View Full Version : trail/green lane bikes - cheep winter hack (advice)
barwel1992
21-10-10, 03:03 PM
whats a good winter hack, in the style of a trail bike/green lane sort of bike
price must be less than a grand
pref more than a 125
not bothered about age
not a 2 stroke
do 60 - 100 miles a day with out going boom
any suggestions ?
tigersaw
21-10-10, 03:06 PM
Serow
225 cc 60-70mph depending on tyres 70-80 mpg
seem to last forever
I have a 1990 and a 2005, love them to bits
You will *just* get one for a grand
barwel1992
21-10-10, 03:41 PM
looks good but as you said just under a grand
Specialone
21-10-10, 04:28 PM
A kwak KLX250 went on ebay recently in real good, low miles condition for £780, so something like that would be a good one to look out for, 33hp as well so not slow.
If you keep your eyes out you will get a decent older green laner for under a grand easy.
barwel1992
21-10-10, 05:17 PM
cheers
the idea is if i drop it, it dosn't matter plus i can go play on some fields with it lol
barwel1992
21-10-10, 08:09 PM
bump
Specialone
21-10-10, 09:21 PM
If you choose a common bike, the parts are dead cheap, plus these type of bikes are designed to take knocks, ive dropped my drz a few times, plastics get scratched at worst.
barwel1992
21-10-10, 10:51 PM
^ thats what im after but the price of the more common bikes is making it a bit out of reach (not as out of reach as car insurance though ;) )
Fizzy Fish
22-10-10, 04:47 AM
If you don't intend on doing much greenlaning, a DRZ400 is a good bet.
It will go off road, but is a bit on the heavy side to be particularly useful. However as a general cheap/fun hack it's great, and the 400cc makes it more usable on the road
A few people on here have got them - I have the SM version, which I actually really enjoy riding on the road, and you can also get a spare set of off road wheels for greenlaning.
barwel1992
22-10-10, 10:26 AM
^ id like a drz but they all seem to be over 1k inroad worthy condition
Specialone
22-10-10, 12:15 PM
If you don't intend on doing much greenlaning, a DRZ400 is a good bet.
It will go off road, but is a bit on the heavy side to be particularly useful. However as a general cheap/fun hack it's great, and the 400cc makes it more usable on the road
A few people on here have got them - I have the SM version, which I actually really enjoy riding on the road, and you can also get a spare set of off road wheels for greenlaning.
Heavy ???
Mine is a light as anything, I use mine a lot on and off road, I think its perfect for off roading, even proper similar powered off road bikes will only be approx 20 kgs lighter than mine.
Fizzy Fish
23-10-10, 05:48 AM
Heavy ???
Mine is a light as anything, I use mine a lot on and off road, I think its perfect for off roading, even proper similar powered off road bikes will only be approx 20 kgs lighter than mine.
It's a lot lighter than a road bike, and usable off road - but not ideal for that use. Having ridden a couple of proper 125/250 dirt bikes, I really noticed the difference in handling
I've got an early 90's Yamaha XT350 and love it. You will get one for under a grand no problems. Will do about 75 and get their fairly rapidly too. Seat height is also a lot lower than some of the more modern stuff. They are kick start only though but they do have a decompression system so are fairly easy to start. Heres mine:-
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/monkey_bike_man/DSCN0493.jpg
tigersaw
23-10-10, 02:03 PM
I've got an early 90's Yamaha XT350 and love it.
Wow thats really nice, looks like a big serow :)
Wow thats really nice, looks like a big serow :)
I nearly went for a serow but this came up last year locally and is in pretty good nick for its age considering the type of bike that it is. Sounds good with the Micron exhaust too.
tigersaw
23-10-10, 02:22 PM
I nearly went for a serow but this came up last year locally and is in pretty good nick for its age considering the type of bike that it is. Sounds good with the Micron exhaust too.
It certainly does look in good condition, looks very similar to my 2006 serow actually. if you see another give me a call :)
Wow thats really nice, looks like a big serow :)
It certainly does look in good condition, looks very similar to my 2006 serow actually. if you see another give me a call :)
Will do. I may even part with this one as i have been thinking about getting something a bit newer like a DRZ400 (SM version). They are bit too tall for me though.
tigersaw
23-10-10, 02:38 PM
Will do. I may even part with this one as i have been thinking about getting something a bit newer like a DRZ400 (SM version). They are bit too tall for me though.
Depends what you want to do with it, but a DRZ if far too tall for me to take off road, thats why I have the serow(s). Your 350 looks like it shares common parts, so I'll be looking for one for my stable lol.
I would be after the SM version as it would just be for on road use. A DRZ would also be far too tall for me off road too. I think i could just about handle the XT and my original plan was to do a bit of green laneing on it. I've not got round to it yet though!
tigersaw
23-10-10, 05:31 PM
I'd prep it a bit before green laning - those tyres for a start!
Just got back from an afternoon in the muddy lanes myself, bikes filthy, my kits wet and filthy, I ache.. excellent fun!
barwel1992
23-10-10, 06:43 PM
cheers for the suggestion, looks good im 6ft1 ish so height is normally not a problem
I'd prep it a bit before green laning - those tyres for a start!
Just got back from an afternoon in the muddy lanes myself, bikes filthy, my kits wet and filthy, I ache.. excellent fun!
Well knowing me i will never get round to going, I've been trying to talk a mate into getting something similar. It would help giving me a kick up the **** to get out there and do it!
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