Advice Needed.

[urslow]

Hi all,

I am looking to get a road/trail bike to ride to work but to also have some fun on weekends with, can anyone suggest some good makes/models?

I have seen a WR400 and they look ok?

Bear in mind that im 6ft6 and dont want to be kneeing myslef in the head when im riding aswell...lol

I will have my open licence before I buy it so CC's isnt a problem.

Any advice would be great.

Under $5,000 would be even better.

[exarsixturbo]

Getting a bike that can ridden to work but also have fun on the weekends will be hard. If you get a bike that is good on the road it will be crap in the dirt a visa versa. The tyres and suspension are the biggest thing. Nobbies will be destroyed on the road, but those road ones provide no grip in the dirt. Same with the shocks. So you're kinda getting a bike that isn't really much good for either… IMO

If you are determined, have a look at the Suzuki DR series. You can get a 400 or 650. If you want and older one have a look at the Honda XR series. Same displacement. They are unbreakable, reliable and are your best bet for doing both. Both of these will be good for a tall fella (I'm 6.5")

If you want to buy a bike of champions BUY A KTM!!!!

[Kimberley Scott]

Best option is buy a bike that is great off road, and buy a set of road tyres, for you comute to work, a pain in the ass changinm over but lets face it you will not be riding evey weekend. any motard bike should fullfill your needs admerably.

Scotty

[Iconic Bionic]

Hi all,

I am looking to get a road/trail bike to ride to work but to also have some fun on weekends with, can anyone suggest some good makes/models?

I have seen a WR400 and they look ok?

Bear in mind that im 6ft6 and dont want to be kneeing myslef in the head when im riding aswell...lol

I will have my open licence before I buy it so CC's isnt a problem.

Any advice would be great.

Under $5,000 would be even better.

Got the same identical dilema, what to get for under $5000. Make sure you take out a good 250 just to make sure that this is not enough, but im looking also for a 400. Plenty out there to choose from. Have a look at bikepoint.com.au.

I.B.

[Mr Man]

the WR 400s are a good bike, my old man has one, I have the WR450 with the electric start which is great.

I am currently looking to get a set of motard wheels for mine as I have been looking for a road bike for about 3 months and cant find anything worth buying...

if you can stretch the budget a touch I would recommend getting an electric start WR, as it makes it easier than kick starting them.

depending on the amount of time you are going to spend bush vs on the road, an XR or DR may be better suited, as they are better on the road than the likes of a WR, although nowhere near as powerful.

hope that helps.

cheers.

[Trough Lolly]

Honda CR500-E

[tmac450]

Getting a bike that can ridden to work but also have fun on the weekends will be hard. If you get a bike that is good on the road it will be crap in the dirt a visa versa. The tyres and suspension are the biggest thing. Nobbies will be destroyed on the road, but those road ones provide no grip in the dirt. Same with the shocks. So you're kinda getting a bike that isn't really much good for either… IMO

If you are determined, have a look at the Suzuki DR series. You can get a 400 or 650. If you want and older one have a look at the Honda XR series. Same displacement. They are unbreakable, reliable and are your best bet for doing both. Both of these will be good for a tall fella (I'm 6.5")

If you want to buy a bike of champions BUY A KTM!!!!

Another thing to keep in mind with race orientated enduro bikes (WR, CRF, KTM, etc) is they aren't really designed for road use, and aren't well suited for road cruising. You're better off with a DRZ, XR or TTR. If you're using it for the road a lot a 400 or 450 would be the go. 250 dirt/trail bikes don't like too much road use, unless you use different gearing for the dirt and road.

[sargo]

Picked myself up a 650 Versys late last year, best handling road bike I have ever owned. (Previous in chronological order, GPZ750, GPZ900R, RZ350, GSX750ESD, GPZ600R, GPZ750R, GSXR750, TL1000R, XB9R, ZX12R).

Great for around town and heaps on fun on the weekend (Mt Glorious, Nebo, Mee, Russ Hinze Raceway etc).

Extremely good ergonomics for a 187cm, 100kg lump. Even good for pillions.

I think these will become very popular once more people are exposed to them.