Suggestions for bike for green laning?

[Andy_E]

Think this is the best forum for this question but mods please move if it's not.

Having demonstrated how well a GS crashes offroad on too many occasions due to my ambition exceeding my ability I'm looking for something lighter/cheaper to get some good offroad experience.

As it's going to be a toy for occasional use the budget is limited, probably around £1000, so I'm looking for suggestions for possible bikes. Would need to be road legal or easily registered as road legal. Don't mind something that would need a little work to get up to scratch but I'm no mechanical genius.

I don't know much about what would be a reasonable candidate, so far DRZ400s and TTR250s spring to mind but I doubt I'll find a DRZ for what I want to pay.

I presume electric start would be a good idea thus ruling out DR350's and the like?

Would a 600 (e.g. XT600 or KLR650) be too big?

Any thoughts?

 

[KMD]

Hey Andy, Thanks for the ride out. I'd say go light. It's far too easy to 'over-bike' yourself off road. Look at 250 4T up to 400, and don't rule a bike out just because it doesn't have an electric foot. Any of the DR's are worth a look, they're good, solid bikes.

A good, little bike that you can boss about is better than a good big bike that you have to lug about any day.

 

[vilguy]

mate... crm250... enough said

They are bombproof, rapid, light.... and cheap

Get a mk2 for around 600 quid.

 

[LEIGH]

you should be able to get a reasonable KDX200 for under a grand. maybe a GASGAS 250 ec or even a 300 as well. The late dr350's had an electric start i believe. If you could stretch to 2k then this will give you alot more options.

 

[DollyRocket]

My first green laner bike was a 2001 DRZ 400S model. In fact I sold it three months ago for £1000 with a years MOT. Looked a bit shabby but it was used for learning how to ride off-road. They are out there for this price - you just need to haggle.

 

[Richie3264]

Hi Andy, thanks again for organising and leading the ride out, is this the place to say cant waite for the next one?

Anyway, on to the matter at hand, I chose the KLX 650 for a couple of reasons, price, off road use and a bit of ooomph on road.

As im the correct size for a "tosser" I felt that I might need a bit of poke from the engine whilst on the road, however every thing the KLX does, my mates DRZ does and better fuel economy to boot.

a big thumbs up for the DRZ, and in your price range.

the leccy start was important to me but, as i think has been mentioned earlier dont discount kick starts you saw KDM flying around those trails as i we all did. Ive not had a 250 so cant comment but KDM did ok

my 2peneth

Richie

 

[Timpo]

DR350, TTR250, KLX250/300 all around a grand.
Perfect for the trails in your area.
Anyhting over 450cc is usually too much weight/power and totally useless in the depths of the likes of Wales.
Many ride run leaders won't be keen on taking you out with a 650cc thumper.

Timpo.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Many ride run leaders won't be keen on taking you out with a 650cc thumper.

Timpo.

That's me fecked then

 

[Timpo]

That's me fecked then

Horses for courses......

Timpo.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Horses for courses......

Timpo.

Totally agree.....................novices need 125's or 250's

Best bikes to learn on .....................you don't need 50+ HP offroad

 

[Andy_E]

Thanks all for the contributions, now watching a few bikes on Ebay to gauge prices then looking to pick something up late August

 

[Sammo]

I have a husaberg FS650e if you are interested. It will teach you a thing or two on the lanes.

 

[peepingtom]

id go for a DR 350 and they made electic start ones too. the last 2/3 years of selling were electic start 98/99 models and youd just get one for £1k
or any model XR600? very good bike if your big enough