1979 Honda XL 185 VS 1979 Yamaha DT 175

[Not_Bob]

Looking to purchase my first enduro and found 2 bikes for under $1000 in the local classifieds. My use is for a commute on a dirt road. I'll probably never need to go faster than 60 mph, and my main concern is reliability, good handeling (safety), and fuel economy. I'm an old fart so I'm not looking for power on competition trails, this is just a commuter, but the commute road is rough, very dry dirt with lots of rocks (small and large).

Which of these 2 bikes would better suit my needs: the 79 honda XL 185 (4-stroke) or the 79 yamaha dt 175 (2-stroke)

Thanks.

[leafsrule16]

Ever think of getting something newer? You're going to have a hard time finding a lot of parts for those antiques. A xt-225 or something of that nature (much newer, still lower end on the price scale) would be a lot easier to get parts for and be much, much newer.

[yamaha-racer37]

Wat about looking for a kdx200 or a kdx220? Or a ttr230 or crf230 or something of the sort(xr200/xr250/ttr225/ttr250/crf250x/klx250/wr250/xt250) something of that sort but there newer so better aftermarket selection and own selection..

[bluedawg]

hard to beat a xr200 for what you are looking to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[youngztr]

Having owned an 81' XL for 23k miles, I can say for the old farts the advantage of the newer bikes is electric start.

[Not_Bob]

Wow, I'm suprised at the consensus, but it appears to be that neither of these bikes are worth buying as they are too old. Price is a significant factor for me, and this is not a daily commute so I don't want to drop a lot into it, but I'll keep looking. So, the Honda XR series would be good for what I'm looking for at a lower end pricetag?

[Not_Bob]

BTW - I forgot to mention a very important criteria is that the bike be street legal, as I am going to be riding on a public street. Is the XR a street legal dirtbike?

[yamaha-racer37]

BTW - I forgot to mention a very important criteria is that the bike be street legal, as I am going to be riding on a public street. Is the XR a street legal dirtbike?

Xr250 is a pricier xr out there but it is street legal. Along with the 400 you can find them for great deals tho.

[youngztr]

It isn’t that the bikes are not worth buying, it’s that they are too old for most folks here on TT to know anything about, thus they tell you about what they know.

I owned an XLS and will say that for 23k miles as far as maintenance and costs go, easiest bike I ever owned. I sold mine in the late 80’s to a college student for $50.

All this aside, as an older guy electric start is very nice. Suzuki makes a DR200SE which may interest you. I do not know what year electric start was introduced on this bike, or if it has always been electric start, but it is a simple inexpensive bike which could meet your needs.

[Not_Bob]

Thanks for all the feedback. I've been searching a bit more and came up with these bikes. Just wanted to know which the better deals are or if there are some I should stay away from.

93 Yamaha XT225 - $1500 - 26k miles but clean and runs well.

87 Yamaha XT350 - $1100 - 7k miles, good condition, no issues.

97 Suzuki DR200 - $1500 - 3k miles, good condition.

2000 Kawasaki KLR250 - $1500 - low miles, runs well.

82 Yamaha xt250j - $900 - I know this is a bit old, but it looks clean... low miles runs well.

Thanks.

[yamaha-racer37]

Thanks for all the feedback. I've been searching a bit more and came up with these bikes. Just wanted to know which the better deals are or if there are some I should stay away from.

93 Yamaha XT225 - $1500 - 26k miles but clean and runs well.

87 Yamaha XT350 - $1100 - 7k miles, good condition, no issues.

97 Suzuki DR200 - $1500 - 3k miles, good condition.

2000 Kawasaki KLR250 - $1500 - low miles, runs well.

82 Yamaha xt250j - $900 - I know this is a bit old, but it looks clean... low miles runs well.

Thanks.

Get on that Kawasaki if possible! It go with that and if its junk or something next would be the 87 xt350(low[lower] miles)

Then the 82 yamaha then the 93 yamaha then the 97 yamaha

[Not_Bob]

Thanks. I called the guy about the 2000 Kawa, he said it has a valve cover leak, but otherwise runs fine. Is that a big deal to fix?

[hadfield4wd]

Thanks. I called the guy about the 2000 Kawa, he said it has a valve cover leak, but otherwise runs fine. Is that a big deal to fix?

No it's not a big deal.