Wanted: Enduro/Supermoto

Henry Ford III

I'd appreciate a bit of guidance here folks.

I'm interested in buying an Enduro/Supermoto or even an "urban trail" type bike.

Will be 1995 or earlier (Classic ins.) with low miles and probably the most important thing is condition. I'm after a minter. Low maintenance would be a plus also, as I'll only do tiny mileage and it'll be almost 100% on road. I just like the styling and high riding position, and relatively low performance will hopefully mean a lowish chance of a prang

400-650cc.

Any suggestions?

I've seen a very tidy XR400, and a lovely KLR650 on a couple of websites.

Paparazzo

Go retro, this one is **** cool:
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/1179900

KamiKazi

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/1199248

lose the top box though

Alkers

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I'd appreciate a bit of guidance here folks.

I'm interested in buying an Enduro/Supermoto or even an "urban trail" type bike.

Will be 1995 or earlier (Classic ins.) with low miles and probably the most important thing is condition. I'm after a minter. Low maintenance would be a plus also, as I'll only do tiny mileage and it'll be almost 100% on road. I just like the styling and high riding position, and relatively low performance will hopefully mean a lowish chance of a prang

400-650cc.

Any suggestions?

I've seen a very tidy XR400, and a lovely KLR650 on a couple of websites.

Sorry for the absolute sidetrack but why 1995 for classic insurance, does it not have to be a lot older than that as is the case with a car? I'm asking as I'm on a '96 at the moment, would be embarrassing to be riding a "classic" and not know it!

Henry Ford III

KamiKazi wrote: »

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/1199248

lose the top box though

Link isn't working

Henry Ford III

Simona1986 wrote: »

Sorry for the absolute sidetrack but why 1995 for classic insurance, does it not have to be a lot older than that as is the case with a car? I'm asking as I'm on a '96 at the moment, would be embarrassing to be riding a "classic" and not know it!

I have a 30 year old car, but was told by CN that for bikes 15 was old enough.

KamiKazi

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Link isn't working

Fixed.

Henry Ford III

Thanks that's lovely, but it's too young (1995 or earlier needed).

jimmyendless

I've been thinking about a trailie for the city for ages now as I was waiting for the insurance money to come through for my bike that TP decided to drive over while I was on it.

I was going for the XR650L but then I heard they wouldn't be great for long drives to I was going with the DR650SE but then herself wasn't mad about my next bike costing three times the last one, so now I think I am settled on the XL600R, 1987 model maybe. Loads in the states with low mileage (I was talking to one guy and his had 19k miles on it and he was defending the 'high' mileage on it) and friends are bring back a few bikes in April so I can throw one in there too.

I was also looking at the XT600e but I heard bad things about the cam chain, don't know if its true though (http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/1189309) This one seems steep and I'm not mad about the newer model can.

I never liked the style of the KLR650.

Henry Ford III

Would an XR400 be too extreme for road use?

jimmyendless

I'd say it would be great around the city but going on the motorway or whatever I don't know how it would do. I read on some forum about the xr650 not liking long journeys too much so I can only guess that the xr400 would be similar.
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=412847
The top speed would be the main issue. Its a lovely looking machine though.

Henry Ford III

jimmyendless wrote: »

I'd say it would be great around the city but going on the motorway or whatever I don't know how it would do. I read on some forum about the xr650 not liking long journeys too much so I can only guess that the xr400 would be similar.
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?p=412847
The top speed would be the main issue. Its a lovely looking machine though.

Little or no chance of me ever hitting a motorway tbh. An few A roads ok, but 60mph would be ok presumably for an hour or so?

Tigger

if its for the road then either a dommie




or a motarded xl650r



dommie is more practicle the xl is more fun , just.

if yer going off road or want some thing lghter then
a dr 350 on dual sport tyres will be a real fun machine





i look at motos and crossers as fine for the odd long trip

Henry Ford III

Great feedback folks. Thanks.

CJhaughey

I have a 88 NX 650 Dominator and would wholeheartedly recommend one.
Road use 650 is minimum IMO, any less and you will be down on power compared to other road users,
KLR 650s are fine but water cooled which is more complicated than the Air cooled Honda engines. Both lumps have balancer shafts which make them smooth compared to smaller 400's which don't have balancers.
Lots more parts around EU for the Dommie though, KLR's were never big over here as opposed to the US which has tons of them.
There is also an FX 650 which uses the same lump in a more street orientated chassis.
Don't rule out a nice Yamaha Ténéré either they are a nice bike in the 600cc class and will fit into your classic plan.

Henry Ford III

Thanks CJH.

I saw this XT600E last night. 1994. Looks very tidy and the write up and detail pics. show it's been well looked after.

What do you lot think?

CJhaughey

They are OK, I think those are Italian models so not maybe well built as the Japanese built ones.
Have a look for the Tenere, they are a better bike IMO, bigger tanked and a fairing.

Tigger

i like this

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/1151638

need to know what your looking at but a couple coats of paint and it could be nice

Henry Ford III

How about a BMW F650?

This is a 1994 model, and looks really well cared for....

CJhaughey

Henry Ford III wrote: »

How about a BMW F650?

They are nice and zippy for roadwork
Rotax engine and made by Aprilia.
Not a bad choice at all for mainly road work.
If it looks good and clean then think about it.

Henry Ford III

Thanks again. It's not too far away (N.I) and the price looks very good (c. £1000). Might well be worth a trip.

KamiKazi

Looks to be a nice bike for £1000

Henry Ford III

Funduro was snapped up rather quickly:(

CJhaughey

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Funduro was snapped up rather quickly:(

Look around, they are pretty common in the UK and I have seen a few round the Republic too.
Courier from the UK won't be that dear either, you could bring it in through Swansea now;)
I imported a bike that way.

Henry Ford III

Found another possible Funduro. 1995 with 15,000 miles. Not sure about the colour though.

jimmyendless

That colour wouldn't work in a bathroom not to mind a bike, what were they thinking. They are a nice tidy bike alright.

Paparazzo

The XT in the first post is still the coolest bike there

I had a dominator, great bike, loved it. Anyone I know who owned them really liked them. Change the end cans on them to hear that 650 single.

CJhaughey

Colour is easily changed, there are only a few bits of fairing on a bike anyway.
I wouldn't worry about the colour as long as the bike is straight.
Papparazzo
My Dommie is a US import and has a Supertrapp muffler, makes a real nice sound and saves about 5kg compared to the standard 2 into 1 into 2 pipe

CJhaughey

What about a Honda Transalp VL600V ?

Henry Ford III

You have a pm CJH.