SamD
Registered user
OK, so this year I have got into off-roading in a big way - culminating in my Africa trip in October. I have a little 200cc AJP trail bike which has been fun to play around on, but I have a couple of quite serious issue that stop me using it as much as I would like to. Excuse my rambling post, but it's me going through my own thought processes as much as anything!
The main issue for me is my proximity to anywhere that I can ride off-road. I live in a pretty green area where the local authority don't approve of PTW use of the green space - there are no BOATs or other unsurfaced roads around here at all. In order to get any decent riding in I have at least a 35-40 mile ride -round towards Box Hill or up into Hertfordshire. Now 40 miles isn't that far to go for a days riding, but on a 200cc bike with a max speed of about 55 mph (if you can stand the vibes) it's not much fun. I have hired vans a couple of times, but that means having to make plans way in advance and paying for 2 days hire at least each time.
So, I think I have a few options:
1) Buy a van - issue being that I have no where to keep one
2) Get a towbar and trailer - my car doesn't seem to be particularly conducive to the fitting of an aftermarket towbar without cutting the bumper which I really am not keen on.
3) Get another bike that is useful off-road, but rideable in relative comfort on the road (only relative, doesn't need to be capable of hundreds of road miles at a time)
So really I've narrowed it down to option 3, does anyone have any suggestions? I know I will be compromising off-road ease and lightness for road manners, and I'd rather not make too much of a compromise if at all possible.
Money-wise I'd like change out of £4K.....
The main issue for me is my proximity to anywhere that I can ride off-road. I live in a pretty green area where the local authority don't approve of PTW use of the green space - there are no BOATs or other unsurfaced roads around here at all. In order to get any decent riding in I have at least a 35-40 mile ride -round towards Box Hill or up into Hertfordshire. Now 40 miles isn't that far to go for a days riding, but on a 200cc bike with a max speed of about 55 mph (if you can stand the vibes) it's not much fun. I have hired vans a couple of times, but that means having to make plans way in advance and paying for 2 days hire at least each time.
So, I think I have a few options:
1) Buy a van - issue being that I have no where to keep one
2) Get a towbar and trailer - my car doesn't seem to be particularly conducive to the fitting of an aftermarket towbar without cutting the bumper which I really am not keen on.
3) Get another bike that is useful off-road, but rideable in relative comfort on the road (only relative, doesn't need to be capable of hundreds of road miles at a time)
So really I've narrowed it down to option 3, does anyone have any suggestions? I know I will be compromising off-road ease and lightness for road manners, and I'd rather not make too much of a compromise if at all possible.
Money-wise I'd like change out of £4K.....