TRAIL Bike Reviews
New riders
Rated at least
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HONDA NX650 DOMINATOR (1988-2001)
New price: N/AUsed price: £2,600- 644cc
- 43 bhp
- 50 mpg
- Tall seat height
Defined the 'urban trailie' craze of the Nineties
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HONDA CRF250L (2012-2018)
New price: N/AUsed price: £3,300 - £5,000- 250cc
- 23 bhp
- 90 mpg
- Tall seat height
A lightweight dual sport trail bike that can handle a short commute
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YAMAHA XT125R (2005-2012)
New price: N/A- 124cc
- 12.5 bhp
- 55 mpg
- Tall seat height
Straightforward, four-stroke learner trailie
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SUZUKI DRZ400S (2001-2009)
New price: N/AUsed price: £3,900- 398cc
- 39 bhp
- 45 mpg
- Tall seat height
As happy pottering through the gridlock as it is bouncing over a paddock
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SUZUKI RV125 VAN VAN (2003-2016)
New price: N/AUsed price: £2,100 - £3,800- 124cc
- 12 bhp
- 90 mpg
- Low seat height
Farm hands, gamekeepers, race teams and surf dudes are the ideal customers
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HONDA XL125V VARADERO (2001-2009)
New price: N/A- 125cc
- 15 bhp
- 65 mpg
- Medium seat height
Although only a 125, there's plenty of big bike feel
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SINNIS TERRAIN 125 (2021-on)
New price: £2,999Used price: £2,800- 124cc
- 12.7 bhp
- 101.5 mpg
- Low seat height
Undoubtedly good value but don’t take it off road
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YAMAHA XT660R (2004-2017)
New price: N/A- 659cc
- 47 bhp
- 44 mpg
- Tall seat height
"Supermoto/trailie that are neatly styled but compromised by a snatchy fuel-injection that blights their low-speed performance"
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KAWASAKI KLR650 (1987-2002)
New price: N/A- 651cc
- 42 bhp
- 53 mpg
- Tall seat height
Comfortable, grunty, quiet and reliable
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BMW F650GS (2008-2013)
New price: N/AUsed price: £3,800 - £5,000- 798cc
- 71 bhp
- 53 mpg
- Medium seat height
Successor to long-lived and popular entry-level F650 single
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HONDA CRF450L (2019-on)
New price: £9,469Used price: £8,000- 449cc
- 24.6 bhp
- Tall seat height
A bit pricey, but an all-round, capable bike
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SUZUKI DR800 S BIG (1991-1997)
New price: N/A- 779cc
- 54 bhp
- 40.6 mpg
- Tall seat height
The DR800S Big remains the largest single-cylinder production motorcycle engine ever
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SWM SUPERDUAL X (2019-on)
New price: £7,020- 600cc
- 53.6 bhp
- Tall seat height
The updated SuperDual X promises real dual-purpose ability
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YAMAHA XT660Z TENERE (2008-on)
New price: £6,999Used price: £3,500 - £6,000- 660cc
- 46 bhp
- 44 mpg
- Tall seat height
A great value, superbly capable adventure bike with real off-road capability
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BMW G650GS (2011-on)
New price: £6,290Used price: £3,200 - £4,500- 652cc
- 47 bhp
- 59 mpg
- Low seat height
"BMW's entry-level adventure bike and successor to the old G650 and F650GS single"
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RIEJU MARATHON 200 (2010-on)
New price: £3,899- 250cc
- 19 bhp
- 75 mpg
- Tall seat height
"Think of it as a modern-day version of the much-loved old Kawasaki KMX20"
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KAWASAKI KLX125 (2010-on)
New price: £2,999- 125cc
- 10 bhp
- 75 mpg
- Medium seat height
"...there are plenty of other bikes that are considerably better than the KLX125"
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DERBI TERRA 125 ADVENTURE (2009-on)
New price: £3,319- 124cc
- 15 bhp
- 46 mpg
- Tall seat height
"Bears more than a passing resemblance to the best selling BMW GS; albeit in a learner legal package"
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KAWASAKI KLX250 (2009-on)
New price: £4,199- 249cc
- 22 bhp
- 60 mpg
- Tall seat height
Soft power, a novice friendly chassis and low running costs are completely at odds with the hardcore enduro styling
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RIEJU MARATHON 125 (2009-on)
New price: £3,199- 125cc
- 15 bhp
- 60 mpg
- Tall seat height
"Supermoto is powered by the same engine you'll find in Yamaha's YZF-R125 and WR125 range"
