Bike

[HK1837]

Guys

Thinking about getting a bike to commute with. Good possibility tht I may be working in the middle of Newcastle for a long while. We own a carspace in a unit block in there that my mrs parks in, and it has a lockup storage in front of it that I can park a bike in. If I get one I'll also take it for the odd bush ride (rarely though).

I first looked for what I was used to when I was younger, ie XR500/600/650 or XT500 etc. But these are too dear for old bikes (like $5k plus for a good one).

So I have been looking at new Suzuki DR650SE, these are under $8k rideaway. Nice and simple, air cooled, carby. Cheap maintenance. Also looked at Yamaha TTR250R but for the same money the Suzuki is probably better.

Ideally I may later buy a KTM, but at this stage I have to go through the learner and P process again so I want a docile bike that is LAMS approved.

So any better suggestions? No-one seems to make this sort of bike anymore, no TTR650, XR 450-650 etc. Only the Suzuki DR650R or possibly a Suzuki DZR400S (same bike as a DZR400E but with 70/30 tyres and a road friendly carb and steel tank).

[Taily]

Dunno what is on the LAMS list these days (easy enough to find it on the RTA website though), but wasn't aware that those over 30 in NSW (and had held a NSW drivers licence for x many years yadda yadda...) weren't still able to go straight from L's to normal riders licence (no P's stage) anymore?

The Honda XR5/6/650 - there's a reason they still bring good money... They are torquey, manouvreable and (almost) bulletproof. The DR is a reasonably comfy chookie that will do most things well. They aren't exactly a powerhouse but get along OK when poked a bit hard. Tyres a little narrow for me but its personal choice/circumstance/use of the bike that will dictate what tyres to run.

There are too may wankers on the road these days for me to go back to bikes again, especially in the metro areas.

Regards,

Dave

[wbute]

The DR650 has a cult following with adventure bike riders. They are old style bullet proof bikes like the old XR's you mentioned. The DR400E would be a better choice than the DR400S. All the features you mention will kill the S's resale value.
Check out Vince Strang's web site and you will see some of the mods he does to the 650 from new in his dealership in Inverell.
They are good bikes for what you need.
The XR650 does not have electric start. Trust me, in the old days only wimps used electric start, these days I wouldn't touch a bike without it.
If you have the budget, go new.

[playwme]

Have a look at the WR250R. It's the less hardcore Fuel Injected version of Yamaha's premier enduro bike. Still bulletproof like the Suzi's but the engine is as smooth as a roadbike engine (which makes a big difference when commuting). Maintenance intervals are on par with a roadbike (unless doing hardcore offroad work) and they will hold their own in the bush against almost anything with a good pilot on board.

You can find 10 or 11 plated models in some dealers still for around 8 grand or secondhand you can generally negotiate a low km model down to around $5g. I spent 3 years as service manager at a dealership and never had to do a warranty claim on one (we sold a lot too) and the fit,finish and technology is light years ahead of the Suzuki's you mentioned. I was so impressed with the versatility of these while working at the bike shop that I ended up buying 2. The wife has the factory Motard version which she commutes on (and I occasionally blast through the Snowy Mountains on) and I have the Enduro model. 250cc rego is still cheap here in the ACT and we paid $5k for each bike with less than 2000km's and at least $1000 worth of extra's fitted on each one. Bang for buck they're the best bikes I've ever bought (the mrs' one has paid for itself just in saved parking fee's) and the running costs on them are negligible. I think Bec's one is about $300 a year for full comp on a learner rider .

[wbute]

yeah forgot about the WR250R. They had great reviews when they came out. Only a 250 though, so depends on how much power you need. 250's are always underpowered on the road if you want to do anything other than around town.

[HK1837]

I'll take a look at the WR250R. I had hoped that Yamaha made a 450R but no go. I saw one yesterday but it was $10490. Rego on the DR is $120 or so and CTP is only $240 or so. Comp is $341.
I may as well buy new for around $8k - $10k.
I am also worried about w@nkers on the road but it is all 50-60km/h stuff with travel at 5.30-6am and 4.30-5pm so avoiding peaks. Parking is a b!tch in Newcastle CBD. I bought a unit with extra carspace so my mrs had a safe park as she works in town. You are talking $200 a month plus 10min walk for a carpark. My storage is big enough for 2 bikes!

[playwme]

WR250R is pretty restricted from factory. A pipe and Power Commander really opens them up a lot and to be honest I reckon they go better than any of the 250 road bikes on the market at the moment. A WR450R would be ideal. I rode the new Injected 450F on the weekend but it's still a rattly grumpy motor. XT660R could be a good option if you need more grunt (pretty sure this is the bike Yamaha considers their "WR450R). They're pretty heavy but probably no more than XR600's. Nice smooth low maintenance engine again , and the whole bike is very well built. Probably a bit big for single trail but fine for fire trails and more open bush.

That CTP price on the DR isn't too bad. I've heard of people paying up to $500 for CTP alone on a 250 in NSW. Here in ACT the rego and CTP combined comes to about $210 if capacity is under 301cc.

[HK1837]

CTP is cheap if you have 65% NCB on another policy, plus multi-policy discount.

[HZSMR]

Ive ridden all the bikes you have mention and this is my take;

XR400 and XR600 have had their day (gameover, its all E-start now) and have been replaced by the DRZ400 and DR650 for the past 10yrs, which are now being classed as oldskool too, but compered to the latest and greatest out there they are more reliable,cheaper, and a lot less maintenance required.


Depending on how much road to dirt riding you do should determine which bike you need;

XT & TTR 's : oldskool big and heavy, same class as the XR's (imho)

DR650: 70% road 30% dirt, better for longer commuting, slapping big tanks and racks on for adventure riding and fine for light dirt work, eg fire trails.. bulletproof engine,good torque, very oldskool, and poor suspension if looking to do more then just commuting

DRZ400 E: a true 50/50, not too much long distance commuting and you'll be fine (seat not the best for long trips) - great trail bike easily keeps up to the modern MXers on the trails...with comments like "oh.. not bad for an old DRZ" as you kick their arse up some snotty hill.
bulletproof performance eng, low maintenance,good on road and heaps of af/market gear...top seller year after year!

DRZ400 S : 70/30, FORGET ABOUT IT....trust me!.. better to fit different tyres to the E model if doing 100% road.
the S model are only popular in the US because they cant get a DRZ E registered over there,
There is a big difference between the E and S models mainly engine/carby wise

DRZ400 SM: 90/10, has the same engine as the S (very de tuned) but has better forks (USD) and 17" motard wheels.. most owners modify them to E specs engine making them a good supermotard commuter for everyday road use,smooth and low vibes,
but at an extra cost of motor performance parts/work and dirt wheels to be the same as the E model, also theres more involved converting a SM to dirt wheels. (better converting an E model to SM and back imho)

WR250 R: 50/50, have to agree with wbute, good bike but a little soft on the power for open road, still a fun bike if your after something lighter for the bush and trips down to the shops,..suited more for the first time,lighter riders

WR250 X: 90/10, as above but a supermoto version (17' wheels) would make a great little bike to run around in town on, but is lot more involved converting to dirt wheels then the wr250r is to convert to 17' rims and back.



The thing is with bikes these days, most are built for a specific purposes only, be it for road, racing, dirt what ever.. they dont like to venture into other fields

The last few yrs ive been in the motard scene and have a race only supermotard (Husky450RR), ultimate weapon on a race track but no good for road use, same go's for all MX type 250/450 registrable bikes, they hate the open road... enduro models with bigger cc's do alot better, eg KTM690


For a road rego, daily rider bike, ive converted my DRZ400E to SM by adding a motard wheel setup, (17' rims, sticky tyres & bigger brakes) which makes it a lot more enjoyable on the road and when blasting up twisty mountains on the weekends it leaves big road bikes for dead...
Then when Im ready to get dirty i slap on the dirt wheels (21/18) setup, takes about 45mins to change over and Im set for any dirt trail i meet, its like having two bikes in one.

The drz400e with a little compromise dose it all pretty well, ive used my for road, dirt, commuting, adventure trips, enduros and go-kart tracks without a hitch,
not the best in each field but dose it well enough to not be a problem, i'd have to say its the most versatile bike out there for a road/trail.



Anyway its a good idea to take them all for a run to see which suits you best,...
whichever you choose, buying a 1-2 yr old bike with low ks and the normal mods already done will save you alot from buying new,
in most cases if looked after will resell for close to the same money 2 years later.



Old Holden's and bikes.... love it!
.

[HK1837]

Ive ridden all the bikes you have mention and this is my take;

XR400 and XR600 have had their day (gameover, its all E-start now) and have been replaced by the DRZ400 and DR650 for the past 10yrs, which are now being classed as oldskool too, but compered to the latest and greatest out there they are more reliable,cheaper, and a lot less maintenance required.


Depending on how much road to dirt riding you do should determine which bike you need;

XT & TTR 's : oldskool big and heavy, same class as the XR's (imho)

DR650: 70% road 30% dirt, better for longer commuting, slapping big tanks and racks on for adventure riding and fine for light dirt work, eg fire trails.. bulletproof engine,good torque, very oldskool, and poor suspension if looking to do more then just commuting

DRZ400 E: a true 50/50, not too much long distance commuting and you'll be fine (seat not the best for long trips) - great trail bike easily keeps up to the modern MXers on the trails...with comments like "oh.. not bad for an old DRZ" as you kick their arse up some snotty hill.
bulletproof performance eng, low maintenance,good on road and heaps of af/market gear...top seller year after year!

DRZ400 S : 70/30, FORGET ABOUT IT....trust me!.. better to fit different tyres to the E model if doing 100% road.
the S model are only popular in the US because they cant get a DRZ E registered over there,
There is a big difference between the E and S models mainly engine/carby wise

DRZ400 SM: 90/10, has the same engine as the S (very de tuned) but has better forks (USD) and 17" motard wheels.. most owners modify them to E specs engine making them a good supermotard commuter for everyday road use,smooth and low vibes,
but at an extra cost of motor performance parts/work and dirt wheels to be the same as the E model, also theres more involved converting a SM to dirt wheels. (better converting an E model to SM and back imho)

WR250 R: 50/50, have to agree with wbute, good bike but a little soft on the power for open road, still a fun bike if your after something lighter for the bush and trips down to the shops,..suited more for the first time,lighter riders

WR250 X: 90/10, as above but a supermoto version (17' wheels) would make a great little bike to run around in town on, but is lot more involved converting to dirt wheels then the wr250r is to convert to 17' rims and back.



The thing is with bikes these days, most are built for a specific purposes only, be it for road, racing, dirt what ever.. they dont like to venture into other fields

The last few yrs ive been in the motard scene and have a race only supermotard (Husky450RR), ultimate weapon on a race track but no good for road use, same go's for all MX type 250/450 registrable bikes, they hate the open road... enduro models with bigger cc's do alot better, eg KTM690


For a road rego, daily rider bike, ive converted my DRZ400E to SM by adding a motard wheel setup, (17' rims, sticky tyres & bigger brakes) which makes it a lot more enjoyable on the road and when blasting up twisty mountains on the weekends it leaves big road bikes for dead...
Then when Im ready to get dirty i slap on the dirt wheels (21/18) setup, takes about 45mins to change over and Im set for any dirt trail i meet, its like having two bikes in one.

The drz400e with a little compromise dose it all pretty well, ive used my for road, dirt, commuting, adventure trips, enduros and go-kart tracks without a hitch,
not the best in each field but dose it well enough to not be a problem, i'd have to say its the most versatile bike out there for a road/trail.



Anyway its a good idea to take them all for a run to see which suits you best,...
whichever you choose, buying a 1-2 yr old bike with low ks and the normal mods already done will save you alot from buying new,
in most cases if looked after will resell for close to the same money 2 years later.



Old Holden's and bikes.... love it!
.

Excellent advice. I'll go take a better look at the DRZ400E. I wonder if I can buy tyres like come on the DR650SE and put on it for commuting? These bikes are pretty cheap new, like just under $8k rideaway. Being yellow too they'll stand out more than a grey DR650SE which blends into the tar!. And like you say if I picked up some secondhand stock wheels I could mount the original off road tyres on them and swap wheels when I go riding in the bush.