Road legal off road/enduro bike options
Discussion
I’ve been thinking about getting one to join the sports bike for a while, for green laning, etc, a couple of friends have got them and have great fun out on them.
Only thing is I honestly don’t know that much about the sector and what models are available, the other thing is it has to be a 2 stroke for me, what should I be looking at?.
I’ve not ridden that style of bike since I had a CR250 years ago, something similar but road legal would be ideal!.
Only thing is I honestly don’t know that much about the sector and what models are available, the other thing is it has to be a 2 stroke for me, what should I be looking at?.
I’ve not ridden that style of bike since I had a CR250 years ago, something similar but road legal would be ideal!.
Are there many good road legal strokers left?
The fast strokers tend to annoy not only the landowners but also the TRF types who are trying to not annoy the landowners, horseriders, walkers, mountainbikers and wildlife.
You have to think quite hard about where you're going to ride it and what you can get away with.
There's not much around here and it's getting less.
I think eMTBs are increasing the pressure in some places?
You can get away with more with a quieter bike, or one that can be ridden quietly when the situation dictates.
Also the road miles to get places can eat into the servicing intervals of the more full-on bikes.
I did some green lanes for a few years then went for a pedal bike.
Partly for less grief from other users and partly because people were pushing their luck speed-wise and somebody was likely to hurt themselves.
I felt that the modern bikes are so capable, when it does go wrong it would be messy.
The fast strokers tend to annoy not only the landowners but also the TRF types who are trying to not annoy the landowners, horseriders, walkers, mountainbikers and wildlife.
You have to think quite hard about where you're going to ride it and what you can get away with.
There's not much around here and it's getting less.
I think eMTBs are increasing the pressure in some places?
You can get away with more with a quieter bike, or one that can be ridden quietly when the situation dictates.
Also the road miles to get places can eat into the servicing intervals of the more full-on bikes.
I did some green lanes for a few years then went for a pedal bike.
Partly for less grief from other users and partly because people were pushing their luck speed-wise and somebody was likely to hurt themselves.
I felt that the modern bikes are so capable, when it does go wrong it would be messy.
Most of the places I would go aren’t normally an issue with walkers etc.
I’d also like to do Sailsbury Plain on a bike at some point but going to tackle that one in my Landcruiser first!.
I should have clarified I’m not looking for a new bike at all, just something decent and capable, budget would be 3-4k.
I’d also like to do Sailsbury Plain on a bike at some point but going to tackle that one in my Landcruiser first!.
I should have clarified I’m not looking for a new bike at all, just something decent and capable, budget would be 3-4k.
I think any of the KTM EXC models are road legal from the showroom floor....
You'll just need to find one that has been registered and get out there.
But for prolonged road use, look at changing the gearbox oil fairly often on a 2T.
For a 4T following the manufacturer recommendations will be fine.
You'll just need to find one that has been registered and get out there.
But for prolonged road use, look at changing the gearbox oil fairly often on a 2T.
For a 4T following the manufacturer recommendations will be fine.
I know it’s over budget and probably wildly impractical but:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265606700159?hash=item3...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265606700159?hash=item3...
Walter Sobchak said:
I know it’s over budget and probably wildly impractical but:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265606700159?hash=item3...
No, never use an Mx'er to green lane...https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265606700159?hash=item3...
Wrong suspension, wrong gearbox ratios, wrong chassis geo, wrong engine characteristics, pretty much wrong everything.
If you want to spend your time falling off (suspension) and constantly stalling (engine & flywheel) then knock yourself out
A lot of guys in SA converted YZ 250' into enduro bikes with WR parts like longer range tank, 18" rear wheel, WR flywheel and suspension but they couldn't hide their mx origin.. I know, I had one
My exc 300 after was a comparative revelation
Edited by Steve Bass on Sunday 27th March 14:41
KTM, Husquvarna (same bike as the KTM), Gas Gas and a few others all do 2-stroke road legal enduro bikes.
It’s a personal choice and 2 or 4 stroke will irritate non motorcycle green lane users a like.
TRF riders use both so it really is a personal choice.
The latest KTM/Husq 300TPI 2-strokes are reliable and very tractable but sounds like they’re not an option for you.
Anything older and two stroke is likely to be fairly peaky to ride and very maintenance intensive. Even modern ones need an oil change every couple of rides so an older one will need constant attention.
Anything on enduro tyres will be an absolute nightmare to ride on the road so don’t bank on getting a great deal of use on road apart from linking green lanes.
Unless you’re really set on two stroke then consider a four stroke. Far more reliable if you’re going for an older bike.
An unreliable bike is likely to put you off before you get started.
It’s a personal choice and 2 or 4 stroke will irritate non motorcycle green lane users a like.
TRF riders use both so it really is a personal choice.
The latest KTM/Husq 300TPI 2-strokes are reliable and very tractable but sounds like they’re not an option for you.
Anything older and two stroke is likely to be fairly peaky to ride and very maintenance intensive. Even modern ones need an oil change every couple of rides so an older one will need constant attention.
Anything on enduro tyres will be an absolute nightmare to ride on the road so don’t bank on getting a great deal of use on road apart from linking green lanes.
Unless you’re really set on two stroke then consider a four stroke. Far more reliable if you’re going for an older bike.
An unreliable bike is likely to put you off before you get started.
Steve Bass said:
No, never use an Mx'er to green lane...
Wrong suspension, wrong gearbox ratios, wrong chassis geo, wrong engine characteristics, pretty much wrong everything.
If you want to spend your time falling off (suspension) and constantly stalling (engine & flywheel) then knock yourself out
A lot of guys in SA converted YZ 250' into enduro bikes with WR parts like longer range tank, 18" rear wheel, WR flywheel and suspension but they couldn't hide their mx origin.. I know, I had one
My exc 300 after was a comparative revelation
Are they that bad?!, the way that reads it sounds like my R1M would do a better job Wrong suspension, wrong gearbox ratios, wrong chassis geo, wrong engine characteristics, pretty much wrong everything.
If you want to spend your time falling off (suspension) and constantly stalling (engine & flywheel) then knock yourself out
A lot of guys in SA converted YZ 250' into enduro bikes with WR parts like longer range tank, 18" rear wheel, WR flywheel and suspension but they couldn't hide their mx origin.. I know, I had one
My exc 300 after was a comparative revelation
Edited by Steve Bass on Sunday 27th March 14:41
.Appreciate the advice though, while I'm no stranger to green laning/off roading in cars and I've had bikes for years, I'm the first to admit when it comes to green laning on bikes I'm completely, well.....green.
Heart set on a 2 stroke though!.
Walter Sobchak said:
Are they that bad?!, the way that reads it sounds like my R1M would do a better job .
Appreciate the advice though, while I'm no stranger to green laning/off roading in cars and I've had bikes for years, I'm the first to admit when it comes to green laning on bikes I'm completely, well.....green.
Heart set on a 2 stroke though!.
Pretty much, yes .Appreciate the advice though, while I'm no stranger to green laning/off roading in cars and I've had bikes for years, I'm the first to admit when it comes to green laning on bikes I'm completely, well.....green.
Heart set on a 2 stroke though!.
As another point, back when I had my 400 EXC, a good friend’s 500 EXC expired while we were in Wales near Rhyadder (sp?)
Desperate to get a bike for the weekend he bought a CR 250 as it was the only thing available within a reasonable distance….. to say it was a disaster would be an understatement…. So bad he drove to Bristol the day after the first outing and bought a GasGasEC300….
So definitely get a smoker, definitely look at the best you want to spend but avoid an Mx’er like the plague….
Or fit knobblies on your R1M and give it horns
Steve Bass said:
Pretty much, yes
As another point, back when I had my 400 EXC, a good friend’s 500 EXC expired while we were in Wales near Rhyadder (sp?)
Desperate to get a bike for the weekend he bought a CR 250 as it was the only thing available within a reasonable distance….. to say it was a disaster would be an understatement…. So bad he drove to Bristol the day after the first outing and bought a GasGasEC300….
So definitely get a smoker, definitely look at the best you want to spend but avoid an Mx’er like the plague….
Or fit knobblies on your R1M and give it horns
Back in the late eighties, I ran a couple 2T 'crossers for enduros /Hare'n'hounds and they were fine for it. I admit, they were tiresome on road as a result of the gearing though so would agree with SB here and steer clear.As another point, back when I had my 400 EXC, a good friend’s 500 EXC expired while we were in Wales near Rhyadder (sp?)
Desperate to get a bike for the weekend he bought a CR 250 as it was the only thing available within a reasonable distance….. to say it was a disaster would be an understatement…. So bad he drove to Bristol the day after the first outing and bought a GasGasEC300….
So definitely get a smoker, definitely look at the best you want to spend but avoid an Mx’er like the plague….
Or fit knobblies on your R1M and give it horns
Get yourself a KTM EXC450 - all you'll ever need.
(It's 'Rhayader' btw
)On the 4T / 2T maintenance point. Its not as black and white as it first seems.
On KTM exc's 4 strokes, its pistons and all engine bearings at 70 to 135 hours depending on use. Cam chains and valve train to look after. Having said that, many run much longer with gentle green lane use.
tpi 2T are piston every 40 to 80 hours.
So longer schedule, but which is the trickier job....
On KTM exc's 4 strokes, its pistons and all engine bearings at 70 to 135 hours depending on use. Cam chains and valve train to look after. Having said that, many run much longer with gentle green lane use.
tpi 2T are piston every 40 to 80 hours.
So longer schedule, but which is the trickier job....
I have a Honda Crm250, its an old bike now but it was on over 10k miles before I rebuilt it, I've owned it for 14 years and it's been totally reliable. It's never left me stranded on a trail, I have broken it but it's always got me home. I do keep on top of preventative maintenance thought, gear oil every couple of rides etc.
It'll sit a 60mph all day on the road although it's still very tedious and it's not particularly noisy compared to most 4t I ride with and I'd described it as quite.
I more modern bike is definitely better to ride, mostly because of less weight, but I only use it for green lanes and its still far more capable than I am.
It'll sit a 60mph all day on the road although it's still very tedious and it's not particularly noisy compared to most 4t I ride with and I'd described it as quite.
I more modern bike is definitely better to ride, mostly because of less weight, but I only use it for green lanes and its still far more capable than I am.
Not sure it’s been specifically mentioned already, perhaps just assumed by some of the others… but if you go for an older 2T then you’ll need to carry around a tub of oil and mixing jug etc to use as premix when you fill up which will become a real PITA. The newer TPI’s mean this isn’t an issue but it’s going to be extremely tough to get one you’d want within your budget.
I’ve had lots but I’d only consider a 300 if wanting a 2T for greenlaning… however that would be second choice behind almost any other 4T.
FYI… most people who road register mx bikes don’t do so to ride them on the road (as already said they’re horrific) but do so for ease when it comes to insurance etc.
I’ve had lots but I’d only consider a 300 if wanting a 2T for greenlaning… however that would be second choice behind almost any other 4T.
FYI… most people who road register mx bikes don’t do so to ride them on the road (as already said they’re horrific) but do so for ease when it comes to insurance etc.
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