My first trail bike

**limbimtimwim** · 6th June 2007, 12:50

Though I can tell you all sorts of crap about plastic covered on-road bikes, I know stuff all about offroad bikes. So I want some advice.

I learnt to ride a motorcycle on a Suzuki TS185ER, which was (As far as I remember nearly 10 years ago) quite a lot of fun.

I had a go on a F650GS last weekend (Fun on gravel. I expect it could be a handful properly offroad though. Better than expected on road though.) and a Honda Transalp 400 (I can only think of bad things to say about that bike).

So I have been looking at "Dual Purpose" bikes, like the Kawasaki KLR650, the F650 and the DR650.

But after some low-level flying on the GSXR on the weekend, I realise I don't want give up a quick road bike either.

So, what I am looking for is a cheapish (So I can afford a road bike too) easy to handle road-legal offroad bike. Like a KLX 250 .

Can anyone make any other recommendations?

**$CENSLS1$** · 6th June 2007, 13:00

Hey mate,
welcome to the Trail bike world, i'm a recent arrival here also.

I ride a KLX250 it so far has been a great bike. Havn't had any problems with it so far and have done just over 4k on it since buying it at the start of the year. It's great for road work (if you buy a road legal one), not so great for long trips without stopping for a break every 100km or so but great for running around. With 14/48 gearing she'll do 100km/h at around 7k.
It's great up the bush, off road work etc. Not super light but would be good in the tight stuff if you end up there, also very good on gas.

Recommended

**Trudes** · 6th June 2007, 13:38

yayayayayayyy!! Cool LBTW!! When you get one, can I have a ride? (Don't tell my hubby I asked you for a ride though).

**Storm** · 6th June 2007, 13:41

Theres a couple of chaps with XR250's around as well you might want to talk to IIRC

**Crisis management** · 6th June 2007, 13:45

As long as it looks, smells and feels like a trail bike go for it.....

The only problem with the 250's is cost, being in the learner bracket they seem to carry a hefty price tag. Have a look at 300-400 cc bikes and you may get a better buy.

Go for it, you'll enjoy the thrill of lying under your bike in various different settings, think of the photo opportunities...

**windboy** · 6th June 2007, 16:49

Originally Posted by limbimtimwim

and a Honda Transalp 400 (I can only think of bad things to say about that bike).

I would try the 650 if I were you... I didn't even know they made a 400. But you're probably right. If you have a gixxer, you maybe don't need much more than a 250 for going out locally. But if you want to travel a long way you'll get frustrated on a 250...

**Ruralman** · 6th June 2007, 17:12

There are some road legal XR400's around which are bloody great off road (air cooled and feel much lighter in the tight stuff than a Suzi DRZ 400) and have a reasonable seat for a dirt bike used on the road. Heaps more power than a 250 which helps on the road if you're riding into a wind or just trying to keep up with traffic.
The XR400 will be a lot more trail friendly than the likes of a DR650 which is considerably heavier and I think less suspension travel, but it comes down to what you want to do with it. If the extent of your off road is just going to be easyish forestry trails, back country roads and mucking about a bit then a DR650 could be ideal and offers good road ability - if you want to really get stuck into some of the organized trail rides then weight is your enemy and the XR400 would be a better choice imo.

**oldrider** · 6th June 2007, 20:20

Originally Posted by limbimtimwim

Honda Transalp 400 (I can only think of bad things to say about that bike).

Having owned a TransAlp 650 and really found it easy to ride on any road (not off road) or slightly formed track, I am curious to know more about what you have to say about the 400?

Do you realise that two young Pommie riders covered almost the same route as Charlie and Ewan on the LWR on two second hand TransAlp 400's, with no back up crew and no breakdowns no drama and no TV show to pay their way!

They bought the bikes in Japan and rode them home to London.

So what did you find so bad about the Honda TransAlp 400, or was it just that individual bike?

I have never ridden a 400 one myself so look forward to reading your post. Cheers John.

**limbimtimwim** · 6th June 2007, 22:15

Originally Posted by windboy

I would try the 650 if I were you... I didn't even know they made a 400. But you're probably right. If you have a gixxer, you maybe don't need much more than a 250 for going out locally. But if you want to travel a long way you'll get frustrated on a 250...

I'm not really interested in the 'dual purpose' stuff right now. They are intimidatingly heavy if I dropped it and covered in too much plastic I am scared of smashing. People who have done a bit more off-road might not worry about that stuff much, but I am total noob. Having said that, I was pretty comfortable with the F650 very quickly.

If I wanted to go a long-long way away, I'd put it on a trailer. But road-legal is good too because then I can go on what are public roads, just not sealed as well. There is lots of stuff not too far from Wellington just asking to be explored.

**MrMelon** · 6th June 2007, 22:22

I just got a road legal kdx250.. sounds like it could be the kinda thing you're after. It's 2 stroke so got a bit of power, nice and light and you can still get some serious speed going on it in the twisties. It's yet to make its off-road debut but that'll be remedied when I get a bit more time. The only thing is it uses fucking heaps of gas. Hit reserve after 69k's tonight and that took just over 10 litres to fill back up. yikes!

**zeRax** · 6th June 2007, 22:24

love my black not so new as of last weekend XR250L
put it over and down a fair bit in the weekend being a larakin and just generally dropping it on couple up and downhills

got some gooooooooooood scratches on it now

awell ;D~, have to put more on it so it looks normal :>

**limbimtimwim** · 6th June 2007, 22:31

Originally Posted by oldrider

So what did you find so bad about the Honda TransAlp 400, or was it just that individual bike?

I knew I shouldn't have bad-mouthed it, I knew someone would take issue with it

. But since you asked and I have to back up my assertions:

I rode it on the same roads as the BMW F650, on the same day.

The engine was extremely gutless, it had less urge than my old Honda VTR250.
The brakes felt like they were full of air. You pulled the lever, there wasn't much feedback, the forks dove alarmingly and you didn't slow down much.
On road going around corners it felt like the front was going to wash out at reasonable speeds.
On gravel roads (The same ones I took the F650 on) it was scary. I was going half the speed I did on the F650. The front felt like it was on ice instead of gravel.
The suspension was too soft. One place I didn't take the TA was to a local local.... reserve.... full of bumps, because I knew if I had taken the TA there and rode around at the same speed as the F650 I'd have smashed something.

In isolation, I would have considered the TA 400 un-exciting but relaxing transport. In comparison to an old BMW F650 (Which didn't even run very well) it is totally outclassed.

**oldrider** · 7th June 2007, 11:09

Originally Posted by limbimtimwim

I knew I shouldn't have bad-mouthed it, I knew someone would take issue with it

. But since you asked and I have to back up my assertions:

I rode it on the same roads as the BMW F650, on the same day.

The engine was extremely gutless, it had less urge than my old Honda VTR250.
The brakes felt like they were full of air. You pulled the lever, there wasn't much feedback, the forks dove alarmingly and you didn't slow down much.
On road going around corners it felt like the front was going to wash out at reasonable speeds.
On gravel roads (The same ones I took the F650 on) it was scary. I was going half the speed I did on the F650. The front felt like it was on ice instead of gravel.
The suspension was too soft. One place I didn't take the TA was to a local local.... reserve.... full of bumps, because I knew if I had taken the TA there and rode around at the same speed as the F650 I'd have smashed something.

In isolation, I would have considered the TA 400 un-exciting but relaxing transport. In comparison to an old BMW F650 (Which didn't even run very well) it is totally outclassed.

Fair enough, that is (almost) what I asked you for. Thanks John.

**Transalper** · 7th June 2007, 12:08

limbimtimwim, from what i've heard or read the 400cc Transalp is about the same weight and size as the old 600cc but made for the markets where restricted licences have a power restriction rather than a cc restriction. I'm not surprised you thought it was gutless, it's made that way. I do wonder what year it was.
I think if you tryed a 2000 or newer 650cc Transalp you would find them a completely different bike.
From what you've said though i think you'll be keeping a dedicated road bike so you might have more dirt fun with something like a DRZ400. Forget the Transalps and also forget the F650s unless you really are going to sell the road bike.