Super Sherpa or CRF?

[TassieTiger]

Hi all,

I have 3 bikes and I unfortunately need to lose one :( I cant part with my CT110 Postie so it has to either be my CRF250L or my step dad's Super Sherpa which I pay the rego on and ride. What do people reckon I should do? I do around 25% gravel/dirt and 75% road. I dont do anything too wild offroad but I do need to do dirt and gravel, forestry, that kind of thing due to where I live, and where I like to explore.

crf - better on the road by far but I find it harder off road. I'm 5'4" and around 110lbs so it is a bit too tall for me, super heavy to lift when its dropped. Carries more luggage, more power, faster.

Sherp - perfect height and size for me off road! But slow on the highway and its so unreliable. Ridden many ks by my step dad. But its easier for me to fix with breakdowns cause I dont quite understand anything without a carb.

So what do people think? Lower the crf or something? Give the Sherp some sort of mechanical overhaul? I'm keen to do longer multi day treks this summer (I'm in aus) but can only keep one bike :(

Ps CRF is 2014 and Sherp 2004.

[BSAVictor]

Haiy Maite!  She'll be right!

I'd look into new or used Yamaha TW200.  It's what, 20-30 lbs lighter than CFR250L, has carb, lower seat height, bullet-proof, easy to work on, incredibly capable in dirt.  I don't know how fast/far you need to cruise on road, but that Yammy can probably do at least 55mph all day(?). [Translate our old English measurements to metric as needed.]  I shaved some weight off it by removing rear footpegs and other less-essential things, and got terrific, lightweight LIFEPO battery (lithium iron phosphate-got expensive, dedicated charger for it, too, but use it for same type battery on two other bikes-prevents over-charging, etc.)  Maybe you could test out a TW200 for a bit before buying; if you liked it, then you might buy a TW200 and sell both the Sherco and the CRF250L....

On a TW200 forum, there's an extended posting from a guy who rigged up a small trailer(!) on his TW200 and rode highways/camped his way over the Rocky Mountains here....

Cheers!

Edited October 9, 2018 by BSAVictor

[TassieTiger]

Thanks BSAVictor! Something to consider. I'll have a look around for a TW200, sounds like the sort of bike I need??

[BSAVictor]

Yeah, the stock TW200 battery last time I checked was heavy, big, liquid acid electrolyte-type---didn't do well for me in inevitable falls---acid spilled out vent tube, often onto things I'd rather not have had acidified!  The TW200 is no featherweight, but all things considered, and based on your expressed preferences, sounds like a possible fit for you.  The big wide tires are better than average in soft sand, and I run them with lower pressure when need be; I take a small hand pump in my backpack to adjust air pressure as needed.  That bike's obviously not for racing in big whoops, etc., but for exploring and overall capability/affordability/reliability/low-maintenance, it's well worth a look! 

Edited October 10, 2018 by BSAVictor

[Crapflinger]

tw200's are a hoot. impossible to break, great gas mileage, almost unlimited torque (somehow). if stuff is getting too wild, just put your feet on the ground and let the bike drive away on it's own. with a little coaxing  you can get a big horn front tire from an RZR on the back rim and make it a mud machine. also the pure simplicity of the frame and mechanics means if you're ever tired of a weird little DS, you can make it into a bobber, or a chopper, or a trike, or any number of other weird ass configurations (still one of the top hoon/modder bikes in japan)