tell me about motobikes

[SteveW]

It wouldn't be my idea of fun.
If there was Royal Society For the Prevention Of Cruelty To Motorbikes, you'd be prosecuted for asking this plucky little bike to spend the day with its throttle on the stop, in 4th, 5th and 6th trying to keep up with Renault Cleos on a French motorway.
It's not that kind of bike, it can be converted into a plausible lightweight travel bike, but it's going to be no fun on motorways, far better to keep to smaller roads or buy somthing with better ergonomics and power.

[garyboy]

the crf250L, I find, is surprisingly comfortable .. especially after the extreme excrutiation of the crf250X model.
tho I am smaller than you, its ergonomics (reach) are quite good and have a big bike feel.
the seat is wide enough to get the two cheek bones on .. very important for long distance.
just don't expect too much of it in keeping up with others or even cars .. just plod on at 6omph and let the cars pass ... feck em .. just keep an eye in the very good mirrors.
it will do 80+ apparently, and is sweet at 50mph ish.
I am still breaking mine in and would be out on her now if it wasn't for my teeth pains (bahhhhhh) .. so I have not tried it off road yet ... its so so pretty to spoil yet. but I can guess it will be fine for my low level of riding on easy trails.
its a detuned cbr250 engine and the service intervals are 8000 miles.
steady on the road, plenty for most occasions, just go at your own pace.

ps .. its a real FUN bike.
can't wait to get back on.
.

[bluekiwigrant]

OK I have said I know nought about motorbikes can someone tell me if the below is correct

In general terms do you get
1/ road bikes
2 off road bikes
3/ bikes that do both

Is that too simple and if there are bikes that do both how do you know which ones they are?

[Cone]

I wanted a bike that did both and brought a bmw gs 800 and it does them both very well. The purists out there will tell you its too heavy but I think its great. I'm not ready to go anything more off road biased yet and can only afford one bike.

I can do various off-road and some tricky trails but make sure I do them at my pace - which is safe lol

I'm still young mind with a fairly good back so can manage it if it goes over.

[SteveW]

OK I have said I know nought about motorbikes can someone tell me if the below is correct

In general terms do you get
1/ road bikes
2 off road bikes
3/ bikes that do both

Is that too simple and if there are bikes that do both how do you know which ones they are?

That's sort of it.
Although an off road bike will tackle roads far better than a road bike will tackle off road.
A CRF 250L would make a good town/commuter bike.....the features that make it good on trails...light weight, slim, good turning circle and upright also make it good around town.
As said previously if you keep off the motorways the CRF250L can cover the ground at a decent pace...50/60mph.
When you start looking at the larger "adventure" bikes....."bikes that do both" you are generally moving up in engine size and price, these are bikes that will push along easily at 70mph+ and are comfortable over longer distance and offer some weather protection. They will generally be pretty heavy and require some experience to ride on the dirt.
These bikes will generally (with some exceptions) be 600cc plus.
These larger "bikes that do both" will normally be tall and relatively slim. They will have slim(ish) chuncky tyres, large wheels and long travel suspension.

[ChasF]

OK I have said I know nought about motorbikes can someone tell me if the below is correct

In general terms do you get
1/ road bikes
2 off road bikes
3/ bikes that do both

Is that too simple and if there are bikes that do both how do you know which ones they are?

Your categories are what the marketing types would like you to believe but no.3 is inevitably a compromise. Your choice of tyres will to a great extent determine whether your bike is 70/30 road use or 70/30 off road (trail use). Also remember that lighter is always better, especially if you are going off road.

[Andi_Archer]

Personally and if a somewhat limited experience of off-road riding,Id suggest a 350 or 400cc is the smallest you should consider if you want to use it for off road and communting as well.The 250cc may be light and easier to manhandle in a spill off road but it will struggle to keep any decent road speed especially on motorways.

Ive recently purchased a 2002 Suzuki DRZ400S with 6K miles and whilst it might be a tad heavier than smaller bikes for off road as a learner i.e. the Honda 250 I wanted something with a decent on road speed too.The previous owner installed the recommended side cover protection plates and a decent bash plate so its good to go and so far is way more capable off road than I am.

EdIt BTW I had a great days off roading with Boyd Emmerich Overlander Trail Tours around the trails of Staffordshire last week on one of his hire bikes a KTM 450 now thats a great bike to ride.