Winter trailie recomendations?

[noggythenog]

Thought i could get away with being just a fair wx biker but now getting withdrawls.thing is although my fazers only worth just over a grand i still think its too nice to  use through the winter.


Been thinking about a trailie type bike to potter about on back and forward to work etc, would love a suzuki drz400 but they're still about 2k,


Anyone got any recomendations on a good bike for about 1k, top of the list is reliability,something simple,4 cylinder, i take it a 125 will be a struggle as im 15 stone,height not an issue as im 5 11,be good if it could do some green laning also.


Any advice appreciated.

[locksmith]

Think you'll struggle getting a reliable one for £1k.

DRZ will probably be best for daily use to work and a bit of hooning around the lanes at the weekend.

Most of the others like WR's and KTM's etc are high tuned engines needing constant oil changes etc.

[noggythenog]

Cheers locksmith,thought 1 k would be wishful thinking,kinda thought if u can get a nice fazer for a grand that the same would be true of a trailie but maybe they command more money???,


My mate has got a highly tuned ktm 400 and he's having mega problems with the engine, id like to stick with a jap bike i think.


Im sure every bike will rot with enough water and salt but these things give the impression that they can handle it a bit more, also its awkward as hell to get my bike out from my shed,down the ramp,3 point turn on the patio then squeeze it down the side of the house so with a trailie being substantially lighter weight it would help me if done on a daily basis.

[phil on a fazer]

DR350?  fantastic bikes!!

[JZS 600]

I had an XT 350, it was ace! 350 single on a twin carb, first stage flatslide and second stage CV  :lol

[noggythenog]

Mostly drz400's on bike trader, they are real nice, i had in mind a ratty old 2nd bike but the more i look the more i want one.


Gonna start a fund off with any overtime i get next year and try getting 2 grand, they seem to be advertised as winter bikes at the mo so im thinking buy one in the summer when more folks interested in the sports bikes and maybe get a better deal.


Cant believe how ,much of a following they seem to have,lots of aftermarket stuff and parts.


Cant wait!

[cable tie]

I've had em all ktm's cr wr rmx xr and the Dr z, but depends what you want it for if green laining I prefer 2 smokers as you have to have a skill to ride a smoker, 4 strokers will ride em selfs pin the throttle they plough on.

Suz Drz, go for the E model plastic tank, Klein. Carb and lighter than the rd going s model, early E-models may have kick start but E&S models mostly will only be electric start, just make sure the battery is good, there like tanks and bomb proof, only 5-speed so rd work at speed sounds like its going o blow up and i found them to heavy for me.

Xr400 is cracking bike only kickstart and 5-speed but rather light and its honda so will go forever and hold there value.

Yam Wr i had the 400 kick only and a 250 this had electric and kick but only 5-speed, but don't bother high maintenance mine knocked the crank out in the peak district and was full engine build money Pit.

Ktm 400 was a cracking bike and everyone will say the 400 was the best of the bunch but 4 stroke so will eventually need rebuilding my fav was a ktm 200 i had was a 2 smoker all you need ever to do is replace rings real riders bike and fun to ride all 6-speed and weight is 117 kg  .

Suz Rmx 250 2-smoker cheap cracking bike but early ones are hard to find in good con mine was mint and was enduro prepared Mooses the whole lot should never have sold it.

Honda crf 4 stroke issues with titanium valves not seating and than causing issues with starting and high maintenance.

Honda crm 250 2-smoker nice easy bike to ride, and low maintenance ideal for rd and laining good 1st bike.


Dave.

[noggythenog]

Thanks cable tie,thats quite a comprehensive list,


I was looking at the yamaha ttr 250 also but the DR still has the most appeal so far,


If im honest ill prob only do a little bit of green laning but i like the looks of these bikes and the high riding position and the simplicity of them, something that can put up with winter abuse.


Thanks for the advice on getting the DR E variant, i hadnt looked into the differences.


If i wasnt so festively plump i would have even gone for a 125 but when people are saying that their 14 year old sons have grown out of them its a bad sign for me.

[locksmith]

For a commuter with a bit fun occasional weekends I think the DRZ will suit.
For more focused green laning etc I think a 250 fits the bill, as a WR/KX400 is overkill for most of us in tricky situations, but not good at all for much commuting and you really have to look after them.
The drz seems to be mostly bulletproof. They are much lighter than the faz but heavier than a proper enduro, so if you spend a lot of time picking it up off the dirt (like me ) take that into account :lol

The E models often aren't fully road legal so make sure you get one that is, ie with a speedo.

[Looney tune]

I found the XR400 a little 'tall' for me, 31" inside leg. They can also be hard to start if you have a spill. I sold mine and bought a CCM R30 for a more road biased bike and it was great fun, shit hot on the corners. Mate had a DRZ650 and loved it, good luck.

[noggythenog]

My local dealer which is mainly a farm supplier of quads but a yamaha dealer have got a bike called an SMC yb 250'


Its 2010 registered with zero miles for £1500 :eek


They're marketed as beginners off roaders,for american market,american company,built in china,


Im seriously tempted,doesnt look too comfy but im only talking about quick trips about town and 30 mile return trips to work.


Still the dzr has most appeal.


Thanks all for the advice.


Now then what crap can i sell

[Andybandit]

Hi just want to chuck in . I ride a BMW funduro 650 every day and love it . Cost me £900 and worth every penny

[noggythenog]

Cheers andybandit


Very africa twin that funduro,looks ok, shame about the name,someone actually got paid to make that name up!


I go round in circles thinking about this,deep down i know it's a false economy but i just cant commit to exposing the fazer to all the winter crap.


The more i think about it though the more i keep thinking of buying a second tatty fazer for winter and breaking it for spares once it starts threatening to cost me lots.


Theres some mighty fine cheap fazers lurking about.

[caretaker]

have a look in lamo's in llandissilio. he usually has a few trailies. if youre just doing a bit of green laning, the xl/xr 250s are brilliant.

[noggythenog]

I quite like lamos, family run and all that, im taking the fazer there from now on,they did a good job of my brakes,plus theres hardly anywhere down here for bikes.


They've got a little ttr125 which could be ok for fartin about on,just not sure how it would deal with my weight.

[rayburn600]

"Any advice appreciated"

Loose some weight?
Only a sugestion...
What about a Honda Varadeo 125. :z