Well, I finally did it....

[goodtimes]

I'm a little freaked out because the guy Josh bought his Dakar from said the scheduled service at the dealer was around $600! :Wow1:

Depending on which service it is, 6K or 12K, yes -- $600 is about right. Shop rates are hanging around the $80 - $85/hour range, and the 12K service involves adjusting the valves - which are shim under bucket design (which sucks for service because you have to pull the camshafts out to access the shims). There is a 1/2 to 3/4 day of labor in there, plus parts.

The up side is that the BMW has a 6K mile service interval. So even though it costs twice as much, you only do it half as often.

The basic maintenance is pretty simple. If you can change the oil in your car, you can change the oil in the BMW, and save yourself the labor $$$.

 

[wparkinson]

Hey Weeze..... I didn't realize that you were a woman when I suggested the KLR. Not that a woman couldn't handle it, it may be a little too heavy. Something in a 250 range might be better. Granted I don't know you and you may be a big burly chick... if so go for the bigger bike... :sombrero:

Look.. beemers are nice... if you can afford them................ Not everyone can. I would suggest getting something inexpensive like a Super Serpa, or a KLX. Even a TW250.......There are many options. Really if I were you I would get something that you are comfortable with and you are not afraid of hitting the ground.

Most EURO bikes are high maintenance and expensive to work on and if you are not near a dealer then you may be outta luck on some things.

Just my .02 worth...

WP

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Ha ha WP I guess thats why I should take any internet advice with a grain of salt!

Originally my intent was to just get a little 250, but my main concern is being able to keep up on the freeway. I know those little bikes can do it, but at a scary and uncomfortable pace. If I were to go that route I'd definitely do the Super Sherpa I really like that bike and it has 6 gears. I just want to be able to feel like if I want to hop on over to Tempe on the freeway I can, or if we decide to head down to the Over Expo it won't be a problem.

I know what you mean about the euro bikes...we have had more than our fair share of German cars in this garage from BMW to VW to Audi, so I know what happens when things break so thats a good point. One major plus at looking into the X Country is that I'd have 1.5 years left on the factory warranty.

*le sigh*

 

[wparkinson]

Like I have said.. The beemers are good bikes... I have a friend that has a Dakar and have another that had an X-Challenge and know they both said great things about them. I guess I am just a cheap ***...:bike_rider: and I can do all the maintainance. Good luck with whatever you get and I will be keeping an eye out on here to see how you do. Also GET SOME GOOD GEAR!!! Don't skimp on your riding gear it can save your life..... I think that is one thing that everyone here can agree with that...

WP

 

[Katoomer]

I'm a big fan of the light bikes. Figure out how fast you need to go on the highway and go from there. Some people need unending power which comes with a lot of weight in most cases, but not all. I'm also a BIG believer in getting a small dirtbike and learning how to actually ride a bike before you hit the concrete (no pun intended). Just because the state issues someone a licence for going around a circle doesnt mean they know how to do anything.

A 500lb bike is insanely different from a 200lb bike when offroad or most importantly -emergency maneuvers on the concrete. Do you really want a 500lb bike when the little ole lady in front of you smashes her brakes in her benz that will do 80-0 in way less time than any bike.

I currently have my gf on a DR-Z 125 (176lbs), IN THE DIRT ONLY, we'll get to the roads when she can actually ride

Be Safe and enjoy...

 

[trailsurfer]

Don't be afraid of the Beemers because of Maintenance. You can get videos or free info from advrider.com, that will walk you through the 6,000k maint intervals.

 

[Katoomer]

I posted this on a guy's post that was asking pretty much the same thing, only difference is you may want to consider a TW200 as it has smaller wider tires. Smaller tires inspire confidence, as do wider tires, especially in rocky situations. Also, the xt225 is a must consider for weight reasons alone. Be sure to get the weight for everything you consider and consider it.

repost:

I am here to settle this - DO NOT get a heavy bike, KLR 650 is 400+ pounds, DRZ is almost 300lbs, Yamaha WR250 (great bike but still 300lbs) ie. might as well get a KTM 690, it's 300 lbs. Scratch all those, get the lightest damn bike you can find which would be the Yamaha XT225, it is like 230lbs, great bike great reputation, super cheap, you can get like '04s for $1500. Dont even get the new XT250, why, its 300lbs.

Think of it like this, go get the XT225 and strap 75lbs of dumbells on it if you want a heavy bike. I hear DRZs handle about as bad as XR400s off road. If you want something with the power of the 400cc motors, get a KTM 250 (4-stroke), same power, less weight, handling between the two will be insanely different - ktms will make you a better rider - set up different, way more suspension (which saves ***, trust me).

I would get the KTM 250 if you can find a good used one at good price, the XT225 is a great bike also and cheap and already tagged. I personally have a 1987 Yamaha TT225 which is the exact bike sans lights and tag, but the TT-R225s are not the same as the XT225, the TT-R is like 300lbs too. I keep the TT225 around for people to learn on, it's 222 pounds, little lighter than the XT. I've personally rode a Yamaha WR250, nice bike, fuel injection is nice esp if in the mountains, bike seems pretty street bike though, weak suspension, no bottom end power and 300 lbs still which mean an XT225 plus 60 lbs of camping gear.

KTM 250 XCF-W - 101.6 kg (223.98 lbs) (the four-stroke one) approx. 35 HP
XT225 - 238 lbs
DR-Z 400S- 291.0 pounds, Measured horsepower: 32.5 bhp @ 7850 rpm
klr 650 - 387.0 pounds
KTM 690 Enduro - 305.3 pounds
WR250R - 295.0 pounds


http://www.xt225.com/

Finally, you'll want to consider maintenance. If you want zero maintenance, get the XT225, The KTM 250 is going to require more frequent oil changes and have to keep valves adjusted. Just depends if you plan to ride off road or on road more. Dirt/Street%: 90/10% get the KTM 250 - 70/30 get the XT225 - 50/50 DR-Z or KTM 690 - 10/90 KLR650 DR650 GS650 KTM690 KTM640. The thing is, if you ride a lot of road you'll want more motor (KTM640 or 690).

 

[Katoomer]

I'll share my plan with you. I am trying to get my gf to enjoy riding motorcycles so we can enjoy dualsporting in the future and do all the fire roads of the different mtn ranges.

First I got her a Honda NX125, it was too heavy for her (260ish), then a TT225 (222lbs) still too big and heavy [to actually enjoy], now she has the DR-Z 125L (176lbs) ---50lbs lighter than the tt225, smaller tires, etc... SHE LOVES IT, rides great (we're still on the motocross track and no mud (that didnt go well either))

Get something nice and light and when you two get on tougher trails you will probably outride Josh on his heavy BMW (bunch more weight) I have a 525exc-50+hp 260lbs. and you'll get on tougher trails just riding forest service roads.

Oh, and when you're on the highway and need that bigger motor, just make Josh ride yours and tell em to take it like a man.

 

[Katoomer]

keep this in mind, a Kawasaki KLX140 will do 70mph and weighs 200lbs and is electric start, a KTM250 weighs 230lbs will do 100mph and is electric start. A dr-z 125 can be built up to a 200cc model. A lot of people get the smaller and lighter bike and upgrade it's power and to run highway is simple matter of switching sprockets for more top speed. A KTM250 (and many other 250's) will go 100mph easy and weigh nothing and will smoke a heavy BMW off the line, off road, whatever... look at some of the real european models like KTM, Husaberg (amazing) and Husqvarna just came out with a sweet new 250. I haven't been impressed with any Bavarian stuff, cool for the street I guess, the 450 is cool and the HP2 is pretty wild. And of course having the woman pull up at the stoplight on a husaberg 390 or ktm250 or a husky250, next to her boyfriend on a gs650. Ouch

 

[Katoomer]

KTM 250

Husaberg 390

Husqvarna 250

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

First of all I want to thank all my Expo friends who have helped me on this journey. There is some great advice in this thread and I'm hoping to do some exploring with you all soon!

Secondly, I have to say that most of you probably have no idea how painful it can be being a Libra! Making decisions is not my favorite thing to do...

With that said this long process, thinking about it day and night for the last two weeks, has finally come to an end and I wound up almost completely back at the beginning (minus the scooter) with my initial thought. I present to you, the Super Sherpa:

And I am super excited!! :wings:

Over and over again I was just too intimidated by the weight, and size of the 650cc bikes. Lots of cool ones out there that I hope to move up to one day, but in the end it was the light, low seated 250cc that got me. I wanted something fun, simple to work on and operate, and in a style I liked.

I hope, if my schedule works out, to catch some of you at the Overland Expo in April. :bike_rider:

 

[RHINO]

your gonna love that bike heidi. you'll want a little more on the hiway after a while, but i think it''ll be everything you want everywhere else. i will most likely get a super sherpa or a yamaha serrow for my wife pretty soon.

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

You should see it sitting next to the Dakar in the garage...its a tiny little thing...I freaking LOVE IT!

My new goal is to get comfortable enough to ride down to the Overland Expo, but I just checked the dates and they don't mesh with my time off...if only it was the following weekend. I'm hoping to find someone to cover for me.

 

[MarcFJ60]

Congratulations :wings:

I don't think you can go wrong with that bike. Although small, if I'm not mistaken they are geared pretty well for the highway. I can imagine how excited you are - do you find excuses to go out to its parking spot just to look at it?

The other nice thing about 250s is that if you ever decide to upsize to a 650 or a twin, it is easier to justify keeping the 250 as a second bike. (Not that anybody would keep multiple motorcycles)

 

[goodtimes]

You should see it sitting next to the Dakar in the garage...its a tiny little thing...

You should see Marisa's TW200 sitting next to my 800GS . . . :sombrero:

That's a good bike. It probably won't be something you want to ride on the freeway . . . so when you come down to the Expo, take 89 (through Florence). It's a much nicer ride on a little bike than I-10 would be.