Which bike? - Vertically challenged

[Hanne]

Hi guys,

Squiggles and I are planning to head for the South Island this summer and I need something to ride.

Last summer we went down to Napier and up the East Cape but it got quite frustrating on two sports bikes because there were so many gravel roads that would have been awesome to explore but with both of us fully faired and laden up, it just wasn't practical...

This year I have decided to swap my ZZR250 for something more versatile that will be able to handle open roads well (we will be riding from Auckland to Invercargill if all goes well) with tents etc but also be fun for gravel/ more remote areas.

I have been looking at a few DRs (350, 400 - we have an unregistered 250 in the shed) but need something that has a lowish seat or can be lowered easily. (Currently I can JUST flat foot with a 75cm seay on the ZZR... am 165cm). It needn't in perfect knick but should hold around the same value until I sell it in early march...

Does anyone have any suggestions/ comments about experiences with these bikes or similar that may be suitable for my purpose?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[Ragingrob]

What! No way are you looking after my baby over summer then, who knows where you'll take it!

How long are you planning the tour for?

[cooneyr]

I assume you have had a look at this thread, though I suspect you are a little taller. A DR250 (pre DRZ250) model is lowerable to around 830ish using factory built in adjustors. The adv bikes tend to have narrower seats than road bikes so done be put off by a 800+mm seat heights till you try one. I guess you are somewhat familiar seeing you have a DR250 in the shed.

The DRZ 400 is much taller at around the 900 mark. Another option is a the DR650 which can be lowered to about 840 using the same type of adjustor's as the DR250. They can easily be lowered further using longer dog bones. Not sure about the DR350 for height.

Cheers R

[Hanne]

Haha not taking any faired bikes!!!

Haven't finalised any times or lengths atm, trying to found out about fruit-picking. Probably be around Jan/ Feb. If i have a bike. And $$. And and and!

This is the first step to making it happen...

(Rob, I thought you were going in December?)

[Ragingrob]

Ah ok haha cause December's summer too!!!

Yeah going beginning of December till February... My last exam in next fri, we will have to get chatting in the near future to make arrangements!

[Hanne]

I assume you have had a look at this thread, though I suspect you are a little taller. A DR250 (pre DRZ250) model is lowerable to around 830ish using factory built in adjustors. The adv bikes tend to have narrower seats than road bikes so done be put off by a 800+mm seat heights till you try one. I guess you are somewhat familiar seeing you have a DR250 in the shed.

The DRZ 400 is much taller at around the 900 mark. Another option is a the DR650 which can be lowered to about 840 using the same type of adjustor's as the DR250. They can easily be lowered further using longer dog bones. Not sure about the DR350 for height.

Cheers R

Thanks for that, didn't think about the narrower seats part when looking at the numbers... I have been looking at the adjustors because after sitting on a stock DRZ400 I was suprised by the difference in height (on the 250 I could hold the bike up fine, but was a long way off doing so on the 400)

DR650 is an option too, that is what Squiggles is looking at.

If I were to lower the bike with the longer dog bones would that affect the resale value much or is it easy to reverse again?

[Hitcher]

The Aprilia Pegaso 650 has a surprisingly low seat.

[NordieBoy]

Or even an XF650...

[XF650]

Or even an XF650...

Ya beat me to it....
Height adjustment built in, comfy seat, good fairing, DR650 engine with electric start etc

[cooneyr]

Thanks for that, didn't think about the narrower seats part when looking at the numbers... I have been looking at the adjustors because after sitting on a stock DRZ400 I was suprised by the difference in height (on the 250 I could hold the bike up fine, but was a long way off doing so on the 400)

DR650 is an option too, that is what Squiggles is looking at.

If I were to lower the bike with the longer dog bones would that affect the resale value much or is it easy to reverse again?

The DR650 is heavier than the DRZ400 but if you are doing a bit of highway work the 650 will feel a lot more relaxed but the 250/400 will do the highway fine. The dog bones are held one by a bolt either end, a total of two bolts. It would be a 5 min job with a torque wrench (if your a mongrel a ratchet handle or ring spanner set will do) to change over dog bones. Longer dog bones either have to be home made or improted from the states though. Helen of Troy here in Chch has a DR 650 lowered using factory lowering and lowering dog bones and I know of at least one other using a similar set up.

Cheers R

[Rosie]

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

I'm a couple of cm's shorter than you, and I really like my sherpa. It's a 250, so it's reasonably stretched on the open road, but it gets along ok. I've done a few long highway trips with luggage, and it wasn't too bad. Once you get onto gravel, and other dodgy surfaces, the lighter weight and lower seat of the sherpa is a definite advantage for the adventure-noob.
The yamaha XT250 is a similar bike (pre 2007 they are actually a 225, so slightly less powerful than the sherp)

Have fun shopping around for a new bike. There are lots of awesome gravel roads in the South Island.

[warewolf]

Further on the numbers, adventure bikes have more suspension travel than roadies, so you will lose more height once seated on the bike. Rider sag should be 1/3 your suspension travel. But then you still have the problem of getting your leg over...

Backing off the preload is a no-cost option that will cause a fairly similar result to lowering links. Both upset the way the suspension was designed to work, but get your arse closer to the ground. Adding luggage will also sit the bike lower.

If you are going to flog the bike off again after your trip, then winding off the preload may be the best option, and/or as Rosie suggests, hack some of the seat foam away.

[Paladin]

For anyone considering the KLX250S, with a 31" inseam I can get the balls of my feet nicely on the ground and almost flat in bike boots. Its only a very small lean to get one foot down totally flat.

Dave

[Crisis management]

I've got a 32" inseam and happily threw the DR650 all over the place with no problems, don't get too hung up on flat footing the bike, it really isn't that important as you only need to touch the ground when you want to get on or off the bike.
As far as picking a bike for adventure riding, get anything! It is possible to ride any bike on any public road in NZ as long as you aren't precious about the condition of it afterwards, so don't get hung up on finding the perfect bike.

Get out there and ride.

[mazz1972]

I had a Sherpa too but sold it recently. After a sports bike I think you'd find a Sherpa lacking in power.

Hanne I am about your height. There are lots of things to consider when you are "blessed" with a short wheel base. When looking at height, you also have to look at width, and weight if you end up with a bike slightly on the tall side.

Also consider that changing from your sports bike to something like a DR650, you are losing "aerodynamics" - front screen etc, but screens can be added to most dual purpose bikes.

I have a KLE500 and as much as I enjoy the comfort and power, the weight bothers me as it's a bit taller than the Sherpa. I wonder if I should have stuck to plan A and gotten a DR650 which is much lighter at 147kgs dry, about the right height if set on the lowest height setting, and nice and narrow. I was looking for a slightly second hand black one (so I could afford to do something with the 'orrible seat) but nothing came up for months and I found the KLE.

Good luck with your search!