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Old 12-12-13, 07:42 PM   #1
kaivalagi
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Default Downsize my daily driver?

Hi All,

Just wanted your opinions really, as of today I've decided I think I will chop in my KTM SM-T for a smaller, lighter, cheaper to run and more winter capable bike that can be dropped, can give much better MPG and take on the winter with no effort at all. The SM-T is gonna get me in serious doo doo one of these days and it's costing a fair whack on fuel too (mostly due to right hand)

I have a Rocket III as a second bike so my lust for power, summer rides and touring with the Mrs is covered with that. So I am actually contemplating a small 250 / 400 dual sport to give me enough for the daily commute and potentially some green laning at a a later date.

3 Models are in my sights right now...

1) Suzuki DR-Z 400 S - I would want a 2009 so I have the newest I can have, but they seem hard to find locally...plus the price that is wanted is fairly steep (no more made I guess). Pros for the bike are the motor has some punch for the size and the bike in general is great for maintenance / tuning etc, Cons are the seat height and the MPG for the size of engine.

2) Honda CRF 250 L - New I can get one for less than £4K, ex-demo for the same price I would pay for a 2009 DR-Z I suspect. Got good reviews generally and is a honda. I have a demo ride lined up on Saturday so I can see if I could put up with the limited power, especially on the dually...Pros for the bike are the seat height is lower than most of the equivalent rides, has 6 gears and has great MPG, good green laner, better than a DR-Z, Cons are the thing has ~ 22bhp and a < 8L tank. But I can strap a small can on the back (with a rack) and the range will be better than my rocket...also looked at big bore kits and tuning stuff for it which get it to 30bhp no worries.

3) Honda CRF 250 M - super moto equivalent to the L, shorter travel, smaller wheels. I think the L would be a better option and if I want SM I can get some SM wheels for the L later on I am sure...

So......what do you guys think? Go for the CRF L, do the SM route instead as most of my time is on road, or wait out for a DR-Z?

Any other opinions?
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Old 12-12-13, 07:49 PM   #2
Dunn-y
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Default Re: Downsize my daily driver?

The DRZ's are what I was looking at before I bought my SV. They so have generally very good reviews and seem to be bullet proof. If I was choosing I would go for the DRZ and the 400cc motor will be a little better on dual carriageways etc. But that's just my opinion.
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Old 12-12-13, 08:21 PM   #3
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Default Re: Downsize my daily driver?

YOu have an SM-T and a Rocket 3! two bikes i'd love to own, what's the rocket like?
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Old 12-12-13, 08:34 PM   #4
kaivalagi
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Default Re: Downsize my daily driver?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jackie_Black View Post
YOu have an SM-T and a Rocket 3! two bikes i'd love to own, what's the rocket like?
The rocket is nuts, the roadster has better peg position than a cruiser but all the charms, thread on my demo rides leading to the purchase here: http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=201864 Cut to the last page if you want to see the "beast"

I got it because I think it's a thing of beauty in the muscle bike arena and the wife will happily go on the back with the sissy bar on, very different to her feelings of going on the SM-T...the Rocket may have masses of torque but because it's a big bike you feel less inclined to use it all the time, it's just not that style of bike....but if you want to overtake or just give it some beans it does it very very well

I'll no doubt miss the SM-T, it is a very capable bike but that's part of the reason I want it gone. In the summer it's a great hooning machine, in the poorer weather however I am finding I am pushing to the edge too much and will come a cropper if I am not careful, that v-twin with light flywheel and poor low rev smoothness means it just wants be all or nothing (can be fixed with mods and re-mapping etc). The bikes ability to create a hooliganistic rider with ease has already gotten me in trouble before now...time to take it down a peg I think....plus I want to give the green laning thing a crack at some point and have a bike I can abuse in the winter and not be overly concerned about it...
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Old 12-12-13, 08:49 PM   #5
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Default Re: Downsize my daily driver?

With the money form the SM-T get a decent road bike sv 650? and a proper focussed dirt bike with token gesture lights, horn etc. You'll have more fun.
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Old 12-12-13, 09:25 PM   #6
kaivalagi
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Default Re: Downsize my daily driver?

Yeah, I thought about that but 1) I can't fit 3 bikes in the garage, I need just one for the commutes and 2) I don't want a high maintenance dirt bike (hours based service intervals...yuck!)

The trouble is there are no 400CC ish dual sports about any more with good servicing requirements, the bigger (690cc so no hour based service) KTMs of this world are great but way too much, the DR-Zs are either too old with too many miles or not for sale, atleast around my way. Maybe KTM will fit that 390 engine in a SMC at some point....then I'll look at one maybe

Already reading about big bore kits and exhausts / tuning etc on the CRF, could work for the longer term....I need that test ride on Saturday to see just how gutless it is first....I don't have big expectations but I need it to atleast not leave me falling behind in all the traffic I might be in amongst

The CRF is a great dual sporter, just a question of whether the power is enough for the dual carriageway, I think off road I'll be more than happy with one
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Last edited by kaivalagi; 12-12-13 at 09:27 PM.
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Old 12-12-13, 09:35 PM   #7
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Default Re: Downsize my daily driver?

Can you not just get a full power DTR125 for the fields and leave it in the garden? they are fun and capable bikes, or at the other end an old big honda XT doesn't need to live in a shed.
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Old 12-12-13, 09:46 PM   #8
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Default Re: Downsize my daily driver?

If your thinking singles, whats your budget?
Think team orange again
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Old 12-12-13, 09:54 PM   #9
kaivalagi
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Default Re: Downsize my daily driver?

I don't want the hours based servicing...so for a KTM that means hitting the bigger singles i.e. 690cc

I'll get around £6K for the SM-T and I want £2K back...I can get the Honda new for that with some extras such as a rack, better zorst etc

The ktm 690 enduro would be awesome, a good S/H one might be do-able...but it's too bloody tall! They all are really...the SM-T is as tall as Ican possibly go, even the 1190 adv is too big for me...

I know the CRF L or M is only a CRF in name, not the same as ther R or X, and I need to take a look at one and see how it rides don't I....the very high mpg does appeal....

Better to get an off road suspended bike (L model) then SM it or get an SM with restricted suspension (M model) and off road it? I'm thinking the former?
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Last edited by kaivalagi; 12-12-13 at 09:58 PM.
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Old 12-12-13, 09:58 PM   #10
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Default Re: Downsize my daily driver?

I was going to say Duke 390
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