Opinions on what bike to get

[ss2fly]

I think that I would be servicing it at probably 80 hours rather than the recommended 90 hours just to be sure.....Its no issue to me to do myself......even rebuilding it if needed wont be an issue.......( crossed fingers I dont need to )

Its really a coin toss between the KTM 520 and Husaberg 550

If anyone has any comparisons between these two bikes......start typing please....

Andy

[Lozza]

Those bikes are for milk sop nancy boys. Get a hold of a knackered WR 450 with an aluminium frame, turf the engine into the nearest skip. A resident of your town might be able to help you with the engine(TSS 500) There is one soon to be under construction, design brief is if it won't lift the front wheel under it's own power in 4th gear, back to the drawing board. Add motard wheels.
Never put a spanner to it in 10yrs of caning, just keep the tyres up to it.

[Motoman]

Looks like you have narrowed your choices but it is hard to go past a DRZ400E. I have 3 sets of wheels for my 2000 model, Motard, Dirt Track and Off Road/Motocross. I have raced and road ridden the bike for the past 4 or 5 years that I've owned it with only oil changes every few races rather than every race. The bikes have not changed much since 2000 so parts and after market items will never be a problem. Eventually I will buy a newer model and either put this one "out to pasture" or sell it for what I can get and carry on using the wheel sets. The DRZ may not be a "sexy" bike but like a woman which would be best to stick with, it will give you less trouble than one which is exotic and highly strung! Sometimes I wish I was racing a YZ450 or something faster but in the end of the day I am having great racing with, and beating people, (often they are on these exotic bikes) and able to do just about anything with the one machine. I can lavish as much money on the bike as I can justify and not think the money is going into something I hardly use.

[JohnnyO]

The DRZ is a good reliable trail/enduro bike that wiil do a lot more hours than the KTM or Berg before needing a rebuild but the KTM or Berg are more of a hard core enduro machine. Depends whether you want better performance or longer life..

[ss2fly]

Yeah sure Lozza, are you gonna finance it

I have had a few people bang on about the DRZ400......I'll try and get hold of one to try it out I think.

Kinda like the better suspension and brakes on the Bergs and KTM's though.... not to mention hydraulic clutch etc...... maybe just bling but Im a bit of a magpie......

How bad are the KTM and Bergs though really with regard to servicing needs and reliability? Surely as they are both road legal models they are not as bad as the full on MX versions?

Am I correct in thinking the KTM 520 EXC is less highly strung than its SX counterpart therefore a bit easier on its components from a mechanical point of veiw..??

[mick25]

Andy ,,the drz400 is cheaper to buy brand new in N ZUD ,than in oz, suzuki has a agreement on special prices in nz thats why they are more popular than the wr450 in nz ,i was told this at my local bike shop,but all comes down to how much you want to spend and riding you do,maintance etc

[mick25]

what about the mighty TT500  a real head turner  im just chucken a spanner in the works BRO

[Marc.com]

I have had a few people bang on about the DRZ400......I'll try and get hold of one to try it out I think.

the Euro bikes are true race bikes, they run wide open or throttle slammed shut and not particularly well anywhere else, you may get lucky and have a good run OR the engine may cost a few thousand to rebuild, thats the cost of racing.

The DRZ400 was designed to be an economical to use reliable bike that can do a bit of everything and still run expert times on enduro loops, bargain of the year. Unless you are really good you will be no faster on one of the Euro bikes despite the bling.

[ozktm]

Currently have an '07 KTM 300 on the road, set of motard wheels for road use. Wouldn't suggest one for long rides. But fun for something like mcquarie pass down our way.
Would you not be better looking at something like the dual sporters that ktm have like these :
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2005-KTM-640-Super-Motard_W0QQitemZ300328729501QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycles?hash=item45ecfcbb9d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

much longer service intervals etc.

[Marc.com]

Yep good point as the previous owner of a couple of KTM 640s they will get the job done.

[ss2fly]

Finally bit the bullet and got a KTM 520 EXC. Holy shit it rips your arms out if your not carefull!! Great fun though but thirsty.... oh well....

Just did a full service and went on a 250km round trip on it to test it out which it passed with flying colours. Was a mixture of seal, dirt and gravel roads and the Katoom did it all easy.

Came with heaps of extras incl a soft seat! Boy Im thankfull for that as I was still able to walk after the ride, it was suprisingly comfortable.

the only thing I need is a bash plate if anyone has one lying around.... doing a 5 day ride in the Wanganui National Park in a couple of weekends including the 42 traverse. If you know where Im talking about you will know how awesome the riding is in there....!!!!

I love the big beast so far.

Andy.