Tell me what to buy....

**Oscar** · 1st September 2008, 13:15

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

when I was a kidi riding round on my TS125 a mate had an XL250 motosport. (his parents were rich and bought it for him). We thought it was the coolest thing ever, and Ive wanted one ever since.

to be honest, I have missed the red 400F a bit. It was a great little thing to zip about on. The money from the 400F's went into the "scrambler fund" .....

My first bike was a TS185L, it was about 5 years old at the time and cost me $850. I loved it. My mates all had orange XL175's, and then 4skins turned up on a bored out XL350 motosport....wow...

**NordieBoy** · 2nd September 2008, 15:50

Originally Posted by Oscar

then 4skins turned up on a bored out XL350 motosport....wow...

How long before it blew up?

**mstriumph** · 2nd September 2008, 15:52

tell you what to buy, Mr Case??

chocolate

- i LIKE chocolate ....

**Oscar** · 2nd September 2008, 15:59

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

How long before it blew up?

I don't think it did.

My brother-in-law stuck a similar motor (XL350 with a high comp 410 kit in it) in an RM250C frame. What a weapon! I remember spending a lot of time and effort getting it started though...

**HenryDorsetCase** · 8th September 2008, 11:06

I sat on some bikes on Saturday. Winner so far is the DR650. even on the "high" setting it was usable but I would drop it down for comfort.

lot of bike for $9k but $9k iis a bit more than I want to spend.

dR200 was OK too, and I think I could live iwth a CRF230L. but the CRF is $7500 new.....

I also really liked the look of tha Gas Gas Pampera 450 which I think would have been OK. only issue again was price.

So I think maybe a second hand DR650.

maybe on Motard wheels as well?

**Rosie** · 8th September 2008, 11:21

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

I sat on some bikes on Saturday. Winner so far is the DR650. even on the "high" setting it was usable but I would drop it down for comfort.

DR650's can also be 'lowered' a surprising amount by reshaping the front of the seat with thinner foam.

**NordieBoy** · 8th September 2008, 14:43

2nd hand DR650.

The guy I got mine from went to an LS650 and has now got a.... new DR650

**CRM** · 18th September 2008, 11:09

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

I sat on some bikes on Saturday. Winner

lot of bike for $9k but $9k iis a bit more than I want to spend.

dR200 was OK too, and I think I could live iwth a CRF230L. but the CRF is $7500 new.....

I also really liked the look of tha Gas Gas Pampera 450 which I think would have been OK. only issue again was price.

Hey my 250 Pampera is about the same size as the CRF230, lighter, better suspension and performance and half the price. Got full details now at http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=81186. Price is very negotiable.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 18th September 2008, 21:25

Thanks for the heads up. I think though that what I want is what you're moving to (adventure/road/backroad tour) type stuff.

Ive now had a look at a Transalp, and F650's. Both would do what I want quite nicely.

I like your cat: very cute!

**nallac** · 19th September 2008, 08:04

Another vote for the DR650...
lotsa fun ,easy to get a bit more ower out of them.

**NordieBoy** · 19th September 2008, 09:12

Originally Posted by nallac

easy to get a bit more ower out of them.

Only if you fall off.

**CRM** · 19th September 2008, 10:30

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

Thanks for the heads up. I think though that what I want is what you're moving to (adventure/road/backroad tour) type stuff.

Ive now had a look at a Transalp, and F650's. Both would do what I want quite nicely.

I like your cat: very cute!

Yeah he's a cool guy - likes to hang out and do the bloke stuff

Comes for free with the bike

Your looking at a lot of money for the Tranny or F650 but I admit they are real nice, but you can get a new DR of KLR for the same as a five year old high mileage Honda or BMW. I've been looking at 650 Dominators as another option. Haven't been made for few years but there's some tidy ones around e.g http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=176821668. Anybody know much about how they would compare to a DR650 or KLR650?

**marks** · 19th September 2008, 12:20

you can spend your time going round in circles looking at bikes but the reality is that DR650's and KLR650 offer unmatched value for money both new and more particularly if they are a year or two old.

Nothing else comes even close

why would anyone consider a 12 year old dominator when for another grand or so you could get a 2 year old DR/KLR

**richyrich** · 20th September 2008, 07:49

yep i would go with a kwaka sherpa,low seat,modern,reasonable suspension and
don't look to bad either.

**warewolf** · 20th September 2008, 11:11

Originally Posted by CRM

I've been looking at 650 Dominators as another option. Haven't been made for few years but there's some tidy ones around e.g http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=176821668. Anybody know much about how they would compare to a DR650 or KLR650?

I had a 1995 Dominator some years ago as my first foray into "proper" adventure bikes. I seem to recall spending (or planning) a lot of time and effort to get it more trail-worthy, noting it was like an F650 in that it was a road bike dressed up to resemble a trail bike - although perhaps more trailie than the BM, given the XR heritage.

One weakness is the plastic fairing panels bolted to the tin tank. The fairing panels are prone to breakages and the tin tank to dents. I see that one already has a high front guard conversion.

1995-on models were manufactured in Italy, with enough subtle differences to cause issues with fitment of after-market accessories, eg the Acerbis long-range tank.

The Domi is a nice enough bike, but Marks is on the money. The DR is natively more trailie, designed for rougher and dirtier use... like a cheap slapper!

Hope this helps. Buy whatever floats your boat, and to hell with the naysayers!