Greenlaner

suzuki dr350
or
honda xr 250/400

would be (& was ) my choice

Quite. The DR and also the KLR are great knarly territory bikes. But again a compromise not brill on road and heavy for real dirt, but a good compromise. The KLR is very popular in the US where they really do have proer dirt roads.
Transalp very capable too. rob you could probably get one of those. Heavy for trails but a good cheap compromise and very capable on trails and twisty roads. Underrated. I had one once abroad for a week and it was a fine bike.

Originally Posted by hovis

suzuki dr350
or
honda xr 250/400

would be (& was ) my choice

To small for distance/road work dont you think tho? The amount of road work is the key here. I have a friend who rides a DR350 fair distances for laning and she finds it ok albeit a bit of a long trip. She is hard tho.

WHat about an xt660? Don't hear much press about them. The new transalp looks pretty nice

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

WHat about an xt660? Don't hear much press about them. The new transalp looks pretty nice

I know a few fans of the XT660. I think they are good, but some don't have electric start IIRC. Essential if you fall off as much as I do.

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

To small for distance/road work dont you think tho? The amount of road work is the key here. I have a friend who rides a DR350 fair distances for laning and she finds it ok albeit a bit of a long trip. She is hard tho.

i did not see any mention of long distance?

Originally Posted by hovis

i did not see any mention of long distance?

Its implied in the first post, so a consideration.

Well the Mondo Enduro boys did 40 000 miles on Dr350s! Just got to stop being soft

Originally Posted by Tomcat

Ive just bought a xt250. For greenlaning it is great, I am a beginner off road so it is managable and gives confidence (electric start also!)

Nice one.. will have look at that bike. Being short ass 5'5'' I've been strugg
ling to find green lane machines with low seat height. Thinking about getting one to save my SV from winter rust and more winter fun.

Originally Posted by robchester

... I did set a budget of about £1200 but figure that that might not buy me much so may stretch a little further (not too much or I'll be into SV trade in territory).

Seen a '95 BMW F650 with 32k on for only £850 but not so sure whether its good to take off road. Alternatively I keep on looking for DR350s and DRZ400s but think I might get left behind on the road. THere also doesnt seem to be many under £1800.

Anyone throw some light on this? I know theres a few on here who are into getting dirty on the trail so share some knowledge with me.

..... used to have the XT600E as a road bike, absolutely loved it (used to manage 90mph now and then to keep up with my hubby's fazer), but way too big for me especially to try any green laning with it. Would be within the budget as I sold it 2 years ago for £1200 as mint condition. Sure the XT660 would be better now

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

Well the Mondo Enduro boys did 40 000 miles on Dr350s! Just got to stop being soft

good point


i liked the xr250 as it seemed lighter & easier to throw around (so to speak)
& jump

my mate had a dr600 & it was just too big and heavy IMO