Tell me what to buy....

**HenryDorsetCase** · 27th August 2008, 17:02

My plan of buying a Triumph scrambler is down the dunny for this year at least.

I am quite liking the idea of plunking down some gravel road/farm tracks and whatnot.

Thinking of a wee road registered DP bike.

the last one I owned was my very first bike, a 1974 Suzuki TS125 and I did have a TS185 a while after that.

I have short little legs (28 inch inseam). I have no interest in being Bubba Shobert or whatnot.

I have always quite liked XL250 Motosports (and there is an XL350 on tardme at present).

Say my budget was three grand or thereabouts:

recommend me a dual purpose bike that is road registrable, able to be ridden by a short arse, suitable for gravel roads and whatnot, and cheap.

Thanks.......

**marks** · 27th August 2008, 18:52

Buy this

or this

**NordieBoy** · 27th August 2008, 19:01

Yep.
I'd go for the 350 but in the back of my mind would be the fact the 250 has the digital enduro dash off the DRZ400 - cool.

**Tony W** · 27th August 2008, 19:12

The 350 looks too tall for you. The DR250 range, especially the Djebel
seems to offer good features for the money.

**NordieBoy** · 27th August 2008, 19:40

That 250 on TM isn't a Gerbil but one of them would be even better for you.
Cool armoured headlight too.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 27th August 2008, 19:50

I had thought of those CL400 scramblers that Haldanes have on tardme but $5k is waaaaay too much money for one of those. I suspect it would be a mere pretender to dirt road adequacy though.

I think the 350 is too tall also.

I do feel a trip to the LBS coming on though. Just lookin' yunnerstan'

**monchopper** · 27th August 2008, 20:26

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

I had thought of those CL400 scramblers that Haldanes have on tardme but $5k is waaaaay too much money for one of those. I suspect it would be a mere pretender to dirt road adequacy though.

I think the 350 is too tall also.

I do feel a trip to the LBS coming on though. Just lookin' yunnerstan'

The 350 is a tall-ish bike. My my bro-in-laws 94 is about the same height as my XR400 which known not to be shortass friendly

**cooneyr** · 27th August 2008, 23:42

My bro - here in Chch should have a TTR Raid (close to a 250 TTR with big tank and headlight) for sale next Wednesday all going well. Send him (El scooto) a PM if you are interested.

Cheers R

**Rosie** · 28th August 2008, 15:20

By the sounds of it, you are a little shorter than me, so the likes of a DR250 (unless it's been substantially lowered) is going to be very tall.

The XT225/"250"/Serow isn't a bad bike. They are broadly similar to my Sherpa, not quite as nice, but you are more likely to find one in your price range.

Honda SL230 is one of the bikes that was recommended to me when I was looking for a DP bike. I've never seen one (they stopped making them in the 90's-ish and I was looking for something newer), but I've heard that they aren't bad bikes.

If you are having trouble finding something the right height - it is surprising how much difference a seat reshape can make. A lot of DP bikes have quite fat foam right at the front of the seat - if you hack a lot of that out and replace it with thinner, narrower, firmer foam, it should be easier to find the ground.

**eastlight** · 29th August 2008, 14:48

As an owner of a DR350X, and a smudge under 6ft myself, it WILL be too tall! Then again, imagine the fun you would have getting on and off it!

Howabout this?? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-172865284.htm

**CRM** · 29th August 2008, 15:01

Hi Henry...
I'm wanting to sell one of my bikes to a good home (you get kind of attached to them). They are both pretty much about the lowest seat 250 bikes you can get. 1995 Honda XL250 Degree - 13000km - great reliable machine just had new bars and bark busters (not shown in the picture) wanting around $3200. Other is 2006 GasGas Pampera 2stroke - very light a favourite with little legged people (like me). Wanting around $4200.

pm me if interested in either.
CRM

**bart** · 29th August 2008, 20:37

Hey, welcome to the 28 inch inseam club.

Balance is the key. I don't have any problems........until I have to stop.

**pete376403** · 29th August 2008, 21:22

Kawasaki Sherpa is good for vertically challenged people
eg http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-143461971.htm

**meteor** · 29th August 2008, 22:27

Just for your info, I have a DR250 (the Djebel version) and I'm 6" (35 inch inseam) I'm on tip toes if I try to touch the ground with both feet. With a 28" inseam, you'd have a bit of a lean on I guess.... size does count eh!