Thoughts on small bikes (200cc) in the USA

[DavidZweig]

I'm planning to fly into SF shortly to buy a bike. I'd like to travel around CA and perhaps a bit further East before heading to Mexico.

I'm debating getting either a smaller bike (like a DR200) or something like a DR650.

Last year me and my girlfriend crossed China two-up on a Suzuki GS125. It was fine, even comfortable, on the highways at 85-90kph with luggage. We did 12,000km. Only at high altitudes (above 3000m) was power really lacking.

I have only about 10kg of luggage. I don't mind cruising at 50mph on the DR200. But, will this greatly limit my choice of roads in the States? What about in Mexico? The Dr200 seems to be available cheaply used, uses little fuel (2.5l /100km), and parts are easily availble in Latin America (Qingqi manufactures licensed copies that are widely sold). Seems like a decent choice. But 650s aren't that much more.

Also, just to confirm what I've read, can I use the temporary documents from the californian DMV to cross into Mexico, and have the title forwarded to me later?

[mollydog]

At this time I don't know exact answer to Temp Title question Dave. In the past they would allow a temp. title for TVIP, then they changed and DID NOT allow it .. but some folks got through anyway.

Now?? I'm not sure of Banjercito policy ... things have been changing a lot lately, some good, some not so good.

Go to Bancjercito web site, see what you can find out. Theoretically you should be able to use a Temp Title as it is a LEGAL DOCUMENT in the USA.

In years past you could present only current registration, not a title. But in last 10 years they want the title. I bring the Original title ... just in case they want to bust my balls. But just don't know about Temp Title. sorry.

I also made several really good Laser Zerox, two sided, color copies of my California Pink Slip (Title). Beautiful, hard to tell from original besides paper. Used these color copies on last 3 trips to Mexico for TVIP purposes. No questions from Bancjercito staff. But as always, YMMV.

If you can possibly get original title in hand, get it ... hide it in a very safe, cool, dry and secure place ... and use copies day to day. Chances are you'll never have to dig out original.

Try asking CA DMV for expedited processing of your paperwork. May help speed it up. You may get it in 2 to 3 weeks if lucky. (usually 3 to 6 weeks)

Good luck, let us know what you find out about current status of temp titles and TVIP.

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by DavidZweig

I'm planning to fly into SF shortly to buy a bike. I'd like to travel around CA and perhaps a bit further East before heading to Mexico.

I'm debating getting either a smaller bike (like a DR200) or something like a DR650.

Last year me and my girlfriend crossed China two-up on a Suzuki GS125. It was fine, even comfortable, on the highways at 85-90kph with luggage. We did 12,000km. Only at high altitudes (above 3000m) was power really lacking.

I have only about 10kg of luggage. I don't mind cruising at 50mph on the DR200. But, will this greatly limit my choice of roads in the States? What about in Mexico? The Dr200 seems to be available cheaply used, uses little fuel (2.5l /100km), and parts are easily availble in Latin America (Qingqi manufactures licensed copies that are widely sold). Seems like a decent choice. But 650s aren't that much more.

ON BIKES ...
For touring the West and SouthWest of the USA I'm not a fan of 200 or 250cc bikes. It's a HUGE region and typical speeds (even on small two lane roads) are 70 to 80 MPH or higher. You will also encounter a lot of HP sapping mountains.
You'll need at least a 200 mile range.

You certainly could DO IT on a DR200 ... but of all Suzuki dual sports (which I know fairly well) the DR200 is my least favorite. Not a bad bike, fairly tough and reliable. But underpowered and under suspended and not very well supported in the after market compared to DR650, KLR, XR650L Honda. I can't imagine crossing Nevada or Utah on a DR200. (I did it on a DRZ400E and that nearly killed me! )

I like the comfort, space, ease of packing and the easy road speed of the 650 class bikes. You DO pay a bit for this in more fuel, but fuel here is at a 15 year low ... it's cheaper than Mexico!

Unless you really search around for alternate routes (or dirt routes), the main roads in N. Mexico are pretty fast paced. Once on dirt roads on out in the Desert you would be fine on the 200 or 250. But with a 650 you can really cover ground if required and a well set up 650 will do deep sand and rock quite well.

I'm a long time DR650 owner (65K miles on current bike). Also owned nearly all 650 competition (KLR, XR650) and ridden the rest (BMW, KTM, Husky).
Bang for buck and fantastic versatility make the DR650 hard to beat. Tens of thousands of owners can confirm this.

But go with your heart.

If you buy a DR650 try to find one with suspension and seat done. Both top my list for mods. Good luck shopping ... several DR650 guys here, any questions, just ask!

[DavidZweig]

Thanks for the reply!

In Europe even on the highways the trucks can only go a maximum of 90kph (56mph) by law, so you can always hang with them and it's fine. On the secondary roads the limits are usually 90kph too. I drove a XT600 Tenere around Europe many years ago. It was very comfortable, but I remember thinking that I didn't need that much power. I mostly drove at 50-60mph. 250cc would probably have been fine.

I'll look for a DR650. They seem to be about $3000 for a decent one on craigslist.

Could I buy a bike in Calafornia, then drive to Colorado to register it there? I read it's possible to get the title/plates on the same day. How would that work? I suppose I just get get the seller to sign the title and make a bill of sale? What about insurance? Otherwise I can try my luck with a temporary CA title at the border.

[backofbeyond]

I can't really help with the paperwork side of things but if you can get a 600cc class bike rather than a 200 I'd go for it. I've just come back from a double coast to coast (in New Jersey at the moment) and there's little point in riding a small bike in the US if you have a choice.

Trucks are not limited in any meaningful sense and often run at 80+mph, limited only by how much stress their tyres will take.There's loads of them (roughly 1/3 of all vehicles on the freeways (motorways)) and they frequently intimidate the hell out of you.

Plodding along at 50mph might work in Europe but it doesn't here. Fuel, by European stds, is almost free (about 35p / litre in NJ) so a larger engine makes sense.

There's also not the comprehensive road network that there is in Europe so often the road is the road and you share it with everyone else. In 10,000 miles I don't think I saw more than a handful of bikes smaller than about 600 cc.

[mollydog]

David, not sure about Colorado. Probably would be fine. Many states issue a title same day. But that's a LONG (but beautiful) ride!

You will need insurance but will need a bike (or car) to list on policy before policy can be issued. I'm also not sure what the best companies are for NON US citizens regards insurance.

DR650's have gone up in price a bit for good, low miles used examples. The better ones are now closer to $4000, but you may see good ones from time to time at $3500. Don't buy an older beater ... not worth the trouble. Try for '06 or newer, under 15K miles if possible ... but the DR is good up to 60K miles easy.
(mine is at 65K miles)

[DavidZweig]

I got a quote online from 'progressive', $75 USD for a year. That's.. much cheaper than the UK. :-)

The plan is to get a flight at the end of the week to SF, get on a bike ASAP, and then drive East:

Image - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting

This route I put together quickly based on a quick look at a map and a guide book, it's probably not the best. Any suggestions welcome. Ideally I would have started a little earlier in the summer, but, that's life, I had work to do. The idea is to spend a few weeks in the states, couchsurfing or wild camping with the occasional hotel, then head to Mexico. I'll try to get more information on how registration works.

Here are some photos from my last trip to Iran. I'm a little anxious. I know how things work in Iran, but no idea what to expect in the USA :-):

https://goo.gl/photos/DpEkJ34wid9w11b28

Probably will look for a DR650, but maybe something like this not bad, and less money: https://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/5219139453.html

Ah, is there anything in particular to take as spares? Tire repair tools, spanners/screwdrivers/pump, chain lube, brake pads, spare bulbs, spare levers.. sprockets maybe?

[Mooze]

If you want to avoid highways and stick to secondary roads you'll be fine on a DR200. On the highways, you'll end up a bumper sticker/hood ornament on some large truck (road speeds of 125-140km are not uncommon). DR 200 are relatively rare here but the 350 is fairly common as is the infinitely preferable (for American roads) DR650. In the southwestern states there is a lot of nothing between towns so a reasonable range is necessary. The U.S. is also a large place (LA to Colorado is a similar distance as Ireland to Turkey). Many states have tourist information booths at the border. Depending on the state, you can get free maps, brochures for popular attractions, and, best of all, magazine sized books of motels with coupons so you can save a lot when you aren't camping. Good luck, you will do what you have the will to do, so if a 200 is the bike for you, then go for it and have fun. Watch out for tumbleweeds...they can swat you clear off the road.

[xsPain]

I travel on a 250, it's a little larger. I agree that in the west and southwest, you will struggle to manage the speed limit and just about everyone who can is traveling well over - but on smaller roads there isn't as much traffic and I just let them pass me.

One thing I will pass on is fuel range. In most of the USA it's a non-issue, but out west (in the USA and Canada), 150 miles is a hard minimum for range. 200 would be better, but less than 150 and you are going to run into a lot of places where you can't reach the next fuel. Since you can also run into some impressive winds and really awesome dirty roads, even 150 as a basic, nice roads nothing goes wrong average can be a problem. That means the DR will probably need a larger tank.

My 'old' 250 is a street bike to get around that problem. Small and light enough for off-road but a large enough stock tank. This year I am playing with an RX3. I have managed to run it out of fuel once already and I wasn't even west of the Mississippi.

[mollydog]

I agree, 150 mile limit on range. Remember, in the wide open West, gas stations close up early, some close on Sunday and on smaller, rural roads there are fewer gas stations in general.

If only 150 mile range, you'll need to pack a Roto Pack spare tank or similar and plan fuel stops with care in rural areas or remote highways. Watch your mirrors on the Interstates as many travel at 90 mph. (this is no joke)

If the RX3 the new BMW 310?

[xsPain]

Originally Posted by mollydog

If the RX3 the new BMW 310?

CSC's 250cc ADV bike -

CSC MOTORCYCLES - RX3 Cyclone 250cc Adventure Touring Motorcycle



(I have a white 2015 one - not a fan of the orange to be honest)