Time for a new bike?

[Silver Penguin]

Just got back from a great weekend spent at Johnson Valley OHV park, camping and riding with friends. My choice of wheels for off-road adventuring has always been the Yamaha TTR125. As a rookie off-roader, I wanted something that would allow my 26" inseam a modest accquaintance with the ground. This bike allows the balls of both feet down when the suspension is fully compressed. For a couple of seasons, this has been all the bike I've wanted, or needed.

This trip included some riding with friends, who ride grown-up bikes. Even when they slowed down for me, I had a really hard time keeping up on anything but the flattest, firmest terrain. The whoops were the worst, because I have to slow waaaayy down. When I stand on the pegs, my knees are above the tank so I can't get that relaxed riding position going.

I borrowed a Suzuki 200 and enjoyed riding that. It's a lot heavier than my bike but I was still able to get a toe down on each side. (Hey - if I can ride an FJR with a toe on each side, this was a piece of cake).

Then I was challenged to ride a KTM 450 which has been slightly lowered. Friends held the bike for me to get on it. Wow! What a comfortable ride. I could stand on the pegs almost as comfortably as sitting on the seat, with a firm grip on the tank. Stopping was exciting though. I got one toe down, with my knee on the seat, and was stuck until someone helped me off.

Then I tried Andy's WR250. That's light enough that I was able to do a rolling mount and dismount. Very nice bike to ride. He has suggested that we look into Racetech.com and get the bike lowered for me, but still retain the size of an adult's bike rather than a child's. Of course, that would mean that he'd have to go out and buy a new bike for himself but that's what any loving husband would do, right? (It's going to the the new to CA, BMW 450).

 

[beemerdons]

https://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=41589 Jill, have Andy read the thread very closely before he buys a 450!

https://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224951 Engine, per BMW Factory Spec, has to be rebuilt every 70 hrs!!

 

[Silver Penguin]

Engine, per BMW Factory Spec, has to be rebuilt every 70 hrs!!

Thanks for passing that along. How on earth do they think an ordinary guy would want to strip and rebuild his bike (or pay the big $$) every 70hrs?

 

[FJRBluesman]

Jill - Dirt bikes are made for tall kids, with long legs, and very light in weight.

Many dirt bikes like my old Honda XR600 had like a 200lb weight limit. I thought, ya right, how many XR600 desert riders are under 200Lbs? I'm at that limit with my gear on.

That being said, most dirt bikes have some of the best suspensions bar none. The problem is the travel is so much, you need to be six feet tall to reach the ground. The seat height is very high.

My personal recommendation is for you to go even higher in cc. You rode a 200cc and liked it and it was heavier. The more cc's the heavier the bike. The thing is like your 125, the 200 will soon be under powered for you. If I may suggest, I'd bump it up to about a 400, nothing radical like a KTM or race bike, more like a Honda XR400, or equal bike from another maker. It maybe a little over powering at first, but from my experience, it'll suit you better in the long run. Andy's WR250 is also an excellent choice. Then he can buy a new one.

I have an XR400, it's underpowered for me, but that's OK, I'm getting older and don't like to crash and go boom. So I'll leave it at that. I had an XR600 (1992) and loved it when I wanted that monster torque and wheelies on the twist of the throttle in just about any gear. I was also about 18 years younger when I had it.

ynotride also has an XR400, ask him too.

That's my 2 cents.

 

[Patriot]

This bike allows the balls of...

I'm sorry, what was that...

 

[Silver Penguin]

Jill - Dirt bikes are made for tall kids, with long legs, and very light in weight.

Isn't that the truth? You see those kids who have in-born talent, and no fear. I have neither of those attributes. I'm not a kid. Not tall. Got short legs. And let's not talk about weight. Perhaps I should take up knitting instead?

Waiting for a reply from Racetech to see if they can take any height out of the WR250 for me. That seems to be the best option for now, if the cost of the set-up isn't too expensive. Andy has a cruiser that he doesn't ride, that he'd put in part-ex for his new bike, then let me have his old bike. If modifying the 250 is horrendously expensive, we might be looking at buying two new bikes instead, or perhaps looking for something used.

Or I could carry on riding the same, safe little circuit of desert trails that my little bike can handle....... No desire to go super fast and absolutely no desire to crash and go boom! Gotta be able to have fun over the weekend but still be able to go to work on Monday. That does mean that I need a bike that I can electively climb off, rather than having to fall off when I'm done riding. B)

 

[MotorToad]

I might think about the Kawaski 250 dual sport. It's cheaper than the WR250 but has the insanely convenient addition of a tag. It'll be heavier than the WR but I would expect the ride height would be easier for you to deal with. (Not that I've looked up seat heights.) An aftermarket tank would take care of a lot of the weight difference, too.

 

[Bungie]

I might think about the Kawaski 250 dual sport. It's cheaper than the WR250 but has the insanely convenient addition of a tag. It'll be heavier than the WR but I would expect the ride height would be easier for you to deal with. (Not that I've looked up seat heights.) An aftermarket tank would take care of a lot of the weight difference, too.

The KLX250 has a seat height that is the same as the WR250R - about 36"

I've been shopping both bikes. I sat on WR250R on Friday. I can touch the ground on the balls of my feet (and I have a long inseam for my height - 5'9" @ 33"). Now apparently, you can drop the seat an inch without touching the preload (sag).. more than that, you can get links for it. But I can't see it getting much below 33". I'm not expecting to flat foot it, but it shocking how tall it is!

The WR has about 7 or 8 more horsepower than the KLX. Similar suspensions. HUGE difference in price though.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Jill - Dirt bikes are made for tall kids, with long legs, and very light in weight.

Isn't that the truth? You see those kids who have in-born talent, and no fear. I have neither of those attributes. I'm not a kid. Not tall. Got short legs. And let's not talk about weight. Perhaps I should take up knitting instead?
Waiting for a reply from Racetech to see if they can take any height out of the WR250 for me. That seems to be the best option for now, if the cost of the set-up isn't too expensive. Andy has a cruiser that he doesn't ride, that he'd put in part-ex for his new bike, then let me have his old bike. If modifying the 250 is horrendously expensive, we might be looking at buying two new bikes instead, or perhaps looking for something used.

Or I could carry on riding the same, safe little circuit of desert trails that my little bike can handle....... No desire to go super fast and absolutely no desire to crash and go boom! Gotta be able to have fun over the weekend but still be able to go to work on Monday. That does mean that I need a bike that I can electively climb off, rather than having to fall off when I'm done riding. B)

Jill - I believe the WR would be ideal for you. I've not riden one, but I have riden the YZ250F. The WR is a little more tame and deserty, the YZ is for the track.
I look at this way. You ride a big cc Beemer, and ride an FJR. I have no doubt in your riding ablility that you can handle a WR250 or XR400. The issue is seat height.

Good luck Jill, look forward to what Santa brings you.

 

[Silver Penguin]

I look at this way. You ride a big cc Beemer, and ride an FJR. I have no doubt in your riding ablility that you can handle a WR250 or XR400. The issue is seat height.
Good luck Jill, look forward to what Santa brings you.

Thanks. The WR is already in the garage!!! No - I'm not THAT impatient. It's Andy's bike and he's jonesing for something new. If we can work out something with the seat height, somehow getting it to 30-31 with the suspension compressed, I can ride it. My FJR is about 30" and the GS is about the same.

 

[El Toro]

https://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=41589 Jill, have Andy read the thread very closely before he buys a 450!
https://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224951 Engine, per BMW Factory Spec, has to be rebuilt every 70 hrs!!

FWIW, the new YZF450 Yamaha high dollar dirt bike is warranted for 30 days, so they're going for performance over longevity too.

The little BMW G650Xcountry is a good bike for someone who is inseam challenged. Its a legitimate "lets go have some fun" kinda bike, and it will do dual service as a commuter. The 53 hp engine and relatively modest weight (probably under 350 pounds gassed up) give it enough get up and go to get up and go. And I believe these were warranted with the standard BMW 3 year 36000 mile warranty. Experience with the basic engine has been excellent. Its reliable, and reports of over 60 mpg for highway riding are common.

 

[Silver Penguin]

FWIW, the new YZF450 Yamaha high dollar dirt bike is warranted for 30 days, so they're going for performance over longevity too.
The little BMW G650Xcountry is a good bike for someone who is inseam challenged. Its a legitimate "lets go have some fun" kinda bike, and it will do dual service as a commuter. The 53 hp engine and relatively modest weight (probably under 350 pounds gassed up) give it enough get up and go to get up and go. And I believe these were warranted with the standard BMW 3 year 36000 mile warranty. Experience with the basic engine has been excellent. Its reliable, and reports of over 60 mpg for highway riding are common.

30 day warranty? That's barely time to even get the bike dirty!!!

The little 650 looks like a nice bike but 34.3" is not friendly for the inseam challenged. I'm the proud owner of a G650GS which has an option for low frame and low seat, bringing it down to 30". That puts my on my toes but the beautifully balanced bike, with the low center of gravity is a pleasure to ride, feeling much more secure than my FJR. I do use that for my commuter, and now and again some mild off road stuff. The bike is perfect for fire roads etc but not so much fun in sand. I'm getting over 70mpg from mine.

The GS is heavier that then X but has a much bigger fuel tank. With a after-market windshield, it can hold its own on longer freeway days. Of course, it's no FJR on the freeway but doesn't need a trailer to get to cool, riding places.

 

[Auburn]

My wife is 5'-2" and rides an 06 Honda CR150F. Has electric start, front disc brake. You need to get ride of the stock tires and put on a real dirt bike tire like so it has some side bite and sharp knobbies. I also put a BBR pipe on it, gives it more bottom end grunt. And I put barkl busters on so it doesn't break levers on the occaisional tip over. Great bike, she can almost flat foot it. If you wnat full size wheels you could go with the 230, but it is quite a bit heavier.

If you can get one lowered, some of the women in our local motorcycle club are riding KTM 200's. I beleive the newer ones are electric start (and have a kick starter as a back up)

 

[El Toro]

FWIW, the new YZF450 Yamaha high dollar dirt bike is warranted for 30 days, so they're going for performance over longevity too.
The little BMW G650Xcountry is a good bike for someone who is inseam challenged. Its a legitimate "lets go have some fun" kinda bike, and it will do dual service as a commuter. The 53 hp engine and relatively modest weight (probably under 350 pounds gassed up) give it enough get up and go to get up and go. And I believe these were warranted with the standard BMW 3 year 36000 mile warranty. Experience with the basic engine has been excellent. Its reliable, and reports of over 60 mpg for highway riding are common.

30 day warranty? That's barely time to even get the bike dirty!!!

The little 650 looks like a nice bike but 34.3" is not friendly for the inseam challenged. I'm the proud owner of a G650GS which has an option for low frame and low seat, bringing it down to 30". That puts my on my toes but the beautifully balanced bike, with the low center of gravity is a pleasure to ride, feeling much more secure than my FJR. I do use that for my commuter, and now and again some mild off road stuff. The bike is perfect for fire roads etc but not so much fun in sand. I'm getting over 70mpg from mine.

The GS is heavier that then X but has a much bigger fuel tank. With a after-market windshield, it can hold its own on longer freeway days. Of course, it's no FJR on the freeway but doesn't need a trailer to get to cool, riding places.

The G650Xcountry standard seat height was only 31.5". Not as good as 30", but much better than 34.3".

You could get Sargent (or someone else) to make a custom low seat. I had this done on my Xmoto, and I think it cost me about $180 (I didn't go for lower, but I went for wider, especially back at the rear).

Actually, the G650GS that you have is probably a pretty good choice. It probably wouldn't be worth getting another small BMW. I think the Honda XLR650 would be a disappointment too. Its pretty tall, and although its really reliable, its also pretty sluggish.

FWIW, I don't think there are many bikes that are actually fun in the sand. At least not following my definition of fun.

Can't overemphasize the desirability of light weight and knobby tires. These criteria tend to push you toward the trailer for getting to the cool places though.... at least thats where I get pushed. I'm no masochist.