Looking at getting an offroad bike - advice please

[bull]

Thought id pick the brains of the people whom know best, Im 6ft and 120kg so not a skinny little fella and looking to get into some offroad riding up trails etc, not so much the MX flat out stuff but just accessing the Akatarawa Forest tracks etc.

Hows this one seem price wise, and would it be ideal for what im looking to do? im totally new to the offroad and dont want to spend too much on a bike.

Also saw these two 125cc bikes going cheap that may be a goer just to pootle around in the woods.

Would really appreciate some advice on this.

Cheers
Danny

[secondfield]

Hey Danny,

That DR would be more suitable for ya .. dont worry about those 125's, too light ...

A honda XR400 or 250 (96 - 01) would be good to look at for what you want to do also...

[chop]

going off your size a 125 will be too small for you.. If your new to off road,dont want to spend much and want to potter around id suggest a honda xr250 or xr400.. Good reliable old four stroke that doesnt need much to keep on tip top shape..

[cave weta]

That looks like a goer Danny, It will have enough grunt to go where you need to without adding too much to the GVLM

There is nothing worse that pushing a n XR600 up a slippery clay track on a hot day- especially if you already weigh more than the bike
stick with an air cooled bike for now as the radiators damage real easy and cost around $400 each side.

By the way- trailriding is more fun than a diet or a gym subscription!

[B0000M]

shit, thats good value that dr

[laserracer]

i was going to suggest wr or yz 400.. 426.. but i think cave wetas right best stick to a aircooled bike, try to keep the power to weight ratio as much in your favour as possible
..i know im a big boy tooo 122kg and even though my 426 will climb through just about anything its a pain in the arse
when im tired... what about a 250 2 stroke nice and light with shit loads of grunt.. or a klx 300

[secondfield]

Perfect bike for ya mate ...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-195681792.htm

[barty5]

If you do lean towards the xr400 check the lower sub frame under exhust been told than can rot out in that area.

[motorbyclist]

stick with an air cooled bike for now as the radiators damage real easy and cost around $400 each side.

it's always amazed me that the factory doesn't supply braces

if you do get one with radiators, buy some braces for it - they cost a hundred bucks or so but are much better than getting towed out of the forest

wr400 or wr426 would be perfect if you brace the radiators

watch out for the yz models (and motocross bikes in general) as they don't have coolant reservoirs - not good on a trail ride where you may spend a lot of time at low speed as you dump all your coolant

That DR would be more suitable for ya .. dont worry about those 125's, too light ...

A honda XR400 or 250 (96 - 01) would be good to look at for what you want to do also...

+1

[barty5]

it's always amazed me that the factory doesn't supply braces

if you do get one with radiators, buy some braces for it - they cost a hundred bucks or so but are much better than getting towed out of the forest

wr400 or wr426 would be perfect if you brace the radiators

watch out for the yz models (and motocross bikes in general) as they don't have coolant reservoirs - not good on a trail ride where you may spend a lot of time at low speed as you dump all your coolant


+1

Ive never dump that much coolant that its ever been a problem but braces are well worth it and on my current shopping list (then hidden from the wife)

[motorbyclist]

Ive never dump that much coolant that its ever been a problem

nor have I but i do get worried some times, and usually turn the thing off if i'm stopped in a queue


blew a radiator up once in a stream crossing - guy failed in front of me so i had to wait in the middle of the stream dumping coolant while he got sorted, then with no run up of course i get stuck on teh bank and about 2 secs later i hear a cracking noise and steam went everywhere - old repair had blown out

and i was only 3km into a 33km track

[barty5]

nor have I but i do get worried some times, and usually turn the thing off if i'm stopped in a queue


blew a radiator up once in a stream crossing - guy failed in front of me so i had to wait in the middle of the stream dumping coolant while he got sorted, then with no run up of course i get stuck on teh bank and about 2 secs later i hear a cracking noise and steam went everywhere - old repair had blown out

and i was only 3km into a 33km track

Sounds like me at the gncc on the weekend 10ks if endo bike through the air and got a DNF no front brakes and steering way out and a sore head and neck.
In saying that most would turn an air cooled of in the same situtation on movement no cooling to any great point.

[laserracer]

my yz426 has never overflowed but i fitted a coolant bottle just in case i got from bunnings.. cost $10.. but i to am in the habit of turning it off if sitting around waiting anyway

[LittleJohn]

Never had a problem with dumping my coolant, even when riding with my young kids on there LT50 quad bikes at a snails pass.

As for radiator damage it is great to get braces, well worth it. But also remember that many of the radiator shops can repair pretty damaged radiators, even when they are all squashed and mangeled.

[Ocean1]

Yup, 250 - 400 air cooled 4T. Almost all of them are good, select on condition/cash.

Worth noting that less HP is easier to learn on, and for typical tight NZ conditions weight is WAY more important than you might think.

XR 200 would be a good start, but might be a tad small for you. That DR350 might be a tad porky, but a good reliable machine. XR250 or KLX300 would be good.

Good luck dude, and enjoy, it's a blast.