If KTMs are an option, check this one out:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...military-32531
Low seat and light (for my standards), and not too slow.

...

I was too slow, though. Same link as the one above.

Hi Char.
You're right that the XRL is tall.
At 5'7 I'm on tip toes but I just picked up a lowering link so will see how it goes.
I like the bike cos it's basic, air cooled and fairly fuel efficient.
I do have an electric start DR350 for sale with a large acerbis tank and pannier rails which is a little lower if you're interested?
Bike weight is a personal issue, yes, an xr400 is heavy in comparison to a CR250 or something but try lifting a loaded GS1200 out of the sand blah blah! It's very much down to personal view/ability as I consider my XRL to be fairly light but lots of people would disagree, go figure!
Nice and simple/easy to fix in the middle of nowhere would be a good point, leccy start a good move, even though "all you need is the knack" which some folks like to say about a kickstart gets a "whatever" from me. I like that magic button having served my time with kickstarts thank you very much, lol. Handy if you have both though (early dominators TTR250 ect and some bikes can be retro fitted) when batteries give up. Any modern bike with a battery/charging system will have a reg/rec, kickstart or not, but I know what you mean, some do have a lot less bits and bobs to go wrong than others!
A scottoiler, good chain/sproc (did x-ring) 18 inch rear wheel (easier to get that tyre size in less developed countries) small screen, frame/subframe bracing, good horns, oil temp gauge, up-graded seat, heated grips ect are all options for reliability/comfort!
Phew!
Personally I'd go for above 350cc but that's just me! The TTR250 gets good reviews all over the place so I suppose you have to feel comfy with your choice.
But whatever you go for, have fun and all the best!
Dave.

Yep, that covers the use of the kicker: whatever.
Whatever works when the bike is cold, whatever for when the bike engine is "red hot" and whatever for that strange intermediate world of the partly warmed up engine that stalls and just doesn't want to know about the kickstarter procedures (especially when the bike has been stood upside down for a while, maybe in a bog).

How about this DR350; are you going to advertise it in here?

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Dave

I like that one, strange intermediate world between hot and cold! Ha ha. Oh yes, I know it well!
Ok, stock tank= the original tank that the bike comes with which is usually fairly small on off road/dual sport machines. A few companys (IMS, Acerbis) make larger tanks for some bikes to give better fuel range. Usually bigger tanks are around 19-22 litres but you can go crazy and get 30+ litres!
Frame bracing= Many bikes aren't designed to carry panniers or boxes on the rear part of the bike. Putting weight on these parts and riding over rough terrain can cause these rear sections to crack or break away from the main frame (met a guy in Iceland that had the rear section of his KLX almost break away from the main frame due to the weight and rough roads).
Usually, the pannier rack is made to spread this load and re-inforce the rear end. Also bracing can be welded on to the frame to reinforce the points that are under stress! Riding on rough roads with luggage will give your bike a hammering, things will break, drop off ect unless properly secured or braced and also checked reguarly. Loctite (sort of glue that you put on threads to stop them coming undone) is useful to stop bolts coming undone with vibration ect. There are other ways of locking bolts ect, wire, washers, locknuts, some better than others.
Seat= Enduro style bikes a' la TTR250 tend to have narrow and un comfy seats as being off road bikes you're gonna be standin up on em a lot.
Riding RTW, you'll do well to have them padded a little more. There a few companys that do this, they can offer lowering it a little (which means less padding) or adding more foam or gel inserts ect. A popular thing is to put a lambswool cover over the seat! Yep! Cooler in the warm and warm in the cold and a bit comfier.
I got hold of a sheet of 1" memory foam which went on the XRL and has worked well!
I'll be putting the DR350 (electric start don't ya know) on here for sale shortly but my email is djorob@aol.com for those that are interested.
It has the standard tank and the larger acerbis job, 2 sets of chain/sproc, 2 spare tyres!
It's an electric start only at the moment but I have fitted an electric start version with a kick start before as backup and it's fairly straightforward to do.
OK!
Well, I'm a mechanic by trade so If I can help let me know.
Dave.

Not sure of you are interested but another version of the DR250 is the SH model, which has handlebar mounted adjustable front and rear suspension. May be added complexity but I found it brilliant as you can build confidence on the low setting and then raise it up as required.

I've even got one thats going to be for sale in the next couple of weeks with a fresh MOT.

Reasonable comfy seat and pillion pegs so the sub frame may be strong enough for some light luggage.

Adjustably small and nimble, only selling as I want to buy an enduro bike to go racing.

Go on you, know you want to....


38

Thanks guys for the info and explanations!!!
Dave, I have PM'd you about the DR -definitely interested, and thanks for your time to explain the concepts/speccy things in your thread!
After all this, I fear that a spreadsheet of bikes and pros and cons maybe the only way forward for me!
Cheers
Char

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Don't be scared your life may end,
Be scared that it may never begin.......

Follow your heart and your gut.

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!