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Get a good XT600 and just adjust the rear shock so that it will be lower. They hardly ever break down from what I hear. I have had mine for two years and just changed the oil, tires and chain.
My 93 XT on a 3,000 km trip. Never missed a lick http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...12-2007005.jpg |
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I'm not going to pretend that I know a whole lot about Honda trail bikes, but do you really think its reasonable to call the 400 heavy in this context? I've looked at online specs and dry the 250 is only 8 KG lighter: 108 to the 400's 116kg. In the grand scheme of biking, I think both these bikes are pretty light. The XR 400 is 3kg lighter than the DRZ 400, and only 1 kg heavier than the DRZ250 which you recommend Admittedly, 8kg represents a tent, sleeping bag and stove, but still... putting it in the context of its power and reliability for the task at hand, I feel it should not be discounted so easily on this one statistic. |
no your right the XR 400 is not that heavy when you compare it with bikes that have electric start, full lighting gear, rear pegs, multi function speedo's etc etc Honda save a load of weight by not putting any of this on the bike.
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As an uninformed loudmouth thinking something similar to Charlotte (the bike not becoming a woman), can anyone who has used a bike like the DRZ400 long distance comment on the fuel range?
I am adamant I can travel light enough to make it on these smaller bikes... |
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With stock tank? |
You really need to just try them all out.
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well as some other bikes but should be OK if you get the street legal S model,
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RE Electra
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So, all else being equal, I reckon it is a good point to have options for starting a bike, other than pushing and bump starting it in the sand/mud etc. Here's that list of bikes with both starters:- http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ic-start-31595 You could also consider the Royal Enfield Electra; sales are up 10-15% in the UK this past year (it gives nearly 100 MPG). A 500cc single with a low seat height and built for falling over while suffering next to no damage. |
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If KTMs are an option, check this one out:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...military-32531 Low seat and light (for my standards), and not too slow. ... I was too slow, though. Same link as the one above. |
Bikes bikes and more bikes!
Hi Char.
You're right that the XRL is tall. At 5'7 I'm on tip toes but I just picked up a lowering link so will see how it goes. I like the bike cos it's basic, air cooled and fairly fuel efficient. I do have an electric start DR350 for sale with a large acerbis tank and pannier rails which is a little lower if you're interested? Bike weight is a personal issue, yes, an xr400 is heavy in comparison to a CR250 or something but try lifting a loaded GS1200 out of the sand blah blah! It's very much down to personal view/ability as I consider my XRL to be fairly light but lots of people would disagree, go figure! Nice and simple/easy to fix in the middle of nowhere would be a good point, leccy start a good move, even though "all you need is the knack" which some folks like to say about a kickstart gets a "whatever" from me. I like that magic button having served my time with kickstarts thank you very much, lol. Handy if you have both though (early dominators TTR250 ect and some bikes can be retro fitted) when batteries give up. Any modern bike with a battery/charging system will have a reg/rec, kickstart or not, but I know what you mean, some do have a lot less bits and bobs to go wrong than others! A scottoiler, good chain/sproc (did x-ring) 18 inch rear wheel (easier to get that tyre size in less developed countries) small screen, frame/subframe bracing, good horns, oil temp gauge, up-graded seat, heated grips ect are all options for reliability/comfort! Phew! Personally I'd go for above 350cc but that's just me! The TTR250 gets good reviews all over the place so I suppose you have to feel comfy with your choice. But whatever you go for, have fun and all the best! Dave. |
Oh dear I am very quickly starting to feel somewhat out of my depth with all this techno/spec talk – slowly but surely I am trying to learn all things bike, inside and out, but I’m afraid I got lost at “mass and crank inertia”!!?? :confused1:
That’s not to sound ungrateful – quite the opposite – you have to learn one way or another . Ummm – whats a “stock” tank – a name given to a particular sized tank? (learning you see) - hang on, I suppose it would be the "standard" tank - no? Glad to hear that I have good karma and body language (?!) J Warthog (apologies for the original misspelling), muchos gracias for the step by step procedure guidance for kick starts - patience is required, which I know is not one of my virtues. With the amount of peeps talking of the TTR250 I am extremely intrigued, and I am reckoning that could very well be my next purchase (but there is an inner uncontrollable desire to have Honda – maybe I’ll get a cheap XR to have a go on - I need a bike for HUMM in any case) Can you reinforce the subframe of any bike? And how? At the mo I am thinking specifically about the TTR250 But one moment…….Dave….DR350 for sale? I would be interested. Any pics? Have you already had it lowered? What’s the little’un’s history? I fully concur on the “knack” of kick starts – “whatever” indeed!?? As for converting I heard it was blimmin expensive to get an electric start installed, but have no actual figure – does the cost depend on the bike? Any clues? Big Yellow Tractor, your comment about the Morocco trip has filled me with a lot more confidence about “keeping up”. Cheers. People talk of getting their jetting sorted (which I am still to really understand – something to do with mixture in the carb?), shocks, new exhaust, oil-temp gauge, etc etc, but top of my list (other than pink ribbons on the handle bars) is a new seat (I will start to appreciate the important of mechanical mods – promise). Some guys that do tours in Namibia recommended a company called Renazco (and touching their seat, it did almost feel sensual) has anyone used them? Riding an XL for hours on end in Cambodia I realised just how numb your bum can get – i.e. it simply fails to exist – thankfully my backpack was strapped perfectly onto the seat so that I could stand up and then perch on the ruck sack – riding along like I was trying out some sort of riding stunt Molly Dog, - “I would pick the one that will adapt to RTW travel best...and with gear on it, you can still handle it OK if you have to pick it up or ride it tough terrain.” – good words of advice – cheers. Oh, and I fully intend to spend a lot of time off-roading before I head out. But as for my “partner” carrying most of the weight (he’s a biking partner maybe but that’s it) – that just isn’t an option – its my trip and I want as much independence as possible – it may as well be as though I am going on my own for what I want to achieve from the chosen bike. I will ensure that I pass on your words of advice on the XR-L, and we had in fact already considered this particular “fault” but still our personal list of pros outweighed the cons, for that bike. As for upper body strength – I shall work on the popeye look! Walkabout, ta for the link on bikes with both starters –that’s exactly what I need to see! Bloomin marvellous. Cheers guys and gals. :scooter: |
Don't let the information overload bother you
Char,
You're on the right lines in interpreting the techie speak: no worries. You might like the website in here:- http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...al-stuff-27640 for some information to astound your friends. There is this page in here as well:- http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tech/ All good stuff! ps I used to have that feeling about Hondas, but I got over it after a few years. Cheers, |
I like it, the knack that is
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Yep, that covers the use of the kicker: whatever. Whatever works when the bike is cold, whatever for when the bike engine is "red hot" and whatever for that strange intermediate world of the partly warmed up engine that stalls and just doesn't want to know about the kickstarter procedures (especially when the bike has been stood upside down for a while, maybe in a bog). How about this DR350; are you going to advertise it in here? |
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