Motor Bikes

Gday,
Whats LAMS?

any of the BIG singles....IE XR 400 or XR 600 Hondas are good. Or TT 600 Yamaha or DR Suzuki ect.....stay with a single cylinder road/trail and mate you can't go wrong. Simple motors easy to get parts and any bike mechanic can fix it. Or anybody handy with a spanner

Hi Steve

Do your checks and everytime you will come up with the Lams approved Drz400.

I have a 2008 model ($8000 on the road) , and took it across Simpson last year , it even did Dalhousie to Oddnadatta think 170km on one tank.

Have several other bikes , some better in dirt but all round you will find that bike the overall best solution under $10,000

Comes with road legal knobbies even.

May I suggest that it would be a good idea to do some shorter trips, where a sub 250cc will be OK, before setting out on a big adventure on a larger bike with minimal experience?

As some others have stated, you can't say you can ride a bike till you've come off a few times, and the bigger they are..... Believe me, I've come of little ones and big ones and the big ones generally hurt more, and cost considerably more to fix up again. And it's far easier to control a smaller bike in the soft stuff.

Learn to walk before you run.

Cheers

Hi Steve,
I've got to agree with Robin, the DRZ400 ticks all your boxes especially the LAMS and price ones.

Just don't wind the right fist to far to fast until you have a good grasp of how to stop and turn it.

They aren't exactly my cup of tea but I'm not looking for LAMS approved or longer distance touring either.

Whatever you do, research a heap before you spend the dollars.

Pack the heart up, use the brain and you won't go far wrong.

Are you in NSW or Victoria?

You may be better off with something under 300cc if NSW as you'll save a mountain on Green Slips.

My 610 Husky costs over $400 per year registered as a Solo (no pillion) as opposed to my 5 seater Troopy costing under $300 for Green Slips.

Geoff

What's wrong with these Hondas...?...seem to handle the Simpson OK...cheap, economical, comfortable. . :-)Image Could Not Be Found

Hi Steve
I would also agree with the others that recommended the DRza400. They are not overly agressive in the power delivery and are probably one of the best for reliability. You should also be able to pick up a new run-out model for the sort of money you have, maybe not with all the safety gear but close.
There are a few of us doing a cape tour in September, the bikes supplied are DRZ400, which will be a bit of change from my YZF450.
Chris

Hi Stephen,

Not taking anything at all away from the good folk here at ExplorOz, and indeed as you prepare for your travels on your bike, you will find stacks of useful info here!

But for a forum that is more motorcycle orientated, try Net Rider

Stacks of useful info there as well....... I am a member there as well, I ride a Honda 1300 Cruiser though, not a dirt bike so won't get involved in the "which bike" thing.....

Cheers

Brian

Stephen

Agree with a lot of the comments above in regards to the DRZ 400, the Honda XR400 and the Yamaha TTR's are also good entry level bikes capable of some touring.

Cheers

Hey Steve,

If you are going to use it on the road I'll put a vote in for electric start in whatever you choose. IMO kick start is fine if you're riding mainly in the bush but on road it gets old fast...

Cheers,

Rod