[Spitfire]

I realize this site is dedicated to sportbikes, hence the name "Sportbike World", but I'm in the market for a new dirtbike and I figured this would be the best place to post my question.

I currently own two bikes - my 7R and an older 125cc motocrosser (a Kawi of course). Anyways, I spend most of my time on the 7R.........and I'm starting to miss riding in the dirt (I use to have an 80cc trail bike when I was younger).


I haven't really narrowed down my choices yet, but I have some specifications:

- must be a 4-stroke
- must be at least 400cc (debatable)
- preferably a bike with a suspension system designed for tougher off-road trails
- not worried about being street-legal (I have a trailer)
- must have a powerful, torquey engine
- not worried about seat height
- larger gas tank would be nice, but not needed

I'm considering models from the big four (excluding Kawasaki ) and KTM.

Any suggestions?

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[This message has been edited by Spitfire (edited August 21, 2000).]

 

[Spitfire]

A list of models in consideration:

Honda
-XR650R
-XR400R

Suzuki
-DR-Z400E

Yammie
-WR426F

KTM
-400 E/XC
-520 E/XC
-380 M/XC


Also, does anybody know what bikes like the Yamaha YZ426F and other 4-stroke motocrossers are like? Would they make good trail bikes?

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[Tirefryer]

Spitfire,
Out of that bunch I would take the 380, but I'm a 2-stroke guy at hart. It's the lightest and probably the fastest of the ones listed. If your just trail riding you might also want to look at the WR 400. Not as much power as the 426 but it does have the wide racio (sp) gear box and lights. The XR 650 is a nice bike but it's a tank in the tight trails. XR 400's are guttless. The new KTM's rock. It depends what you want and what your used to.

Mike

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A man's got to know his limitations

 

[Spitfire]

I forgot the type of riding I'll be doing - mostly tough, bumpy, hilly trails.......all different kinds of terrain (except pavement).......maybe some fun with the local motocross track as well.

I'm leaning towards the 400's because they are lighter and more responsive than the 600's.

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[AZ Scott]

The DR-Z400 has gotten rave reviews by everyone who has ridden it, and I've talked to a couple of guys who have ridden them as well, and they agree.

I'm probably going to get one myself, to replace my current '92 DR350...

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Life is hard.
It's even harder when you're stupid.

 

[jimmyjr]

Personally, I would go with the newest bike on the market, the Cannondale!!!It's also made in Pennsylvania...It's supposed to have the best suspension of all...Jimmy G

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[Spitfire]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jimmyjr:
Personally, I would go with the newest bike on the market, the Cannondale!!!It's also made in Pennsylvania...It's supposed to have the best suspension of all...Jimmy G
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ah good old Pennsylvania-built motorcycles..........I heard they suck.

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[This message has been edited by Spitfire (edited August 22, 2000).]

 

[VTRPilot]

Go with Yamaha's WR, it is the best of both worlds when it comes to trail riding. The YZ is cool too, but it's more like a 2-stroke and can be a bitch to hot start if/when you wreck. The WR is a helluva lot of fun, light, fast, good low-end grunt, and a good transmission for just about everything. That's gonna be the third bike in my stable, hopefully by the end of 2001. I was hoping Honda would come out with a bike competitive with the YZ426, but it doesn't sound like it just yet. I used to ride an XR600R, but it was way too heavy. I did use it to pull trees out of my yard when I re-landscaped though. Happy trails bro...

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C'mon guys! It's all ball bearings these days!...STC

[This message has been edited by VTRPilot (edited August 22, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by VTRPilot (edited August 22, 2000).]

 

[Spitfire]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by VTRPilot:
if/when you wreck.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Definately 'when'

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[Spitfire]

I got a chance to sit on some Honda's and Kawi's during by lunch break. I didn't like the Honda's too much (no surprise there) and the Kawi's weren't all that great either.

I've formulated a new list:

Suzuki
-DR-Z400E

Yammie
-WR426F

KTM
-400 E/XC
-520 E/XC
-380 M/XC

The KTM's are still a 'maybe' because I don't know much about them. I'm gonna be stoppin' at some dealers (KTM, Suzuki, & Yamaha) on my way home from work.

Does anybody know the advantages of the DR-Z400E over the DR-Z400.......it only costs $100 more but it also adds some weight. So is it worth getting the electric start?

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[This message has been edited by Spitfire (edited August 22, 2000).]

 

[jimmyjr]

Who told you that Cannondale's suck???Did YOU actually see one up close, or ride one? I'm just curious..The bike mags seemed to like it alot. But then again, what do THEY know??? Jimmy G

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[Spitfire]

A couple of my friends had a chance to test-drive one and they didn't like it too much. I haven't even seen one at all, except in pictures, so I can't say I agree with them........I guess I'll have to see for myself. The XC400 and EX400 don't look bad - I'm gonna have to find a Cannondale dealer in my area.

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[This message has been edited by Spitfire (edited August 22, 2000).]

 

[Spitfire]

Oh, and when I buy my bikes, I tend to use the magazine reviews to figure out how the bike handles, what kind of power it has, etc. I don't really give a sh*t about their opinions on the bikes.

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[748 Abuser]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Spitfire:
...when I buy my bikes, I tend to use the magazine reviews to figure out how the bike handles...I don't really give a sh*t about their opinions on the bikes.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Handling...sounds like an opinion to me Splitfire???


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-Paul
You ride like shit...

 

[Spitfire]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 748_abuser:
Handling...sounds like an opinion to me Splitfire??? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

SPITFIRE....S-P-I-T-F-I-R-E....SPITFIRE!!!! I'm not a freakin' spark plug!

I meant basic handling characteristics compared with other bikes, not "This bike is awesome and the handling is unbelievable!"

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[Spitfire]

Why is it that whenever I post something, I just about always manage to start a debate..........oh well.....

I took off work early today and visited a Suzuki/Yamaha dealer and a KTM dealer. There was something about the KTM's that I didn't like, but both the Suzuki and the Yamaha were pretty nice. My final decision is probably gonna be between the WR426F and the DR-Z400(E) - still deciding on the electric start.

Oh, and to satisfy jimmyjr, I'm gonna attemt to locate a Cannondale dealer........it shouldn't be hard, I do live in PA.

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[redrf900r]

Just think. If you really do take a look at a Cannondale, and don't like it, it'll make whatever you DO choose, THAT much sweeter. If you ARE looking to buy the best bike for your money, then you have to take a look at them ALL, or you'll always have that shadow of doubt. Jimmy G

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[Spitfire]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by redrf900r:
Jimmy G<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Good point.........and BTW, do you have more than one user name?


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[RCjohn]

Shitfire, Just kidding.

Spitfire,

I'm with you on this one. I really like the WR426. I was also very impressed with the DR-Z400 that I sat on at the motorcycle show. Haven't ridden one but that wouldn't matter since I can't ride in the dirt worth a damn. My brother works with a guy who's cousin's friend owns the XR650 and he likes it alot.

It's actually the guy he works with that has the Honda.

This is one where I would probably go with the Suzuki though. I like the feel better than the Yammie or the Honda.

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John

"If Harley made an airplane... would you fly in it?"

 

[748 Abuser]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RCjohn:
...My brother works with a guy who's cousin's friend owns the XR650 and he likes it alot...
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

John,

So what you're telling us is that your Uncle owns an XR650? Damn, it's so hard to keep track of those inbreds!



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-Paul
You ride like shit...