Nickj’s singletrack bike.

[scott bockingMember]

I thought I would start a new thread so his DRZ for sale thread does not turn into a new bike discussion. Nick had the opportunity to ride a lot of bikes last weekend and I think he found a favourite for the type of riding we do.

STM

[Dwayne OMember]

He didn`t make an offer on a slightly battered Factory lookalike Husky 449 did he ???? :whistle: :laugh:

[GregMember]

[Dwayne OMember]

Trailboss wrote:

Now Thats a SWEET SINGLE TACK WEAPON
Needs some Barkbusters though

[scott bockingMember]

He wants something to match his new Troy Lee jersey :laugh:

STM

[Nick JacksonMember]

Last weekend was a dream for anyone wanting a new bike but unsure what

I got to ride the over blinged Husky 449 of Chris-T , spuds WRF 450 and Aarons CRF250x. On the Pre-ride with STM the weekend before he was kind enough to let me ride his WR250F up a rather technical single that I know he wasn’t that keen on getting the DRZ through

I have to say as nice as the power of the 449 was , I only found myself having fun on the fire roads , the singletrack was hard work and I think that was mainly due to suspension set up but I don’t think the power is lineal enough for a solely singletrack bike. I found myself barely touch the throttle on Diamond Back single which is usually a fast flowing section.

Spuds WRF450 felt right the second I got on and I felt ‘in’ the bike , the power was very smooth and it was easy to ride , I only got the chance to do one singletrack in between fire roads but it left me smiling Spuds set up was very much the same as me with high bars set forward and the suspension soaked up the big erosion mounds with ease !

STMs WR250F was a heap of fun and once I got used to the very light front end I had a ball , the whole set up was perfect as you’d expect from the King.
I was definitely faster on this bike but that’s not why I’m changing , I got off the WR feeling as though I’d found the bike but had a feeling deep down something was missing for me. For all the DRZs weight issues it has a very strong engine with a good mid range, it can provide an extra boost when needed without being over fussy about what gear your in , this is what I missed in the WR250F. I came out of a couple of corners to find a decent erosion mound but not the power on tap to attack it with going down in gears and ringing it’s neck. I realize that’s how these bikes like to be ridden but I’m not sure it’s me !

When Aaron asked me if I wanted a go on his CRF250x I was hesitant as the conditions were very slick and its his brand new toy. He told me to shut up and get on so away I went 1st impressions had me instantly grinning , it felt light ( very light ) and so nimble , the first decent downhill I was crossing ruts and changing lines effortlessly , we then hit some fire road and I thought that the excitement was going to go but a surprisingly strong mid range and the take off at high revs was heaps of fun. The first jump was not really that big so I dismissed the smooth landing as a fluke but on a long section full of erosion mounds that I hit at varying speed I soon realized that the standard suspension on this bike was giving me the most comfortable landings I have ever had we arrived at the root riddled middle ridge and wisely Aaron wanted to take his own bike up and did so in style. I really didn’t want to give the CRF250x back and immediately noticed the difference once back on my bike.

So as for which bike I’ll get next ……

Not sure

[StuartMember]

Interesting how you found other peoples bikes

FYI, badbowie & I have identical 09 WR 450’s, they are totally different bikes to ride as they have slightly different fork valving.

I played around with a lot of jetting this year, heaps of Dyno runs included. Got more power out of my bike with increased fuel efficiency. This was fine for Condo750, then when I came home & rode single track the bike was totally different, only change was a mainjet (one size & a one clip position). I really needed to turn it back to how it was as it had plenty of linear power, problem was if you cracked the throttle without clutch it wouldn’t lift the front wheel when required. Now it is back to the aggressive wheelstand machine that it was.

I’ve also put plenty of km’s on CR450x’s over the last couple of years. To be honest, if they had a blue guard on the fron I couldn’t tell the difference

Bottom line, you can ride a bike & like it, buy one & try & replicate that bike can be extremely difficult. as we have found with our identical WR’s

[Nick JacksonMember]

I know what your saying SB , what amazed me was that Aarons bike was totally standard except for a performance pipe and jetting to suit. The suspension was very nice and the weight difference made it very maneavourable in technical sections.

I really liked Spuds WrF450 too , it’s well set up and he rides it quickly in the tight stuff , I don’t think I’ll get to his pace ever but I’d like a more singletrack orientated bike similar to that to keep trying !!!

You mention the CRF450 and I had one at my place for a few months and rode it a few times , I found it too aggressive for singletrack riding all day , similar to the husky 449 :pinch:

[scott bockingMember]

I really like the mid capacity concept TE310, FE390 and the 350exc for a good allrounder. Obviously after last weekend the 350 has a few teething issues but the concept is good. If you end up on more open terrain you can still keep up with the big bores. At the end of the day though you need the bike that suits the terrain you spend most of your time on and I am yet to be convinced that around here you need anything more than a 250f with a good pipe and open airbox.
The Honda got such a bad rap for it’s old valve issues and it’s reputation is only just starting to recover but I predict we will start to see a lot more out there.
Last weekend there were 45 bikes to compare in our local terrain and nobody was getting around any quicker than Aaron, Sam or factory Phil and they were all on 250’s. Nobody overtook that lead rider and he was on one too. :laugh:

STM

[Nick JacksonMember]

I had the Ktm 350 in my sights to STM but after Chris-t went to the Dirt Days and test rode one that kept breaking down with fuel issues I figured if KTM can’t get one reliable for the big test day what chance do I have !

I really like the 390 Berg but their isn’t much dealer back up local to Yamba so that’s holding me back.

I have ridden the 310 and it was fun but the CRF250 felt like it had more power to the ground.

Fussy bugger aren’t I !!!

[glennMember]

it would be interesting to ride a CRF with a stock exhaust, and compare the power delivery,you have to remember the one you rode isnt stock. The CRF would be the way I would go if i was changing, but the reliability and smoothness and low maintainence and ease of working on and good fuel range and the useable power and the ability to go everywhere everyone else goes of my DRZ just sems to be a great reason to keep it.Add one kick start and away we gooooo. But yeah the CRF does look the ducks guts in the 250 range.

Boony

[corey heatherMember]

Boony wrote:

it would be interesting to ride a CRF with a stock exhaust, and compare the power delivery,you have to remember the one you rode isnt stock. The CRF would be the way I would go if i was changing, but the reliability and smoothness and low maintainence and ease of working on and good fuel range and the useable power and the ability to go everywhere everyone else goes of my DRZ just sems to be a great reason to keep it.Add one kick start and away we gooooo. But yeah the CRF does look the ducks guts in the 250 range.

Boony

I second every thing Boony says and when we are trail riding and i am on my 4k bike going past 11k bikes or just cruising along following people wondering why they own these lighter more pricey bikes if they can not ride them to there full potential why buy them? Maybe they like the high maintaince or the flash new stuff. But i can not ride my DRZ to its full potential nor do i pretend to be the best rider out there. If you don’t like picking up the DRZ then don’t lay them down :laugh: :laugh:

But i must say Nick you were comparing a fairly new CRF that was worked to a old WRF that is a little unfair. you may need to ride a new WRF or even the gasgas 250 with the euro suspension and weight with the WRF motor and hydrolic clutch.

All this is just my opinion.

Corey8

[Nick JacksonMember]

Fair enough Corey but my bike is at that stage where I sell now and get good money to upgrade or keep for a couple more years see ADR arrive on the RMX450z and the Drz price will drop and I’ll have to start from scratch.

Aarons bike has only had a new pipe and jetting and after talking to STM his WR has basically had all performance mods done. Their is however 5 years between these bikes but how much power do you lose ? Do you think your Drz has much less power than mine as it’s a fair bit older ? I’m not sure but no matter what I get I know you’ll still be passing me

[corey heatherMember]

Nickj wrote:

Fair enough Corey but my bike is at that stage where I sell now and get good money to upgrade or keep for a couple more years see ADR arrive on the RMX450z and the Drz price will drop and I’ll have to start from scratch.

Aarons bike has only had a new pipe and jetting and after talking to STM his WR has basically had all performance mods done. Their is however 5 years between these bikes but how much power do you lose ? Do you think your Drz has much less power than mine as it’s a fair bit older ? I’m not sure but no matter what I get I know you’ll still be passing me

Do you think you could ever put the RMX and the DRZ in the same class? maybe they will keep dropping in price.

I couldn’t comment on the power lose of a 5 year old 250 over a new one but could be abit as they do need to be ridden on song to keep them going. i have never been a 250 fan as they seem to give you a work out and i am to lazy for that LOL just like the gasgas 300 it was a fun bike but demands to be ridden on song to be going some where and i was following you on your DRZ but once again i am no 2 smoker fan either and those bike owners are a breed of them selfs (watch them start on me now)

[Geoff ForshawMember]

Hey Nick,

Have you riden a 390 Husaberg? Great flat forgiving power delivery. Turn on a 5c piece. Feels as light as a 250. See if you can get to ride one it would be good get your opinion. IMO if i was to upgrade, after riding one it would be high on my list.

Cheers,
Lefty

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