Motorbike for outdoor lambing

[cotswoldcs]

We're coming up for lambing and our two quad bikes will soon see a lot of use. I could almost do with another at lambing but it's difficult to justify and no space to store another. I'm wondering if anyone uses a motorbike for checking sheep and how it compares for fuel economy. It certainly won't replace the quad bikes but if a cheap bike could be used over lambing for checking sheep it would be a useful addition.

What do I look for?

 

[steveR]

Plenty of cheap Chinese trail bikes about for a few hundred quid, basics are all there. If your budget will stretch, something like a Honda CRF 250L will be reliable and do a great MPG and cheap to run.

But might need some better tyres fitting on any bike... Some 2nd hand moto-x tyres off ebay should do it for 50-60 quid. You will need a BIG plate fixing to the sidestand so you don't lose the bike, whatever you buy.

They will use little fuel, as you wont use it much I suspect!

If you haven't passed your test, then a 50cc bike will still do the job, and you can run down the road on it

These are nice and low... So can keep both feet down. Here

Too far, but a perfect farm bike Here

Whats your budgetr???

 

[scottish-lleyn]

Old suzuki ts 125 good bikes. Rough ones are cheap but even tidy ones are only a couple grand.

 

[steveR]

Old suzuki ts 125 good bikes. Rough ones are cheap but even tidy ones are only a couple grand.

Yep, most of the older carbed, a/cooled type bikes hold their value well. Saw a TS185 go for silly money recently!!

 

[steveR]

What do I look for?

Left field suggestion.... An electric MTB?? I am sure I heard of agronomist using one... Again. not budget prices, but VERY cheap to run and you can put it through the books!!

Like this...

 

[Spuddler]

Rather have an Rm250

 

[steveR]

Rather have an Rm250

Maybe not quite what the OP had in mind...

 

[Spuddler]

Maybe not quite what the OP had in mind...

Spoilsport

 

[Northeastfarmer]

 

[steveR]

Spoilsport

Have a proper bike.... CCM

 

[Bury the Trash]

Have a proper bike.... CCM

Yeah, and then he could post a vid of trying to start the bugger. ... for our entertainment

 

[ARW]

Any trials bike would do, you would have to stand up but they go slow, light, quiet, use little fuel, low servicing, you could get a runner for £1k.

 

[HarryB97]

Talk to your nearest dealer and hire one for a month

 

[JP1]

I really wanted one of these but the regs meant I couldn't import even a new fuel injected one from NZ

Honda XR190 AG with the racks and low gearing and low seat height

Instead I bought this CRF250L. Soon to have a dog box on the back with tagging side box, crook holder etc

Already got a camel toe shoe on the stand

Ideal for doing bigger distances to check the cattle 25 miles away too.

Much more economical than a quad

62 plate <9000kms £2200

 

[Cowcalf]

two wheels a lot better for going along side of steep hill, but can be painful when finding hidden sheep drains

 

[steveR]

Yeah, and then he could post a vid of trying to start the bugger. ... for our entertainment

What Sir requires now that he has reached the time in his life when kickstarting 500cc of high compression 4 stroke is something of a challenge is...

 

[steveR]

Those Kiwi farm bikes really are the biz. Not sure about the one you show, but I know the earlier ones were built out of iron and lasted for ever...

Nice to see a CRF being used in anger I welded a 60mm washer on my side stand base!

I use my XR400 engined Honda NX400 trail bike for a similiar role in the Summer... So much nicer for a bimble out on a summers evening than the pickup It's also been to the Pyrenees twice and hopefully off to Algarve across country down through Portugal later in the year*.



* Farming research trip you know

 

[JP1]

Those Kiwi farm bikes really are the biz. Not sure about the one you show, but I know the earlier ones were built out of iron and lasted for ever...

Nice to see a CRF being used in anger

I use my XR400 engined Honda NX400 trail bike for a similiar role in the Summer... So much nicer for a bimble out on a summers evening than the pickup

The Yamaha AG200 (or 100 or 125) is the legendary one. Plenty kindly commented either from riding them on Oz / NZ work experience or in active use. The antipodeans will be on soon and can comment directly. Many use them as their daily work bike and often do high 10,000kms

 

[steveR]

I almost got a "new" farm bike a few weeks ago, but fortunately, I failed to do the deal in the end....

Low miler 2nd hand Husky 701, VAT eligible, with some nice mods.

Much like this beaut...https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3803/32322029594_c56ebb1637_c.jpg

Probably needed to part ex a daughter into white slavery though, based on profits from cattle this Spring!!

 

[Johnnyboxer]

Honda XR 400 - will do the job and you can keep warm kickstarting it

Same engine as TRX (sans electric start though)