There was only 1 kid back in the day with a Maico but just a mere 440, everyone else was on knackered jap 125 or 250 if they were lucky.
Thanks for the replies @DucatiScud @Advikaz @Sam1199 @Jez900ie @the.dunnster @alexko Sorry I've been awol. I wasn't feeling too well over the weekend and had some IT problems today. Update: Unfortunately I've missed out on a Husqvarna WR250 and a keenly priced KTM EXC300 but hopefully am seeing a Gas Gas EC 250 tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up about parts @alexko - I've checked eBay and they seem to be readily available. Questions: I'm coming across a fair few bikes which are advertised as "road legal" but have no speedo. I've done a bit of googling and it seems that bikes over 100cc made after the 1930s need to have one fitted in order to pass an MOT. Is that correct? Also, how do you record mileage without a speedo and/or hours without any way to record them? Sorry if these are numpty questions but I was just messaging with a guy who wasn't able to tell me either of those pieces of info or whether and when the engine had ever had a rebuild. How much should I budget for a rebuild? Thanks
Questions: I'm coming across a fair few bikes which are advertised as "road legal" but have no speedo. I've done a bit of googling and it seems that bikes over 100cc made after the 1930s need to have one fitted in order to pass an MOT. Is that correct? My GG ec300 had no speedo passed, needed road legal tyres though watch out for that when looking at the bike. When I bought mine the seller had track tyres on as he’d just used it a little on MX tracks he did point that out but beware. I also had to fit a battery powered horn as it was easier than putting all the loom back together. Also, how do you record mileage without a speedo and/or hours without any way to record them? You can buy a gizmo that attaches to your HT lead that records the hours from memory although I just noted it down for each ride. Sorry if these are numpty questions but I was just messaging with a guy who wasn't able to tell me either of those pieces of info or whether and when the engine had ever had a rebuild. Hmmm if he can’t tell you when or even if I hope it’s cheap, as for a rebuild no idea I’m afraid as the 1 I bought he just showed me the parts bill and gave me the parts he’d replaced. How much should I budget for a rebuild? Thanks[/QUOTE]
Thanks for that info (think you buggered up the quoting though) The bike is fairly cheap actually and I reckon I could get a bit more off if I haggle. It's also just had new tyres and a new chain and sprockets. I'll go back and ask him for more info as I broke off the WhatsApp chat when he couldn't give me any info about the mileage/hours or engine history.
Engine hour meter https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/284015539946?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853- 0&mkcid=2&itemid=284015539946&targetid=1193857499032&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9045489&poi=&campaignid=10199638282&mkgroupid=101938390277&rlsatarget=pla-1193857499032&abcId=1145987&merchantid=6995734&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpYisx_K87QIVysLtCh3CQgYLEAQYBiABEgLK0vD_BwE here the same model I owned great bike https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GasGas-E...669752?hash=item1cfb53fcf8:g:B44AAOSwYlBfzojm
On the road-legal tyres thing - it's too long ago for me to remember the make I used, but there weren't many really good off-road tyres around (for 'serious' mud-plugging, etc not just bimbling along trails) that were road legal, but the ones I found were brilliant! Wouldn't want to ride them long on the road either. Someone will know what I'm on about but I'll try to remember... Update: They were Michelin Comp Enduro - now on version '3' or '4'...
I saw that bike on the 'bay but it seems like a bit of a project whereas I want something ready to ride and which (hopefully) won't break down the first time I'm out on it, otherwise, I know myself and it will just end up sitting in the workshop for weeks waiting to be fixed. I ended up doing 2 track days in Aug/Sept on a bike with a misfire and a gear change issue which just turned out to be the lever working loose simply because of the old "I'll get around to it" syndrome!
I keep coming across bikes that have little to no history or the receipts etc that you usually get with a road bike, even a cheap one. Is this usual at this end of the market? Should I avoid such bikes? Off roaders are likely to have been ridden harder than a blue eyed whore in a Marseille brothel anyway, but with no papers save for an MOT and a V5 and often no way to check the mileage/hours it's even more of a risk.
What about one of those GPS speedo’s? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Moto...er-Odometer-Gauge-80MPH-130km-h-/184458493285
You are right, the required percentage of trust is often extended as regards non-visual aspects of the bike’s condition, obviously I’m talking about the engine more than anything often with no accurate proof of mileage to go by. Getting to know how the seller ticks is more important than ever here.
As Chris says, the older the bike the less likely it is your going to get any history, thats just the way it is with off road bikes. You need to go and see it and ride it. If it sounds like a bag of nails and looks like its had a hard life then walk away. Look at the person selling and go by the ‘gut feeling’ you get on his/her honesty.
Right..... I'm going to see 2 x 2 stroke 250s tomorrow. A Gas Gas EC250 (2008) and a Husqvarna WR250 (2005) The Gas Gas is for sale though a trader and I can probably get it for close to £2.5k. The Husqvarna is a private sale and I can probably buy it for close to £2k. Neither has any history. The Husqvarna has a new chain and sprockets and a new rear tyre. 12 months MOT, but daytime only as no rear light but the guy has a rear light kit he will fit before collection if I buy the bike. The Gas Gas has new plastics (which I take as meaning someone binned it in spectacular fashion recently) and is MOT'd until March. I'm tempted by the Husqy tbh (cheaper, some new consumables, long MOT, prefer the colour) but that is balanced by the additional Consumer Rights Act protection you get when buying from a trader. Maybe the decision will be easier once I've seen and ridden the bikes tomorrow. Any thoughts/advice on the above welcome. Thanks
Husky looks good.. You know the ThumperTalk forum I guess? https://thumpertalk.com/forums/topic/352725-my-wr250-review-very-long/
Thanks for that Chris. I read all that and some others last night and I’m now actually leaning towards the Gas Gas, simply because it seems the Husky has quite a tall seat and many of the reviews said that the ergonomics are best suited to riders 6’ and over whereas the GG’s seat is a fair bit lower. I’m 5’9” and proportionately long in the leg but as I’m a newbie I don’t want to be having to do a Dani Pedrosa one cheek sneak or hopping off like this guy every time I need to take a dab.
I did wonder when it commented on the ability to kickstart, and with a friendly seller, of course it’s something you can hopefully verify, and ride height is the main factor of course.
As many have stated just look at it’s overall condition, I would think the trader is a better option. I liked my GG 300 the previous owner had spent a fair bit of money at it, new piston new tyres and he’d got 2011 body work on a 2006 bike. Good luck When you do go laning from experience don’t engage with other lane users as it usually ends up in an argument over rights of way. We just said hello goodbye and carried on with riding no time to argue.....
Yep. That’s the way I’m leaning tbh. Well, as you know, I'm a diffident and timid type who shies away from confrontation.... But joking aside, I have seen a few videos of ramblers getting arsey with bikers, and I can see there is nothing to be gained by fanning the flames when no doubt councils and police are just itching for an excuse to implement exclusion orders or similar to prevent ASB. So yeah, I'll just smile sweetly and go on my way
