2009 drz400e

[phil w]

Go for Beta Alp 4.0 then, bigger than the 200 for road forays, but has the ol DR350 engine which does it all very well. Not many about mind but quality engine
http://www.colinappleyard.com/motorc...ials_bikes.htm

At the bottom

[blue skies]

Great thread , answering many questions for me..trials,trail,enduro - what's it all about? is there a bike difference in these types of bikes for a bit of novice off road?

I like the idea of the Beta Alp, as like 'wee jack' i'm very close to terra firma !! but not many about so a bit pricey. Some Q's about Beta Alps:

Do these things hold their value well?
What's sort of speed on the road are they comfortable at?
When you take them off road do you need to be taking seat off, changing mudguard etc.?

[Robster]

I went for the DRZ 400 S as I'm going to be using it for winter commuting and the odd weekend foray onto dirt - probably a 80/20 mix assuming I find the time to do the dirty stuff!

I'd have gone for an XR and kept the Honda flag flying, but the lack of ignition switch, indicators, electric start etc and my own lack of a secure garage led me towards something I could pop the key in, press the button and be off.

Mines an '01 Model with 3k on it and I picked it up for just over a Grand

[phil w]

The Beta alp is an Italian make, and would guess its build quality is no worse than any modern day Jap machine thats built in Spain or Italy. Only ever seen a couple out on the trails, and as Airwolf said it made a hard hill look easy.
The 200 cc (Aircooled ol Suzuki lump) was released this year and probably would be too small for most to ride any distance on road, but the report of it in TBM last year was full of praise for its ability. At best it would manage a small commute, but then they are influenced by riding realistically off road only. Im sure some would be happy to sit on it all day, my boy did Cardiff to Kent on a 125 several times, some wouldnt even want to do that on a Dominator!!!
The Alp 4.0 is the same model really but has the DR350 engine and too be honest its got to be one of the best engines built for power on and off road (Look at Mondo Enduro).
Not taking nothing away from a DRZ, which is what this thread is about. There is just others more suitable if you wanted smaller

[Wee Jack]

I went for the DRZ 400 S as I'm going to be using it for winter commuting and the odd weekend foray onto dirt - probably a 80/20 mix assuming I find the time to do the dirty stuff!

I'd have gone for an XR and kept the Honda flag flying, but the lack of ignition switch, indicators, electric start etc and my own lack of a secure garage led me towards something I could pop the key in, press the button and be off.

Mines an '01 Model with 3k on it and I picked it up for just over a Grand

Rob , What is the difference between an "S" and an "E" ??

[phil w]

E is the Enduro model, S is the more refined road going less servicing easier to live with model

[blue skies]

sorry wee jack didn't mean to hijack your thread

[Cabby]

Rob , What is the difference between an "S" and an "E" ??

I dunno Jack but I had a go on Robsters at the Ace and I was on ballerina tippy toes (30" inside stump ).....Taller than Chads Adv (pre seat change).

Nice and light and easy to ride...I can see why PhilW was converted to the genre (I'm so f**kin' posh ).........

[Wee Jack]

sorry wee jack didn't mean to hijack your thread

Not a problem bud , the more folk that contribute - the more info we gather

[Wee Jack]

I dunno Jack but I had a go on Robsters at the Ace and I was on ballerina tippy toes (30" inside stump ).....Taller than Chads Adv (pre seat change).

Nice and light and easy to ride...I can see why PhilW was converted to the genre (I'm so f**kin' posh ).........

Aye !! the height off offroaders in general, is a concern.