What Bike Thread (Green Laner)

[Locke]

I'm considering getting a second bike to use for green laneing and just general exploring around on off road terrain.

I know nothing about these types of bikes as I've only ever owned road bikes before so I am open to all recommendations.

My Criteria is as follows -

• Must be road legal
• As off road capable as possible
• Reliable
• The longer the service intervals the better
• Able to maintain motorway speeds without fear of blowing up the engine
• Something I can fall off of / drop with minimal damage being caused
• Something not to heavy or bulky
• If possible, something that wont depreciate too much

My budget is 3k. Sorry in advance if I'm being quite demanding here.

Thanks

[bimsb6]

Drz400

[John D.]

GSXR1000

[redtwin]

KTM EXC



No experience whatsoever, just wanted to be the first of many who will recommend one.

[LoonR1]

Any 500cc 2 stroke should do the job. Make sure it's a converted MX bike though as it will be a bit more raw.

[Flipatron]

Another vote for the DRZ400.

I bought one last month and so far has been great both on and off road.

[Moulder]

I previously had a DRZ400 and now have a KTM525EXC, both of which are in your budget. I have added information to your points below in relation to these.

Must be road legal - On top of this I would look for one that is key start as this opens up more options, E.g. green lane to work, to the pub, etc without anyone being able to start it

As off road capable as possible - DRZ perfectly capable, KTM525Exc more capable (I am 10-15mph faster on the KTM than the DRZ). You will use more of the DRZ's potential

Reliable - Had my DRZ one year and the started clutch went (£300), other than that consumables. Just consumables for the KTM, but more consumeables and more often.

The longer the service intervals the better - DRZ 6000 miles(?), KTM 15/30 hours. KTM sounds low, but that is only once every 2 months if averaging a few hours a

week, which is a lot for most people green laning. I do the 15 hour services myself, anything involving valves it goes to the shop.

Able to maintain motorway speeds without fear of blowing up the engine - DRZ or KTM will do this. Knobblies will not last long on either if you do this regularly.

Something I can fall off of / drop with minimal damage being caused - Both the same, if DRZ upgrade the bash plate and get hand guards.

Something not to heavy or bulky - DRZ about 130 kilos(?), KTM about 100 kilos(?). I am 5'8" and weigh 75 kilos, and the KTM definitely easier to move around/pick
up. My money wouldn't be on me be able to pick one up from underneath it.

If possible, something that wont depreciate too much - Would be surprised if you lose much if you buy either in the 2-2.5k range, DRZ may actaully make money (mine did, +20% in a year)

If this is a starting point for green laning I would avoid anything with a peaky power delivery. Both the DRZ and the KTM have low down power which I have found an excellent replacement for ability, within reason no matter how steep and what surface if you keep your arse in the seat and weight over the back wheel they will ride up anything.

[Jaldi]

Great post by Moulder, I agree with all that¹

I just want to also suggest the Yamaha WR450F or WR250F for much the same reasons as the KTM 525 Moulder suggested. The WRs are proper enduro bikes (road legal of course) so they're great off-road and capable of high mileages with just regular DIY maintenance.

They're a popular choice in the states for distance off road use and in Australia the WR450F is the best selling dirt bike.

You'd get a really good one for under 3k


_______________
ETA
¹OK maybe not with the part about keeping sat down and weight over the back wheel when going up steep slopes.

[Moulder]

Jaldi said:

_______________
ETA
¹OK maybe not with the part about keeping sat down and weight over the back wheel when going up steep slopes.

Hmmm, I guess there is some ambiguity there.... When going up steep slopes that are not so steep that keeping all your weight over the backwheel will cause both yourself and the bike to tip over backwards.

[Locke]

Thanks for all the replies especially to Moulder. I Think the DRZ 400 is looking like my best bet at the moment. I will start looking.

[Locke]

John D. said:

GSXR1000

Haha I have seen that video

[3doorPete]

These might help you.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=105...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=112...

I have a KTM 525EXC which is legendarily awesome, but used to have a DRZ400 and for what you want a DRZ400 would be ideal. XR400 is an alternative and although they are slower and heavier, although being air cooled slightly more robust. DRZs are bomb proof anyway - just as long as you do the mods I mention in the attached threads.

[redtwin]

This place is going downhill. In the past, the overwhelming recommendation would have been for a KTM.

[pozi]

It does amaze me how rose tinted the KTM brigade is over the word reliability, yes a few people have got theirs to 12,000 miles without problems but if you head over to KTMforum.co.uk there are countless threads asking for rebuild advice and help to diagnose a mystery engine noise.

If you want a race bike which is road legal the KTM is fantastic, but it is far more intensive to maintain than a DRZ which has put me off getting an EXC. I already have a supposedly more reliable LC4 engined KTM Supermoto which just had to have its cam bearings replaced at 6,500 miles so I know the joy and pain of orange ownership.

In summary, if you want the best get a KTM, either get good with spanners or keep aside circa £1000 for the inevitable engine rebuild. Otherwise a DRZ400, WR250R, XR400/250 and TTR250 are still great bikes for green lanes, the XR and TTR are even air cooled which keeps things even more simple.

[SherpaRob]

Ive got a mate selling a ktm 525 exc on a 2005 think he's looking around 2.5k for it he's in kent ill sort you out his number if it not too much of a trek

[Killboy]

pozi said:

It does amaze me how rose tinted the KTM brigade is over the word reliability, yes a few people have got theirs to 12,000 miles without problems but if you head over to KTMforum.co.uk there are countless threads asking for rebuild advice and help to diagnose a mystery engine noise.

Yeah, my 640 KTM (Duke 1) is on 36k kms (about 22500 miles) and I'm yet to open the motor except for a clutch, so I'm not sure about the reliability. My 250EXC wouldnt start the other day after a wash.... Turned out to be the spark plug cracked.



Buying any bike/car because its reliable is like marrying a woman because she can cook. Personally, I want the one I like to ride, and the closest bike I've ridden to the enjoyment of my KTMs is a Honda XR650R.

Ride a few, and buy the one you like the most.

Edited by Killboy on Wednesday 4th July 15:33

[hman]

TTR 250

WR 250

Basically anything with an electric start- you'll get pissed off quick with kicking over a 4 stroke which has fallen over and or trying to kickstart a bike in a precarious position.


TTR's are indestructable (I tried oh I tried) - just buy a blue one not a white one as a lot of the issues were sorted when they switched designs to the blue bikes.

450 would be the next stage up - just like you didnt buy a 1000cc bike as your first road bike without expecting it to be in control of you most of the time.

I currently greenlane & enduro a beta 450 which is a left field choice I'll admit but at least its not orange.

[xstian]

How about a Honda CRM250. They are getting abit old now, but on the up side you won't lose any money on it.

And everyone know 2 strokes are best!!

[hman]

Moulder said:

Something not to heavy or bulky - DRZ about 130 kilos(?), KTM about 100 kilos(?). I am 5'8" and weigh 75 kilos, and the KTM definitely easier to move around/pick

KTM (wet) = 114 kgs


Which is why drz's are known to be very heavy.

[SystemParanoia]

LoonR1 said:

Any 500cc 2 stroke should do the job. Make sure it's a converted MX bike though as it will be a bit more raw.

pmsl.. and a mate with a video camera!!