Bike for Green laning

Discussion in 'Other Bikes' started by exfire, Apr 20, 2014.

  1. exfire

    exfire Elite Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2011
    Messages:
    2,155
    Likes Received:
    1,017
    Hi,

    I want to start Green Laning this Autumn/Winter, I am fed up with wet, muddy and icy roads stopping me from using the Blade in the winter.

    I would appreciate some advice from those with experience as to what bike to go for as it has been some years since I went off roading.

    I don't really want to buy something and outgrow it as I regain the skills. Also, mechanically speaking I am useless, so a KTM is out of the question as I understand they need work every 15 hours of use.

    Budget wise, the max I want to spend is £3K but would prefer to pay around £2K.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 exfire, Apr 20, 2014
  2. dave d

    dave d Elite Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2011
    Messages:
    3,800
    Likes Received:
    1,479
    WR 450 keep promising myself 1 maybe this winter.....Arthur has 1 so gotta be good!!
     
    #2 dave d, Apr 20, 2014
  3. martinowen

    martinowen Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2012
    Messages:
    9,907
    Likes Received:
    3,680
    Arthur's was a WR its now just rolling bling! And it's so shinny I'm unsure if its ever seen mud lol
     
    #3 martinowen, Apr 20, 2014
  4. martinowen

    martinowen Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2012
    Messages:
    9,907
    Likes Received:
    3,680
    I had a 2 stroke 125 which to be honest was enough for greed lanning personally I wouldn't go any bigger than a 250 4stroke but depends on the individual to be honest
     
    #4 martinowen, Apr 20, 2014
  5. Muffking

    Muffking God Like

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2012
    Messages:
    5,848
    Likes Received:
    2,832
    I spent a day green laning in a group on a WR250, was just as much fun as being out on the Blade.
     
    #5 Muffking, Apr 20, 2014
  6. graemewalker

    graemewalker Elite Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2013
    Messages:
    1,928
    Likes Received:
    893
    Get yourself a crf 250x pretty built proof had one when I raced with North Yorkshire enduro ,took it to the iom and done the millennium way with it great fun back in 2005 which ever you choose get one on the button as the pete bogs takes it out of you when buried up to the kick start.learnt the hard way with a Xr400 but loads of grunt esp up hill sections,moved to a gas gas ec300 but no allowance on rock sections all or nothing so go for a 4 stroke more forgiving,wr is a bit soft IMO
     
    #6 graemewalker, Apr 20, 2014
  7. exfire

    exfire Elite Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2011
    Messages:
    2,155
    Likes Received:
    1,017
    Big thanks for the advice everyone. The WR450 and CRF250 both seem very good bikes, some good reviews about the Suzuki DRZ400's too.

    I will have to get out and sit on a few and take out for a test ride. The maintenance side is important, oil and filter will be OK but anything more will require me taking to a garage.

    Going to take my time deciding, thanks again.
     
    #7 exfire, Apr 20, 2014
  8. Jase

    Jase Elite Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2012
    Messages:
    2,165
    Likes Received:
    1,794
    +1 for the yam 450 I had one for 3 years and never missed a beat and loved it on the back wheel :D

    Before that I had a honda xr650 kick start :eek: that was a right big lump had it for a couple of years went over to the tt with it as the off road is great over there plus you can get to some brilliant viewing points but the kick starting of the bike for a week we were there nearly killed me so sold it when I got back for the yam and electric start :D
     
    #8 Jase, Apr 20, 2014
  9. sinewave

    sinewave God Like

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2013
    Messages:
    8,134
    Likes Received:
    4,614
    Was looking at these funnily enough last Monday whilst having the Blade serviced!

    Was tempted but deep down I know I aint got time for fecking about off road as well as Track Days.

    Honda-CRF450.jpg
     
    #9 sinewave, Apr 20, 2014
  10. sinewave

    sinewave God Like

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2013
    Messages:
    8,134
    Likes Received:
    4,614
    #10 sinewave, Apr 20, 2014
  11. exfire

    exfire Elite Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2011
    Messages:
    2,155
    Likes Received:
    1,017
    The Yam sounds good.

    Sinewave, the Honda looks too nice to get muddy ;). The 450 kit looks awesome, that is one hell of a package.
     
    #11 exfire, Apr 20, 2014

Share This Page