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Classic looking off-road bike?? Classic looking off-road bike??
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 17 Apr 2009
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Classic looking off-road bike??
Ok, firstly, I know practically nothing about motorcycles, so this may seem a stupid question, but...
Are there any classic-looking, small (I'm a 5"5 girl) motorbikes out there that can ride well off-road?? Only has to be a 250-500cc

I ask as I have a dream of riding a motorbike around europe (3-4 weeks, at first). I've never ridden one before, however I have done a couple of 3-4 day trips on 100cc scooters in asia. So I was thinking of something like a Serrow - but I don't like the look of it, or sport bikes either...
At the end of the day, looks don't matter, but I thought I'd ask..
Any info is appreciated!
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  #2  
Old 17 Apr 2009
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Depends how 'off-road' you want to go. You can thrash almost anything up 4wd tracks etc, especially if you fit it with off-roadish tyres. I have ridden my Royal Enfield 350 Bullet on modest off-road excursions no problem (and you can tweak an enfield into a nice little trail bike). Not sure Enfields are ideal for someone who knows nothing about bikes though. They require a fair amount of 'servicing'.
Perhaps a Triumph Bonneville fitted with slightly wider bars and Continental Twinduros would fit with your classic/off-road idea? They also do a 'scrambler' version but I have heard the 'off-road' bits are largely cosmetic. Might be wrong about this though.

Matt
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Old 17 Apr 2009
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Off road bike
I will highly recommand the XR250 , they are very reliable,go fast enough on paed road and will handle wood riding,water crossing and even deep sand, they are light ,easy to fix, can carry all your gear or a pillion and if you want you can ad a large tank on them. I ride one from Florida to Terra del fuego , and I did all SE Asia with the same model. One of my favorite bike for 1 up. The DRZ 400 is also a very good choice and will do all the above the same way (just have to change the 4X4 peace of wood they call seat on them) I rode on for XXXXmiles and love it too.

Hope this help
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Old 17 Apr 2009
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How classic do you mean? Early (70s and 80s) trail bikes such the Honda XL250 or Yamaha XT500 are quite reliable and have reasonable seat heigts but can be hard to kickstart. Older British bikes need a lot of servicing. I think there are some more recent retro styled trail bikes but the seat height can be a problem
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Old 17 Apr 2009
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Didn't CCM build a 'retro' off-roader along with their flat-tracker?

(quick google) - ah yes, here it is:

SR-40*-*ccmmotorcyclesuk.com

Uses the DRZ400E engine so will be mechanically sound, and a huge dose of retro stylee... although personally I think it looks like a bit of a barn lash-up...

It's also pretty darn expensive considering what else you can get for the money (erm, like a new Tenere with Luggage!)

...whatever floats your boat I guess?

xxx
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Old 17 Apr 2009
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off road
If money is not much a problem the Triumph Scrambler should a fun bike.

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Old 17 Apr 2009
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Quote:
I ask as I have a dream of riding a motorbike around europe (3-4 weeks, at first). I've never ridden one before, however I have done a couple of 3-4 day trips on 100cc scooters in asia.
hey there elflick. sounds like a interesting plan. just curoiuos if you aint ridden before and dont kno much about bikes; you actually got a licence?

that ccm sr 40 is pretty sharp, think its part of a limited edition.

the sachs hercules 125 is 'fairly' retro
or how bout a vespa px (now LML px)?
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Old 17 Apr 2009
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The ccm looks well cool but as with all vehicles British (built) they have managed to compile a great set of components bolt them together then add that great british disease (look at land rovers -same principle) poor finish and quality control and a huge shovel full of unreliability. Be assured it will have crap electric wiring, poor build quality of anything they attached from the uk side of things and more-so into anything that might fail to make sure it will, you would be much harder pushed to break an Indian Enfield, an old Ural or one of those cheap chinese things than one of these. Shame someone else didnt build it.
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