Anybody into greenlaning?

[Winder]

I fancy giving it a go as it looks like a laugh even in the p*ssing rain. Always fancied riding off road but never had any dollar to put towards it.
Anyway, I have £1500 And need a good starter bike for a complete off road virgin. Preferably 4 stroke. I know my road bikes but not a scooby when it comes to road legal enduro/crosser types.

Any hints tips and advice you can throw my way regarding bike and kit options (or anything else) would be much appreciated.

Now off to put a newbie thread in a Greenlane forum also.

[Destruktor77]

For £1500 you could get a good second hand KTM 250 EXC-F. Ktm being the leaders in offroad machines. But then again £1500 could probably get you a cheaper enduro (Trusty bullet proof Honda) with cash to spare on some extras you might like.

To be honest, In starting out you couldn't go wrong with some cheap second-hand bike that runs well so you don't mind damaging it in the learning stages. Then when you start getting better move up the spectrum.

Biggest tip. Stick with a 125 stroker, or a 250 four for the first bike. I remember jumping on to a YZ250 for the first time and almost giving my self a prolapse with the shock of power...

[Goodfella]

Just don't do what Baron Von Grumble did. He's hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqgEl53x7CM

[Fallout]

Mate, me and Spank will be getting trail bikes next year. Really want to get back into it again. I would say stay away from the KTM EXCs, unless you enjoy rebuilding engines. The service intervals are ridiculous because they are so frikkin powerful. Spank had to rebuild his twice in a year, which isn't fun unless it's your passion, rather than an occasional hobby.

Best way to stay on the road in the winter though. When the weather is crap and the road bike isn't appealing, it's a perfect time to get mudding. :)

[Specialone]

Depends what you wanna do?
If you want to ride it on road too then forget the stupidly low cc engines, they will be a chore to ride on road and tbh, bit under powered.

Unless you like working on bikes, forget a stroker too or you will be working on it more than riding it.

Ktm's usage are recorded in hours, that says it all.
They are superior off road but can be unreliable and need a lot of maintenance.

I've got a drz400s and I think it and similar are perfect for off roading, light, fairly quick and bullet proof reliability.

[Fallout]

+1 for DRZ400. That's all I hear recommended time and time again as a low maintenance alternative to a KTM or similar bike.

[Winder]

I would need to ride the bike to the lanes and home again rather than having it on a trailer or in a van. Apart from that the road riding side would be very limited.
As in my first post I'm thinking 4 stroke. I want to be able to do normal maintainence and cleaning not full engine rebuilds twice a year. An old DRZ MIGHT be in my budget. This type of bike is so foreign to me so need your opinions/experiences.

[tigersaw]

I've been doing it for a couple of years, DRZ's (Tractors) seem to be the standard fare in the club, apart from the KTM showpieces. Due to wanting a lower bike I ride a Serow - air cooled bombproof and it would appear waterproof too.

[Specialone]

I've had mine 2.5 years now and it's been a hoot, it's as much fun on road as off it.

I have surprised quite a few bikes on the road who thought I was riding a slow off road bike, so don't get thinking they won't excite you.

People who generally criticise drz's haven't ridden one IMO, cos most people who have, love them.

You should be able to pick up an older 02 or so for that money if you keep looking.

[Winder]

Going to have a look at some older DRZs and see if anything falls into my price range. Anything you owners could advise me to look out for, common faults etc?

Thanks again

[tigersaw]

I don't know enough about them, but look into the different varients, like the true enduro version, dual purpose, flatside carbs etc.

[Fallout]

Get one with one previous lady owner which has just done dry trips to the shops.

[Winder]

One lady owner, new clutch

[Vergey]

I must agree with what everyone has said that DRZ's are spot on for green laning, but it depends on how much road work you want the bike to do as well. If you are a fair distance from any decent lanes then you are gonna have to ride the bike there or trailer it (not as much fun), so bear that in mind. Myself i green lane a dominator (NX650), as I like a bit of a challenge and use her all through the winter. Dommie is a bit heavy to start off on though, DRZ's are great, but dont rule out the big thumpers like the dommie and the XT if you still want a competent bike that you can really use on the road

[Dabteacake]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRZ-400-/261075893493?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3cc955fcf5#ht_500wt_1287

Might be worth a look 800 notes with 40mins left

[Specialone]

I must agree with what everyone has said that DRZ's are spot on for green laning, but it depends on how much road work you want the bike to do as well. If you are a fair distance from any decent lanes then you are gonna have to ride the bike there or trailer it (not as much fun), so bear that in mind. Myself i green lane a dominator (NX650), as I like a bit of a challenge and use her all through the winter. Dommie is a bit heavy to start off on though, DRZ's are great, but dont rule out the big thumpers like the dommie and the XT if you still want a competent bike that you can really use on the road

Yep, the Xt's are good too, bit comfier and a bit more sedate but still good.

[KeithCRM]

Honda XR's (250 or 400) are tough, light and reliable and definitely not too powerful. My 250 proved perfect for a first bike and has a comfy seat for when you're riding on road.