Thread: Farm bike advice please

Originally Posted by Flyblown

When I saw this thread just now I thought that looks interesting, and then realised I started it.

So, an update.

A good while back we went to a mate’s place in the top of the Coromandel, very large, easy country sheep farm. Had the chance to ride several different bikes, the Suzuki DR200, Honda CRF250, a Yamaha (forget which one), a Mud Bug and a Kawasaki Stockman. The boys loved the CRF - hands down the winner. I realised the older boy could already ride a motorbike just fine (he has learned on the sly at his mates place the cheeky bugger) and the younger one got the hang of it in one session, just pootling about at first then in the arvo a long tour around the farm. Was really pleased with their competence and how quick they got the basics sorted.

They moaned when we went home with the Stockman on a loan and needed a “that is what is on offer so be grateful you little bastards”. They really really wanted that CRF, Which just proves how important image is in their minds. Since then they mastered the Stockman and we’ve given it back. In the meantime I acquired a pearler of a Honda TRX300 4WD off here which I am really really happy with and is a perfect quad for the boys to really get the hang of some of the tougher tracks. Super light and nimble and not overpowered but more than enough to do the job. The only problem is that inevitably the 14-year-old F1 superfan is tempted to drive the quad like a go-kart. This has landed him in very hot water with me and he is on a temporary ban at the moment. Luckily the older one is much more sensible.

Just in the time that this thread has been alive my younger boy has shot up and at 14 and 16 they are now both taller than me, and the younger one in particular is strong as. What this means is that fairly shortly we will be able to buy a decent full sized bike rather than a smaller learner. So it’s been a good exercise so far, thanks for all the suggestions.

Just keep it in mind that every year we lose guys that ride quads every single day as part of making a living and if it can happen to them it can happen to anyone. They're a tool, certainly not a toy.