Buying NOS Motorcycles

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Walton

Walton

Joined
Aug 7, 2006
Threads
49
Messages
639
Location
The Evergreen State
I'm in the market for a dual sport motorcycle. I was on Cycle Trader, and found a new 2008 Honda CRF 230L for under $3,500 in my state. My question is, are there any problems with buying a 3 year old bike that has sat for that long without useage? MSRP is around $5,000, making this a large savings.

I haven't decided on this model yet. I'm still considering a XR650L, XR450L, or a Yamaha XT 225.
 
Just clean the fuel system and change the fluids. Now a bike that has been sitting decades is a different story.
 
if it is indeed new and has been kept indoors, you shouldn't have any big problems. i know lots of fellas that went for nos bikes, no problem. other than the above, lube the cables.
 
I went shopping today, and really like the 2010 KTM EXC450; quite expensive though!
 
Why are you buying new? Used will save you a ton of cash, and maybe even land you a better bike in the long run.
 
3jvj said:
Why are you buying new? Used will save you a ton of cash, and maybe even land you a better bike in the long run.
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I hear ya. The nice used Honda's people are asking just under what I can get a brand new 08 for. After sitting on the CRF230L, I decided it was a girls bike.

I'm leaning towards either a 450 or 530 EXC KTM now. New, they are running $8,500. I'm hoping to find a mint 08, or newer used for $4,500.
 
Walton said:
I hear ya. The nice used Honda's people are asking just under what I can get a brand new 08 for. After sitting on the CRF230L, I decided it was a girls bike.

I'm leaning towards either a 450 or 530 EXC KTM now. New, they are running $8,500. I'm hoping to find a mint 08, or newer used for $4,500.
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did you look at the WR250 at all? it's worth looking at. still a smallish displacement, but a very different animal than the CRF
 
Walton said:
After sitting on the CRF230L, I decided it was a girls bike.
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Exactly what did you base this off of, was it pink and purple with tassles hanging off the ends of the handlebars,

Bikes dont care who is on the top of em, they will hurt w/out prejudice. BELIEVE ME i have had my ass kicked by a r6 and thrown off my z1000. THEY DONT CARE what you think about them if you mess up
 
gladly said:
did you look at the WR250 at all? it's worth looking at. still a smallish displacement, but a very different animal than the CRF
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Yeah, the Yamaha dealer in Olympia carries the KTM also. I liked the WR250.
 
Grape Ape said:
Exactly what did you base this off of, was it pink and purple with tassles hanging off the ends of the handlebars,

Bikes dont care who is on the top of em, they will hurt w/out prejudice. BELIEVE ME i have had my ass kicked by a r6 and thrown off my z1000. THEY DONT CARE what you think about them if you mess up
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The bike didn't fit me; too short, and underpowered; I'm 6'4".
 
What do you think of this? 2007 DRZ400S $3,890 1600 miles

He bought it for his wife, and rarely gets ridden.
07 DRZ400S (1).webp
07 DRZ400S (6).webp
07 DRZ400S (4).webp
 
...a few more.
07 DRZ400S (5).webp
07 DRZ400S (12).webp
07 DRZ400S (8).webp
 
That DRZ is an excellent choice unless you want a full on mx bike. It will do everything relatively well. It's heavier than a 250f. I've had a number of full race mx bikes as I used to race them.

I now have a KLX 400 (it's a green DRZ really) and I have it motarded. It won't outrun sports bikes but it is very quick in tight corners and a hoot on the street. It wheelies easy and is fun to zip around town.

I get 50mpg with it and have fun doing it.

They are also known to be very reliable. The only other bike that might rival it for a "ride it anywhere and put it away wet" would be a Honda XR.

The mx bikes are light and powerful but you will need to pay attention to maintenance.
 
DRZ400S has lower compression, smaller cam, more restrictive carb and is about 30 lbs heavier than the DRZ400E.

What do you want to do with it? Is street legal that important?

I just picked up a DRZ400E and love it. My previous bike was a KTM 500CC two stroke. The DRZ is not a rocket ship, but it is very comfortable and has enough gumption to get out of it's own way.
 
Mace said:
DRZ400S has lower compression, smaller cam, more restrictive carb and is about 30 lbs heavier than the DRZ400E.

What do you want to do with it? Is street legal that important?

I just picked up a DRZ400E and love it. My previous bike was a KTM 500CC two stroke. The DRZ is not a rocket ship, but it is very comfortable and has enough gumption to get out of it's own way.
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I pondered too long on the drz400s, and it is no longer listed. I'm hoping the ad ran out, and it gets listed tomorrow. I have decided to pop on hopefully this bike, or one just like it.

Yes, I do need it to be street legal. I plan on riding mostly logging roads, and groomed trails, but want to be able to travel the county roads to get there.

The more people told me how high maintenance the KTM ECX's were, I shyed away. I can also get a mint 2004-2007 for around $3,500 to $3,800. They didn't start making a DOT street legal KTM 450 or 530 EXC until 2007. The best deal I could find on a quality bike was a 2009 KTM 530 EXC for $6,500. I think I'll be happy with the Suzuki, which by the way, I never knew merged with Kawasaki, and is pretty much identical to the KLX400SR.
 
I'll be registering my DRZ as a street legal bike. The conversion is not expensive or complex really.

one of the nice things about the DRZ is that it is a fun workhorse and it still uses 2 quarts of oil in the gearbox.
 
Mace said:
I'll be registering my DRZ as a street legal bike. The conversion is not expensive or complex really.

one of the nice things about the DRZ is that it is a fun workhorse and it still uses 2 quarts of oil in the gearbox.
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They are cracking down hard on street legal dirt bikes in WA. DOT sent out 800 letters to pre 07 KTM owners who licensed their bikes legally, but are now getting their plates yanked. If you own one of these KTM's that are not DOT approved, ie, horn, lights, tires, emissions, etc and your 8th VIN digit isn't a zero your screwed. I hear other brands of bikes are next. I'm sticking with a bike the cops can't hose me over on. Like I said, the KTM fits that bill , but it would have to be a 07, or later, and then you have to re-gear, and re-jet because in order to pass emmissions they give you a bike out of the box that doesn't perform well on the trail for over 8 grand.
 
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