Devon TRF Group Forum

Vikings · Clubman A

First Bike Suggestions..

Harty · Devon's Best

A very common question on here and a whole conflict of answers.

Personally I'd go for nothing but a 4 stroke 250 electric start to get you going on the lanes, once you're up to speed then you can get something a bit more suited to your riding style i.e. a 400 450cc or a 2 stroke.

Bikes like a Yamaha TTR250 or WR250R, Honda CRF230 or XR250, Kwaka KLX 250 etc. From personal experience and others on here except the very odd couple, I would not touch a Gasgas unless you have very deep pockets, just ak Northern John who joined the forum 2 weeks ago, bought a Gasgas and his now pulling his hair out, without even getting a chance to ride it.

Cheers

Harty

PS there s a good un on the forum at the mo for sale

http://devongtrf.activeboard.com/t51931648/yamaha-ttr-250-for-sale/

-- Edited by Harty on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 10:27:32 PM

Paul Farrow · Expert

WRF 250 lighter than the TTR and more power.

-- Edited by Paul Farrow on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 10:29:16 PM

Fowlersrs · Clubman B

Hey guys I'm new to the world of getting mucky and having winter fun but after a few rides with close friends trying various bikes (KTMs, gas gas, etc) I've decided I'd really like to get suited and booted with my own bike. I've not done much green laning before and I struggled like hell on the torquey KTM my mate had. It threw me off left right and centre, needless to say I loved it. The gas gas however I found much more controllable in my fresh hands.. So what should I be on the look out for? I have a budget of say 1500-2.5k max, ideally I'd like electric start aswell as kick, god kick kills u when u ride all day and fall off as much as I do. I like the look of Yamahas, should I be looking at one of there 250/300 machines as a starting point? I definitely think 2 stroke would be the best starting point too as I intend to do a lot of my own maintenance!! Any advice warmly welcome :D

Holland · Clubman B

I would recommend a ktm 250 excf I had one of these and I got along with it so well, also you can't beat a ktm!

Pete · Devon's Best

If you can find one a Honda CRM 250 would be ideal.

Fowlersrs · Clubman B

Holland wrote:
I would recommend a ktm 250 excf I had one of these and I got along with it so well, also you can't beat a ktm!

Thanks for the recommendation, what sort of money do they sell for? Are they often for sale in reasonable condition?

Steve H · Devon's Best

TTR250 is a capable trail bike with low maintenance requirements.

Many have started green laning on a TTR then moved on to more powerful machines once experience has been gained.

That said, plenty stick with them as they are very good trail bikes.

If you want to do Hare & Hounds or the like a WR250f could be better.

Whatever you do decide nothing beats getting out on your bike. The more you ride the better you'll get therefore less badgers (offs).

Mind you, everyone falls off from time to time, no matter how good a rider they are biggrin

Steve H · Devon's Best

I know they're 4T's but they are probably easier to master than a 2T.

Then again i've never had a 2T so what do I know confuse biggrin

Holland · Clubman B

Fowlersrs wrote:
Holland wrote:
I would recommend a ktm 250 excf I had one of these and I got along with it so well, also you can't beat a ktm!

Thanks for the recommendation, what sort of money do they sell for? Are they often for sale in reasonable condition?

Depending on how much you have to spend but you could pick up a lovely one for around 1700-1800, just keep an eye out on the forum. Also check eBay sometimes you get some good bargains on there.

Fowlersrs · Clubman B

Steve H wrote:
TTR250 is a capable trail bike with low maintenance requirements.
Many have started green laning on a TTR then moved on to more powerful machines once experience has been gained.
That said, plenty stick with them as they are very good trail bikes.
If you want to do Hare & Hounds or the like a WR250f could be better.
Whatever you do decide nothing beats getting out on your bike. The more you ride the better you'll get therefore less badgers (offs).
Mind you, everyone falls off from time to time, no matter how good a rider they are

Is a WR250 much more powerful than the ttr250 then? Or is it just an easier bike to ride because its a 4 stroke and less revvy? I love the look of the TDM in the flog it section but its a bit of a minter and maybe too pokey as a first bike?

Fowlersrs · Clubman B

Thanks for the overwhelming feedback guys, I'm sat in Dubai airport at the moment passing time and can't believe how quickly u guys have responded, how much money would get me a decent WR250f?

Harty · Devon's Best

Fowlersrs wrote:
Steve H wrote:

TTR250 is a capable trail bike with low maintenance requirements.
Many have started green laning on a TTR then moved on to more powerful machines once experience has been gained.
That said, plenty stick with them as they are very good trail bikes.
If you want to do Hare & Hounds or the like a WR250f could be better.
Whatever you do decide nothing beats getting out on your bike. The more you ride the better you'll get therefore less badgers (offs).
Mind you, everyone falls off from time to time, no matter how good a rider they are

Is a WR250 much more powerful than the ttr250 then? Or is it just an easier bike to ride because its a 4 stroke and less revvy? I love the look of the TDM in the flog it section but its a bit of a minter and maybe too pokey as a first bike?

There are 2 types of WR250, Wr250R for trailriding, and a WR250F which is more enduro biased

Paul Farrow · Expert

Harty wrote:

Fowlersrs wrote:
Steve H wrote:

TTR250 is a capable trail bike with low maintenance requirements.
Many have started green laning on a TTR then moved on to more powerful machines once experience has been gained.
That said, plenty stick with them as they are very good trail bikes.
If you want to do Hare & Hounds or the like a WR250f could be better.
Whatever you do decide nothing beats getting out on your bike. The more you ride the better you'll get therefore less badgers (offs).
Mind you, everyone falls off from time to time, no matter how good a rider they are

Is a WR250 much more powerful than the ttr250 then? Or is it just an easier bike to ride because its a 4 stroke and less revvy? I love the look of the TDM in the flog it section but its a bit of a minter and maybe too pokey as a first bike?
There are 2 types of WR250, Wr250R for trailriding, and a WR250F which is more enduro biased

The F also has better power delivery than the R. Steve H will confirm

Steve H · Devon's Best

WR250f (completely different to the WR250R) is an enduro bike, more powerful & lighter than a TTR but only has 5 gears, not so good on the road (between lanes) & needs more maintenance.

A WR may not have a dipping headlight or brakelight so may only have a daylight MOT. Thats ok if you only ride during the day but what if you're late back for some reason?

Quite a few WR's have been modded with legal lights though.

Biff · Expert

Harty wrote:

A very common question on here and a whole conflict of answers.
Personally I'd go for nothing but a 4 stroke 250 electric start to get you going on the lanes, once you're up to speed then you can get something a bit more suited to your riding style i.e. a 400 450cc or a 2 stroke.
Bikes like a Yamaha TTR250 or WR250R, Honda CRF230 or XR250, Kwaka KLX 250 etc. From personal experience and others on here except the very odd couple, I would not touch a Gasgas unless you have very deep pockets, just ak Northern John who joined the forum 2 weeks ago, bought a Gasgas and his now pulling his hair out, without even getting a chance to ride it.
Cheers
Harty
PS there s a good un on the forum at the mo for sale
http://devongtrf.activeboard.com/t51931648/yamaha-ttr-250-for-sale/

-- Edited by Harty on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 10:27:32 PM

Think that applies to the early 4 strokes

Newer 2 smokes kick ass

Whatever you buy make sure you take someone who knows
About bikes, and before you part with cash post up bike for sale on here

Biff

Harty · Devon's Best

Biff wrote:
Harty wrote:

A very common question on here and a whole conflict of answers.
Personally I'd go for nothing but a 4 stroke 250 electric start to get you going on the lanes, once you're up to speed then you can get something a bit more suited to your riding style i.e. a 400 450cc or a 2 stroke.
Bikes like a Yamaha TTR250 or WR250R, Honda CRF230 or XR250, Kwaka KLX 250 etc. From personal experience and others on here except the very odd couple, I would not touch a Gasgas unless you have very deep pockets, just ask Northern John who joined the forum 2 weeks ago, bought a Gasgas and his now pulling his hair out, without even getting a chance to ride it.
Cheers
Harty
PS there s a good un on the forum at the mo for sale
http://devongtrf.activeboard.com/t51931648/yamaha-ttr-250-for-sale/

-- Edited by Harty on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 10:27:32 PM

Think that applies to the early 4 strokes
Newer 2 smokes kick ass

Whatever you buy make sure you take someone who knows
About bikes, and before you part with cash post up bike for sale on here

Biff

Biff being one of the the odd couple wink

jt · Powermonger!!

Least his is a 2T wink

jt · Powermonger!!

Seen this one?

Bargain 1st trail bike I recon

Fowlersrs · Clubman B

jt wrote:
Seen this one?

Bargain 1st trail bike I recon

Yeah I've seen that, looks a tidy bike for the age, could u take modify the headlight at all on it? It's quite big looking lol!! Would it be easy to maintain, parts and all? I also plan to teach the gf how to ride a bike so this could be an ideal starting point!!

-- Edited by Fowlersrs on Thursday 3rd of January 2013 07:52:59 AM

jt · Powermonger!!

I had a TTR Raid with a big light on it - was brilliant and wish I had a light like it now....if you bought it I'd advise leaving it as night rides are fun wink easy enough to change if you wanted though....

Nige · Expert

If you don't want the light I'll do you a swap?

Olly Pyke · Sportsman

Drz 400E? Reliable, electric start, sweet four stroke motor that is nice to use and has enough legs to be fun on road too.

Seat height is quite tall tho.