changing from 200cc dual-sport?
 

In South Africa, I have a 2004 Honda CTX200B(ushlander), an agricultural bike (dual sport). Top speed standard was about 100 kmph (60mph) on flats, but I changed sprockets, adding a tooth in front and dropping two in back. Now I’m up to about 110 on flats, 100 going up hills (sometimes as low as 90...), and 120+ going down hills. So, the question: am I going to kill this engine by riding it this way for 3 years/34,000 km (20,000 miles)? I’m wide open about half the time—the rest I’m on dirt or curves or slower speed limits.

(FYI, I’d like to keep this bike, since my wife rides, too, and likes it, and I already have it. The bike market here is weird—everything holds value for a long time. I’d like a slightly bigger dual-sport, even up to the 650s, but prices are too high here. This was US$2500 barely broken in, and a good condition KLR with 15,000 miles is $4200. I’d like something with a bigger tank—this one is only 8.5L/2.2gal.—in addition to higher speeds. Or I could go for a 250 road bike, standard style, to get slightly higher speeds, though I like how tough this machine is…Sigh.)



Adam

Patrick has it I think. Whenever I have an insoluble problem I like to turn it on its head, often then the solution becomes obvious. Sometime sof course you end up somewhat askew:) It is also a good way to test the truth of some 'rule of thumb' there are many false ones which only work in a very limited set of circumstances. The new bike route seems good to me, the same of second hand prices holding up is true here in France also. Problem is though they sting on new bikes:( But as you like your Honda, i would stick with it, if just for your wife's sake.

Hi There,

I have a Yamaha XT250 Serow and have covered 33,000kms in the last 16 months.

I usually cruise at about 90 to 95 kph and still manage to get around 90mpg.

So I reckon you should just reduce your speed by about 10kph and keep running your current bike.

I hope to get at least 100,000kms out of mine.

By the way, the only things I've replaced are oil, filters, plugs, tyres, brake pads, so it's cheap motoring!

advice now please! to a DR200???
 

Latest development--found a Suzuki DR200, fewer kms on it, same year, but the DR has 20bhp vs 14.5 on power and 18Nm v 15.2 on torque, and it's 22 lbs lighter, with a 13 L tank vs 8.5, and rear pegs to take a pillion in a pinch. Gotta decide ASAP to go the 4 hour drive or not to get it this weekend. Worth the switch? Pretty much decided the KLR is still a little too steep, but maybe...Right now the decision is to switch to another 200 or not. Please let me know your thoughts!

Adam

more on Honda 200 vs DR200
 

Oh, and asking prices is the same that I paid for the Honda, with 2 tires and helmets included and he might drop the price for me. Drawbacks to the DR are 1--have to go get it, 2--doesn't have racks, but I suspect I could get them made up pretty cheap here 3--just put on new rubber and some work on the CTX for US$300. (And when I bought my Honda, the same day there was a DR there for US$300 more and I've always kicked myself for not taking that instead...) 4--there's the hassle of paperwork here, though it should be manageable... I think I'll be able to get about what I paid for the Honda when I sell it.