DR200 ENDURO ADVICE

[WEINERDOGBONE]

Hi guys. I need some input from some of you who have dirt bike experience. There is a 97 Suzuki DR 200 enduro for sale in the neighborhood. My son wants the thing and I am considering buying it for him. Here is the rub. The bike has 9,800 miles on it. That seems like a ton of miles for a single cylinder bike to me. The guy wants $950.00 for it. It appears to have had a pretty rough life and I think the price is steep.

I rode it. It starts fine, shifts properly and it doesn't smoke. What kind of service life could I expect for 4 stroke single? Thanks for any input.

Gary

[B12NScott]

I have 4500 miles on my DRZ 400s. 85% Commuting.  17 Miles @70-75mph and 8 miles @ 30-60 one way.  A little longer home because I take the long way. More fun.  Lots of guys with the 400s with 10K plus on their bikes, and going strong.    I personally think the better it was taken care of the longer it would last.  If it was rode hard it may not last.. Depends on maintenance.  Plastic is just plastic, but the hard parts is what you need to look at.  I dont know much about the smaller CC bikes.

[Red01]

FWIW, Kelly Blue Book is $1895 - this assumes a bike offered by a dealer which would be detailed and in top condition. (This still seems too high to me.) NADA lists average retail at $1350 and low retail at $1030 (for my zip code), so the $950 price sounds like it's a fair place to start bartering if it's looking rough.

I don't know much about the specifics of the little DR, but as long as it wasn't thrashed too hard and service ignored, I wouldn't think the mileage is that bad. It should be able to rack up many more miles. It boils down to your assesment of the bike and if you think it's life has been rough enough to avoid it, or if it's just cosmetics.

[tacoman]

I've had a lot of dirt bikes.  The little Dr should be fine, those are tough little motors.  Listen to it run, any weird noises?  As for condition, just check the usual things.  On dirt bikes check the spokes and rims.  Lots of overloaded rock bashing will loosen spokes and dimple rims.  Check the frame tubes on the bottom.  If they're crushed and flat that means lots of bottoming.  Grab the wheels by the top and rock them side to side.  If there's slop, the wheel bearings are bad.  Little enduro bikes are popular and thats a good price.  Ride it, do a little cosmetic repair and you'll get your money back when you sell.

[WEINERDOGBONE]

I appreciate the advice.