Small, light bike to practice trails

[PatrickO2]

I'm a complete newbie to trail riding, but keen to have a go and to practice.
What I'm looking for is a bike which is:
1. Road legal
2. Small/light - 130kg max
3. Low seat height - up to 32" and preferably less.
4. Cheap

I wondered if the best option would be to adapt a road bike like a Honda CG125 or a Suzuki Vanvan. I'm only planning gentle off road.

Any advice much appreciated.

[Stebbelaner]

I don't think it's worth the cost or effort to convert a road bike (minimum change tyres,handlebars,upgrade suspension etc) when you could buy a small trailie such as Honda XR125 or Yamaha XT125 or Serow 225 if you're not a learner rider.Alternatively an old 70's/80's 100 to 185cc trailbike such as DT,XL,TS,KE etc but the good ones are fetching silly money.

[Stebbelaner]

I might have to retract my advice after just seeing the BSA Bantam video in the 'Other stuff' thread in 'The Pub' section

[Jak*]

A Serow would be ideal, or a CRF230 or a DR 250. However finding any of these cheap is not easy at the moment.

[Yoyo]

My first trail bike was a Kawasaki KL250 Super Sherpa, light, low seat height, very comfortable, I only sold it because it was too low, if you can find one it's well worth a look.

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk

[Tink]

I had a lexmoto adrenaline 125cc, I used off road and it was great
There's a couple of films on my YouTube channel on it

https://youtube.com/channel/UCsC4OzTkLjZvwipdWoiv4FA

[Flipflop]

Cheap is going to be your biggest problem I think - what’s your budget?
Good luck

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

If you can find one, consider an AJP.

I went out with a group of riders in Wales...mostly experienced middle-aged blokes with KTMs etc. The run leader had organised it as an 18th birthday outing for his lad...who had an AJP 125.

He proceeded to literally run rings around us all. It was like a sheepdog herding a flock. That little bike just skipped over all the rocks, flew through the river crossings etc.

You can get AJPs in 125, 240 and 250 sizes...the only trouble is most people who have them, keep them. They are relatively cheap to buy new. AJP pioneered the idea of putting the fuel tank under the seat...since copied by KTM and Husqvarna! Made in Portugal with engines that are similar to Japanese engines of 15 - 30 years ago, but made in Taiwan (I think).

https://ajpmotorcycles.co.uk/models/enduro/

[johnnyboxer]

Get a KTM, any KTM

Everybody loves KTM

They sell more dirt bikes than anyone else

Orange is the best

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

KTM low seat height?