Nudge liked this post
This would be the most irresponsible post I have read on PSB.
That particular model throws you on the ground for no reason at all.
Decides to go in the opposite direction on gravel roads.
They are a Death Trap.
I had forgotten what gravel rash was for 42 years until I bought one of those buckets of shit!
Of course it can be done! Apart from Forrest Hwy between Mandurah and Bunbury there's no real hwy stretches where you're getting blasted by headwinds and crosswinds. You're also so busy enjoying the twisties and scenery that you don't realise the bike is buzzing off its tits at 120kph. I've done that route plenty of times with 250s tagging along no problem. But that route is only a little over 1000km, over 3 - 4 days that's a leisurely ride.
Nudge liked this post
Benzo liked this post
Yup. I literally sell bikes for a rival brand and I'll still happily attest to the fact that the DRZ (E, S, and SM) is more than capable on gravel, sand, rocks, ruts, the rest.
If GreenMeanie can't handle a DRZ just on gravel then I don't think he's in any position to be making claims about how good a bike it is.
a SM on gravel is a bloody death trap! i rode down through the goat farm from the darlington lookout with the original dunlops on.. it went faster and more wildly out of control when i braked, but that's a pretty steep hill.
on your average gravel track its no biggy just brake waaaaaay before a corner & easy on the throttle out.
but it is true in the off road world bringing a DRZ400E on a bush ride is like a spoon at a gun fight, slow heavy tanks i bagged them out for years.. old mate rocked up on a DRZ "hope you have a hi-ab to pick it up when you fall over" "this is a ride not a louge room" etc
the SM tho is different bike with its completely different suspension & swingarm, 150kg is light in the road world & with the 17's on good rubber sticks to the road no matter how hard you throw it in. you can not ride one like a road bike, counter lean.. if only they had a 6th gear, they are no WR or SXV but i bet my left nut it would keep going long after those to have called the ducati help line, sheeeet could prob tow them both
I've even slugged, pushed and dropped the bastard on shitty deep sand tracks with the original dunlops and still made it through. you're right about lean. High speed gravel is about anticipation, balance, getting the skill level to where the bike is floating under you but staying upright.
- - - Updated - - -
Yep, I've seen one very skilled rider killing around Collie on a shitty DRZ a few times.
Benzo liked this post
I didnt say thats all we did. Took the long back ways over 3 to 4 days. Fair bit more than 1000kms over 4 days. Bike was wot most of the time.
The point is, this is good experience regardless. A 250 can do touring, and even the vtr could do a bit more than 120 with all that gear on it.
When its windy the 250 particularly would get soammed when gusts would hit you passing farms or whatnot where there were clearings of the roadside trees.
I think people are missing out sometimes by passing by the 250s/300s.
Benzo liked this post
Lol - GreenMeanie either I have been talking to an imposter when I get out on rides coz 1 thing he ain't is fat!
Xt600 & not the tenere I thought were ok pieces of kit. That tank on the big t I reckon with fuel on board would have been a challenge to keep upright with poor techniques. I say this for for my own experience- - I don't think I would have the abillity myself to punt those things along due to my very own at the time paperweight mass and strength. The tt600 was for its time a fucking hoot.
You can't *burrrp* can't just post, just post anything you feel like morty, you just *burrp* just end up *burrp* end up hurting people's feelings morty I mean how, how would you like it if I said things that offended you morty?
Nudge liked this post
I'm guessing vv this?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantidae
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#1 Gold Ticket Holder for the Barfridge Fan Club
98 BADASS TITANIUM BLACKBIRD - Past bikes 1982 XS250 Yamaha & 1983 CB750F with 900 motor
Ozblackbird.net Administrator
300's hit the sweet spot for lams,
And the average motorcyclist skill level for that matter,
I dont know enyone who could say with a straight face they can outride one.
Went for a country twistys blast last weekend, zx14, Dyna, Fz600, cbr250rr mc22,
And some other taggers i didnt know, but big bikes.
And me on a cbr250 mc41 single, 23rwhp, 152 uphill, 171 downhill,
on S20 sticky rubber.
Albs, Torbay, Mcleod, Scotsdale, Mt Lidnsay, Denmark, Torbay, Albs.
Halfway back to Atown i turned around and rode back to find everyone after a long wait.
If i was on the r3 which easily does 193 on the level, and 199 downhill then the gap would open even more as a mix of conditions are always presennt.
Big restricted barges are no fun.
Ride Smarter
We Need our Track Back.Kaffine liked this post
Hey Y'all
First up big thanks for all your advise and insight it all helped towards the bike I ended up buying. I took a few bikes for a ride, tried to access the feel for what I intended to use it for. I didn't want a high rev screamer to rip up the road but still wanted that sporty style also not something I needed to wring its neck to get that evil grin from behind the visor. So with a balance of looks, low end torque and of course price I ended up getting a 2014 CBR500RA, in red of course..
So again thanks, and hope to catch up with you all on the road sometime..
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