Bike suggestion for Green laning/messing about on

[CTO]

Afternoon all,

Wondering if people could kindly give me any hints or tips on where is best to find a bike for the above duties.

I am fortunate to live on the edge of Worcestershire/Shropshire surrounded by some great roads and plenty of countryside and sadly sold my ZX6R the year before last to a newly licenced rider on here... Alex if you are reading this....

I quite fancy getting back into riding albeit at a bit more of a sedate pace on the tracks etc in the local area. Pack a rucksack etc and head out for the day.

I have been looking in the usual places (eBay mainly) for some type of 250. Honda CRF/Yamaha WR.... all of which look quite shiny and expensive for something I am likely to drop when I encounter my first rutted piece of ground .

Anyone able to offer likely places that I could begin scouring in my search? Forums/local groups etc?

Thanks in advance

CTO

Edited by CTO on Sunday 17th January 16:15

[zzrman]

A 250 will do the job - my last off-roader was a Yamaha WRF 250. Really good bike.

Don't worry about dropping it. I can gurantee that you will drop it so there is no point in worrying. The plastics and stickers on these bikes are easily replaceable at little cost.

You could check out the Trail Riders Federation.

[CTO]

Fair point.

If it's going to happen anyway why bother worrying

Will take a look at the TRF

[Toma500]

Fantic caballero scrambler ?

[gareth h]

Toma500 said:

Fantic caballero scrambler ?

Wouldn’t want to drop that off road!

[CTO]

They sell those up the road from me at Midwest Moto's.

I've tried one on for size a few times but far too nice for my needs

[Ilikemotorbikes]

I always find ebay is typically a sellers market, not a buyers market.

You should be able to pick up a 2004/2005 WR250f for £2k or thereabouts

[CTO]

That was kind of where I thought prices would be at... Surprised to see the strong money that seemingly tatty examples command.

GET doesn't appear to have a for sale section

[Ilikemotorbikes]

Don't be afraid of facebook marketplace. I've had some bargains from there and Gumtree is worth a look too.

You just need to be prepared to go for a jolly to fetch them sometimes

[underwhelmist]

It sounds like you're not a million miles from me. Alec Dorrell's in Stourport on Severn (next to Lidl) is an old school bike workshop with a trials/trail bias, I don't think they sell bikes themselves but they have a board where people advertise their bikes for sale.

[hman]

buy one with an electric start - and test it to see that it works.

Yamaha WR250f, TTR250,
KTM 250f
Beta250rr

personally wouldnt bother with Honda,Kawasaki or Suzuki as strangely they arent the best at trail bikes.

I started with a TTR250, then a beta 450, then a beta 300 2 stroke, the 300 2 stroke was the best but not the most reliable and carrying 2 stroke oil around with you is a pain (although a 300 is a lighter and more powerful bike than a 450f)

[V8RX7]

Cheapest option tends to be a WR250F circa £1200 -1500 but unreliable elec start and weak 5 speed box

Decent elec start bikes £2k upwards really but at this level there's no depreciation

[CTO]

underwhelmist said:

It sounds like you're not a million miles from me. Alec Dorrell's in Stourport on Severn (next to Lidl) is an old school bike workshop with a trials/trail bias, I don't think they sell bikes themselves but they have a board where people advertise their bikes for sale.

Thanks Underwhelmist.

Not far maybe, I'm in Bewdley.

I didn't know about the bike workshop mentioned above. I'll have to try and drop in on my next trip round the one way system

[CTO]

V8RX7 said:

Cheapest option tends to be a WR250F circa £1200 -1500 but unreliable elec start and weak 5 speed box

Decent elec start bikes £2k upwards really but at this level there's no depreciation

Thanks V8.

Not sure where these bikes are lurking... Nothing on FB market place and not a single WR on auto trader within 100 miles!

[Bob_Defly]

A Honda CRF250L is a great bike for this. Very sturdy and reliable.

[V8RX7]

CTO said:

Thanks V8.

Not sure where these bikes are lurking... Nothing on FB market place and not a single WR on auto trader within 100 miles!

There have never been loads about and demand has risen since covid.

You just have to join the FB groups and be quick plus eBay / Gumtree

Also many won't be advertising due to lockdown

[underwhelmist]

CTO said:

Thanks Underwhelmist.

Not far maybe, I'm in Bewdley.

I didn't know about the bike workshop mentioned above. I'll have to try and drop in on my next trip round the one way system

In that case you're only a couple of miles away from me! Kidderminster, but Bewdley side. Good luck with the search for the bike, remember to post pics when you get one!

[200Plus Club]

Watching with interest as this is something I fancied doing too at some point.

[IOM Q]

I've ridden and raced plenty of enduro bikes over the years, 250 & 300 KTMs, Honda XRs and CRFs. Picked up a DRZ400 recently as I wanted something low maintenance but capable.

They are like tractors and will just plough through everything, yes they are heavy compared to a WR, KTM or CRF but with the right gearing they are more than capable on the green lanes but with the added bonus of proven reliabillity, decent fuel economy and 3500 mile service intervals.

You probably won't want to go racing on one but for green laning and even commuting if you want, they are a decent choice

Edited by IOM Q on Tuesday 19th January 11:36

[CTO]

Evening all,

Just picking this thread back up as life got in the way and we ended up burying ourselves in a house project… from Sep 2021 to about now

Still in Worcestershire, but closer to the Shropshire border now, and therefore some trails to mess about on.

How are Greenlane type bikes looking how? Have they softened any, post the Covid madness?

And, assume the same recommendations still hold firm for beginner/low maintenance examples?

Thanks all, and my apologies for the significant delay in returning to the thread.

Cheers all,