Adventure bikes on Trade Me

[cooneyr]

Be interested to see how that works for you. I looked at downsizing the 640 a couple of years ago (but keeping the 200 as well) and decided I couldn't give up the on-road capability of the 640. However CrazyHopALong went 640Adv -> DR-Z400 -> 450EXC -> 525EXC so the EXC must do the business for him!

DR650, XTZ750, 950ADVs, 450 EXC here. If you can handle the oil changes (I've done 6000km in about a year and a half) and the seat (not to hard to change if you want) then a 450 is a nice machine. Bloody good off road (suspenders, weight and power delivery) and plenty of power for on road. I've two rear wheels with different sprockets so trail vs adv gearing is a 15 min exercise. ADV gearing I run is much better than what the DR650 could ever do i.e. lower 1st and higher 6th. 110kph indicated is very comfortable on the highway.

Cheers R

[NordieBoy]

Be interested to see how that works for you. I looked at downsizing the 640 a couple of years ago (but keeping the 200 as well) and decided I couldn't give up the on-road capability of the 640. However CrazyHopALong went 640Adv -> DR-Z400 -> 450EXC -> 525EXC so the EXC must do the business for him!

But if you look at the progression there, his next bike is going to be a 640A...

[Oscar]

DR650, XTZ750, 950ADVs, 450 EXC here. If you can handle the oil changes (I've done 6000km in about a year and a half) and the seat (not to hard to change if you want) then a 450 is a nice machine. Bloody good off road (suspenders, weight and power delivery) and plenty of power for on road. I've two rear wheels with different sprockets so trail vs adv gearing is a 15 min exercise. ADV gearing I run is much better than what the DR650 could ever do i.e. lower 1st and higher 6th. 110kph indicated is very comfortable on the highway.

Cheers R

That's interesting - I keep thinking on a 450 or 525 as an Adventure/Trail bike. The 950 goes pretty much anywhere, but it makes a hell of a hole in the scenery when you crash and it's a bastid to pick up. For a bike with only 28,000km on the clock, it looks it’s been through the Siege of Stalingrad…

[NordieBoy]

it looks it’s been through the Siege of Staingrad…

That's the yearly one on Castle St in Dunners isn't it?

[CrazyFrog]

Be interested to see how that works for you. I looked at downsizing the 640 a couple of years ago (but keeping the 200 as well) and decided I couldn't give up the on-road capability of the 640. However CrazyHopALong went 640Adv -> DR-Z400 -> 450EXC -> 525EXC so the EXC must do the business for him!

Errrr, yep, I'm more than happy with the EXC. Only upgraded from 450 to 525 for more torque and slightly longer legs on road, bit less stress on motor. The 640A was a great bike, but I couldn't justify keeping it for the rare road trips I'd be doing on it (due to a new baby in the house).
The EXC totally fits the bill now, I can trailer it long distance if I NEED to, or ride it if the seat doesn't rip me in half first. Oil changes are just another way of keeping tabs on the motor, so not a biggie for me. I love this bike, and think I'll be keeping it for a bit longer yet. There is another small addition coming to our place in Dec, so it'll be more day rides only on the calendar for me, for the next couple of years or so. And then there'll be 2 of us rippin up dirt.

[Crisis management]

That's interesting - I keep thinking on a 450 or 525 as an Adventure/Trail bike.

I've ridden a few 400s and 450s now and although the 400 is probably the ideal trail bike for me the bit of extra power out of the 450 is not too much for tight riding, I certainly found a 450EXC was a better bike in Woodhill (sand based) than the 200, the extra weight let me flow over stuff better than the 200 although it still felt heavier to turn. Given I'm not racing the bike I'm reasonably certain the 450 will do for trail and adventure / trail as well as the likes of the DB and, like Crazy frog, I've not got the time for long road trips which suited the 640.
Ask me again in 6 months!

[cooneyr]

That's interesting - I keep thinking on a 450 or 525 as an Adventure/Trail bike. The 950 goes pretty much anywhere, but it makes a hell of a hole in the scenery when you crash and it's a bastid to pick up. For a bike with only 28,000km on the clock, it looks it’s been through the Siege of Stalingrad…

I used my 950 for a couple of DB1k's and the pre rides plus a bit of reasonably rugged adv riding (soft trail rides). It would do it all pretty well and taught me a lot about riding but it too so much effort to ride (constantly planning next move), it was starting to look a bit worse for wear and I had an addition to the family so was time to try something else. If I did Chch/Auckland trips 5 times a year I'd have it back in a heart beat. For the dozen trail rides/adv rides I do a year now the 450 (or 525) is a perfect compromise for me. I did Wellington-Taupo, long way around Epic events ride then taupo wellington with wolfman panniers few weeks back and loved it.

I've ridden a few 400s and 450s now and although the 400 is probably the ideal trail bike for me the bit of extra power out of the 450 is not too much for tight riding, I certainly found a 450EXC was a better bike in Woodhill (sand based) than the 200, the extra weight let me flow over stuff better than the 200 although it still felt heavier to turn. Given I'm not racing the bike I'm reasonably certain the 450 will do for trail and adventure / trail as well as the likes of the DB and, like Crazy frog, I've not got the time for long road trips which suited the 640.
Ask me again in 6 months!

In reading about the 450 before I got it it seems they have a similar top end HP to the 525 but a slightly softer bottom end i.e. 400. Open the throttle and get on the cam (I can really notice when on cam now) and they rip. Ride it like an adv bike and they are quite mild mannered. I have to say that I'm quite keen to try a 525 but know that while it would be nice on ADV rides it would likely stuff me more on trail rides. When it comes time for a complete top end overhaul I'll be thinking about 450/525/560 (or whatever the larger CC options are). Who knows.

End of the day the 450's are quite a versatile beast with a large tank and a second (LC4) rear wheel.

Cheers R

[NordieBoy]

There is another small addition coming to our place in Dec, so it'll be more day rides only on the calendar for me, for the next couple of years or so.

Not a puppy then?

Congrats from us here

[Padmei]

congrats on the new tadpole frogdude.

[mikemike104]

Picking up the Transalp on Sunday !

$5000 we agreed on, plus $200 for givi carrier and panniers. I'm happy

[JATZ]

Not a puppy then?

Congrats from us here

congrats on the new tadpole frogdude.

What they said Crazyfrog...congrats
I wondered what you'd been up to

[dino3310]

congrats crazyfrog

congrats Mikemike

[cooneyr]

What they said Crazyfrog...congrats
I wondered what you'd been up to

What they all said.

Bit worried Jatz, surely you know how things work!

Cheers R

[Ally67]

What they all said.

Bit worried Jatz, surely you know how things work!

Cheers R

That was at least 18 years ago
Just between us I sometimes think he's forgotten

[That looks like fun]

The 640s' actually on trade me now, I'm already having second thoughts.

This bloody 450 better be good.

I hope the 450 is lighter in the mud