Hi guys, sorry for posting another what bike thread, im sure you get them all the time. im just after some advice and experiences from people if possible
ive been riding on the road for 5 years or so, i now live in Plymouth so i really would like to start trail riding. ive spent the last few weeks reading online on various sites about what bike to get, but a lot of sites seem to be talking more about racing rather than greenlaning so its not that relevant
Due to not being the biggest guy in the world and having no off road experience i was looking at getting a 250-350 size 4 stroke. Does this sound like a sensible option or do people have any other recommendations ?
i will primarily be using the bike for green laning, only road use it will get would be getting to the lane. im not currently planning on selling my GSXR, but who knows, may not have time for it once i get addicted to this!
i don't really want to spend over 2K on the bike but i can stretch my budget if i need too. The common bikes in my price range as far as i can see are :
crf 250 x
KTM 250 excf
KLX 250/300
WR 250 F
does anyone have any recommendations out of these, or anything different to those ?
alot of it comes down to personal preference 250 is a good place to start , i started on a klr 250 good bike but to heavy and soft so got a klx 300 good bike only downsides kick start only and not many parts for them in uk but pretty bullet proof, i now ride a xr 400 still kick start only but good bike if i had to start out again i would defo choose the wr250 everybody else that rides ktm will say go orange
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When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.!!!
You have just opened a can of worms, everyone will have a different opinion
I'm from Ivybridge and ride a Honda CRF450X and often ride with a guy called Kwaka Geoff from down your neck of the woods who rides a KTM 450exc and both of us will tell you we have the best bike its all down to personal preference.
Just let us know when you choose something and we will show you around some lanes
I'd say WR probs the most bullet proof. A great bike possibly only slightly let down by a lack of 6th gear.
KTM awesome and a 250f or 350f would be my bike of choice if I ever decided to go back to 4 stroke. They don't require any more maintenance than the WR but they do need you to do it on time, every time or it can get costly. The WR can be a bit more forgiving if you forget an oil change or 3. But they have a 6th gear which is useful and no linkage bearings to worry about.
There's probably not as many KLXs or CRFs around - to some that might be an advantage but neither float my personal boat.
I'd say WR probs the most bullet proof. A great bike possibly only slightly let down by a lack of 6th gear.
KTM awesome and a 250f or 350f would be my bike of choice if I ever decided to go back to 4 stroke. They don't require any more maintenance than the WR but they do need you to do it on time, every time or it can get costly. The WR can be a bit more forgiving if you forget an oil change or 3. But they have a 6th gear which is useful and no linkage bearings to worry about.
There's probably not as many KLXs or CRFs around - to some that might be an advantage but neither float my personal boat.
I started on a klx 250, very easy bike to ride and maintain, never had any issues with the bike. But i do lack knowledge unlike many others on this site who have had many different machines to ride.
I am now selling my Klx 250 with lots of extras thrown in if you would be interested, as new things going on this year with a Ktm and need the space
If you are on the shorter side like me then have a look at a Beta Alp, 200 or 400 four strokes. They are narrow and light (100kg) and have a low seat height.
Still great fun, which is why they don't see many up for sale. Very popular with the long distance trial brigade, and quiet a few will be on the Land's End Trial over the Easter weekend.
Let me know if you want to try mine (but it's not for sale!).
cheers Nick i will have a look at them in a minute
in terms of 4 stroke maintenance, roughly speaking what are the intervals and prices ? and are any of these bikes massively different in terms of maintenance or all pretty similar ?
thanks for all the help everyone, sorry for the noob questions
As a general rule of thumb the 4Ts will need an oil change every 500-600 miles. Filter(s) gets done at this interval although many change these every other oil change. At around 1L of oil per change and a couple of quid per filter it's not too bad.
Valve clearances need checking periodically - if you are only laning mildly and not doing hard road miles then a check at least once a year would probably suffice. Wheel bearings done on failure and a quick and cheap job. Swing arm, linkage and headstock bearings worth a clean and lube once a year and will last a long time. Air filter clean and re-oil every few rides (quick inspect after each ride).
More in depth maintenances ( pistons, valves, cams) generally left as are unless problems observed.
Obviously this gets all very different if racing etc.
As a general rule of thumb the 4Ts will need an oil change every 500-600 miles. Filter(s) gets done at this interval although many change these every other oil change. At around 1L of oil per change and a couple of quid per filter it's not too bad. Valve clearances need checking periodically - if you are only laning mildly and not doing hard road miles then a check at least once a year would probably suffice. Wheel bearings done on failure and a quick and cheap job. Swing arm, linkage and headstock bearings worth a clean and lube once a year and will last a long time. Air filter clean and re-oil every few rides (quick inspect after each ride).
More in depth maintenances ( pistons, valves, cams) generally left as are unless problems observed.
Obviously this gets all very different if racing etc.
Thanks wheely thats excellent. thats not too bad at all then
Ive got and started on a TTR 250, partly as they were recommended, plus all the spares and advise where available from Brian at Totally TTR's based in Exmouth.
Would come in under budget and leave some money in the pot for clothing, spares etc.
It is quite tall though!
To my mind the things to look out for are:
A bike that starts easily and reliably
Able to get spares
the right size
the right tyres
electric start
many things to add to the list, but I'm meant to be working!
If your starting out, then weight and controllable power are important
i would love to come on sunday but i have plans unfortunately
thanks devon rich, yeah size is my major concern, well more weight than the size really
i put my GSXR up for sale because it annoyed me this morning with a flat battery. i was offered a 2005 crf450 in part ex for it, but i think the 450 will be too heavy for me
really like the 350 4 stroke KTMs but there so new the price isnt affordable
Been offered a 2007 wr250f in part ex for my gsxr. I have my gsxr up for 3k and would probably take £2750 at the lowest. Guy has offered me his bike and £400
Does this sound like a good deal? Said he's owned it 3 Years and barely used it
If it's the first of the ally framed models I'd say yeah. If it's the last of the steely's then I'd say sell your gixxer and get an ally framed one.
There's nothing wrong with the older ones, but I did prefer top he feel and look of the ally ones. Working on them isn't quite as easy but you can't have it all. And would you buy the end of an era or the beginning of a new one. Resale will always be better too.
Just my 50 cents
Only concern is the miles are very low, says he bought it 3 years ago rode it twice and didn't get on with it. Seems rather odd to then keep it that long
if i had to start out again i would defo choose the wr250 everybody else that rides ktm will say go orange 
