Hi All,
New to the forum, and new to motorcycles (not new to travel, or vehicle based adventure).

I am looking for my first motorcycle. I want something reasonably good on and off road, reasonably fuel efficient, and reasonable for a 5'8/180lb/30" inseam 30 year old rider. My budget is a target of about $4000 for the bike, with an upper limit around $5500.

So far I've been looking at the RE Himalayan, XT225 and 250, and honda CRF250/300.

Someone on ADVrider also just recommended the Versys-X 300 which I'm going to look into (but I've gravitated more towards offroad bikes that can do okay on road (dual sports), than onroad bikes that can do okay offroad (adv bikes) so far). I've also been considering the BMW F650GS Dakar, since there are a few used ones for a good price in my area, but I'm a little wary of buying an older cheaper BMW (are these bikes expensive to maintain, high maintenance, or a red flag when being sold cheap?)


Do you think that a small dual sport (250-300cc range) would be a silly choice for a first timer planning a typical ADV type trip of mostly onroad, lots of gravel/dirt road, and some true off road? Considering that (1) I'm not in a rush (2) I'm not a tall / large rider (3) I'd try to avoid interstates, but will probably do considerable travel on secondary highways (4) don't mind (and in fact prefer) going a little slower and taking scenic routes (5) but would need to carry sufficient equipment for camping/traveling for extended period of time.

Ideally a bike that was light, fuel efficient, good off road, but could do 70mph and was reasonably comfortable and stable at a sustained 65 or at least 60 would be ideal. Is this unrealistic to expect with a fully loaded 250? particularly the XT225?

Any thoughts or pointers or constructive criticism?

Hi Sendero

Welcome. I am sure you’ll get lots of ideas. If you are buying in North America, want off road focus (but dual use) and want to carry gear, personally i’d be looking at a suzuki dr650 or a kawasaki klr650. Not much more weight and gives more flexibility and 70mph with ease.

Cheers
Andy

I'm thinking a 650 might be a better second bike for me. Not sure if that logic holds water, but being a medium sized to shorter (5'8 / 30 inch inseam) rider, and a total beginner, something a little lighter and lower (or at least one of the two) seems like it might be easier/less intimidating to learn on. Do you think that is a reasonable assumption? (my only experience has been on a DR200SE which I believe is ~275lb and 32" seat height, so I have nothing to compare to)

I wouldnt hesitate to take a 250-300 down in Mexico (and the rest of central and south America for that matter). A Suzuki Dr650 wouldnt be bad either as its very lightweight and nimble and a well proven bike.

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

I agree with your focus on weight and seat height Sendero - important for building confidence. I’d stay away from 200kgs bikes for now for sure.

Once you meet your criteria on that, if you can get a bit more power it gives a bit more flexibility to travel on paved roads at slightly higher speeds. The 650 engine itself is not intimidating, if just doesn’t run out of puff as quickly. Irrelevant at 30-40mph , but more so for longer paved rides.

This is not an issue for many (as per Snakeboy’s post - he has lots of experience so helpful to know the 250/300 will work for you in Mexico/SA). Trust your gut/self-knowledge.

I recently read “Marilyn across America” by Jeff Fletcher - a short book about the trans-america trail. Quite a nice read if you like travel. He’s a new rider i think and swaps from a 250 to a 650 part way, explaining the benefits of both, if that’s of interest (on amazon/kindle)

All the bikes you mentioned would be good. Personally I would have gone with the Honda CRF 300 Rally. The suspension is a bit too much on the plush side, and the bike doesn't have a ton of power, nor great torque for that matter. It is a typical Honda approach, not going crazy with anything - staying well within the parameters of the tried and tested, in all aspects. This translates into a durable, reliable, comfortable and inexpensive bike. It won't be perfect for anything, but a great compromise for someone who wants to do a little bit of everything.

It would be a great bike not only for Mexico, but an RTW as well. Also, it may very well become your first, second and third bike - as you can continue tailoring it over the years.

Bigger and more expensive is not necessarily better for travel - even for the experienced. I have a T7 Rally (among others). I love the bike, but for an RTW, I would seriously consider a CRF.

As for the Himalayan. I love the bike - I almost bought one, and still want one. It is so cool... and inexpensive! It can surely do the job. Then again, if one puts ones feelings aside, it isn't really a great bike in any aspect. I would have no problems riding it RTW - but know I would have wished I took something else. It is capable and fun - but not the most suitable if you can consider a slightly used bike from Honda or Yamaha (and others).

In the end though, riding a Himalayan long enough, the nostalgia will surely fade and the wish for a more suitable tool will creep up on you.

I know I'll be stepping on toes here as the Himalayan has a large fan base. But, however much I wish the bike to offer more than it can, I have to be honest. Too many aspects of that bike is a combination of nostalgia (beauty) and recycling from other bikes (cost cuting) - to the extent that it takes away more than it adds - from a bike that otherwise would have been just awesome. Just a simple stupid thing as the indents on the tank. It looks good, but it doesn't add neither leg room, knee grip or added fuel - but takes away from all of the above. There are many such examples of afterthought, cost cutting recycling, and estetics getting the better of great engineering.

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I was in your position a few years ago.

I went with a used Versys-x 300. The other bike I looked at was a CRF 250 rally (300 was not out then).

I would recommend either. Both are dead reliable (I have not had a single problem with mine in 35000km.). Since it's your first bike I would avoid anything heavier. A heavy bike will prevent your from exploring back roads and will be a pita when you drop it.

Biggest upside with the Versys is that it vibrates less than the CRF, so it's more comfortable. The larger fuel tank is also nice to have.

The CRF will be better off road due to the longer travel suspension and the larger wheels. CRF has a longer maintenance interval so if you are doing really long range travel that might be something to take into account.

You can't go wrong with either one.

Hi
My wife and I are having a similar discussion at the moment - neither of us are newbies by a long chalk.
Firstly, I would recommend that you check out itchy boots on you tube - went from a Himalayan to a crf250l to a 300 Rally. Bear in mind that she seeks out off road routes and did a lot of bike training during Covid - which showed inher rally riding in South Africa.

My thoughts, for what they’re worth, is that for a shorter rider the Himmy is great: easy, tractable motor, low centre of gravity coupled with a low seat height and Harris designed frame make it very easy off road, especially in mud, for the beginner - check out ‘nathen the postman’ on you tube.
However, it maybe great when riding but it is heavy and not so good for maneuvering around or getting into tight spaces or indeed picking up.

As a newbie with a 30” inseem I’d sit on a bike before I bought and made sure both my feet were flat on the ground.
In the end I wouldn’t sweat it, it’s your first trip, just go and have fun. If everything was perfect you’d have no funny stories to tell when you get back and besides you can always sell the bike and get something different next time.

Good luck

I know a lot of beginners, as well as more experienced, are worried about not being able to flatfoot both feet, not to mention only being able to tip-toe.

It is however more of a mind over matter type thing than anything else. It doesn't take much for a vertically challenged to learn how to ride the tallest horse like it is nothing. I've coached plenty beginners to do this.

Every rider should in fact learn to ride as if they were vertically challenged - because sooner or later they will encounter a surface with a drop on either side (or both) - with the need to put a foot down. It doesn't even have to occur offroad. It can simply be from going across a slope (i e. turning on a hill), or being on top of a curb, etc. Offroad it will happen quite often even for taller people.

The techniques are simple and easy to learn, but is best taught when new and in a parking lot.

Once you have learned it, you will forever have a far greater selection of bikes to choose from. Learning it well and proper shouldn't take many hours at all. Remember when you were eight and stole dad's bicycle (because no one told your height was an issue)?

I do get that it is both useful and comforting to be able to plant both feet, but given the choice to get a bike lowered, or to keep the original ground clearance and original suspension characteristics, I would in all but a few cases choose the latter. I don't think anyone should have to compromise on wheel size, suspension or saddle.


A CRF 300 is a beginners bike in my opinion. In fact, it doesn't get much more beginner than this.

The Himalayan is a cool bike, and capable, but it is far inferior to the CRF in every aspect that comes to mind. For only a penny more you can get a bike with a ton more value. Ride enough bikes and you would in it's price bracket, not recommend the Himalayan to anyone, for any kind of purpose - unless of course it is a lot about looks and nostalgia. Whatever you intend to do with a bike, you can for the price of a Himalayan, find a more suitable alternative. This is especially true if one is willing to consider a used bike in good condition, that might have seen a season or three.

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Fair comment Eric. I’ve not been to Mexico (sadly/yet) so will defer to you and others on that aspect, as I don’t know the terrain.