Discussion
I currently own a GSXR-1000 but must admit I am a fair weather rider, the thought of kitting up and using it through the winter doesn't excite me.
To get my bike fix, I'm thinking of a 450cc off road bike to do a bit of green laning with.. and also an option to pop down to the shops on.
After much browsing I've narrowed it down to the Honda CRF450 and the KTM EXC 450, with a budget of about £2.5k.
Will be looking at spending another £500 or so on some kit, including off road helmet, boots, gloves etc.
Anything I've missed? Or any general advice?
To get my bike fix, I'm thinking of a 450cc off road bike to do a bit of green laning with.. and also an option to pop down to the shops on.
After much browsing I've narrowed it down to the Honda CRF450 and the KTM EXC 450, with a budget of about £2.5k.
Will be looking at spending another £500 or so on some kit, including off road helmet, boots, gloves etc.
Anything I've missed? Or any general advice?
EXC is a two stroke. CRF is 4-stroke. Read up on the pro's and con's. (assume you meant EXC-F).
450 on the EXC will be great to lug the engine on, but gets mental once into the powerband. Tis rather heavy as well. No comment on the CRF - not ridden one.
EXC is a enduro/trail bike. CRF is a cross bred road/greenlane bike - will need upgrading if you enduro riding.
EXC will need tinkering. CRF is a Honda, so well built and will last.
I, like you, have just bought a 300 EXC TPI 6-Days, and have got into enduro riding during the winter whilst the S1000RR is in the garage. Yet to go on a green lane as i prefer off-road shenanigans - woods, quarries, etc. Will be booking onto a couple of off road trail guiding stuff using green lanes.
Would love to get out into Lancs, Yorkshire, Lakes etc. soon.
Do not underestimate the cost of good quality off road gear - i am the best part of 1k+ into gear alone. Boots, helmet, armour, enduro top and bottoms, jacket, etc.
450 on the EXC will be great to lug the engine on, but gets mental once into the powerband. Tis rather heavy as well. No comment on the CRF - not ridden one.
EXC is a enduro/trail bike. CRF is a cross bred road/greenlane bike - will need upgrading if you enduro riding.
EXC will need tinkering. CRF is a Honda, so well built and will last.
I, like you, have just bought a 300 EXC TPI 6-Days, and have got into enduro riding during the winter whilst the S1000RR is in the garage. Yet to go on a green lane as i prefer off-road shenanigans - woods, quarries, etc. Will be booking onto a couple of off road trail guiding stuff using green lanes.
Would love to get out into Lancs, Yorkshire, Lakes etc. soon.
Do not underestimate the cost of good quality off road gear - i am the best part of 1k+ into gear alone. Boots, helmet, armour, enduro top and bottoms, jacket, etc.
I should of mentioned, I'm not completely new to it, used to own a KX100 a few years ago.
I went out last weekend with a mate (borrowed his bikes). He had a KLR250, which was a little underpowered for the road bits between lanes, and a KTM 640, which was too much for the lanes, so figured the 450 would be a good compromise. There was a 450 ktm with us and it seemed to be a good all rounder, although I didn't get a chance to have a go.
I went out last weekend with a mate (borrowed his bikes). He had a KLR250, which was a little underpowered for the road bits between lanes, and a KTM 640, which was too much for the lanes, so figured the 450 would be a good compromise. There was a 450 ktm with us and it seemed to be a good all rounder, although I didn't get a chance to have a go.
The enduro machines you're looking at are pretty high strung, and have service intervals/costs to match. My old ttr 250 was slower, and heavier, and generally more rubbish than all the whizzy enduro machines I used to go Laning with, but no less fun, entirely capable, and just as quick in practice.
Until you're racing. Then it's s
te.
Until you're racing. Then it's s
te.The KLR250 isn't a fair comparison, like the CRF250L, it's more of a general trail bike.
Probably best to look at a 250 4 Stroke or 2 Stroke, the 2 strokes are quite tractable. Even XR250/400 are more than capable for most and bargains can be had as people fear starting them, plus they're bullet proof.
None of them are particularly good on the road due to short gearbox ratios & no cush drives etc - plus you'll be riding with dry chains & soft tyres.
I've used a CRF230 (old XL185 derived motor) very successfully on LDTs, it's not as fast as enduro bikes but light, sorted & manageable enough to get through places other bikes struggle.
Also see the other recent trail bike thread here, you will see fast enduro bikes on byways aren't really the way to go for the longevity of the sport.
Probably best to look at a 250 4 Stroke or 2 Stroke, the 2 strokes are quite tractable. Even XR250/400 are more than capable for most and bargains can be had as people fear starting them, plus they're bullet proof.
None of them are particularly good on the road due to short gearbox ratios & no cush drives etc - plus you'll be riding with dry chains & soft tyres.
I've used a CRF230 (old XL185 derived motor) very successfully on LDTs, it's not as fast as enduro bikes but light, sorted & manageable enough to get through places other bikes struggle.
Also see the other recent trail bike thread here, you will see fast enduro bikes on byways aren't really the way to go for the longevity of the sport.
If you're not going to be entering Enduro events then I'd avoid the EXC's because they're too much for just Green Laning. The service intervals and maintenance will outweigh any benefit they give you when out on the Lanes.
I've got a 300 EXC (2T) but prefer to keep it for events rather than GL riding for this reason.
I've got a 300 EXC (2T) but prefer to keep it for events rather than GL riding for this reason.
bitwrx said:
The enduro machines you're looking at are pretty high strung, and have service intervals/costs to match. My old ttr 250 was slower, and heavier, and generally more rubbish than all the whizzy enduro machines I used to go Laning with, but no less fun, entirely capable, and just as quick in practice.
Until you're racing. Then it's ste.
I would agree with that. The humble TTR is a great starter green lane bike which is relatively low maintenance for those that want to spend more time riding than spannering.Until you're racing. Then it's s
te.For racing my TTR would be useless as it is too old, slow and heavy, a bit like its owner.
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