Buying a dual purpose bike

[chasio]

Cheers. Once we get over the initial resistance of Mrs Chasio, I have plans for 2-up touring

I saw the DR350 on here and it had me sorely tempted as it looks so well looked after and very fair money to me. But for now the XF will fit the bill until I figure out which way I want to go. I'm looking forward to finding out.

Chasio

[portokiwi]

I have allways loved dual bikes, ever since Iwas in the Army.... It was so much fun. riding the XR250s or was it an XL????? anyway it was great fun

[nallac]

Take the back roads home,

Kaiwaka - mangawhai-to either wellsford via wayby valley road then Hw16(or over the gravel hill to matakana then warkworth)

By the time your home you'll be well and truly used to it..

[chasio]

Picked her up and came the windy way home alright.

Just as well I was wearing a helmet as I headed for Mangawhai or my grin would have had me arrested as a danger to the public.

The new rear tyre should be scrubbed in by now but it'll be a while before I get nallac's lean angles... I take it easy.

I reckon it was a good choice

[nallac]

glad your happy with it...now work on scrapeing the pegs

[XF650]

glad your happy with it...now work on scrapeing the pegs

Had my XF650 pegs scraping at a Levels track day - gave me a hell of a fright the first time it happened.
Actually I recconmend any (instructional) track day as a great way to familarise yourself with a new bike.

[chasio]

Hell I'd better get the gear changes smooth first. Switching from a scooter, my left hand is still getting used to the lever in front of it not being a rear brake... oh yeah and the rear brake being under my right foot.

I do like the idea of a track day some time after I can ride without looking a total muppet. Do they usually run a nana category?

[warewolf]

I do like the idea of a track day some time after I can ride without looking a total muppet. Do they usually run a nana category?

Ring and ask. Usually they offer something for slower/less experienced riders, but not always at every event.

[Tony W]

Hell I'd better get the gear changes smooth first. Switching from a scooter, my left hand is still getting used to the lever in front of it not being a rear brake... oh yeah and the rear brake being under my right foot.

I do like the idea of a track day some time after I can ride without looking a total muppet. Do they usually run a nana category?

Congratulations on your purchase. I like XF650s !
Just ride the bike carefully to your own ability on various surfaces until your confidence increases. Team up with a mate/KBers and go riding.
I wouldn't be preoccupied with trackdays at this stage - we wouldn't want to see you leaning into gravel corners !

[Oscar]

Had my XF650 pegs scraping at a Levels track day - gave me a hell of a fright the first time it happened.
Actually I recconmend any (instructional) track day as a great way to familarise yourself with a new bike.

I've not ridden a XF.
It's a DR650 motor is it?
19" front wheel, 17" rear?

[NordieBoy]

I've not ridden a XF.
It's a DR650 motor is it?
19" front wheel, 17" rear?

DR650 donk with twin carbs and bigger headers/more power...
CCM used it as the base for their CCM644 dirt bikes and motards.

[chasio]

I've not ridden a XF.
It's a DR650 motor is it?
19" front wheel, 17" rear?

And yes, 19" and 17" wheels. Picture of mine in this Newbie post.

I like mine a lot

[chasio]

Congratulations on your purchase. I like XF650s !
Just ride the bike carefully to your own ability on various surfaces until your confidence increases. Team up with a mate/KBers and go riding.
I wouldn't be preoccupied with trackdays at this stage - we wouldn't want to see you leaning into gravel corners !

Cheers.

I'm 100% with you. I'm an old n00b and I have strong self preservation instincts. I've got a bike for fun, not to scare myself shitless and I'm in no rush to get my knee down! The track day is probably many months away, but I can see a point in terms of learning what the bike can do on tarmac in a safe environment.

I have so much to learn in all aspects of my rising just now, I'm concentrating on getting the basics sorted so that they become second nature. But I went for this so I can have fun at lower speeds e.g. on gravel. I'll be up for it when the time comes

[XF650]

Hey Chasio
The track days I'm refeering to are road skills & rider training, the track simply being a bloody good venue. They cover stuff like bike dynamics theory, bike set up, braking, body position, cornering lines etc. Usually smaller groups & all in a safe environment. I'm assuming someone must provide such skills training up your way. The one I did down here was mostly "mature" riders, getting back into riding but with a more safety concious attitude.
The speed & or club type track days are a different event.