450cc Trailies - Which?

[lootch67]

A friend and I are considering 450cc bikes. He would love something like a CRF/WR/KTM thingie while I'm trying to be a bit more practical by looking at something like the DRZ. How do these bikes compare i.t.o. service intervals, valves, costs to service, home servicing, etc? The bikes will be used mainly for playing around i.e. not daily commute but we've got a BIG trip coming up (approx 1000miles) through some rocky and sandy terrain so the bike needs to be able to handle that too. Any ideas? Thanks!

[Whealie]

we've got a BIG trip coming up through some rocky and sandy terrain so the bike needs to be able to handle that too.

That A13 can be a nightmare!

[lootch67]

[iswoolley]

IMO 400/450s thumpers divide themselves between enduro and trail. WRs, CRFs, EXCs are competition bikes, and tend to be highly tuned, and need servicing after a number of hours use. Whereas DRZs, XRs, TTs are trail bikes, and tend to be less highly strung, and need less maintenance. If you're a competant spannerman then either breed shouldn't be much of a challenge.

I had an XR4 for a while, and it cost bu**er all to run and maintain. I had it geared a little too low for comfortable 60mph cruising, but that's only a change of rear sprocket. A mate had a DRZ which had a stonking motor, pretty good suspension, and was similarly cheap to maintain. Either of these bikes had more than enough off-road prowess that the limiting factor was the rider rather than bike.

Knowing that you've got a lot of distance to cover over rocky ground, I'd be looking at something aircooled, like an XR400. I know it's a fairly serious off if you end up damaging radiators, but it's one less thing I'd want to be worrying about. Just my 2p.

[lootch67]

Thanks iswooley,

The area where we'll be riding will be pretty hot - probably mid 30s by day. I'm a bit concerned that an air-cooled bike working hard at slow speed will not cope. Am I being overly cautious? I had a small air-cooled bike in the past which gave me loads of problems which I suspect was due to overheating - it didn't have a temperature gauge so I'm not 100% sure. I think you get crash bars for the DRZ. If not I could have some made. To be honest, the maintenance schedule and cost is a bigger concern for me personally. I'm not really interested in having to service the bike 3 times during the trip.

And to muddy the waters even further..... what about a 250/300cc two-stroke?

[russh]

Hi, I can't comment on the other bikes recommended, but I had a DRZ400S for a while, great bike on and off road, the limiting factor in its off road prowess being me!

the DRZ comes in two versions, 400E which is more of an enduro bike, and the 400S which is road biased, if you go for a DRZ400S after I think 2002 it will have the 'E' version excellent suspension. The 'S' version has a slightly detuned engine, but still pulls very well and road orientated gearing, it has a standard 4000 mile service interval on the 'S' version too.

My only grips with the bike is the painful saddle, I found more that 30 mins on the bike and it hurt, so if you are looking to do a long journey maybe try and source a Corbin seat or something. But then you will be refilling the fuel tank every 80 miles anyway.

Russ

added: There's quite an active DRZ forum over at thumpertalk here

[Mudwiz]

I recon any of the bikes mentioned will do 1000 miles between services. I'd love a 250/300 2smoke, GasGas or KTM seeming the most popular, but you do read lots of really good things about the Honda CRM. Depends on the sort of riding though, if its sort of Dakaresque tracks I'm not sure the 2 are the way to go, but dunes etc and other snot then definately! TBM did a good comparison of 250 2s and 4s a month or so ago. No winner, just diferent is how I read it. How easy will getting good 2 stroke oil be on the trip? That could be the decider........

[lootch67]

We're going to a really remote area of Namibia called Kaokoland so any spares/oil will have to be on the support vehicle. Apart from the odd river bed most of the sand riding will be done on the last day when we'll be doing a beach ride of about 50 miles. Is it worth getting a 2smoke just for that? Which bike is better for rocky roads? Light 2smoke or torquey (sp?) 4 stroke?

[Rubberchicken]

4stroke, definitely.

The 2smokes I've seen (ok, not a lot) have all mostly been high revving things that are most unhappy when made to plod along slowly.

[photographicsafaris]

250 cc not big enough to carry all the gear to get you where you want to be.
Minimum size 400cc
DRZ excellant bike, was headed down that route till I fell into a 600 trap. Lovin it!

Air cooled will be fine, most of where you are headed in soft sand is cooler.

In an ideal world, a WR450 2Trac with large Acerbis tank would be perfect. pity there are non around.

Plan the beach section very carefully wind & tides.

CONTINGENCY:- could the 250cc get you and your mate out on one bike when the excrement hits the fan? Probably not. Make sure you use same bike to miminise spares.