Small bikes, that I can get various of.
 

Hey there, (first post)

Been reading through the forum and haven't seen anything similar to my question so I'll just go ahead and ask it.

I'm currently planning for next summer. Have a vision of a mondo enduro/italian job (small vehicles which all match). In essence a team of brits riding small bikes, ... wearing union jack boxers, socks and sandals, and doing the unthinkable ... not sure if the fun of it is being conveyed but anyhoow... that's not for you to worry about.
http://www.rippingyarns.com/uploads/1904466281.jpghttp://www.autocult.com.au/img/galle...eOmata1335.jpg

I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a particular brand/model that i could get a bunch of (in the UK)... that are already used.

The trip is planned for roughly next summer, however, I need to know what bike to go for from the start. I've been looking at DR-Z 400 and WR450 F... but that's just looking at the technical data not having ridden either. Also from what I've seen, neither are plentiful in the used market.

Anyone with any bright ideas where I could get 3-5 similar bikes from?

Also recommendations, prefferably anything under 500cc and less than 150KG.

Cheers

:welcome: Hey Neil great topic.

Out of your 2 choices I would say the DRZ is better suited to a trip. easier to work on and a better all rounder. There are loads available on biketrader.
The WR is a good bike but more enduro focused and more likely to have been raced.

Try contacting some of the trail tour companies both UK and Europe as you may be able to score a good deal buying up there old stock.

There is loads of info on the drz other bikes to consider would be Honda XR 400 (not so great on road). Yam XT 600 (heavier but bulletproof). Yam TTR 250 is also a great bike but not as easy to come by as most owners know the secret.

whatever you decide on keep us all posted as I am looking forward to reading of your great adventure. :scooter:

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/phot...28571_6263.jpg


This mini is my current commuter bike and it's awesome :clap:

However I don't think you could get one in the UK...

Maybe try a few CT110's, they're very slow but cheap as chips and extremely reliable!

http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/%7Enakayans.../pic/CT110.jpg

Cheers guys
 

Thanks for the feedback stuxtttr, very encouraging. PocketHead, not entirely sure I want to go for the CT110; We will covering quite a few different surfaces on our travels.

Been looking on the autotrader site (not exactly commendable but it's a start). I see that the Honda CRF 450 is quite plentiful, and looking at the specs on the bike I see it's dry weight is just over 100KG. Obviously, engine size, and overall weight aren't the be-all and end-all of my decision making. Anyone ever tried one?

Also by the looks of it, Aqualine Safari make oversize tanks for them.

http://www.bikez.com/pictures/honda/...0-%20Honda.jpg
Cheers for whatever you suggest. I'll take it all on board.

I would choose a DRZ over the CRF. I have enduro'd and trail ridden a DRZ400E for the last four years and it's been great. OK, it's too heavy to race competitively but it always finishes and that normally beats about 100 bikes in a four hour race.

It will go through a ford with water up to the petrol tank and if you throw it off a Welsh mountain it will lay at the bottom ticking over, waiting for you to pick it up.

Your quite welcome to test ride mine

Hey there Big Yellow Tractor, I went on a test ride today on an '04 S (with 12k miles on it). It handled fantastically, was in quite good condition despite a bit of rusting around the edges i flagged it up to the salesman aswell as the tyres, chain and sprockets and got it down to £2,350 from £2,600, after much umming and arring.. I tried £2k to start with and mildly worked it up.

He gave me the keys and half an hour and enough fuel to get me out into the sticks so I did... and I flung it over a cattle grid at 60+ mph and I hardly noticed it (except for it was raining and the rear slipped out a little). Lovely little bike. I need to speak to the others and see how they feel about it. To me, I'm sold.

Obviously, the seat is like a razor, which needs changing for our tour.

Do any mods to yours?

CT110's can go anywhere, they are an amazing little bike built for riding on farms originally but if you're after something bigger then definitely the DRZ400, that crf450 would be a pain in the ass and more suited for racing.

Neil,

No touring mods as yet. Just green lane / race. i.e. bash-plate, rad guards, hand guards, renthalls, etc.

I did replace the cam-chain tensioner with the up-dated version as soon as I bought the bike. I think anything after 2003 is OK but I can check for you.

I'm in the proccess of designing and fabricating luggage rack at the moment. Might be able to sort you out in the near future.

Have fun with your Dr Zed.

Hi,

How about the Yamaha Serow or the newer version with the 250cc engine, they seem a very capable machine. My son did another 6 hour stint on the offroad rideout at the hubb meet this weekend returning with the 2 other remaining riders on their DRZ400 and XR400.

Picture below from last years hubb meet with my son completing the rideout again in very boggy conditions

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...nlimted001.jpg


Regards

Robin

Hey Robin, thanks for the suggestion. I have heard good things about the Serow. My greatest concern is that the 250cc wont offer us enough power, we each weigh about 13 stone and plus our kit. I should go and take a serow for a ride before I dismiss the idea, but I have my doubts.

Cheers

If you're going to fly-the-flag it has to be CCM or Triumph. Which probably means CCM if you really have to have small capacity bikes.

Hey Bronze, I literally just got back ... not been back a week from my last tour, and rode a Tiger 955i around northern Europe and Scandinavia. It was the bike that let me down, I hated it.

I bought it for the trip (big mistake), and hated it throughout. It was too high, too heavy, too clumsy, too thirsty and in essence it made me feel like I was a 50-something trying to be a Ewan McGegor. The bike had no spirit/soul at all, and had no sense of adventure.

When I bought it, I was thinking, wave the flag and blah blah blah. To be honest a piece of cloth says it clearer than a lumox of a bike that was only made to "look" the part.

For the record Triumph have really gone down in my estimation of things. Although, in fairness it's a subjective thing. I'm sure there are plenty of Tiger riders that love them. Maybe I'm the wrong demographic to be owning one.

I'm more interested in Suzuki, or any other jap bike because wherever you go you'll be able to get parts for it without being some specialist.
[/rant]

I apologise for ranting, got a bit carried away. Anyone want to buy my triumph off me? ;)

I vote for the CT110 as well, if you can get them in the UK that is. They are used in Aus as a postal delivery bike.

There is a "Postie Bike" Challenge once a year in Australia:
Postie Bike Challenge - Home

They have some tips on doing long distances on this bike.

and also this trip report:
Charge Of The Midgets_Cape York Posties Pt.1 - AusTouring.com

I think they upgraded to a larger tank for this trip

toasthall after reading those links, I'm intruiged, and would do it. Although, not sure the others would be up for it. Not seen the CT110 for sale here but we have the c90 and the zoomer. Maybe when I get back next year after doing it on dr-z i may be more open minded.

I have every intention of keeping the route next year on B or C roads and not excessing 100km/h. We'll just have to see how it all goes.

Hi Neil,

here's another vote for the Serow.

Just a quick question though, are you both going to be riding the bike or one each? If both then a Serow, or anything else under 400cc won't be much use. If you're having one each then the little Yam's are fabulous. Mine's passed 50,000 miles in just over 2 1/2 years, gets abuse trail riding, does serious mileages (yesterday was just over 900kms) and never lets me down. They weigh in at 129kgs, fully fuelled and are a joy to ride. Flat out they manage to break 80mph but are happiest whilst cruising at around 55-60mph, where they give 85-90mpg.

3 or maybe 4 of us really... if I knew more like minded people willing to do silliness who had licences I'd get them to do it too.

Serow considered, although less attainable than the DR-Z 400. Living in London doesn't make finding these bikes easy (locally).

Cheers though!

Hello again Neil,

so I presume you'll all be riding your own machines then.

In that case the Serow or TTR ranges have a lot going for them.

Budget wise you can get new 250 Serow's for around £3,500 OTR. Second had ones are few and far between with good reason! You've got slightly more chance in getting second hand 225's a the budget depends on condition, mileage etc. as the 225's been in production for 20 years then spares are not a problem.

Have a look at XT225 Home 2006 for comments.

Also for a couple of images from the HUBB meeting last weekend, just go to the thread for Ripley 2008.

I just found out from my local Suzuki dealer that the DR-Z 400S has been discontinued... and they as a store do not do the E model because it's off-road. You'd think that someone enquiring about a particular product that a shop specialize in, that they'd be more helpful. Perhaps point at a bigger "similar" bike or want to make an effort and say "We'll locate a used model for you". I received more help and (useful) information whilst at a Honda dealer who had a DR-Z 400S.

I managed to locate a Serow, ...in Maidstone.


Another reason to hate the city.

I assume it's being replaced by the 'SM' (supermotard)?

That's right, SM and the E are the two models that Suzuki will produce hence forth. So what are the significant differences between the E, S and the SM?
..other than tyres. ;) :P Anyone know?

E Model

Lower gearing
Plastic tank
Higher compression
Flat-side carb
Short rear subframe & no rear pegs
35w headlight (might as well wear a head-torch)
Noisy standard exhaust

S Model

Metal tank
CV Carb
Less power
Better light

SM

Road wheels
Don't know about the other differences

The "E" is noticeably quicker than the S. An attempt by Suzuki to produce an enduro bike. The S is more of a dual sport.

Question for anybody. Is the CV card more tolerant of iffy petrol and altitude change than the flat-side ??

Does that mean the E is less fuel efficient than the SM, due to the extra power/speed?

In terms of mods to the bikes the tanks will be upgrading to Aqualine tanks (or whatever else we can find), changing the sprockets/chain, tyres, corbin seat, perhaps fiddling the electrics, to give a little more road presence (power on-board cameras) and a once over to everything else.

So the motor is different and so is the subframe, everything else is secondary. Would anyone who has ridden both say that there is a crucial difference for a long distance tourer? I've not yet ridden an SM to be able to tell.

I must say the feedback I've had back on here has been great. I really appreciate all your feedback. Thanks guys.

CT110 all the way.
 

You simple cant go past the Postie CT110. My girlfriend and I are doing a RTW trip 2-up on one of the beasts. Our first leg was/is Perth (Aus) to Morocco. We are in Indonesia now so we havent gone real far but the bike has held up on all surfaces including large rocks on steep inclines in East Timor. There werent any roads at all for some of our trip through Northwestern Australia. Admittedly its not too fast and the roadtrains in Australia were a little scary.
Its our most prized possession, has saved us lots of money and is the coolest thing on the road in any country. Everyone comments on it but its not such a valued item like a GS1100, so we are comfortable parking it with the locals bikes.
Its small so can be ridden into/on small boats and doorways.

I recommend it to anyone wanting cheap overland transport.
The only mods Ive done is put a large extra tank on. So the total litrage is now 12L which gets us some 380Kms... Average is 1Litre=34km.
Ive built the panniers and support frame and put an extra seat on the back.


Do it.
Nathan and Akiko

Hey there Nathan, sadly here in the UK the CT110 doesn't exist, I'd have to import it to get one. :(

We have the Honda Melody and the C90 but to be honest they have (semi-)automatic transmission and no fun since they're scooters.

Maybe a monkey bike or something.

Safe trip!

WRF450 is a real sports enduro, in essence a MX bike with lights. Same for the CRF450 and Suzuki RMZ.
IF you'd be charmed by their performance on the MX track, I would recommend for non-professional mx riders the 250cc versions, and in particular (for road use) the tuned down WRF250 which is sold in parts of europe as the WR250R.
The WR250R has only been on the market since 2007, but comes with long maintenance intervals (expressed in thousands of km's, not in hours of use).
It's in fact the modernised version of the TTR250 which they don't make any more (i think).
Availability is a real problem: Yamaha clearly planned to sell one bike per dealer, but demand has outstripped supply many times (imho, the yamaha europe sales & marketing teams should be sacked with immediate effect because of plain incompetence)

the ttr225 and 250 had enough support already.

Another bike which would meet your requirements: the Beta Alp 4.0. It's a decent but somewhat heavy (140kg) enduro, but its main asset is the engine: aircooled 350cc suzuki that has powered the suzuki DR350 for decades. Almost undestroyable and ideal for single trail riding.
Available in the UK ? donno

The suzuki DRZ: the E-version is quite maintenance-intensive, like the sporty wrf, crf, rmz. However, it would do the job.
The S-version comes with a stronger sub-frame, is heavier and more maintenance friendly.
The SM-version is like the S, but with smaller wheels and an improved fork. Fit it with bigger wheels, and one would have a better S-version.

the XR400R would also meet your requirements. But hard to find, and I won't sell mine ;-)

another vote for serow
 

it's the 2nd most popular bike in Costa Rica (behind the suzuki gn125) and parts available everywhere in cen and south america
I'm taking a Suzuki GN250 - a little more power and weight handling, but as a street bike I've had to add bash plate, racks, knobbys, fork oil and upgrade fork spring and will have to change out shocks.
Yamaha is best seller in SA and CA followed by Honda then Suzuki- YOU CAN GET PARTS ANYWHERE for these bikes.
it.s just how fast you HAVE to go...:scooter:


Zig

Totally Confused...
 

uganduro, thank you for your feedback, it was very informative, and rationalized. However, I'm totally confused now. I've been lead to believe the E(nduro) version of the DR-Z is the one I should aim for with a big red cross on the SM version for not being appropriate. However, your arguments in favour seem to now make me wonder who to believe.


I've now been a few weeks wondering what to do and now a little confused.

Can the SuperMoto version of the DR-Z be modified to have a larger tank. How much would one be looking at for larger wheels? (would used ones be adequate?) What are the key differences in wheel sizes? Would the tyres for any particular size be difficult/expensive to find overseas?

I was hoping to go and buy one next week, so answers would be fantastic.