Which off-road bike?

SeamusG97

Hi, I'm playing with the idea of getting an off-road/trail bike having spent an excellent afternoon off road with the brother in law's Honda 250 last week. Trouble is I'm not the tallest and as far as I can see bikes of this type tend to have have a high riding height. Fine when you're moving but not fine when you stop and need to get the leg down in an hurry. I didn't actually drop the bike but was under pressure a few times to keep it upright when stopped on a slope and when getting on/off.

I've plenty of on-road experience - the main bike's a Bandit 600. I'd be mostly riding on trails/bog/mountainside near where I live.
I'd like to find a compromise between something with a bit of power that wasn't too tall/ or maybe height adjustable/ and at the same time affordable.
Hopefully there's a compromise out there somewhere. Any ideas?

Thanks

Del2005

SeamusG97 wrote: »

Hi, I'm playing with the idea of getting an off-road/trail bike having spent an excellent afternoon off road with the brother in law's Honda 250 last week. Trouble is I'm not the tallest and as far as I can see bikes of this type tend to have have a high riding height. Fine when you're moving but not fine when you stop and need to get the leg down in an hurry. I didn't actually drop the bike but was under pressure a few times to keep it upright when stopped on a slope and when getting on/off.

I've plenty of on-road experience - the main bike's a Bandit 600. I'd be mostly riding on trails/bog/mountainside near where I live.
I'd like to find a compromise between something with a bit of power that wasn't too tall/ or maybe height adjustable/ and at the same time affordable.
Hopefully there's a compromise out there somewhere. Any ideas?

Thanks

A trials bike



Plenty fast for off road and low enough for the shortest rider.

SeamusG97

Thanks, I can see the advantage. Next question what make/model?

serious3

i've a montesa, built by honda so the quality is top! i've mine for 3yrs and changed the chain once.... mad craic on soft bog and mountains as they are feather light. not so good on the fast trails as you have no seat

Del2005

SeamusG97 wrote: »

Thanks, I can see the advantage. Next question what make/model?

Haven't ridden one in so long I've no idea.

serious3

sherco are pretty popular over here and generaly reliable, gas gas are sweet bikes but the older models suffer a few electrical gremlins but nothing to major, depends on your budget really

CJhaughey

For a beginner something like an XR200/250 would be a good starter bike.
DR200/250/350's are good as well.
Low seat height, Yamaha Serow 225.
Does it have to be road legal?

SeamusG97

CJhaughey wrote: »

For a beginner something like an XR200/250 would be a good starter bike.
DR200/250/350's are good as well.
Low seat height, Yamaha Serow 225.
Does it have to be road legal?

Thanks - No Doesn't need to be road legal.

doctorchopper

You can't beet a yamaha/honda/ktm 250 enduro bike, wr/crfx/exc-f for learning on. They are a nice smooth tame bike but still can fly on it with the right pilot. You can get a good one for about 1500-2000 just beware of thrashed, low maintained examples, they can be costly. Take someone with you who knows a lot about offroad enduro's,

SeamusG97

Thanks everybody for your helpful suggestions. Now I just need to convince Mrs SeamusG97 that I need another bike!