Suggestions for some bulletproof trailbikes

[XXX3]

Without a lot of backstory, I am looking towards a 250 trailbike. It must be hardcore enough that it can handle difficult terrain and jumps* without cracking the frame or destroying the suspension etc. It will probably be used as a learner bike or by inexperienced riders, and I don't want to spend much on maintaining it financially or time-wise; so no highly tuned enduro weapon that revs to 20 000rpm and needs the valves checked every 40km.

In short; performance low priority, reliability and ruggedness high priority. The bike must be licensable.


To this end, I've shortlisted the DRZ-250 and the TTR-250.

So I've got a couple questions;

1. Of the TTR250 and DRZ250, which is superior in what aspects? They both have a good reputation as bulletproof, both have long service intervals and cheap/easy maintenance, both have a kick starter and both are air cooled. Anyone got some comparisons or warnings through personal experience?

2. Does anyone have opinions or comparisons etc on a DRZ-400 vs the 250? While the bike will be used by learners/inexperienced riders, this is in an offroad environment so the 250 legality isn't an issue. I am looking towards doing more longer distance and remote riding myself, which my 2 stroke is not really suitable for, and I'd prefer a 400 over a 250. I'm not super keen on the lack of kick start and the liquid cooling on the 400 though.

EDIT* Jumps as in over logs and off small drop-offs. Not 60' kickers for double backflips.

[filbert]

You can add a kick start to the drz 400e for about $250 then it should meet most of your other criteria, for a rider over 85kg I'd order in some heavier racetech springs to avoid bottoming out in the rougher stuff.

[Aufitt]

Did 4 seasons Enduros on 2 TTRs which included 2 days and the A4DE, Nat terrain series & the cross country series,
Minor mods and good results and the bikes were pretty much bulletproof, they crash well too being aircooled and maintenance is a breeze.
Cannot recommend the TTR any higher, and I see they have not changed a formula that works.. still 7 grand ride away as well.
And they are not 120kg in off road trim and feel like a light bike. resale was even good and selling a well used enduro bike is not easy.

Before that I raced WR400 which never quite came to grips with and sold it, someone lent me a DR250 to race a 2 day on and I was sold on the aircooled 250's which is how the TTR deal came along. The TTR is slightly better all round.

[out_in_front]

From what I hear the WR250's aren't too bad on engine maintenance compared with some others, and the suspension is decent if you are doing big jumps - you will still want the springs upgraded though (same with any enduro bike). They have a detuned YZ250F engine in them, which is made to last a bit longer than most of its counterparts (Honda KTM's etc)

The ttr's / dr-z's etc are great learner bikes, but as with most cheaper models their suspension is a bit of a let down compared to the top end bikes...

It really depends on the size of those jumps by the sound of it...

[dazza1968]

Get a good smoker , keeps you awake , very little to repair n go well ........regards dazza

[jules_1972]

Xr600r!!!!

[dazza1968]

Get a good smoker , keeps you awake , very little to repair n go well ........regards dazza

Sorry mate just realised what you wanted ...................Xr600 or 400 r brilliant , a mate upgraded from the xr 400 to a crf450x loves the extra but not the maintenance schedules , regards dazza

[B3NO-511]

Yes, stay clear off crfx's, unless you like servicing them every 6-7hrs!

I started riding on a licenced XR250 07 model, last model they made before going to CRFX, Great bike to learn on, handled the trails extremly well, layed it down countless times,
Never had to repair anything! oil+filter change every 2500kms. Bullet proof bike. Aircooled, elect start.

I only got rid of it because im to big for it (6'4 100kg)

Ben

[out_in_front]

If you were to get a smoker, I have heard good things about the KTM 200exc's - reasonable maintenance - 40hrs between pistons, awesome suspension and ridiculously light weight.

[Kev_Oh]

I started riding on a licenced XR250 07 model, last model they made before going to CRFX, Great bike to learn on, handled the trails extremly well, layed it down countless times,
Never had to repair anything! oil+filter change every 2500kms. Bullet proof bike. Aircooled, elect start.

I'd have to agree here, I've had a few XR250's and currently have an 07 XR250, great bikes, can handle a good amount of abuse (being dropped) and still bounce back with no major problems. Yet to do anything serious to any of the ones I've owned, being air cooled also leaves less things to break. Oil and filter change every 2500k's, clean air filter when needed and away you go again.

[Munut]

If you were to get a smoker, I have heard good things about the KTM 200exc's - reasonable maintenance - 40hrs between pistons, awesome suspension and ridiculously light weight.

Don't forget these intervals given in the manuals are worked out under race conditions basically 40hr of the throttle being at the stops the whole time. Also piston and ring kits are around $130 and with a bit of mechanical knowledge can be done yourself makes the 2 smokers very affordable, much longer engine (gear) oil intervals. no valves pretty much nothing to do put clean the air filter.

VIVA LA 2 STROKE

[heller44]

Do you require electric start? Suggest TT350 if not. About as reliable as you can possibly get. All depends on how old you want to go.. Or in a 2stroke KDX200.

[Phatmat]

I've got a drz400e, I upgraded from a klx250. I gotta say the drz is truley bulletproof! Mine still looks and runs like new, and it's an 07'. It's only done about 6000k's on the clock but a good part of that was off road in lancelin and other tracks.

My friend bought the 01' klx250 and it does get a beating sometimes, it's done 16,000k's all up but again lots was done off road.

I've had expierence with Suzuki (DRZ), Kawasaki (KLX), Yamaha (DT? What was their two stroke model, it was a 250 2 stroke anyway).

All proved to be tough. The best advice I can give is just don't go for a Chinese brand, stick with Japanese and you'll have no problem with what you choose!

Depending how much maintenance you want to do, since the drz is an enduro it doesn't need a lot of maintenance. Just the usual oil n filter mainly. The 400 I've got has a yoshi pipe and it's got some power! Even in third gear it gets me out of tricky off road situations.

[Phatmat]

Ignore this.. I reposted instead of edited accidentally

[dazza1968]

Have you bought one yet/or still studying

regards Dazza

[MattyA]

WR250r not as quick as the f model but chuck some dirt tyres on and it will go great. a mate of mine rode one from perth to cape york and back last year mostly off road. thats a pretty fair test of its longevity.

[HP2]

Based on your original criteria, hard to go past a TTR or DRZ 250
Easy to sell afterwards as well
You'll feel faster on the two stroke but they're tiring and that's when you'll bin it. Overall you'd be faster and better off in the hip pocket with the two bikes mentioned.
2005 XR250 also in the mix…NOT the XR250L model though. Yuk.

[slacker]

id definately say yammie , ive had a ttr that copped it an then copped it from all my mates lol, wr is same deal but lighter an faster ! gotta say i loved my ol 2 stroke wr more than my four stroke one though .

[Phildo]

To this end, I've shortlisted the DRZ-250 and the TTR-250.

So I've got a couple questions;

1. Of the TTR250 and DRZ250, which is superior in what aspects?

Either one will do the same job, and was designed for the purpose that you have in mind.

Thus, assuming that you are buying secondhand, condition and maintenance history will be the key factors that determine what you buy.

However, there was a set of DRZ wheels listed on here the other day for sale - a spare set of wheels is VERY useful. You can have a set of street legal tyres for road use and a set of 100% off-road tyres for dirt use. Running tyres that are designated for "Off Road Use Only" is a risk because if there is a crash then liability starts to become an issue because of lack of tyre traction. Even if something is 100% the other person's fault, then liability could end up 50%/50%.

It would be worth buying those wheels now; they were stupidly cheap at $200. Even if you end up buying a TTR then you can resell the wheels on Gumtree for more than that.

Swapping a set of wheels would take anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes. Maybe less if you're fast and have the right equipment/second person to help.

Alternatively, just use street-legal knobby tyres if you're only going to use the bike to go to work occasionally.

But, as far as which bike is concerned, start checking Gumtree/Quokka/eBay/Sunday Times/etc and buy the one in best condition.

Edit: they are DRZ400 wheels. Stuff it, go buy 'em anyway.