Traily bike advice
Author
Discussion

Spiderdan

Original Poster:

9 posts

228 months

Wednesday 16th January 2008
quotequote all
Bying a trail bike asap, got some classic trialling to do, so I'm 6'4" 14 stone, want to stay under 450 for weight and class so whats it going to be?

DR250/400
XL250/400
CCM 230 Why are these so cheap? £2k new?!
KTM
Huskey
Serow
Super Sherpa
Anything else?

I want something I can comfortably ride on the road and thats also capable of going slow for a few technical bits, ie I dont go flat out everywhere!

Am an experienced biker, both on road and offroad although the laster was when I was a bit younger, although spent a while in summer in the alps messing on a mates Gas Gas trials

Any suggestions?

Dan

TypeR

1,198 posts

269 months

Wednesday 16th January 2008
quotequote all
The Serow will be rather too small for you. A lot of the older boys in our trails club used them, and they are great go anywhere bikes, but very compact.
My 1st trail bike was the Honda XR 250. They're getting a bit long in the tooth now, but they're pretty unburstable and very easy to maintain, and spares are cheap and plentiful. I got one with electric start, which is a real bonus when you've stalled on a steep incline or whatever and can't swing a leg on the kickstart without falling off.
Head over to www.thumpertalk.com for lots of great 4 stroke off road bike advice.
Have fun,
Simon.

The_Burg

4,853 posts

244 months

Wednesday 16th January 2008
quotequote all
Honda CRM250, any version. A fantastic alrounder and 2 stroke so even less to go wrong.
Deeply regret selling mine and would get another tomorrow if i had spare cash.

Edited to add: CCM 230 WTF?
Is it actually a Jensing or something?
Would like to try one of these out, i suspect its probably a bit Daiwoo though in reality.

Edited by The_Burg on Wednesday 16th January 12:59

bimsb6

8,799 posts

251 months

Wednesday 16th January 2008
quotequote all
ccm, chinky traillie NO NO NO

podman

9,085 posts

270 months

Wednesday 16th January 2008
quotequote all
Wouldnt a DR350 do the job? Cheap, reliable, plentiful and capable

Ive ridden a Serrow before and would rule that out on power alone , let alone the fact it isnt really an off road bike, more off road styled .

The CCM **looks** like it has a chinese copy motor but i could be wrong, looks very agricultral but if its 2k new its bloody cheap

If it was me, id go 2 stroke..a KDX200 or 250 would be a weapon and leave everything in a roost of dirt!..

Ive never ridden a CRM but every article ive ever read says they are the business...

The_Burg

4,853 posts

244 months

Wednesday 16th January 2008
quotequote all
podman said:
If it was me, id go 2 stroke..a KDX200 or 250 would be a weapon and leave everything in a roost of dirt!..

Ive never ridden a CRM but every article ive ever read says they are the business...
Find a CRM and try it. Power wise on a par with KDX200, not as good off road but infinately better on it and no premix needed.
Mk1 a bit soft suspension wise Mk2 better. Never tried the final 'AR' version but these are supposed to be best.
CRM is a 'trail' bike whereas the KDX is a proper enduro so not eligable for trail bike enduro. Road version of KDX, (SR), pretty crap.

D1 MAD

383 posts

262 months

Wednesday 16th January 2008
quotequote all
The TBM forum is a very good source of information, also pick up a January copy of the magazine it contains a comprehensive buyers guide to trail bikes old and new.

http://www.trailbikemag.com/forum/index.php?sid=85...

crankshaft

212 posts

236 months

Wednesday 16th January 2008
quotequote all
The CCM 230 is a chinese-built copy of a Honda CRF230.
A very close copy - the plastics can be swapped.
There are some mechanical differences though: CCM is OHV not OHC, has 5 gears not 6 & has a rear disc in place of the Honda's drum.

Not really any worse than the Honda to ride, possibly not as good to own. Both are great for long distance trials, greenlaning. Can be used for hare & hounds also - great in the woods!
Maybe a bit small for you though.