Persuade me that I don't want an X-Challenge

[foolonastrom]

I've got my V-Strom, which is great on the road, and OK for occasional easy fireroads etc, but as a trail bike, it's a bit big and heavy. (I'll be keeping it for now)

So bought the Husky, woohoo, it goes like stink offroad, leaves piles of roost in it's wake, is a bit of a handful, but a great offroad machine. BUT it needs an oil change after every other rise, it sucks on the road. I can't really be hassled with trailering it everywhere.

I want a bike for trail riding, the UK rallies, maybe the occasional easy Hare and Hounds and aspirationally multiday euro rallies/baja's.

What say's the collective to a X-Challenge, yup it's going to be heavy for any H+H's, but I can ride it to and from the events. It should make road sections easy and is a capable dirt machine.

If I decide this is the way to go, anyone seen any good deals? Who sells the ex school bikes, and are they worth a look?

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

definitley worth a look. vines seems to sell some round about nowIIRC from about £2500 as seen not many about at the Mo ,but its one of the bikes to go for ,used one in wales and it was great fun!!

 

[Berin]

I was thinking the same - there's lots of bits like bigger tanks and stuff if needed. But I'd keep my 400.

Or - 690 Enduro, or 640 Adventure?


Vines sell the ex school bikes this year, I think, or £3500 - £4000 buys a good un.

 

[Gaz]

Get one

 

[DavidJames]

I was thinking the same - there's lots of bits like bigger tanks and stuff if needed. But I'd keep my 400.

Or - 690 Enduro, or 640 Adventure?


Vines sell the ex school bikes this year, I think, or £3500 - £4000 buys a good un.

or wait for the 690 Adventure

 

[Losttheplot]

Get one

+1

very impressed with mine!!

 

[Timolgra]

Don't mess about, just buy an LC4 now rather than eventually.

 

[steve g]

Ive got an xch,in my opinion, its too heavy to compete with compeditively, however its a good allround trail bike. If your looking for a used - check the rear shock for wear (against the mudflap), mine was replaced under warantee yesterday. Dont think Im the first ( seen a few on adv rider).

 

[Wreford Miles]

Don't mess about, just buy an LC4 now rather than eventually.

that's if you want to be 3 places of the pace ;-)

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Don't mess about, just buy an LC4 now rather than eventually.

You don't mean that...................the only thing better is the LC4 suspension.................granted

 

[Timolgra]

You don't mean that...................the only thing better is the LC4 suspension.................granted

And what makes an offroad bike quick?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

And what makes an offroad bike quick?

A good engine, capable rider

XC suspension is not that bad - 3 out of top 10 at Cambrian seems it can handle as much a a LC4

Anyhow why have you come over all Katoom

Thought the Berg and Rallye bike floated yer boat

 

[Timolgra]

well ok then. since it's a GS site let's defend and praise them without a balanced viewpoint...but drop the ride height if you're short in the leg and try to get off

 

[Timpo]

And what makes an offroad bike quick?

What?

And I would have a KTM, I've seen too many of them fail when the going gets tough........ fact? Even you can't argue with that Timothy.....

Timpo.

 

[Timolgra]

What?

And I would have a KTM, I've seen too many of them fail when the going gets tough........ fact? Even you can't argue with that Timothy.....

Timpo.

In answear to 'what', I'd suggest suspension.

And of course I agree with you about KTM reliability in rough conditions esp. 250/300/450,520/525....., but foolonastrom is looking for a more duel purpose bike and LC4's do appear pretty reliable.

Anyway how come you've PM'd someone about their 450

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

well ok then. since it's a GS site let's defend and praise them without a balanced viewpoint...but drop the ride height if you're short in the leg and try to get off

Nothing to defend

LC4's have their good (suspension/engine/quality components) and bad points (vibes spring to mind, but last rode one a while ago)

XC's

Good (Motor and EFI/ergo's/warranty/build in the Aprillia factory/looks)

Bad (seat height/airshock)

Some things suit some and other things suit others

 

[Trippy]

I want a bike for trail riding, the UK rallies

I can ride it to and from the events.

If I decide this is the way to go, anyone seen any good deals?

Thats what I thought.

Thats what I thought.

I was wrong.

You missed the best one this year.

 

[The White Rabbit]

I sent you a PM on the other place as I did some looking into this and got views from people who own the X-C back to back with some of the alternatives, they are the ones to speak to as they can choose which one to pull out the garage.

 

[Possu]

Regarding the 20 or so ex-Offroad School X-Challenges that Vines late last year, anyone know how they're doing now? Not sure how well they were run in etc.

 

[Wreford Miles]

On one lap of the Cambrian I rode with Desert Rat on his KTM 450… He was flying and it was a real struggle trying to keep up and after 10 miles or so we swapped bikes.

For me the difference KTM offered was I could brake very hard into the bends and get on the gas earlier and ride out the wheel spin and slipping around, it’s a great full on bike and I pulled quite a lead on DR now on my XC ;-)

Ridding between stages at 90% I preferred the XC

If I did not have the Airhead – I’d be saying a KTM 690 or XC would be the perfect trail bike for me, with the XC winning due to the deals and maintenance

But as I have my Airhead and assuming it makes it back from the HL and I still have some money, next year I’ll look to trade the XC for a 450 of some sorts.

Hmmmm….Always fancied one of those 2WD WR450

For me if I needed a single trial bike as a guy who’s never going to win a race, who wants to be able to ride 100/150 miles to then ride off-road a 650 makes sense, would I have looked at a 640? I don’t think so would I have looked at a 690 oh yes but then they are beaten on value by the XC