just isn't made for long distance road riding - your arse will hurt and it does less kms to the litre than my VFR does and mine is a 2004 with the 11 litre tank (I think they're only 8 litres now) and it still doesn't get 200kms out of a tank.

Go with the XR250L - smooth, comfortable, f'all vibration and light on gas - will go closer to 300kms on a tank.

Here you go, what a beautiful bike taken in April.

Also a pic of my DR250R in 2000 and one of my WR250F in 2004.

[Zukin]

Is the picture in the middle taken on the Rainbow/Molesworth Station road?

Oh the memories!!

[clint640]

Go for it. I'd modify the seat for a long trip on a 250 dirtbike though. Travelling light will make the lack of urge less of a problem. All the fun adventure riding roads are fun on any dirt capable bike. It's only on the long highway stretches (& for doing wheelies!) that the bigger bikes are noticeably better.

Check the strength of the rear subframe for luggage carrying ability on potential steeds too. This would eliminate the WRF suggested above I suspect.

Seach my (clintnz) trip reports on advrider for some inspiration, we did a couple of weeks down there in Feb & had a ball.

Cheers
Clint