Off road bike; light, quiet, smallish, dirtbike; what would you get?.

[triangleforge]

Yamah TW200... sort of a unique cult type bike and its road legal! very cool looking!!!! (reminds me of a modern Honda fat cat!

I love the look of the TW200, too! 

I owned a Yamaha XT350 for about a year and still regret selling it. Nice and light, kick start, and a 6-speed transmission that was good for an honest 65 mph on pavement if necessary (though not a huge amount of fun...) Yamaha made them pretty much the same for about a hundred years or so, which makes finding new or used parts really easy. It was street legal (hence the 6-speed), which I really prefer, since loading up a bike is almost always going to be more inconvenient than just throwing a leg over it and riding it to the trailhead.

[MotoCreations]

I'm in the process of acquiring parts to build my own design -- Kawi FX85 engine, mtnbike downhill suspension, etc.  It's definitely a very niche / specialized application that I want to build for.  Essentially a superlight and super nimble dirt bike.

Inspiration for what I want --> http://www.fxbikes.com/

Picture of the FXBike:

[theducatikid]

Now that ^^^^^ would be a very cool bike!

And to the OP, sounds like its not really what you what, but +1 on the DRZ400.  Had one before the monster.  Great bike if you do decide to go that route.

[DuciD03]

FX Bike

I'm in the process of acquiring parts to build my own design -- Kawi FX85 engine, mtnbike downhill suspension, etc.  It's definitely a very niche / specialized application that I want to build for.  Essentially a superlight and super nimble dirt bike.

FX Bike - This just may be the ticket!

But what about the top end?

PM sent!

[duc996]

KTM

[DuciD03]

Yamaha WR250R.  Seriously nice bike.

Dave you had a similar question a while ago but it was for a street MX; what did you get in the end?

KTM

KTM; Yes ... but I had to go back to my original post to remind myself of the criteria ... noting exotic; hard to find or expensive parts ...  all opistti to ktm or the FX bike for that matter.

Wondering why no one has put forward the Kawasaki KLR 250?  Any experianced thoughts?

the Yami TW 200 looks intresting; a little concerned it wouldnt have enough pep.  Also am thinking something with a 6th gear for occasional highway steady 65 would be good.

[silentbob]

Husqvarna.  My SMR 450 weighs and costs less than many smaller Japanese counterparts.  It has never broken down, always starts right up, and crashes better than I do.  The only money I have spent on it in four years of abuse is oil, tires, chain, and sprockets.

[EvilSteve]

YZ250 http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/30/home.aspx

Or

YZ125 if you wanted something smaller
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/31/0/home.aspx

Or, if I had more cash to throw around:
http://www.ktm.com/Offroad-Competition-XC.260.20.html

[KnightofNi]

Dave you had a similar question a while ago but it was for a street MX; what did you get in the end?

KTM; Yes ... but I had to go back to my original post to remind myself of the criteria ... noting exotic; hard to find or expensive parts ...  all opistti to ktm or the FX bike for that matter.

Wondering why no one has put forward the Kawasaki KLR 250?  Any experianced thoughts?

the Yami TW 200 looks intresting; a little concerned it wouldnt have enough pep.  Also am thinking something with a 6th gear for occasional highway steady 65 would be good.

if you are going to get a kawi, get the KLX.
also, having gone out with a couple of people on the 250 thumpers, 65mph is going to be pretty rough.

[battlecry]

I've had a WR250 for a few years and it is a great bike, but I agree it is not a 65mph bike.  Despite the radiator, it also does not like to sit for long.  The DRZ is better suited for that. 

[Wanwo]

I just got this a few months back, a '00 Honda SL230. Light and fun. For me no other choice than street-legal. Bikes like this I want to be able to ride anywhere.

http://i36.tinypic.com/316ulpt.jpg

[gregrnel]

If I ever buy any kind of dirt bike or dual purpose, and I really want to, it would have to have a kick start, no exceptions.

[KnightofNi]

If I ever buy any kind of dirt bike or dual purpose, and I really want to, it would have to have a kick start, no exceptions.

i would like it to be e-start with a kick option. i can't tell you how many times that would have kept me from having to push

[Got Duc]

thx DP ... nice bike; a little on the larger and weight-er side that I'd want.

2004 DRZ 400S; 5808 Miles; Has Acerbis Hand guards, Full Pro Circuit exhaust and rear cargo rack. Bike has low miles on it.

... Would like to get $3000 .... is it sold?  Also I'm on the left coast... its a long way across the continent ...

The Honda's & Suzi's DZR are good suggestions; another thought would be a trials style bike .... but then not enough in the high end ...

Nope not sold.

[the_Journeyman]

TW200 or XT250 for a small/inexpensive bike ~

JM