Devon TRF Group Forum

parton · Novice

what bike to get ???

Pete · Devon's Best

We do not ride offroad. All of the green lanes which we use are recorded by the County Council as public roads, albeit without tarmac. Semantics I know but best to be clear. We ride off tarmac.

Unless you are very heavily built and quite tall you will be better off with a small light bike to start with. Wheely loves his 200, and 250cc at most should suffice untill you master it and then you may hanker for more, once you have the experience to use it. Many people make the mistake of thinking that because they have been riding a 1,000cc road bike they will find 400cc easy to handle. Better to trade up as your experience grows.

Most folk are happy to swap bikes for a few lanes or laps at an event so you should be able to try before you buy.

parton · Novice

thanks Pete I was looking down the 200/250 route good weight and the bike still good enough on the road from lane to lane and if I want to travel to any local events.

Stacky27 · Novice

Hi Parton!

like you I am new to green lanes but have had a lot of experience on Tarmac . I just went out and bought a bike (exc-f 450) I find it good to ride weighs 105kg so not massively heavy but I am a big guy. I have been out on a few rides since I bought the bike and feel my confidence an skill level building quite quickly on the bike don't get me wrong I have done a bit of rolling round in the mud but not to much ! i know a lot of guys like the 250's and 300's though and if your likely to be picking it up quite a bit to begin with the lighter the better! Like Pete says you can always trade up as your confidence grows. I picked my bike up for £2900 with 3200 mls it is a great bike for the money and had top end rebuild 25hrs ago with a dealer! I wouldn't go out and spend massive money on a bike what ever you decide on there are decent well looked after bikes out there that do the job just great for not a lot of money.

but like I say I am just a youngling like yourself and these are just my findings. There are a lot of very knowledgeable blokes on Here and they know a lot more about it than I do . I think it's all about having fun and enjoying yourself no point getting a bike that scares the s@£t out of you every time you get on it your never going to progress your skills when your fighting to tame a beast.

Cheers Craig

parton · Novice

yes your right I think I will look for a good condition 200/250 nice weight and help me get more confidence a lot of expert guys on here still swear by the 200 thanks for your comments

nick

TTR · Powermonger!!

The-Worlds-Lightest-Dirt-Bike-Mountain-Moto-FX5_01_zps8e012325.jpg

This one looks easy to pick up wink

See here - less than 60kg biggrin biggrin

TTR

parton · Novice

a bit to extreme thanks

Jonzy · Clubman B

TTR wrote:

This one looks easy to pick up
See here - less than 60kg
TTR

Liking the look of that, could be real fun. In my humble opinion I would say its better to start with something manageable like a 200/250 and then as your confidence/abilities improve look at something more powerful or stay with the same bike, as probably most of us never get near the full potential of our bikes. I recently went from a 250exc-f to 300exc but made sure i tried out a few bikes on the way and found out for example the 500exc is less aggressive than the 450exc in the way it delivered its power, this was newish models I tried and a 2014 300xc was just mental , where as the 300exc I have now, after reining it in a bit feels not so daunting , but still may prove to much for me long term. Personally I think probably the best balanced bike out there at the moment is the 350exc and would be my bike of choice if going back to a 4t , I dont think this would tire you out as much over a long day as a 450/500 would. Just my opinion from the last couple of weeks :)

KronreifTrunkenpolzMattighofen · Devon's Best

I have cash waiting for a 690 R.........

Harty · Devon's Best

'Man Up' and stick to the 690

Wheely · Expert

Yes the 350exc would be an excellent choice for a newer 4t. It's meant to be quite revvy and fun to ride.

If going back to a 4T I'd choose between 250 exc-f and 350 exc-f

As I said to Nick, the 200is a very feisty beast - but so nimble fun and light - when it's not hurting by duff right arm I love it.

lazychubbs · Sportsman

Hello mate , I had a 250 exc with a 350 kit and this was brilliant with power delivery and

rideability , also very adgile through the woods and would keep up with the larger machines

all day , I was happy with this for a couple of years . But I've now upgraded to a 530 exc and

you only use the power accordingly , but the 530 would put a smile on your face , but I would

start smaller and work up .

parton · Novice

Thanks guys for your comments I would love to stick with the 690 but I'm just to small for it on the lanes as wheely found out when I went out with him although I did have the wrong tyre on the front and kept washing out on me for the road Im fine but just to heavy in the hard stuff perhaps I will put the new boots on the front and have another go before I sell it

chrisoncbr · Expert

Do youself a favour. Bargain.

http://devongtrf.activeboard.com/t56533566/honda-crm250/

Pete · Devon's Best

chrisoncbr wrote:
Do youself a favour. Bargain.
http://devongtrf.activeboard.com/t56533566/honda-crm250/

Few and far between these days but once the most sought after of trail bikes.
Very capable indeed and reasonably cheap to rebuild if it goes pop.

Mine still puts a grin on my face after a few tens of thousands of miles.

Be quick it probably won't be available for long.

Jonzy · Clubman B

Pete wrote:
chrisoncbr wrote:
Do youself a favour. Bargain.
http://devongtrf.activeboard.com/t56533566/honda-crm250/
Few and far between these days but once the most sought after of trail bikes.
Very capable indeed and reasonably cheap to rebuild if it goes pop.
Mine still puts a grin on my face after a few tens of thousands of miles.
Be quick it probably won't be available for long.

A mate has an early one of these and it goes everywhere and has never let him down, top bike for the money.

mud sweat n gears · Clubman B

What sort off budget are you on?

parton · Novice

Hi I have a open budget really just want to get the right bike.

mud sweat n gears · Clubman B

I only ask because i have an xc 200 that i have recently acquired.

It is a bike that has been built from two brand new 2012 ktm's, a150 xc frame, closed cartridge forks, pro link rear shock, with an exc 200 engine, cdi unit, 6 speed gear box, wiring loom, lights.

The bike has a rekluse exp 2.0 and a cluch overide and a rekluse left hand rear brake witch all makes the bike an absolute dodle to ride over just about anthing you are brave enough to point it at.

as wheely says the 200 can be fiesty but mine has a map switch fitted witch makes it a bit of a pussy cat and gives it much better road manners.

If you want a modern, light weight, quick, nimble, bike then this is surely it!

only thinking of selling due to non bike related injury and having read your thread i thought i would drop you a line.

im looking for £4000

Cheers lee

Shbay · Clubman B

Lee you love that bike!!!

Although it may take you awhile to get riding again which is a shame.

Nick it's a well sorted lovely bike if you have the money to spend!!!

Sam

mud sweat n gears · Clubman B

Cheers sam, im in the middle of buying a house and cant work atm

danwr450f · Clubman B

Check out Wanzey's WR450 for sale in the Flog It section

Shbay · Clubman B

Yeah I saw the post looks nasty

Bit like your riding less speed more care! nah screw it flat out all the way me thinks

Hope the fingers heal ok and you get full movement back!