Best ~400cc bike

Macky · 14 May 2012 at 17:33

Doing my test soon and will be on a restricted license for 2 years (<33bhp) so looking at some 400cc's. Stuff like. Suzuki DR400, Honda XR400 etc are taking my fancy. Definitely want a supermoto/crosser style bike as I love the torque and riding position of them. Probably not going to be spending much more than £1700 or so. So can you guys recommend me anything else around that size and price range or is a DR400 the best to go for?

Macky · 15 May 2012 at 17:38

Yeah I doubt it will be getting stolen as it will be garage so nobody will even know I have it tbh. I think they look nicer too (subjective). Definitely more flickable too.

Macky · 18 May 2012 at 15:59

Reckon I could net a decent DRZ for <£2000?

Macky · 19 May 2012 at 12:57

Cumbria. I'm not bothered about the wheels to be honest.

Actually looking at some older Suzuki DR 350's. They look perfect. Cheap, as in ~£1000, and make 30 horses so just under the limit and still lots of fun to be had I imagine.

Macky · 29 May 2012 at 22:39

Going to look at a DRZ400 tomorrow actually. Any idea on how to restrict them and if it would be worth while? Could just make it so the throttle doesn't open all the way or something? It would probably be a DIY job though because a garage would charge something ridiculous like £100 to fit a washer in the carb.

Macky · 30 May 2012 at 19:22

The whole law is an absolute joke honestly. Basically rules out me getting any dirt bike as they all weigh too little and the power to weight is too high. Seriously cheesed off now. Unless power to weight includes the rider then it rules out any dirt bike. Fuming to be honest. Pretty sure almost all of the 250 bikes will be breaking this limit too. 0.16 KW/KG

Any thoughts guys? Do insurance companies not even ask about the power/weight ratio. Will they check it?

Macky · 30 May 2012 at 21:02

Gonna have to go for a DR350 I think. Can make them up to about 135KG with petrol, oil and a fugly top box or something haha. 30HP =~ 22KW 22/135=0.162

Near enough.

Macky · 30 May 2012 at 21:43

DR350's make I think 30BHP. Just from scanning various websites.

Macky · 2 Jun 2012 at 12:33

Dogbreath said:
I don't quite understand this, why can't the bike be restricted to meet the 0.16 kw/kg limit?

Can't really make the bike weigh more. And if you restrict the power much more it will feel like a turd and the engine won't be running properly. A DRZ weighs let's say 119KG and 33HP~25KW. 25/119 =0.21 which is way off the 0.16 it needs. It would need to weigh nyon 155KG to meet the restriction. Not really feasible.

Macky · 4 Jun 2012 at 22:40

It just seems like it would cost too much money to get it all done really and whether I would even get insured is another question. The father's persuaded me otherwise anyway.