Bike to compliment a S10?

[EricV]

My local classifieds have about 50 low mileage, low priced CRF250Ls. Are they that bad that everyone wants to turf them? Or are there just that many out there? There's got to be something...

It's like RVs, the idea is appealing, but many people find the reality less so. They buy them, use them a little and find out that's not what they want to do and then they sit for a while before they sell them. Or they keep them in the garage for years, un-ridden, because, you know, SOME DAY they will take that epic trip they always fantasize about... but never do. Then finally sell them.

 

[RogerRZ]

Hey Roger what part of New Brunswick are you from, I live just out side Saint John.

I'm in Rogersville, but work brings me all over southern NB...

 

[RogerRZ]

It's like RVs, the idea is appealing, but many people find the reality less so. They buy them, use them a little and find out that's not what they want to do and then they sit for a while before they sell them. Or they keep them in the garage for years, un-ridden, because, you know, SOME DAY they will take that epic trip they always fantasize about... but never do. Then finally sell them.

I could see that happen, but it's funny you don't see nearly as many bikes that have been around way longer (KLX250, XT250, TW200, etc.).

On the DRZ400 side, SM models outnumber the other two by a factor of roughly 2-1.

 

[RogerRZ]

[QUOTE="Mutt, post: 383253, member: 9354". FYI there is a 2005 KDX 220 on Kijiji now that looks like its in good shape. If you have any questions on any of these bikes send me a message.[/QUOTE]

That KDX really does look nice, doesn't it? Unless my CB400F sells (I'm not expecting it too, I priced it to find that one buyer), I wouldn't be ready to buy anything before spring.

 

[SuckSqueezeBangBlow]

I am going to go off the board and bring up the Royal Enfield Himalayan. Cheap, light, easy to work on. Just a thought...

 

[Kyle_E]

I am going to go off the board and bring up the Royal Enfield Himalayan. Cheap, light, easy to work on. Just a thought...

Valve check every 3,000 miles. No thanks. Granted its car like screw and nut, not buckets like most bikes, but still seems a pain in the rear to me.

In that 300-400 cc bike range Versys-X 300 would get a look.

 

[Tenman]

You got to be tough to ride a thumper on the hiway for any distance. Been there.

 

[RogerRZ]

Valve check every 3,000 miles. No thanks. Granted its car like screw and nut, not buckets like most bikes, but still seems a pain in the rear to me.

In that 300-400 cc bike range Versys-X 300 would get a look.

Apart from being easier to lift when it's taking a nap, I can't see what a Versys 300 would to better than our Teneres. I can see many places where it would fall short, though.

 

[richarddacat]

I’d love to have a 125-250 dirt bike to play with but I would have to trailer it to the good spots, camp and pretty much make a weekend of it. Not much time for that now.

I’ll go way off board and pick a FJR or Honda ST but if a nice last Gen Airhead RT shows up I may have to spring for it.

 

[Kyle_E]

Apart from being easier to lift when it's taking a nap, I can't see what a Versys 300 would to better than our Teneres. I can see many places where it would fall short, though.

City lane splitting and such. Bit easier to maneuver around at slow speeds, smaller foot print in the garage. But no, I agree was just saying if I was going to shop a Royal E Id rather take a hard look at a V300 in the same weight more HP, more highway friendly. Heck a guy finished the IBR on one this year!

I personally wouldn't want big and small ADV bike. Unless talking a straight dirt bike like the DRZ400 everyone already recommended. Id go with a Bolt or something like a MT07 just to have a completely different bike and experience.

 

[pango]

I really like my XT250 to go with the S10. If it's a one day trip I'll almost always pick it. It feels like a toy motorcycle it's so light and easy to handle. The low seat height really builds confidence. I'm not trying to go do insane offroad stuff so no need for a wr250 for me. Tw is too limited imo it's a farm amd hunting bike. The xt is injected so just punch button and go. I've buried the xt in mud that I dragged out by myself. A bigger bike would've been hiking out. My coworker has a drz and loves it but too much for me for what I need. The xt does 70mph uphill if I need to get on the highway for a bit. That's plenty

 

[Blind Squirrel]

In that 300-400 cc bike range Versys-X 300 would get a look.

I'm liking the look of the Versys. May need to start doing some serious looking...

 

[Bart]

I just picked up a early low milage Weestrom from a local lady to use for the winter, didn't want to get the S10 all salty and the wheels will be easier to clean too. I ride mainly on road so for pottering about it should be fine, it was cheap as chips, but needed a good service.. all seems OK so far.
It will also be handy to be able to use the "cast off" tyres from the S10 as they are the same size of course.

 

[Heavyweight67]

This is a timely post as I just purchased a mint 2005 Ducati ST4S, I think it compliments the S10...both are twins, the Ducati is black and my S10 has some black on it....perfect.

 

[RogerRZ]

Unless my CB400F sells (love that little bike, it's become expensive garage art, and I still need to wrench on it), I'm leaning pretty hard in the direction of a KDX or DRZ. I watched a clean DT200R come and go, should have pulled the trigger, but I wasn't quite ready yet.

if the 400 sells (no rush, I've got all Winter) might go late model 300EXC or similar. Was out on a TW200, and they just too darned slow. It was a fairly windy day, and it could just get itself to 50mph. Too bad they don't make them in a 350...

 

[Heavyweight67]

Not identical twins, but still twins...they compliment each other

 

[Edbo1960]

2005 SV650, 420 pounds, v twin rumble, torquey fun engine.......naked, good for hot summer days in the twisties......can find cheap. I upgraded the weak points being seat, suspension and brakes.

 

[RogerRZ]

Late possible prospect, an XR650L. Tons of them out there too.

Pros: Claw hammer reliability. Availability. Decent suspension, stock. Lots of aftermarket stuff. Off road capable.

Cons: Heavy (pretty easy to dump 15lbs or so, but still heavy). Tall. Tall. Tall...

 

[Mutt]

Roger of the big Japanese dualys the Xr 650 l is the best off road. I had a 2001 for a couple of years and they are a good bike. Tall and a little heavy but stepping off the S10 it will feel light. Biggest issue I had with mine is it would burn oil at hiway speeds.

 

[EricV]

Here is something different. A friend is ordering one to be built up for LD riding. He's 67 if I recall correctly, so starting to look at lighter, smaller bikes to go with his R1200GS. He's had a F800GS in the past, so it appears he wants to go much smaller.

Janus

These are 229cc carberator bikes with pushrods. Single cylinder, two valve simple bikes. Chinese engine with a lot of local sourced parts for the rest of the bike, or so it appears. A bit on the $$$ side from my look, but certainly high on the cool factor. One is rigid frame, the other two models have suspension. Front is... different. Almost has a leading link look to it.