new member looking for bike – OLD Bull Trailriders

This topic contains 28 replies, has 0 voices, and was last updated by Adrian Lee 14 years ago.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 29 total)

1 2 →

Author

Posts
April 28, 2011 at 1:32 pm #99823

peter havelberg
Member

Hello Bikers
I`m 47 & had my first ride in the dirt for 15 years last week. I used to have an XR 250RE (1983). I rode a WR450 through the bush around Gellibrand & handled it pretty well. Am now keen to get a bike, and looking for some info on what to get. I like the idea of a KTM 200 or 250 exc 2 stroke, I hear they have similar powering characteristics to 4 strokes & the maintenance is easier than 4 strokes, thanks for any ideas
Cheers Haveldirt

April 28, 2011 at 1:48 pm #200248

Mick D
Member

Gday Haveldirt,
thanks for the intro. If I was looking for a 2 banger in that class, I would definately go either the Gas Gas 300 or the KTM 300. They have the 2 stroke poke along with the tractor low rev torque of a 4 stroke. I rode the 300 kato for an hour in the bush last week and had a ball on the thing and I was secretly disappointed when I had to hand it back to its owner.
Cheers
Mick

April 28, 2011 at 1:56 pm #200253

peter havelberg
Member

Thanks Mick
I like the idea of the low rev torque of the ktm but I`m not up with what a gas gas 300 is could you give me some more detail
Cheers Peter (haveldirt)

April 28, 2011 at 2:02 pm #200255

Mick D
Member

One of these mean looking puppies would be a good choice

[attachment=2463]GasGasEC300NambotinR.jpg[/attachment]

April 28, 2011 at 2:05 pm #200249

Dwayne O
Member

Hi Pete & welcome to OBT mate,

Mick is spot on with his advice I reckon, the new 300`s have the torgue to poke along or tractor up snotty hills if you wish or more importantly need to:whistle:

Just wait for OLLIE to jump in with the lowdown on the Gas Gas mate, he is a huge fan (you will make up your own mind):laugh:

Good Luck whichever way ou decide to go, whatever you choose will get you out there which is the most important step:woohoo:

Cheers
ps, whereabouts is Gellibrand ????

April 28, 2011 at 2:31 pm #200254

Craig Hatton
Member

micknmeld wrote:

Gday Haveldirt,
thanks for the intro. If I was looking for a 2 banger in that class, I would definately go either the Gas Gas 300 or the KTM 300. They have the 2 stroke poke along with the tractor low rev torque of a 4 stroke. I rode the 300 kato for an hour in the bush last week and had a ball on the thing and I was secretly disappointed when I had to hand it back to its owner.
Cheers
Mick

Is that an admission. , you now have a secret desire for orange, don’t you.:laugh: Move over Big Red Pig, there is a new filly on the way. Hail lord Kato

Hatto

April 28, 2011 at 2:33 pm #200250

Craig Hatton
Member

Sorry Haveldirt
Welcome to the site, go orange and live the dream

cheers Hatto

April 28, 2011 at 2:39 pm #200251

Alex
Member

Depends on lots of factors haveldirt.
Fit or unfit?
Lazy riding or like a challenge?
Dealer is close by and helpful or don’t care get your advice from here and parts from USA?
Like to conform or like something different?

I have only one suggestion, in your position coming back from a long hiatus, you may not be able to get a ride on lots of different bikes… so if you have to take an educated pick from a bunch of bikes, choose one that is easy to get/find and easy to sell. Try not to buy something that needs 5 weekends to fix up to ride (stuffed). Once your in the dirt with you mates (and new ones), have a go on theirs so your next choice of bike will be “your choice” more than ours.

Bikes in this category (in my opinion) are: WR250/450, DRZ400, XR400, KTM300, KLX250. Safe bets these, all different bikes (slow/fast/light/heavy) but I think easier to sell again than others.

April 28, 2011 at 2:41 pm #200256

peter havelberg
Member

Thanks Eagle
Still looking at all options, 4 strokes included
Gellibrand is a small town between Colac & Beech Forrest in the Victorian Otway ranges. Check out Otway Trail Riders
Cheers Peter (haveldirt)

PS : what is a gas gas bike, I haven`t heard of them

April 28, 2011 at 2:49 pm #200260

peter havelberg
Member

Thanks for the details Axel, all good points I`ll take on board.
I was easily impressed on the 2006 wr 450 after only riding Xr 200`s & 250`, so I might lean towards a 4 stroke, but most people I talk to tell me about the high maintenance involved on the motors.
Anyway thanks again
Cheers Peter (haveldirt)

April 28, 2011 at 3:04 pm #200261

Dean
Member

Welcome to the site dude This is my thoughts on a bike for someone getting back into it. Pretty much along the lines of Axels A lot of it will depend on your Skill level and your what bike fits you the best. The 4 stroke 400’s are a good all round bike but if you want to do a lot of single trail a 300 2t or 250 4t might be a better option. I recently sold an 04 Yamy 450 it was a beast of a thing to ride in the fast flowing stuff but wore me out pretty quick, and I really pumped some cash into it as well

The Euro 2 strokes are all good and are being seen out in the bush more and more. The Kato is a bit taller but has plenty of go and is very reliable (starter motor excluded ) I rode a 08 Husky 250 and that thing is a blade but the kicker is awkward and parts prices can be high. The TM is a very nice bike but probably aimed more for the Hard core rider. The Gasgas 300 is probably more trail bike oriented but still has plenty of grunt they are very reliable and spares prices are surprisingly cheap. I do get a lot of stuff O/s for mine but everything is available here as well. The Gasgas is also a bit shorter in the saddle which makes it easier in the slow going.
One other option you could consider in the 2T is a 98-01 Suzuki RMX yeah they are a bit older,but they go like stink and can be had for around 2-3K (ive still got mine and will never sell it)

Happy Hunting mate

April 28, 2011 at 3:06 pm #200262

Alex
Member

haveldirt wrote:

… but most people I talk to tell me about the high maintenance involved on the motors (4st).

No trouble Peter.

Well yes, this is true BUT…. if I just purchased a 400/450 off a reasonable source or have paperwork/proof to show either low hours or rebuilt recently, AND I only wanted to ride the bike for a year or 2 or 3 or 4 before trying something different, there will be no high maintenance costs. I wouldn’t touch the motor.

If however I was determined to keep this bike for a long time then YES, welcome to the world of expensive maintenance eventually.

If you went the way of the 2st (I have), I know what I need to do, I know what it’s going to cost, I know the motor is fresh because I pulled it down after purchase. I’ve done it many times before. It IS affordable to maintain. It will require maintenance medium to long term but the costs of parts and your time rebuilding are smaller/less. Again if you keep the 2st short term you probably will not have to touch it with a spanner before selling either.

Good info there Ollie. What type of riding you like is a big factor for sure.

April 28, 2011 at 4:03 pm #200266

Greg
Member

Welcome to the site. Ride them all, ask, research and go for want you like that pushes your buttons there is nothing bad around anymore some are better than others though
See Ollie and Hatto have been all over it like a fat chick on a donut :laugh: between them they have two eyes (one each )
Seriously lots of good advice here from people that do the business weekend and weekend out.

Welcome and I will try and catch up with you soon regarding Otway tours and riding if that’s ok

TB

April 28, 2011 at 4:39 pm #200273

Jeffrey Smith
Member

Welcome to the site Pete, the Gas Gas is a Spanish brand bike and are just becoming better known in Australia but have been around for quite a while.

April 28, 2011 at 5:08 pm #200276

peter havelberg
Member

Thanks for that Jeffro
Cheers Peter (haveldirt)
Author

Posts

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 29 total)

1 2 →

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.