*RANT*Limited choices*RANT*
*takes a deep breath*
As some of you know, been saving for the past two years for a new bike. Still not quite there (about half way if I don't spend to much on the upcoming honeymoon). But in the meantime been researching, reading, weighing up options.
Been pretty set on a dual purpose/dual sport for quite a while now. Two main reasons are sprotsbikes are too rediculously overpriced, too expensive to repair when they lay down, and I can't afford a road bike plus an off-roader.
Now my other requirements (as per my motard thread) were a daily commute (got to justify spending all that money on something selfish to the soon-to-be Mrs Lemur) and some weekend fun. Whether the fun was on the twisties, gravel backroads or fully offroad.
After that bit of background I'll get to my Rant.
WHAT THE FUCK is with the state of available bikes in NZ. I've been reading the 111-page thread on the 06 KLX250 over at advrider.com, and seeing all the performance increases they were getting with some relatively simple/cheap mods. That by the way is not including the Aussie's who were being given 300cc kits free with their new purchases. So I got to Kawasaki.co.nz to get a pricing seeing there are zero new ones on bikepoint.
What do I discover. There not even available here. WTF not??? No idea. The KLX300 is, fat load of good to someone without a full licence. So what else are they keeping from me, I ask myself. I have been eyeing the D-Tracker on bikepoint, but at $7k for a 2k model it not only seems a bit expensive but is more than I'm eventually wanting to spend. I pay kawasaki japan a visit, and discover that 2006 D-Tracker's are not only available but are ~115,000 yen, or wait for it.... *drum roll* $7k NEW.
Yes yes I know there'd be the additional costs if they were for sale here. That'd make them like what? $8.5k? Well that's the same price as the on road DR-Z250k6, which funnily enough seems to be the only truely DS bike available new in NZ.
These are the bikes I've so far considered and their availability (or lack there of) here. I'm still not sure on some of them.
If anyone can point me to others which I could add to my list, and further insight (or link thereof), I'll greatly appreciate it.
My simple requirements. Able to handle open-road (need to be able to get to the off-road/back road fun. Road registered. Light and not too tall (or modifyable down a bit) as I'm a short (read: ~5'10" when I'm not slouching) and skinny (read: 60Kg). So as you can see even when I have my full licence I'm not going to be in any rush to upgrade.
Gas Gas
# Pampera 250 - Definitely a possibility, although there doesn't seem to be a single one available in NZ. Heard they were ~$7k or so, good price. Unsure of performance (including what can be done) and parts availability/cost/etc.
# EC250 - $11k+ new, not sure of anything else related to these.
# MC250 - Like the EC more expensive than the Pampera, not sure of much else, other than they're not listed on the NZ Gas Gas site.
Honda
# CRF250X - available, $11k new, although listed as trail bike on their website this screams of a high maintainence expensive pro bike definitely not suitable for eveyday use.
# XR250L - available, $9-9.5K new, listed as a Farm bike, looks heavy, no sure of performance (either on road or off), but it's a possibility.
# Other veriations of the XR - So many different letters it makes my head spin, only the L is available new, so it would appear (at least as far as NZ is concerned) all others have been discontinued.
Husaberg
Nil suitable models available in NZ
Husqvarna
# TE250 - available, $13.5k new, highly strung, high performance, but road registerable. I'd expect expensive parts, and maintainence too. Looks feckin sexy though.
Kawasaki *takes another deep breath*
# KLX 250R - NOT available, would be $8-$9k new if they were. Very easy to get some extra performance out of them with mods ranging from free to expensive. Including the ability (at least in Oz and by getting parts seperately in the US) to get a 300cc kit which just drops in.
FUCK YOU KAWASAKI!!!
# KL 250 - available, price = who cares, gutless overweight, under performance, alright for solely a commuter (if your that way inclined).
# D-Tracker - NOT available, were it to be would be about the same price as the KLX. Not surprising seeing it's just a motarded version of the KLX.
Did I mention FUCK YOU KAWASAKI!!!
Suzuki
# DR-Z250 - Available, $8.5 new, not sure of performance, or what can be done. But this is why so many kiwi's love Suzuki. They actually sell there bikes here. Will definetly being doing some more research into these. With that sort of price and availability I'd expect to pick up a well looked after near new (less than 3yrs old) model in good condition for $5k. Sweet. Definitely a major contender at the moment.
Yamaha
# DT230 - Not available. For once it's not the NZ divisions fault. They stopped manufacturing them. Enough to make me cry, but if I could find a late model one in good condition second hand I'd jump on it. Motu, sell me yours, you know you want to.
# TTR250 - Available, $10k new, bit expensive. Like the Suzi I'm not so up on performance etc on this bike. Needs further research.
# WR250 - Available, $12k new. Expensive, but quick, and nimble. If price was no option this would be up in the running. But as price is a consideration makes this bike unlikely.
So there we have it. Yes I know I've mainly focused on new bikes. Although I'm not looking to buy new, continued availability of parts, plus happy current owners upgrading to latest model, etc all mean I'm probably better off getting an older version of an available bike (exception made for the DT230).
Thanks for listening (well reading).
As I said before, I main reason for this thread is (besides getting it off my chest 'FUCK YOU KAWASAKI') to get more opinions, suggestions, experiences, etc.
Hayden - Evidence that even the mediocre can achieve great things.
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