Two Wheels Good Questions

"Patrick Nichols" (pnichols)
03/21/2016 at 10:40 • Filed to: oppopinions, twowheels

So I may be able to actually get my motorcycle license this spring and get a bike this summer. I don’t really have a want to go on highways or long trips so I’m looking at dual-sports for the most part. I’m thinking in the 250cc range to start and I know I could probably be fine with 400-600cc bike but I’m alright with smaller to start.

Enter my dilemma, I really like the CRF250L but I have no idea about the difference between the dual sport and the supermoto. Is it just tires? If it is, would it be fun to get a set of both tires?

If this is the bike I end up getting, I want to change the color as I think the honda red just isn’t really me. Where do people buy plastics from? I’m assuming it is probably a good investment too, since as a newb I’m probably not going to keep it shiny side up forever. I’ll keep the old plastics and put them back on when/if I decide to sell.

NPoCP on all of the bikes on NH craigslist when I searched “CRF250L”?

Dealer financing... Dealer financing... $4800 for a 2014 that looks like its been given the ken block treatment... $6200 for a 2007 450.. The NH bike scene is lacking

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DISCUSSION (30)

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > Patrick Nichols
03/21/2016 at 10:47

Don’t finance a bike. The cost of the bike won’t kill you but the requirement to (at least in my state) carry full coverage is absurdly expensive. Otherwise I don’t know much about Dual sport vs Super moto.

jimz > Patrick Nichols
03/21/2016 at 10:48

I highly recommend doing what you’re planning, for a first time rider a 250-300cc bike is the way to go. if you’re going sport or dual-sport you’ll have enough power to ride with traffic with some reserve to spare. I started out on a V-Star 250 which is basically good for about 65 mph tops, and I’m glad I did.

Some people scoff at the notion of a “starter bike,*” but I’m a believer in them. an appropriate starter bike will do what you mean and not surprise you. Buying a literbike at the start is doom for you; a bike like that will do what you tell it to and you won’t have the experience to know you’re telling it to do a bad thing. You’ll be on the ground, looking up at the sky, and wondering what happened.

* these people are usually 19 years old, buy a sick Gixxer immediately after getting their endorsement (if they even get one) and ride around in a T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. I really don’t understand these guys; even when I was 19 I wasn’t that dumb.

Master Cylinder > jimz
03/21/2016 at 10:53

+1. The last thing you want as a beginning motorcyclist is for the bike to surprise you. There are going to be enough new inputs going on without having to worry about how the bike is going to respond to throttle and brake input.

To the OP, I would go for the supermoto if you’re going to be riding primarily on pavement. More grip and better brakes are a good thing, and a supermoto will handle light off-pavement work just fine too. If you’re going to be mostly on dirt, then the DS version is preferable, but DS tires are going to br something of a compromise on pavement.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Patrick Nichols
03/21/2016 at 10:53

In this case it’s only tires and the front fender... (both changes that are easy to make) a full-on supermoto changeover would make the front wheel 18" as well, instead of staying with the 21" thats standard on the enduro. This is a dealer modification, not an OEM Honda option.

Master Cylinder > Patrick Nichols
03/21/2016 at 10:55

Buy used for your first bike. You aren’t guaranteed to drop it, but your odds are higher.

Also, supermotos are a ton of fun.

450X_FTW > Patrick Nichols
03/21/2016 at 10:57

CRF250L is really a learner enduro bike. If you want to have more fun (and you will) look at the CRF250X. You’ll have to do minor work to make them street legal (already has a headlight/tailight), but they are much more powerful and much lighter than the 250L.

Patrick Nichols > Biggus Dickus (RevsBro)
03/21/2016 at 11:00

I wasn’t planning on financing, but it is the dealer’s way of not telling you the actual price on the internet.

Nonster > Patrick Nichols
03/21/2016 at 11:00

The main difference between a Dual Sport and a Supermoto is the wheels & tires, but the Supermoto variants usually have a better front brake and a different fork.

I know the Honda is cheaper, but you might check out the Yamaha WR250 everyone seems to love those things.

Patrick Nichols > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
03/21/2016 at 11:01

I would probably start off mostly on the street, but how easy is it to change it over if at some point I wanted to do more off road stuff? Would I want a separate bike at that point?

Patrick Nichols > Nonster
03/21/2016 at 11:02

Honda is also much more populous in my area from what I’ve seen on the list of craig.

jimz > Patrick Nichols
03/21/2016 at 11:09

Oh, and I wouldn’t buy a brand new bike the first time out either. there’s no shortage of used ones out there, you pay less, and it’ll have some dings and scratches so you won’t feel as bad if you do happen to drop it.

jimz > Patrick Nichols
03/21/2016 at 11:13

if you’re planning on riding long term (and you have the space/means) then you may well want to consider having a couple different bikes. There’s really no “jack-of-all-trades” here. For me, if I’m going on a long (8+ hour) ride, I’m getting on my rolling Barcalounger Dyna. but I’m looking to add something sportier this year after I sell the 250. The BMW G310R looks interesting to me.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Patrick Nichols
03/21/2016 at 11:15

In this case it’s as easy as changing tires and possibly adjusting some suspension settings (the CRF250 has pretty adjustable suspension) Street tires are less likely to surprise you on pavement, but MUCH less effective on dirt than a “dual use” tire is on pavement... decent tires in the size the CRF250L takes should be about $250-$300 including mount and balance... so although thats not a bank breaker, it IS a consideration. Motorcycle tires are generally much more expensive than car tires (for a number of reasons, some good, some not so good...).

yamahog > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
03/21/2016 at 11:41

“Motorcycle tires are generally much more expensive than car tires”

I’m actually going through the opposite right now... Got a screaming deal on front and rear Pirelli Corsa Rossos for the R6, cost me less for the set than one 20" performance tire on the Camaro runs.

yamahog > Patrick Nichols
03/21/2016 at 11:44

I think everyone’s covered most of your questions, but as for the plastics - eBay is fine for cheap stuff from China, and CycleGear or Rocky Mountain ATV/MC and other sites should have a bunch to offer.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > yamahog
03/21/2016 at 11:49

wow! nice.

bob and john > Patrick Nichols
03/21/2016 at 12:27

awesome advice going on here.

the CRF250L is a great starter bike. its light, can take a drop or two, reliable, cheap to run and its FI (fuel injected)

Id shy away from the CRF450 because that is a dirt bike turned street bike. dirt bikes have FAR more rigorous maintenance schedules (think engine rebuilds every 5-8k miles) and as a new guy, its not something you want.

supermoto VS dual sport: SM’s are basicly DS’s with tighter suspension and different wheels and tires to rock 17inch sport bike tires. Why would you do this? well, a good chunk of ppl simple dont go offroad and the pavement chews up DS tires pretty badly.

to change over, your (more or less) swaping wheels. nothing more.

dont forget to budget for a good set of gear and insurance. The bike is only part of the equation when it comes to riding.

bob and john > yamahog
03/21/2016 at 12:27

yea, but then your running Pirellis, not anything 1/2 decent ;)

bob and john > jimz
03/21/2016 at 12:28

eh. SOMEONE has to keep supplying the market with used bikes no?

Patrick Nichols > bob and john
03/21/2016 at 12:33

Thanks, I think I’ll be leaning more towards the supermoto for now (well this summer hopefully). I’ll definitely be getting full gear (and I think you’re ATGATT from what I’ve read right?), and wear most of it all the time. I’m budgeting for a used bike and new helmet, gloves, jacket, pants, and boots. If I do more off road stuff, I’ll spring for more protective gear.

jimz > bob and john
03/21/2016 at 12:35

yeah, but let these idiots do that:

Kinja'd!!!

bob and john > Patrick Nichols
03/21/2016 at 12:37

its hard to find a decent SUmo in the states. ONLY new ones that I can think of a DRZ-400SM (great bike...but its old, carbed, and only makes like 30 HP), and the new 701 husquavarna, and thats a no.

yea, I’m ATGATT. it comes with the job (motorcyle prof isnt just a screen name here) If you have any other questions, feel free to bug me about it.

bob and john > jimz
03/21/2016 at 12:38

for the 600s sure. but what about the 250s and the light fun stuff?

yamahog > bob and john
03/21/2016 at 12:43

Lollll someone’s feeling sassy today :P

bob and john > yamahog
03/21/2016 at 12:44

the advantage for me is that you cant make me wear any funny ass shirts to the dream cruise :P

yamahog > bob and john
03/21/2016 at 12:49

Hahahaha that may be true but I’ll figure something out

bob and john > yamahog
03/21/2016 at 12:50

....shit

yamahog > bob and john
03/21/2016 at 12:53

You’re totally getting the ugly coffee mug with breakfast

Seth Balmore > Patrick Nichols
03/22/2016 at 17:46

I wouldn’t even be at the dealer if I were you. If you’re intentionally getting a “starter bike”, get an old beater, because if you actually like riding on the street, you WILL grow out of a 250.

I suggest going on Craigslist, picking up an old dual sport or an old Honda CB (350-550cc), then bringing it to a mechanic and having him give it a full tune up + new tires. If you shop right, this should run you between $1000 and $1800 at the end of the day. You’ll get a great bike to learn on, which won’t be too powerful or heavy, and then you can SELL it for more than you bought it for. At the end, you’ll probably only be out a few hundred dollars, if you even decide to sell it!

My first bike was a ‘75 CB500T. A fantastic starter bike that I’ll never sell, because I’ll never grow out of it. It can cruise at 80 mph all day long. Can’t say that about most 250s. I’m looking for my “forever” bike right now, and riding the old beater has given me the knowledge to know what I really want WITHOUT having to go to a dealership, pay absurd prices, tax, interest, full coverage insurance, and be scared that I’m gonna damage my pretty new toy. Just keep that in mind.

Patrick Nichols > Seth Balmore
03/22/2016 at 20:11

I'm definitely looking used but price and availability is a bit different in the northeast