hi everyone,

Now I am back in the UK I would like to resume green lane riding. A little 125 would be fine for that. Everything bigger than 125 is way too tall for me.

I came across the Derbi Terra and its sister the Derbi Terra adventure on the last What Bike magazine. Both look incredibly cool. The wee sister looks very much like a F650GS but so much lighter. ANd has low seat.

Anyone has one of those and could post a review? Which one is best for off-road?

Also I am really thinking at some point to do the Mongol Rally and one of those could be a good choice IF they are well built, simple and reliable.
any thoughts?
cheers

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Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

I have no experience of the Derbi, although it is a great looking bike, but have just bought a Honda XR125 which has the tried and tested CG125 engine in a trail bike chassis, it has a low, comfortable seat, spares available everywhere, does about 100 mpg and think it will be a suitable small bike for a trip to Mongolia.
I am planning a trip to Central Asia next year and may well take the little Honda rather than one of the usual choices.

Maria, somewhere on here I've posted a review of the Derbi, in fact I've raved about it across numerous posts, across numerous forums now I come to think about it, so you can guess that I'd say buy one.

For preference I'd recommend the Adventure, you get the 21" front wheel, better suspension, a bigger front disc and the tall front screen and personally I think it looks better.

You mentioned the Mongol Rally, oddly enough a few years back someone did it on one, there's also a guy called Fernando Retor who has travelled across Europe several times as well as venturing into the Sahara, and a bunch of Singaporean owners who regularly venture into Malaysia and beyond. It's only the Anglo-Saxons who seem to reckon a 125cc is far too small.

There's a small bunch of owners who frequent the Adventure Bike Rider forum, and a couple of Facebook groups, and a Spanish-speaking owners forum. And if you're in or near London feel free to get in contract if you'd like a look over mine.

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I had one for 6 months brill bike wish I still had it... Would make a excellent choice for light touring, Tdmalcolm

Thanks guy for the feedback.

Alex yes I am back in London now (Kingston borough) so I may some day go have a look at yours if you don't mind!


The adventure is taller I think (85cm?) but I agree with you it looks better and I like the tall screen.

I would like to inspect one and see if I can get way with scooping out the seat (the 1st thing I usually do to all my tall bikes!). Or maybe dropping the front forks a bit? What do you think?

How fast can you cruise with it if you go for a trip? can you keep up at 60mph or settle at 50 only? What about vibrations? Not too bad?

Thanks

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Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

Maria, you're right the Terra Adventure is 850mm and the Terra is 815mm, but I'm sure you could drop the front a bit by sliding the fork legs up in the crown. The rear suspension is adjustable on the Adventure so I'm guessing you could soften it. As for the seat you're welcome to have a look at mine to see if you could tweak it, I've seen then secondhand on e-bay, so at least if you tried and mucked it up you could get a replacement.

Cruising speed? I'd say 60-65mph is reasonable, on the A3 down to Portsmouth I can sit on 70 loaded with throwovers and a roll bag although the climb up and over Butser Hill will see me slowing down to 60mph and a strong head wind does take it out of the top speed. With that type of riding I'll usually see 75-85mph.

Personally I think the Derbi is a smooth particularly for a Thumper. I seem to remember reading that Piaggio included a balancer shaft anywhere in there along with the four valves, so maybe that has made a difference?

And if you'd like a look at mine drop me a message and we can meet up, I want to get across the river sometime to get some more boots from J&S in New Malden so a can always meet up somewhere.

Alex

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Hi Alex, few years down the line, i would be interested how the Derbi fared?

I did the trip to Mongolia, we got two honda XR 125 and they were great. Well, mine was, Alistair's bike has its engine to blow up in the middle of Uzbekistan ( long story here). Only issue, they were too slow.... Need something faster to keep up with the trucks in Russia for example... So at least 60 or 65mph....

Anyway, came back, went back to work, sold the xr, bought a TTR250 and I have now spent a small fortune lowering it.... Sadly, it is not meant to be. The bike is still sitting at a good 86 cm high i would say, way to much for me.... ( that is using lowering links and spacers for the front forks, scooping entirely the seat and inserting a gel seat professionally, setting the rear shock preload as low as possible....)... The rear shock is still rock hard and the bike won't sink! I am not buyng a lower shock.... I've spent enough money on that!

I may give it to Alistair and i need something else for South america and all my futures plans ( russia etc...).
So, back to looking at the Derbi, as J&S accessories seems to have a good deal....

Sure the Serow is nice, but for the same price than a 10 year old Serow, I could get a brand new bike!

Is the Derbi still capable, after few years, to cruise at 65 or 70mph, fully loaded (ie a good 15kg luggage)? Is it tough enough for real off-road riding? 1000s of miles of potholes, corrugation, holes, stones, rivers etc....?

Or should i bite the bullet and pay a small fortune for a very old Serow and hope for the Best?
Anyway, if you still have it I would be curious to have your feedback, few years down the line.....


Thanks!

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Maria

www.franglais-riders.com