Hairybiker84 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 1:12 pm
My brief dabble in laning started on a KTM EXC400, definitely not impressed, lacked bottom end grunt, poor fuelling and unimpressive suspension. Fettled the carb and re-sprung it but couldn't be doing with the frequent oil changes and failures.
Bought a Beta X-Trainer 300 - in my opinion the perfect bike for green-laning, just a shame that even with the after market bigger fuel tank it lacked range. Sold now but if I were to start up again I'd find another and improvise something to hold some extra fuel.
I bought a new X-Trainer 3 years ago, but hated the suspension.
My new Husky TE300i is way better, but cost more.
I still have the Beta for pals to ride, but would love to improve the forks. I put in 10 grade oil, but that was only a small improvement.
Hairybiker84 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 1:12 pm
My brief dabble in laning started on a KTM EXC400, definitely not impressed, lacked bottom end grunt, poor fuelling and unimpressive suspension. Fettled the carb and re-sprung it but couldn't be doing with the frequent oil changes and failures.
Bought a Beta X-Trainer 300 - in my opinion the perfect bike for green-laning, just a shame that even with the after market bigger fuel tank it lacked range. Sold now but if I were to start up again I'd find another and improvise something to hold some extra fuel.
I bought a new X-Trainer 3 years ago, but hated the suspension.
My new Husky TE300i is way better, but cost more.
I still have the Beta for pals to ride, but would love to improve the forks. I put in 10 grade oil, but that was only a small improvement.
I really couldn't find an issue with the suspension, maybe a bit on the soft side but it's for green-laning, not competition. I rode a friends 300 TPi KTM, in my opinion too powerful for laning and the additional height just proves to be a hinderance over technical bits, making you bottle out sooner as you're not sure that, if you need a dab, you'll be able to reach the ground before the bike gets past the point of no return. Far rather trickle my way up the technical stuff than blast around, the head-on collision I witnessed with another rider coming the other way put me off that!
Dave@ERT wrote: ↑Tue Feb 09, 2021 12:07 pm
Incidentally, a friend of mine that’s done LOTS of trail riding (and trials riding) has a shortlist called the three 100’s for his perfect green laning bike. It must be capable of 100kph for the road sections, able to cover 100 miles on a tank and weigh a maximum of 100 kg. There’s bikes out there that fit the criteria but, once you throw in servicing intervals, reliability, seat height etc....the list get smaller !?
I’ve always wanted a Yamaha Serow, the low seat height and low weight compared to crf,klx etc are quite appealing now I’ve hit the mid 50s and prefer to potter about.
Any experience of them?
They were quite popular on the LDT scene.
Not seen many for sale of late and those that are go for relatively high prices.
Yep, I’ve ridden a Serow, a Beta Alp 200 and a Pampera 250. Thought the Serow was good, although a little down on power and fairly basic suspension...a good bike but overpriced !? The Beta Alp was great, although very small and, again, only adequate power. Loved the Pampera ! GREAT engine (if, like me, you like two strokes) and really light with great handling.
KungFooBob wrote: ↑Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:49 pm
If you can't find a Serrow, what about a Beta Alp or a Gas Gas Pampera?
Dave@ERT wrote: ↑Fri Apr 09, 2021 4:47 pm
Yep, I’ve ridden a Serow, a Beta Alp 200 and a Pampera 250. Thought the Serow was good, although a little down on power and fairly basic suspension...a good bike but overpriced !? The Beta Alp was great, although very small and, again, only adequate power. Loved the Pampera ! GREAT engine (if, like me, you like two strokes) and really light with great handling.
Yes I’ve tried the Pampera, a mate had one and loved it, I wasn’t so keen and the premix/short range was offputting, also rode with a guy who had an Alp which I tried but I agree very lacking in power and build quality was a bit iffy.
There’s a nice 2015 KLX250 in a dealer nearby but iirc the seat height is about the same as a DRZ/CRF, nothing against any of these bikes but you can have so much more fun on smaller bikes when just playing around, a friend had one of the early DT125LCs which was tiny, think she’d had it lowered a bit and it was a real blast to ride after riding a DRZ at the time.
Yes, I’m a big believer that smaller and lighter is the way to go off-road . I’ve got a mate that rides a Pampera and he’s fitted an Acerbis handlebar mounted secondary tank...it now does about 110 miles when fully fuelled up, which is plenty. I know what you mean about premix, but if you sort out small bottles of oil (which you know equate to set amounts of petrol) it’s really dead simple once you get into the habit....although saying that, I ride a four stroke TTR myself ! I’ve ridden a KLX too...they’re very narrow, so the seat height feels low, but a bit heavy and with a very uninspiring engine ??
That looks really nice...and being the 250 it should go a bit better than the 225 Whilst it’s crazy money they do seem to hold their value, so not much depreciation to worry about. Have you seen the Kawasaki Super Sherpa that’s also advertised...just another option ??
Dave@ERT wrote: ↑Sun Apr 11, 2021 11:12 am
That looks really nice...and being the 250 it should go a bit better than the 225 Whilst it’s crazy money they do seem to hold their value, so not much depreciation to worry about. Have you seen the Kawasaki Super Sherpa that’s also advertised...just another option ??
If its the black and white one from 7seas motors on ebay, yes I did check it out, looked a bit crusty on the engine ally and forks but another one for the list of potentials.
It’s crazy these little jap 250 trailbikes didn't get to the uk market direct.
Wonder if any of the other jap maufacturers have plans to compete with Honda’s crf300l in the future.
After watching MONDO Enduro many years ago I promise myself I'd have a DR350 as a forever 2nd bike an drag it our for green laning a few times a year, but I never bought one and think green lanes/BOATs are a bit thin on the ground locally?
I had a JDM DR250SHM, was just like a UK DR350, except it had upside down forks and a big knob on the handle bars that lowered/raised the suspension... oh and it was only 250cc.
Great little bike, except I bought a kickstart only version (the shop had two, one was leccy boot, but I didn't like the colour). When it was hot it was a complete fucker to get started again.
I did the whole cutting the airbox, drilling out the carb slide, K&N and a re-jet (with the stock pipe) and it made a pleasing (wheelie-tastic) improvement to the power.
My mate had a DR250 the same as that, massively better bike than the UK DR350, the power wasn't noticeably less and the suspension is loads better than the DR350.
Taipan wrote: ↑Wed Apr 14, 2021 10:40 am
After watching MONDO Enduro many years ago I promise myself I'd have a DR350 as a forever 2nd bike an drag it our for green laning a few times a year, but I never bought one and think green lanes/BOATs are a bit thin on the ground locally?
There's litte more dissapointing than riding for nearly an hour to a green lane and finding out it's either impassable due to 4x4 damage (just a long ditch filled with water) or nothing more than a straight, flat mud path.
I researched loads of youtube videos of green lanes near me and most weren't worth the effort.
There’ll be a lovely 2019 CRF250L with a few extras coming up for sale next week.
Just need to give it its service although at only 1k miles its not due for a while yet!
Taipan wrote: ↑Wed Apr 14, 2021 10:40 am
After watching MONDO Enduro many years ago I promise myself I'd have a DR350 as a forever 2nd bike an drag it our for green laning a few times a year, but I never bought one and think green lanes/BOATs are a bit thin on the ground locally?
When I moved down to Essex from Yorkshire, I was suprised how many green lanes there are around here. For my 50th birthday I took the day off work and spent several hours riding the green lanes north of Chelmsford. None of the lanes are too taxing mostly flat with biggest challenges been mud. On a modern bike with decent tyres I don't think they would be difficult which is why a DT175MX is fun.
Have a look on an OS map around Dunmow and Braintree.
KungFooBob wrote: ↑Wed Apr 14, 2021 11:12 am
I had a JDM DR250SHM, was just like a UK DR350, except it had upside down forks and a big knob on the handle bars that lowered/raised the suspension... oh and it was only 250cc.
Great little bike, except I bought a kickstart only version (the shop had two, one was leccy boot, but I didn't like the colour). When it was hot it was a complete fucker to get started again.
I did the whole cutting the airbox, drilling out the carb slide, K&N and a re-jet (with the stock pipe) and it made a pleasing (wheelie-tastic) improvement to the power.
So you were in the shit video club with JDM bikes too, I loved my little XL250degree
. I’ve got a mate that rides a Pampera and he’s fitted an Acerbis handlebar mounted secondary tank...it now does about 110 miles when fully fuelled up, which is plenty. I know what you mean about premix, but if you sort out small bottles of oil (which you know equate to set amounts of petrol) it’s really dead simple once you get into the habit....although saying that, I ride a four stroke TTR myself !
I’ve ridden a KLX too...they’re very narrow, so the seat height feels low, but a bit heavy and with a very uninspiring engine ??
