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.


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

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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.

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

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!

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.


Cheers for whatever you suggest. I'll take it all on board.

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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?

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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.

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 ;-)