Advice on enduro bikes

[Skillet]

I'd go for a Honda or KTM. Honda's are pretty bullet proof. KTM's are too.

For my money around here, I'd go with a Honda 1st, and the KTM or Yamaha 2nd.


KTM has a long enduro history in the worst conditions. Sure, they are team supported bikes, but so are all of the other brands and if the bike isn't tough, it will die regardless. Most of the world touring enduro guys ride BMW's or KTM's due to wide parts networks. Here in North America, BMW and Honda have the best parts network.

Paris Dakar Overall Moto Wins By Year

2005 KTM, Despres
2004 KTM, Roma
2003 KTM, Sainct
2002 KTM, Meoni
2001 KTM, Meoni
2000 BMW, Sainct
1999 BMW, Sainct
1998 YAMAHA, Peterhansel
1997 YAMAHA, Peterhansel


Here's the top 10 overall bike finishers in the 2007 race.

1. 2 Cyril Despres F KTM 690 Rally Gauloises KTM 51:36:53 0:00:00

2. 8 David Casteu F KTM 690 Rally Gauloises KTM 52:11:12 0:34:19

3. 9 Chris Blais USA KTM 660 Rally Red Bull KTM USA 52:28:59 0:52:06

4. 6 Pal Anders Ullevalseter N KTM 660 Rally Scandinavia 53:14:50 1:37:57

5. 10 Helder Rodrigues PT Yamaha 450WRF Bianchiprata Compet Vod 54:07:34 2:30:41

6. 23 Janis Vinters LT KTM 660 JV Moto Team Riga 54:21:14 2:44:21 3:00

7. 20 Michel Marchini F Yamaha 450WRF -- 54:37:20 3:00:27

8. 85 Thierry Bethys F Honda 450 CRFX Honda Europe 55:03:26 3:26:33 3:00

9. 103 Jaroslav Katrinak SK KTM 660 Mol Dakar Team 55:17:03 3:40:10 10:00

10. 16 Jacek Czachor PL KTM 660 Rally Orlen Team 56:00:57 4:24:04



These numbers show that the majority of winning bikes were KTM, but they are all big bikes.

Let's look at racing in Norte America...


SCORE Baja 500

Since this summer classic began in 1969, KTM has never won the overall motorcycle title while Honda has won for the last eight consecutive years. In the two races since KTM has again fielded a factory team, the record stands even at 1-1. Honda finished first and KTM second in last November’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 and KTM broke Honda’s 10-race winning streak in February at the Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250.

Your wife needs a small bike. A lot of the technology carries over to the small machines, but for a solid all around ride, I think I'd still have to go Honda. Your wife isn't riding in the Baja anytime soon is she?

I just thought these numbers were interesting. You can go back and forth, but Honda's and KTM's pretty much seem to pull in a lot of the endure records out there.

..

Spud, make sure you show this information to your wife...

 

[Shahram]

If your wife's a total shorty, you might want to look at the Yamaha TW200. I ride one fairly often, and while it's not really enough bike for me (5'9" 265 lbs.), it's a mountain goat off-road, it's street legal, and it handles very nicely.

 

[Jomama]

If your wife's a total shorty, you might want to look at the Yamaha TW200. I ride one fairly often, and while it's not really enough bike for me (5'9" 265 lbs.), it's a mountain goat off-road, it's street legal, and it handles very nicely.

I wish they would offer that with a little bigger engine.. I love the fat tires..

 

[rabid]

that is the one I was thinking of. I was trying to convince my wife into one.

 

[splitshot]

Mace might still have that KTM 500 2-stroker for sale...

 

[Hltoppr]

Suzuki DR350.....

I think your wife would find the KLR (even the newer 2008), and the Honda XRL a bit tall of inseam.



-H-

 

[KArmstrong]

If your wife's a total shorty, you might want to look at the Yamaha TW200.

My oldest, shortest daughter rode one for a few years. She thought it was great.

 

[yzftaco]

As white shark stated:

Honda
KTM (little more $$ but KTM always has trick parts on their bikes.. STOCK)
Yamaha

These would be my choice.. I lean towards Yamaha though

 

[dieseldan]

If your wife's a total shorty, you might want to look at the Yamaha TW200. I ride one fairly often, and while it's not really enough bike for me (5'9" 265 lbs.), it's a mountain goat off-road, it's street legal, and it handles very nicely.

That would be my suggestion too - great starter bike and good resale.. very fun to ride also.

 

[Spud]

If your wife's a total shorty, you might want to look at the Yamaha TW200. I ride one fairly often, and while it's not really enough bike for me (5'9" 265 lbs.), it's a mountain goat off-road, it's street legal, and it handles very nicely.

She rode this to take the test. She says it was a little too big, (standover).

 

[97fortieth4me]

Did someone say, "endorito bikes?!!"

The "S" version of my bike would suit her best but it might be a little tall for her. More than enough power for her, might be a tad too much if she's an unexperienced rider.

The Yamaha XT225 would do as well.

Good recommendation on the TW200 as well, Shahram!!

 

[TemeculaTim]

Take my advice.... I've been down this road. Take her down to a dealer that has multiple manufacturers and let her sit on a few and ask questions. Most of the time, guys will buy their wives or girlfiends bikes that they would like to own, and often they end up with them.

I have had several Honda's and my current bike (XR) has been down to Cabo and back three times with no problems. MY choice is the Honda CRF 230 with a dual sport kit. I see alot of women riding these. A lot of dealers can add the DS kit and deal with the registration as part of the sale.

Dirtrider.net also has a womens forum where she can ask other women for advice.

 

[97fortieth4me]

MY choice is the Honda CRF 230 with a dual sport kit. A lot of dealers can add the DS kit and deal with the registration as part of the sale.

If this is completely feasible, I'm with Mista Tim on this one 110%.

 

[Spud]

Take my advice.... I've been down this road. Take her down to a dealer that has multiple manufacturers and let her sit on a few and ask questions. Most of the time, guys will buy their wives or girlfiends bikes that they would like to own, and often they end up with them.

I have had several Honda's and my current bike (XR) has been down to Cabo and back three times with no problems. MY choice is the Honda CRF 230 with a dual sport kit. I see alot of women riding these. A lot of dealers can add the DS kit and deal with the registration as part of the sale.

Dirtrider.net also has a womens forum where she can ask other women for advice.

Yeah, we were talking last PM and I was saying that she should just go to a dealer and sit on some.

She was keen on having the reg. done at sale...especially after spending the day there, (DMV),for a license.

Cool, I will pass her the info on the dirtrider site.

 

[JJS]

I have had several Honda's and my current bike (XR) has been down to Cabo and back three times with no problems. MY choice is the Honda CRF 230 with a dual sport kit. I see alot of women riding these. A lot of dealers can add the DS kit and deal with the registration as part of the sale.

These are great bikes for a smaller rider. They have a lot of similarities in suspension, power, and handling to the great XR200's of back in the day.

 

[concretejungle]

Kawasaki KLR 250 or Honda XL

THat's what i started on. Slow as snot, but pretty stable and reliable.

 

[Spud]

Here is what she ended up with

Well, my wife was thrilled to get this Yamaha XT225. She checked out a bunch and basically settled on this due to the low standover. Pretty much all of the other bikes were too big for her to handle, but the Yamaha was something like 30" standover and she loves it.

Picked it up on Saturday, she rode it about an hour to home. Then we went for about 2 hours on trails, I was 4wheelin the 40 and she was on the bike. She had a blast, laid it down a few times, but nothing too bad. For her first time out she did really good and the trails did have some hard sections too.

She went out again on it today for a few hours on the roads, she already went about 80 miles. Appreciate all the input and advice from the folks here. Thanks, she is really happy and excited to put some more miles on it.

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Get her some real boots next....
Looks good and as long as she is happy, Then everyone is happy.
Dave

 

[White Shark]

Give her a gunbelt and she'd look like the offroad cops around here.


..

 

[wfd175]

WHat I did for my wife because she had no motorcycle experience, I bought a small yamaha 125, I let her dump it a few times. I was considering the enduro for a first bike. But I was afraid that the turn signals wouldn't survive.

After she was throughly frustrated with the kick start, I got her a used 250 with electric start. We rode that around the woods for about a year. She then took a motorcycle safety class, and got her license.

Next was a BMW 650, she did good with it for a couple of years. Then came the baby. I gave up my BMW r1200gs, she gave up her 650. One problem with on road driving is that I was constantly worried about someone crashing into her when we rode together.

I'm not conservative by any means, but other drivers on the highway scare the crap out of me, in town and local driving back and forth to work was fine.

I had a HD low Rider for 9 years before the BWM. I don't know how many times I was cut off, moved over, and forced to emergency brake. I think that if someone would invent a 18 wheeler hologram that projects the image in front of you, people wouldn't pull out in front of you so frequently.

Motorcycles are not dangerous at all except in the snow. After our on road scares, I think I'll go back to the dirt/trail only bikes.