I need a goat trail commuter bike.

Popeye the Sailor · February 04, 2009, 05:56:34 PM

Yeah you heard it. I'm moving into the heart of nothing, and the roads that are shortest to get to work make a drunken sailors stagger look straight. These are *not* liter bike friendly roads.

I do not need to get on any highways.

What I need is something terribly light and flickable if I'm going to make any speed. Rev happy would be alright with me.

I'm okay with a thumper, but it needs to be vaguely smooth-no paint shakers.

I'm considering the ninja 250. What else should I be looking at?

Please keep in mind I want something small.

Assume there is no price limitation.

I've ridden 250s before-they are plenty fast for my purposes, and I already have any number of larger bikes, so....anyone who wants to go that route, is invited to race me

Oh and, here's a map of the route

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Loma-Mar-to-Palo-Alto-commute

MotherGoose · February 04, 2009, 06:08:30 PM

Kawasaki KLX 250 with supermoto tires would fit the bill. Reliable, lots of aftermarket parts, and very cheap used.

raulduke · February 04, 2009, 06:32:10 PM

aprilia sxv 4.5...expensive but a great bike for your needs. I rode one for a week in Italy and loved it...it's a two wheeled smile factory. [moto]

cheaper would be a Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM. Haven't riden one of those but people typically say very nice things about them and you can certainly hustle them around with the right tires.

If cost is no object...maybe a Aprilia Dorsoduro. It's a 750 and maybe a little big but it is light, supermoto style and makes 90bhp (so if you did have to get on the highway)...and it seems pretty reasonably priced at under $9k

my 2 cents.

the_Journeyman · February 04, 2009, 06:52:48 PM

I've got a 197 TS185 that needs the lights sorted. It only weighs 215lbs. Problem is, I'm on the wrong coast ~

JM

jdubbs32584 · February 04, 2009, 06:54:48 PM

Quote from: the_Journeyman on February 04, 2009, 06:52:48 PM
I've got a 197 TS185 that needs the lights sorted. It only weighs 215lbs. Problem is, I'm on the wrong coast ~

JM

Us DMFers have the moving bikes from coast to coast thing down pat.

the_Journeyman · February 04, 2009, 06:56:12 PM

True dat, you & your Monster have proved that... Unless it's hauled, they'll be crossing the country at 45-50MPH!

JM

DarkStaR · February 04, 2009, 07:00:32 PM

get a 'tard.

NWapex · February 04, 2009, 07:26:14 PM

KTM makes some sweet SM thumpers. The Aprilia SXV is supposed to be fun, but check the Aprilia boards for reliability issues, which I believe have been a problem.

TAftonomos · February 04, 2009, 07:46:20 PM

KTM 525 or 530...or the smaller variety depending on your stature.

SM would be the best bet for what you are describing.

silentbob · February 04, 2009, 07:49:14 PM

I have a Husky SMR450 that is perfect for what you need. I will never sell mine so you are out of luck there but you are welcome to come try it.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=873.0

It will hit 120 mph on the straights. Loves to wheelie, stoppie, and back into turns. Cruises comfortably at 60-80 mph. Handles bumps, curbs, sidewalks, dirt, and car mirrors with ease. I run it off road with racing slicks and get some pretty good air on the jumps. It is my primary commuter bike right now. I have owned it for three years. It has never been washed (except for riding in the rain), and has never had a valve adjusted. It is everything a BMW claims or wants to be.

The guys who buy DRZ's drool over this bike and then kick themselves when they find out they paid just as much with all the Japanese dealer markup.

The Aprilia SXV's were a nightmare the first couple of years, but supposedly they have sorted out all the kinks and they are 50 state legal now.

DuciD03 · February 04, 2009, 08:02:35 PM

sooo the trail your showing on the map is that a road or a trail?? and do you live beside that Park? Intresting; nice; you live in amongst all the sequoias (redwods?!).

Trail / Road - KTM 250 would be my #1 enduro choice if dollors were no object; (maybe a BMW 500 trail, heaver, more power, doesnt meet your criteria); Huskvarna make good off road bikes too as attested to above, Kowi KLR 250 as the lower cost option. All with slicks, all converted to crush drives. Might be ablt to get these bike into the 220 lb range with the KTM .... flickable!

Popeye the Sailor · February 04, 2009, 08:08:53 PM

Thats a road. It's essentially one lane, no guardrails, lights, signals, stop signs, traffic, but plenty of 100 foot drops near it.

I live next to a number of parks, and there's around 200 redwoods on my property. Trippy.

Turf · February 04, 2009, 08:11:51 PM

Quote from: NWapex on February 04, 2009, 07:26:14 PM
KTM makes some sweet SM thumpers. The Aprilia SXV is supposed to be fun, but check the Aprilia boards for reliability issues, which I believe have been a problem.

They're fine with the new 2nd gen motors, first gen was problematic to say the least

DuciD03 · February 04, 2009, 08:18:23 PM

Quote from: MrIncredible on February 04, 2009, 08:08:53 PM
I live next to a number of parks, and there's around 200 redwoods on my property. Trippy.

ha ha ha ha ... you got it all! Ya I heard about the wedding .... the new house .... and 200 f-en redwoods ...good on ya laddie.

200 Sequoia sempervirens!; cool; and the largets / oldest? These are like national monuments.

raulduke · February 04, 2009, 08:54:19 PM

what kind of tires are on that Husky?

News:

I need a goat trail commuter bike.

jdubbs32584

silentbob