First Bike dilemma

[Mart]

Really depends what you're into. A small bike for example is useless for touring. The minute the wind picks up you're getting blown around.

It can be done.. did 3-4 days on a vtr 250 as the only 250 in the group, Denmark, Pemberton, Nannup and more.

Wasn't easy, but a good experience.



relooking at the pic.. I couldn't wait to upgrade.. now I think.. damn I miss her!

[GreenMeanie]

If you are worried about dropping a faired street bike, try a Suzuki DRZ400SM. Light, easy to flick around, adequate power and most importantly, don't break when you drop it.

Economical, reliable, easy maintenance and my only LAMS bike. A keeper.

When you want to learn to ride on loose surfaces like gravel, which you should, you'll quickly learn to control the thing when it is sliding around. They are made for it.

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!

[Benzo]

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!

Choice of tyres / tyre pressure..?
Suspension set up..?
Rider's off-road ability..?

Nope! The particular model is a turd and throws you to the ground for no reason at all.

Wake up.

[Speed Dealer]

It can be done.. did 3-4 days on a vtr 250 as the only 250 in the group, Denmark, Pemberton, Nannup and more.

Wasn't easy, but a good experience.



relooking at the pic.. I couldn't wait to upgrade.. now I think.. damn I miss her!

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.

[AZAZL]

Choice of tyres / tyre pressure..?
Suspension set up..?
Rider's off-road ability..?

Nope! The particular model is a turd and throws you to the ground for no reason at all.

Wake up.

Funnily enough, I've done 5000k's of largely NT dirt roads and tracks on one in the last 18 months.

It's not a WR450 or an SXV but it is stable at WOT on rough dirt roads and easy to punt around.

[Benzo]

Funnily enough, I've done 5000k's of largely NT dirt roads and tracks on one in the last 18 months.

It's not a WR450 or an SXV but it is stable at WOT on rough dirt roads and easy to punt around.

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.

[AZAZL]

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.

LOl. But to be fair, it may be good for the average Joe but overweight geriatric mantids may get spat off the thing a lot.

Now if you want a bike that loses the front end in dirt easily, try a 1984 XT600 Tenere. Ate dirt on that one constantly.

[Hillz]

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

[DQ]

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

Some DRZ's have been seen lapping SXV's on closed short circuits in recent times also


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AZAZL]

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 - - -

Some DRZ's have been seen lapping SXV's on closed short circuits in recent times also


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yep, I've seen one very skilled rider killing around Collie on a shitty DRZ a few times.

[Mart]

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.

[GreenMeanie]

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.

Serious Cunt aren't we?

[Nudge]

LOl. But to be fair, it may be good for the average Joe but overweight geriatric mantids may get spat off the thing a lot.

Now if you want a bike that loses the front end in dirt easily, try a 1984 XT600 Tenere. Ate dirt on that one constantly.

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.

[Benzo]

Serious Cunt aren't we?

Precious cunt, aren't we?

Cry on, mate.

[AZAZL]

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.

Yeah I've met him too and he isn't. I was talking about some other mantid

[pnork]

What's a mantid, anyway - do you mean manatee? I'm one of them.

[Para045]

What's a mantid, anyway - do you mean manatee? I'm one of them.

I'm guessing vv this?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantidae

[Aufitt]

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.

[Kaffine]

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..

[Aufitt]

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..

Good choice, good balance, bit of a lazy tractor engine but 'Its a Honda'
Wont let you down.