Market prices for 400cc dual-purpose bikes?

**Cynos** · 7th October 2009, 12:26

Hi all,

Not a current dual purpose owner, but looking to buy one, and I'm wondering about the prices for second hand bikes. I'm used to road bike prices, so when I see something like a low ks (10K) 3 year old DRZ400 for 5 - 6K, I'm wondering if it's because that model has a bad rep, if 400cc dual purpose bikes are considered undesirable (underpowered?) or if it's because dual purpose bikes are probably going to suffer more wear and tear...

...or if it's just a completely different market altogether. Basically, my mental model for fair bike prices is based on road bikes, so I'm trying to learn what factors I should be considering in looking at a second hand dual purpose.

Cheers in advance for any advice.

**clint640** · 7th October 2009, 12:46

Originally Posted by Cynos

Hi all,
or if it's because dual purpose bikes are probably going to suffer more wear and tear...
.

You got it there. Most DRZ400's get used as trail bikes so don't do a lot of km's, but the km's that they do can be pretty hard ones. It's vital to have a close look at the condition & mechanical history of dirt bikes as they can need a lot more maintenance per km than something used on the street.

Cheers
Clint

**Kokopelli** · 7th October 2009, 14:09

Of course this doesn't apply to 800cc bikes.

**Cynos** · 7th October 2009, 14:14

Originally Posted by clint640

You got it there. Most DRZ400's get used as trail bikes so don't do a lot of km's, but the km's that they do can be pretty hard ones. It's vital to have a close look at the condition & mechanical history of dirt bikes as they can need a lot more maintenance per km than something used on the street.

Cheers
Clint

Hehe, so does it work like dog years? 1 off road kilometre is the equivalent of 7 on road?

**paddy** · 7th October 2009, 14:15

Originally Posted by Kokopelli

Of course this doesn't apply to 800cc bikes.

A little off the topic - but where was that picture taken?

**Kokopelli** · 7th October 2009, 14:24

Originally Posted by paddy

A little off the topic - but where was that picture taken?

Today, at the Kawasaki Sandpit in the Woodhill forest.

**.chris** · 7th October 2009, 14:46

Originally Posted by Kokopelli

Today, at the Kawasaki Sandpit in the Woodhill forest.

(absolutely off topic) Mid week riding at woodhill, you lucky devil.
We should organise a dualsport day at the forest. Could be some fun.

**Kokopelli** · 7th October 2009, 14:58

Originally Posted by c.h.r.i.s

(absolutely off topic) Mid week riding at woodhill, you lucky devil.
We should organise a dualsport day at the forest. Could be some fun.

I am not going back there on my R80GS. I only did about 5km of this and only because it's all one way traffic and I couldn't go back. It's like holding on to a tiger's tail you can't do it slowly.

The Waitemata MCC Family Day Trail rides are doable, but this stuff is way beyond my skill level. A tree could jump out at you at any time.

Sorry about the off-topic hijack.

**clint640** · 7th October 2009, 15:10

Originally Posted by Cynos

Hehe, so does it work like dog years? 1 off road kilometre is the equivalent of 7 on road?

Not that easy sorry - it really depends on how well the maintenance has been done, a bike has been ridden hard but cleaned & lubed after every ride & had all the servicing done on time will be totally different to something that has been ridden hard & put away wet.

It also depends on the type of bike, the lighter, faster more enduro style machines like a KTM EXC or a Yamaha WR wear out much faster than the likes of the DRZ.

Cheers
Clint

**Cynos** · 7th October 2009, 15:42

Originally Posted by clint640

Not that easy sorry - it really depends on how well the maintenance has been done, a bike has been ridden hard but cleaned & lubed after every ride & had all the servicing done on time will be totally different to something that has been ridden hard & put away wet.

It also depends on the type of bike, the lighter, faster more enduro style machines like a KTM EXC or a Yamaha WR wear out much faster than the likes of the DRZ.

Cheers
Clint

Hmm, thanks... are there any telltales for poor or infrequent maintenance? I guess damage from being dropped is fairly common, but what shows wear the most obvious? I imagine structural and suspension issues are more likely than engine problems?

**george formby** · 7th October 2009, 16:03

I'm scratching my head as I type, been a while since I was in your position, sadly. Apply everything you know about road bikes to your dual sport, a bikes a bike. Prices are what you find in the marketplace, I guess, no rule of thumb. A dirtbike can look pretty dinged but still be mechanically sound if it has been looked after. Engine should not be rattly, air filter should be clean, no play on any bearings, clean oil etc. Gear lever should not wobble around, sprockets & chain should not be ground down & hanging off. Suspension should have no weeps, nor should it bounce round like a pogo stick. Head bearings should not knock. Check frame welds for cracks & any dubious rounded off nut's. I'm sure you get the picture. Good luck!

**bart** · 7th October 2009, 17:58

A lot comes down to how the km's were gathered. 10000km of trail riding would be a lot, with the bike working hard for a large portion of the time.

10000km of adventure riding isn't so bad, as this doesn't equate to many rides when doing 300-400 km a day. This is all warm running, with the engine idling along at road speeds for most of it. Lots of cold starts does more harm than lots of km's.

DRZ's new are around 10k (road legal model), so 5-6k seems fair for something like this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=244967891