I haven’t read the whole thread , but if you’re now looking for a vintage road legal off roader, not a MX bike and 2t .. Best value at the moment are the IT Yamaha 175 - Good for the lanes , but they don’t compare to a 300cc orange bike Edited to add Kawasaki KDX from the 80s also worth a look
I just sold this road legal ‘75 Honda , but your neighbours wouldn’t like it and the ramblers on the lanes certainly don’t . It’s a bit loud when on pipe.
Mate, i’ve got 3 Ducatis, all of which have open pipes, and one of the bikes has an end can with a 3” bore that booms like a cannon and shoots out a foot long purple flame on the overrun. That ship has SAILED boy
If you’d like to try a Himalaya, KTM 390, BMW 310 Gs or a Honda CRF 250 Rally, there’s a chap called Nathan Millward. he’s started some sort of off-road schooling type thing where you can try the aforementioned bikes back to back. Here’s a link to the thread on ABR:- https://adventurebikerider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=50564&hilit=Nathan#p667786 And here’s a link to his site:- https://www.nathanmillward.com/north-devon-motorcycle-experiences
I already had a 2012 Husaberg TE300 (a rebadged 2008 - 2011 KTM EXC), teed up (no pun intended) to buy for £2,600 but I'd put it on the back burner as I thought I was closing in on the TS250. Unfortunately I missed the Husa by a matter of hours due to having my time wasted by that wanker with the other bike. This time yesterday I was just waiting on Holeshot MX to get back to me with a price for fitting a lowering kit on the Husa (no linkage so the shock needs to be stripped) when the seller messaged to let me know someone else had put down a deposit at £2,800. It was a real bargain too - not only was it a good price but it had loads of history including an engine rebuild last month and the seller was legit. Fkn furious.
I was on the balls of my feet on the Gas Gas but according to specs the Husa was 1.5" taller. I want something I can flat foot until I build up some confidence. See here for reasons why https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threa...tocross-bike-please.83012/page-7#post-1772936
Don't worry about it, it doesn't work like that. You will have more control with feet on the pegs and grip on with your thighs, feet only come off at times and stand up on the pegs as much as you can and again grip with your thighs. Most suffer arm pump, if you have a miracle cure, let me know. Just don't hold on too tight. Hopefully I'm not telling you how to suck eggs here, just trying to help. Seat height wont be an issue. Just make sure you get a decent pair of boots and definitely get knee braces. I use Pods, good gear, expensive but I wouldn't ride without them. After that, all the usual stuff. Just look after your knees lol.
@Zhed46 What wheelbarrow says above is right. Have you looked at Enduro news for sale section yet. There’s normally loads for sale on there. And another thing, by the looks of things if you want to get one for Christmas, you’d better get a move on because of what looks like new covid restrictions soon after Christmas.
That is really useful advice, thanks. It's just that I've had bad experiences with tall bikes and while I will happily brake late, push the front and ride around mechanical and set up issues at high speed on tarmac (as the feedback from a BSB rider pointed out after my last track tuition pointed out) I the total opposite and am a timid little mouse when it comes to the thought of toppling over at 2mph But what happens when, say, I'm going at walking pace and need to take a dab? Jump off? Do a Dani Pedrosa-esque one cheek sneak? Gas it and hope for the best?
One down, one to go. I’ve just put a deposit on a learner and road legal 1988 DT125 for my boy at a decent price. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164577479414 I plan to surprise him with it on Xmas Day. I’m also now not far from tying up a deal on a modern style 300 for myself. Fingers crossed it’ll be delivered on Sunday. All being well, I’ll be way under budget as well, spending £4K or less rather than the £5k I had set aside. Thanks for all your help everyone. No doubt my next thread asking for advice will be “Is My Ankle Supposed to be Pointing in That Direction?”
this is not helping but thought of you when i saw it:- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APRILIA-...522277?hash=item4225c53365:g:i9kAAOSw765fx8MP
I’m still looking for a bike for me as I got let down on a Gas Gas 300 yesterday. We’d got to the stage of agreeing a price and I’d asked for his bank details, only to get a message a few hours later that it was sold. I’m currently communicating with a seller about a Kawasaki KDX200R. I’ve read that they’re great bikes but the pistons crack and so must be replaced. I don’t know whether that’s correct or if it’s just one of those scaremongering internet rumours that forums specialise in. Thoughts?
Fit a Wiseco piston? As with any second user 2 stroke you’re buying an unknown, did he use fully synth all the time, always the correct pre-mix change the transmission oil regularly. All you can really do is as stated previously is get a feel for the seller, you know can he answer your questions without hesitation or vagueness. Factor in a little on your offer that something may go wrong much like any purchase of a vehicle. Good luck.
