Devon TRF Group Forum

What do you want to do with it?

Is it just for green lanes? or competitive enduro

The answer would probably be quite different!

Cool, This may open a can of worms........

Firstly I started green laning about 2 years ago after a long while on road bikes, its a new but great learning curve. This is based on my experience and others have come from a different direction, but to my mind get a bike that won't scare the crap out of you, start reliably and you can get spares for.

250cc is a great starting point, and while 2 strokes are generally lighter they are also more focused. For me a 4 stroke is a great way to start, some time later you might want faster / lighter / etc but you can easily sell and replace.....

Common bikes out and about:
Yamaha TTR 250, electric start, great spares back up, a good entry level bike, I've had mine 2 years, abused it and have no intention of replacing it, start around £1k up wards
Kawasaki KLX 250, similar newer and more expensive
Honda CRF 250
Yamaha WR250

KTM's are common out on the lanes and very common on enduro, never ridden one but think they are in the more focused bracket.

There are some rare bikes like the Gasgas Pampera, CCM's etc, which spares may be less easy than the Japanese.

My last is to buy a bike you can afford to scratch, dent and generally abuse a bit without too much worry, everyone drops bikes every now and again, wether its getting crossed up on ruts or just getting a bit caught out.

Main thing is its great fun.... do it

Raced for years, odd bit of greenlaning - very odd.
For a beginner, 2T is easy to repair. 4T can be very expensive if you dont know.
My personal bike of choice for racing is WRF250, suitably improved.
New generation WRF is the NEW landmark. Certainly ought to wake up KTM.
In your position the ideal bike would be KTM 200EXC.
You should be able to buy the RIGHT bike for £2K.
They arent intimidating, are totally competitve against anything that you might encounter.
Ive won more races on one of these than any other brand or size.
Slight downside is the 2T fuel consumption - not horrendous, but you wont get a day out of a tankful, more likely 1/2 day.
Plus they stink if you are riding behind one.
But I do prefer my WRF250!

You could try looking at this if you can stretch the budget...

it will definitely be a well sorted very tidy clean bike and haveing riden with mark/wheely he is very very particular about the maintenance of his bike.... ( this is a very good thing) and This could save you money in the long term



devongtrf.activeboard.com/t60197674/coming-for-sale-real-soon2008-ktm200exc/

This is what I found after a few years and many bikes , you do a couple of your local lanes at first and then hunger for along with like minded souls ,your seek ever more challenging routs until the steed your on feels lacking so you move on ,your ability increases and your now on a bike that has prob won a world championship in its time in the hands of a expert
You will mod it custom it to your tastes I've done it ? Pipes silencers bars springs tyres reed valves flywheels grips seat covers maps etc
And by now your be competent experienced and one day on a sticky bit somebody will come pass you feet up and sail up and over and your say to yourself I used to have one of them what a shed they were !!!
(For starting out)
My recommendation all day runs yam ttr250 comfy long distance stuff
Next step up the ladder
Honda crf250x with heavy flywheel or yam wr250r both very reliable all have Estart

Most riders will tell you there bike is the best , to be fare that's why we chose them. I have had and ridden yamaha wrf 250 Suzuki dr 350 ktm 400 husky 350 etc to be honest I liked them all they each had there own good and bad points but one thing for sure old or new they would all get you out enjoying the lanes so to be honest it's all about your budget and personal choice be it red, orange , green or blue

Joined the orange brigade hey! I'm sure you will have no end of ride offers Steve! Good luck with your new steed.

That would be great I'm free on Sunday if you wanna meet up.

Just done a enduro day with the Dave Thorpe school but that's about it.

What would you recommend for a basic tool kit ?

Sure I can do Sunday, i'll figure out a route and PM you a time and place too meet.

 

Reading through that thread TTR linked will give you plenty of ideas, you don't need to go too nuts though. A lot of peoples tool kits is personal preference or things to suit the quirks of their specific bike.

 

Its generally wise to carry a spare 21" tube, and the means to fit and inflate it.

Whatever sockets or spanners you need to remove anything outside your engine, probably won't be that many (Don't forget the spark plug)

Half a dozen long cable ties

spares of any fuses your bike needs

pliers are a good idea too.

RAC/AA cover card too if you have it.

 

But for Sunday just make sure you have a spanner/socket to fit your front and rear wheel in case you get a flat, don't worry if you haven't got the rest or a way to carry it.

250 four stroke, XR, TTR.  Don't spend all of your money on the bike as you need to some wonga to buy riding gear. http://devongtrf.activeboard.com/f448332/kit-recommodations-tools-and-stuff/