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 Post subject: Trail Bike Advice Please!
PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2016 8:25 pm 
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50 cc

Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 10:01 pm
Posts: 7
Location: Kent
Gents,

At 6 foot, 16st and the wrong side of 50 I am contemplating purchasing another s/h trail bike to do a bit of relatively gentle trial riding. I used to race enduro's many moons ago so am not exactly a novice and until a year or so ago had an XR650 which was a great bike, too heavy for the trail and without the (now) all important electric start.

I have a max budget of £2500 and am looking for something 4stroke that will be mega reliable preferably without high servicing costs that if looked after will hold it's value. I had originally thought Honda CRF230, but that maybe a bit small for me, then maybe a TTR250 which is probably the sensible choice as I believe they are pretty comfortable for all day riding and should be well within budget. However, I keep getting drawn to a Yam WR250 or maybe 450, considering my bulk and I have also read that these are very reliable which is important as I don't want to be doing an expensive engine strip every year.

Any advice and/or opinions on a suitable steed welcomed!


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 Post subject: Re: Trail Bike Advice Please!
PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2016 9:12 pm 
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125cc

Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 3:37 pm
Posts: 155
Hi mate, you are quite a "big lad" so obviously that will effect you're choice, however, you will struggle to even use a 125 4stroke to it's full potential on the lanes, let alone a 250.

I think you will be fine with a 250 if it is only going to be used for lanes and going in between lanes, if you are planning going on longer journeys then it would be a problem though.

You are way more experienced and I am only starting out though so my advice isn't all that helpful, but I have typed it out before I realised that so figured I would post.

I would also question why you don't want a two stroke as a 250 two stroke would be so much lighter than a 450 as well and it doesn't sound like you want to do much dual sporting in between lane rides so I would have thought if you want the power of a 450 4 stroke then a 2 stroke would be ideal and better power to weight as well.

Drop me a PM if you want someone to ride with.


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 Post subject: Re: Trail Bike Advice Please!
PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2016 9:21 pm 
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125cc

Joined: Sun May 05, 2013 5:50 pm
Posts: 215
300 exc nuff said


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 Post subject: Re: Trail Bike Advice Please!
PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2016 9:38 pm 
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125cc

Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2010 10:55 am
Posts: 192
Chris123321 wrote:
300 exc nuff said


Bump,

Had an 04 wr450f and it was very reliable, no issues what so ever, great bike and would be more than suitable. Only sold it to buy a newer crf450x, but it was more like an mx bike, and too much foe me, so went 2 stroke and never looked back!

I did consider the WR250, but never got round to trying one. They go as well as anything else, but as said you need to consider your size, kit and all the gloop stuck to your bike in the colder 'summer months' lol! :lol:

The DRZ400E (Enduro spec model) would also be another good choice and it has a decent comfy seat and not piece of 4"x2"! And would also be in budget.

Get along to your local club and speak to the members for further advice.


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 Post subject: Re: Trail Bike Advice Please!
PostPosted: Mon May 02, 2016 10:40 pm 
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650 cc Monster

Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2010 12:54 pm
Posts: 1950
Location: Poynton
If you will have a lot of road work then a 250 may be too small.
For low maintenance avoid KTK.
Yamaha and Suzuki are probably both OK I certainly liked my DRZ.

_________________
Peter
2001 DRZ 400E - 2010 to 2012
2009 KTM 400EXC - 2012 to


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 Post subject: Re: Trail Bike Advice Please!
PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2016 7:37 am 
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50 cc

Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 10:01 pm
Posts: 7
Location: Kent
Thanks for the input gents. I do think the KTM's 4 strokes look how bikes should but the servicing/high maintenance side of things does put me off. Quite fancy a 200/300EXC as I have an old CR500 Honda in the garage but I think a 4 stroke may be better for the in between lanes bit and at my age I want to start the thing by pressing a button!


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 Post subject: Re: Trail Bike Advice Please!
PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2016 7:27 pm 
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125cc

Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 3:37 pm
Posts: 155
CR500 for trail riding... :o Go on, you know you want to :twisted:


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 Post subject: Re: Trail Bike Advice Please!
PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2016 9:47 pm 
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125cc

Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2016 6:19 pm
Posts: 145
how old is your honda such a good bike i own a red rocket elsinore from 1980


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 Post subject: Re: Trail Bike Advice Please!
PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2016 2:13 pm 
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125cc

Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 3:37 pm
Posts: 155
Figured I would link this excellent deal from a member:

viewtopic.php?f=110&t=21670


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 Post subject: Re: Trail Bike Advice Please!
PostPosted: Wed May 11, 2016 8:53 pm 
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50 cc

Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 10:01 pm
Posts: 7
Location: Kent
Yep the old CR500 (with about 3 base gaskets) is a real pussycat...... Would be fun on the trails but you'd need a re-fuelling tanker in the group with you! She's an '86 so water cooled, mono-shock and front disc brake - I think an engine oil seal has gone as there is deffo water in the gearbox oil - just need to find someone local and reasonable capable of pulling her to bits and sorting it....

Like the look of the Husky in the post above but perhaps a bit off-centre for me - I have no idea what spares availability is and I'd be worried about future value crashing although it does seem a lot of bike for little money.


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