Is motorcycling allowed?

[davetapson]

Okay, so - I have an opportunity to buy a Honda XR500R for a really good amount of coin. Like, stupid cheap. Brand new internals, clutch etc etc and owned by my mate's dad. 

 

It'll be used for commuting and the odd outride. 

 

Thoughts?

 

I love 'em, but it's from my era. 

 

Is R road legal tho'?  It's not a L?

Edited August 20, 2019 by davetapson

[Gnarly]

The lighties race weapon for the next season which starts in Oct here. Will replace all the decals when new ones arrive, back to #83. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RocknRolla]

Okay, so I'm back on a bike. Found a 2007 BMW F650GS that was in a barn for 10 years. Having a lot of fun with it. One of the best things is that compared to my bicyles, it's pretty cheap to service/fix.

 

It's my first bike after a 20 year break so I've got a bit of catching up to do.

 

Quick question, why can't I convert my wheels into tubeless the same way I did on the MTB?

 

I've just fitted new Mitas E07s and the thought that they're 'tubed' is giving me a headache...

 

Congratulations.

Tell more about the bike? km's? extra's colour?

 

Some peeps have done ghetto tubeless ssing sikaflex or some such. tape the spoke holes over, and apply something that seals airtight.

 

I have been running tubes on my bike, and the only time punctures ever become an issue is close to the end of tire life. 

[davetapson]

  How'm I going to squeeze this into the garage without the missus noticing...

 

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=2280599657&tm=email&et=45&mt=539CE1D7-7516-41CE-822F-DA08A48588AB

[patches]

  How'm I going to squeeze this into the garage without the missus noticing...

 

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=2280599657&tm=email&et=45&mt=539CE1D7-7516-41CE-822F-DA08A48588AB

 

This may help

 

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/monarch-plastic-drop-sheet-2-6x-3-6m-blue_p01670110

 

 

Cover it up and tell her it's a surprise! (which isn't a lie)

 

But yeah, DRZ400's and DR650's are like the Hiluxs of the NZ dualsport scene. Easy to fix, cheap to run, loads of aftermarket parts & accessories, and they just keep going.

 

A good friend of mine sold his Husaberg FE450 to get a DR650. He said he has hardly looked back.

 

So yeah, can't go wrong with a DRZ400 or DR650.

 

Oh, and for an added bonus, you'll save heaps on insurance. Just yesterday I was shopping around for insurance on the Husky 450. One insurer (Protecta) offered comprehensive insurance for $103pm ($1250 excess) based on an agreed value of $10,000. If I simply changed the bike model to a DR or DRZ (but kept the agreed replacement value at $10,000) the premium drops to $47pm with a $750 excess.

 

This seemed ridiculous, so I called them. They explained that a Husky FE is a "Class 4" bike, which carries the highest premium rate.

 

So yeah, a DR/DRZ is smart move in many ways!

 

*note you can use the above reasoning when trying to convince your wife

[davetapson]

 

So yeah, a DR/DRZ is smart move in many ways!

 

*note you can use the above reasoning when trying to convince your wife

 

This is a damn fine price for NZ.  

 

Given the choice, I'd lean towards 650 just due to less 'buzzing' when riding longer distances.

 

Currently I work just about in walking distance from home.  Need to get a new job out of walking/bus lane reach, then I 'have' to buy a commuter...

[patches]

This is a damn fine price for NZ.  

 

Given the choice, I'd lean towards 650 just due to less 'buzzing' when riding longer distances.

 

Currently I work just about in walking distance from home.  Need to get a new job out of walking/bus lane reach, then I 'have' to buy a commuter...

 

Yup, $4,500 isn't bad at all. From the looks of the pics the guy has been riding out at Muriwai. Once on a ride out there I met a guy with a DRZ that looked almost identical to that one. I wonder if it's the same guy?!

 

As for the DR650 (or Bushpig as they call it in Aus) it seems to be the "lightweight" adventurer bike of choice in these parts. In SA the adventure scene is all about big BMW GS's and such. The humble kiwi takes a far more practical and simplistic approach and loads up a DR650 and treks all over the place.

 

The guy from Enduro Cross-Training has a side channel on Adventure riding in Aus. He has a few good vid on a DR650 budget adventure bike build. Worth a look:

 

 

As for the commute... well.... I used to live 2.5km from work and would walk some days, ride others, hahaha! The fact that bikes can use bus lanes adds to the benefit. I just wish bikes were allowed to use the NX express lanes on SH1.

[forkie]

GAH. Just heard it's not registered. Never been reg'd, either. 

?? that just means less fines come through the post...

[IceCreamMan]

This is a damn fine price for NZ.  

 

Given the choice, I'd lean towards 650 just due to less 'buzzing' when riding longer distances.

 

Currently I work just about in walking distance from home.  Need to get a new job out of walking/bus lane reach, then I 'have' to buy a commuter...

I had a DR650, amazing bike. A lil agricultural but awesome reliability and dependability. The 400 more hooligan and probably the pick of the 2 for everything but trans continental riding but it is more maintenance intensive and liquid cooling adds things that can go wrong.

 

for many years I only rode single cylinder motorbikes after superbikes and loved the simplicity of them.

[davetapson]

Yup, $4,500 isn't bad at all. From the looks of the pics the guy has been riding out at Muriwai. Once on a ride out there I met a guy with a DRZ that looked almost identical to that one. I wonder if it's the same guy?!

 

As for the DR650 (or Bushpig as they call it in Aus) it seems to be the "lightweight" adventurer bike of choice in these parts. In SA the adventure scene is all about big BMW GS's and such. The humble kiwi takes a far more practical and simplistic approach and loads up a DR650 and treks all over the place.

 

The guy from Enduro Cross-Training has a side channel on Adventure riding in Aus. He has a few good vid on a DR650 budget adventure bike build. Worth a look:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58vB-5urcJI

 

As for the commute... well.... I used to live 2.5km from work and would walk some days, ride others, hahaha! The fact that bikes can use bus lanes adds to the benefit. I just wish bikes were allowed to use the NX express lanes on SH1.

That's a damn fine video/series...

That NX Express route is soooo tempting. Figure you've got to do it once in your life... [emoji848]

Edited August 21, 2019 by davetapson

[davetapson]

I had a DR650, amazing bike. A lil agricultural but awesome reliability and dependability. The 400 more hooligan and probably the pick of the 2 for everything but trans continental riding but it is more maintenance intensive and liquid cooling adds things that can go wrong.

 

for many years I only rode single cylinder motorbikes after superbikes and loved the simplicity of them.

I've had a couple XT500s. Just really like the genre.

[patches]

That's a damn fine video/series...

That NX Express route is soooo tempting. Figure you've got to do it once in your life... [emoji848]

 

I've seen superbikes chance just the NX express lane just from Esmonde rd to the highway. Probably to avoid those infernal ramp signals (I hate those things. do more harm than good)

 

I guess the chances of a cop catching you on that short stretch is minimal. I'd still be too scared to try it.

[davetapson]

I've seen superbikes chance just the NX express lane just from Esmonde rd to the highway. Probably to avoid those infernal ramp signals (I hate those things. do more harm than good)

 

I guess the chances of a cop catching you on that short stretch is minimal. I'd still be too scared to try it.

 

SA taxis would be all over it...

[Hackster]

Congratulations.

Tell more about the bike? km's? extra's colour?

 

Some peeps have done ghetto tubeless ssing sikaflex or some such. tape the spoke holes over, and apply something that seals airtight.

 

I have been running tubes on my bike, and the only time punctures ever become an issue is close to the end of tire life. 

Thanks dude. It's been a bit of a learning curve. I got seduced by the low mileage - 13 500 km. But after having to buy new tyres, new sprockets and chain, new fork seals and now possibly a new master cylinder, I'm way over budget on this bike. Which is a function of the fact that I bought it without seeing it. And also that a low mileage means a bike that hasn't been regularly used can have mechanical consequences. You live, you learn. I've fitted a tall screen and am on the hunt for a raised seat, I've got one of those terrible low ones. Can't wait to go touring!

[Allrounder]

Do you know what the law says about these babies on bikes? And your opinions?

 

Thinking of putting one on each hand guard? 

 

https://4x4direct.co.za/drl-lights/6026-universal-12w-strobe-white-light-drl-br.html

[-Az-]

Do you know what the law says about these babies on bikes? And your opinions?

 

Thinking of putting one on each hand guard? 

 

https://4x4direct.co.za/drl-lights/6026-universal-12w-strobe-white-light-drl-br.html

 

NRTA

183. Lamps to emit steady light Unless otherwise provided elsewhere in these regulations, a lamp fitted to any vehicle shall emit a steady light when in operation:

Provided that an ambulance, rescue vehicle, fire-fighting vehicle, a motor vehicle operated by a traffic officer in the execution of his or her duties, or a motor vehicle operated by a member of the Service or a member of a municipal police service, both as defined in section 1 of the South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act No. 68 of 1995) in the execution of his or her duties, may be equipped with a device which enables the driver of such vehicle to operate the vehicle’s head lamps in such a manner that they flash intermittently.

 

Then there's this too

https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php/202506-No-more-LED-bars/page4