No problem! Also, Forgot to mention I will have a full GB Racing Protection kit coming off it too if it's sold as standard. £200
See my post over on other bikes mate. Im just getting into green laning. Its immense fun, very challenging and rather painful at times as well. Hard earned advice.... Invest in heavy duty crosser boots and thor hinged knee guards as part of your kit. I went down a couple of weeks ago on rocks around 15mph and landed on my knee. Not even a scrape thanks to the guards Im convinced I would have cracked my kneecap without the armour.
Good advice. I have tons of bike gear and never skimp so I will be getting some decent boots and armour. How easy and how much green laning do you actually do? That's my big worry really. Although I do want to get involved in amateur events/endurance racing.
At the moment we are grabbing a day once a fortnight in North Yorkshire, we are lucky as its only 30 miles south of us so quite accessible. We have just bought a van though so we can hopefully get a bit further afield. Its a cracking day out mind and quite challenging in parts. I think we will end up joining the TRF as well as they seem to do some organised rides in your respective areas. I couldnt fancy spending much time on tarmac on my TTR so thats the only caution I would advise, especially if your toying with getting a KTM. Why KTM incidentally? Hard work and engine rebuilds? I would personally have a look at a BMW G450 in the 4-5k bracket if I was spending that kind of money on a bike. You must remember that whatever bike you choose It will be going down so you cant be precious. Dont forget that knobby tyres are not good news on tarmac as well and you will sharp shag them out if your blatting around on roads. And on that note, TRELLEBORG MITAS tyres kick ass. I changed my back tyre for one and it virtually transformed my little yam into a mountain goat.
Why KTM.........good question. Certainly not because of experience. The same reason I went for a Street Triple R and a Daytona. I like the look of the bike. They perform well and I like the company/brand. I figured KTM are all about adventure and off road bikes so they must produce a decent machine capable of doing the job. The styling is nice and they seem to perform well. I must admit, it has hit me just how much maintenance these off road bikes are going to require compared to any of my previous bikes. I have been warned off anything bigger than 350 by my brother-in-law. He still rides a 250 after years of green laning and events. I took a Honda CRF250L out today. Wow..........seriously lacking power on the road. That will take some getting used to but for me to travel local and to commute it will be fine. Wobbly and slow but fine. After 1hr on the demo bike though I had adjusted to the power and I was getting much more out of it on the road. I did take it down some minor (but very muddy!) byways in Cheshire and it was there I realised that a 250 is more than capable and anything bigger would be handful. I returned the bike an hour (and a bit!) later full of mud! haha. It was spotless when I took it out and I'm pretty sure no one had ridden it off road until I got my hands on it. After the ride I knew I would miss my Daytona. Especially when the sun comes out and I see everyone out and about. Still, I fancy a change and hopefully I will take to this new biking experience. If not I can always sell up. I am considering getting an older Street and a cheaper off roader. Still lots to ponder but one thing is for sure, I will be advertising my Daytona any day soon! Very sad!
I tried a mates KTM 350EXC and was it mental. Way to much for my novice hands. Bike way outstripped my abilities. You are bang on though, a 250 is more than enough when your off road. Its all about lightness as well. Lighter the bike the more agile it is and also easier to pick up when you drop it. I personally would go TTR250, CRF250/350, DR250/350.
Just to update.............bike is now officially up for sale. £4,500 standard or £5,500 full loaded with goodies! If no interest on here it will be on mcn/ebay by the weekend.
Yeah. I wanted £5k but I need a fairly quick sale so I think £4.5k is more than fair. I value the parts at nearly £1.5k if sold separately so £1k on the bike seems fair too. Whoever buys it will be getting a nice bike. Got a KTM on hold for me now so the bike needs to go!
Decided on the 250 EXC-F. Hoping for a 2012 or 2011 model. If I can get the "Six Days" version even better. I did want the 350 but have been warned about not handling the power etc which could put me off the whole off road scene. Decided to take the advice of the majority and well informed and go for the 250.
My mate was going to get the six days one but decided to stick with his exc450 and bought some supermoto wheels for it. If you spoke to him he would advise getting a neck brace. makes a more comfortable ride and stops you breaking you neck like he did
That's what my mate said. 10mph crash neck spine broken. Lucky to walk really. Don't want to scare you. Just saying that's all
I suppose that could happen on any bike. I have accepted I will fall off a lot and I am getting some mighty tech 10 boots or similar. I've bout good knee and elbow guards and a top chest protector. Not sure about a neck protector just yet but not ruling it out. I'm not happy about the flimsy gloves you wear off roading but obviously they're like that for a reason. Just plan to have lots of fun without have to risk my license or my freedom! Lol
It is fun tho. I've fell off on enduro or motocross bikes more times than I can remember. As long as you go out to have fun and enjoy yourself you'll be grand. yeah gloves are pretty useless but it's all for feel
