Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

After discovering there's a few enduro and mx tracks locally I've been watching too many CR250 videos and lusting after them on eBay. Although I'd need a van/trailer to ever use it. What year is yours? I'd love a 2001 model, the last year of the mechanical power valve.

There has been progress fortunately. If it falls through I'll be back

Not the first, won’t be the last

Would this be a good idea for someone who doesn't have time to get muddy?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353756692649?hash=item525d8ac0a9:g:GaMAAOSwyOhhhAs9

A great idea. Get her bought! 😁

If you're comfortable with the service intervals. Are you specifically after a supermoto rather than a dirt bike?

I'm not doing much mileage so I'd only need to strip the engine once a year!

I'm looking for an excuse to have another bike. I don't use the one I have much as I use an electric Brompton to get around for work, my van did 280 miles last year. The R80 is vintage now so no tax or mot required. I can't get too fancy because I've no garage and the area is bad for bike theft. Otherwise I'd have a modern litre sportsbike as a last hurrah.

Basically I have a motorbike shaped hole burning in my pocket.

Basically I have a motorbike shaped hole burning in my pocket.

Do it.

Shame it's a four stroke.

You are just coming up with excuses ;)

I've got plenty more where that one came from :)

Start looking for a TZR or RGV!

Mine’s an 2001 - strongest engine. Later ones did handle a bit better though.

If for the road, I'd get a bigger engine, and not something with short service intervals, no doubt when you want to ride it it'll need servicing. My tuned drz400 is fun on the road just. Much less and itd be boring. But I do come from far faster bikes.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KTM-690SM-Prestige-LC4-690CC-2007-Supermoto-low-miles-/353808889992?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

I had a feeling you might say that, yep very jealous now :)

Shame about the ULEZ question-mark. I would take a grand for the XJ600 just to avoid it staying stored in the lockup. It’s not a sumo, though.

If for the road, I'd get a bigger engine

Got to agree. For dirt, 250 would be awesome but imagine it could get annoying quickly for 'road work', even in London. Also less stress on the motor. Good you're up on the service intervals for dirt oriented bikes, I almost spat my tea out when realising it's listed in hours as opposed to miles.

But filters are cheap so is oil... Usually quick to do too.

could get annoying quickly for 'road work', even in London

As a non motorcycle person, this intrigues me. Is it more work because more gear changes or something?

Essentially more torque, so there's usable power lower down without having to always be high in the revs. Just more chilled for riding on the road.

Very true.

Look out for a 450x instead - the 250s are grenades and you’d need to SCREAM it to go anywhere. If I could find a plated 450x for a sensible price, I’d be all over it. Especially if someone’s already swapped the intake valves for stainless.

Really want to try something different. Even the RD350 which never appealed before has been entering my thoughts.

Thanks, that's good advice, I'll be keeping an eye out for one of those.

I had an 1150 for a while (was stolen in Mayfair). That was unnecessarily fast and heavy for in town. My biggest problem is the shlep to get out of London for a ride.

I like the analog nature of the R80, not sure if I should just have something completely different and maybe a decent size electric will come along. That might be what I'm holding out for. I've had a lot of bikes alongside the R80 but nothing has ever been a better fit overall.