Wanted: dual sport moto

[mako my day]

Anyone have any experience with dual sport motorcycles? Got for sale or trade?

I'm looking for a 650. Will be used for everything from a 30 mile commute, to big bear runs, desert trips, trail riding, to grocery gettin.

 

[GSequoia]

Are you riding it *to* the mountains/deserts? If not I'd go smaller, 650 is heavy. I have a KLR650 so I'm spkeaing from experience.

If you're not going to be giving it a lot of freeway miles I'd suggest something like a Suzuki DRZ-400. It will handle freeway when needed and is about 80 pounds lighter than your standard water-cooled 650.

 

[mako my day]

I had the idea of driving it to, in, and around the sierras for fishing/scouting/meth cooking from Orange County.

 

[JohnX]

Skip that overweight pig of a drz, go straight to the Ktm.

Oh wait, maybe a 600 class bike might be better for 400 mile rides

 

[JohnX]

On a more serious note, I am considering upgrading my 05 Ktm....but it depends entirely on finding the replacement I want. If I do I'll let you know.

 

[devildog0]

Unless you are going to be riding across the country with it I'd pick the DRZ-400 or a DR-350SE.

Experience-
13 years on and off road.
Previous dirt rides- KLR650, DR350SE, DRZ-400
Current dirt ride- Suzuki VStrom 650
And a whole host of street rides.

 

[JohnX]

For the love of riding, don't get a heavy bike....takes the fun right out of it. Drz's are tanks.

2013 Drz400s. 35hp 300+ lbs. 5 speed.

My 05 Ktm 450 exc. 45hp. 247 lbs. 6 speed.

 

[GSequoia]

Depends on how you're riding, John. Ride what you brung but pick the right ride. My 400 pound KLR doesn't bother me mainly because I don't expect it to be a 250 pound dirt bike. Same goes with big adventure bikes, etc.


FYI DRZ400 is 320 pounds.

 

[devildog0]

http://www.dualsport-sd.com/

www.advrider.com

Prepare to loose a good chunk of your free time to browsing ADVRIDER haha

I generally stay away from KTMs. I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't love their's but at the same time they've all had issues with them that cause them to be "down in the chocks" for extended periods of time. I ride my bike(s) as a primary means of transportation so it has to be reliable first and foremost.

 

[GSequoia]

Have you been to the ADVRider DVNR? I've gone the last two years.

 

[devildog0]

I was there for 2014 . I ride that Strom most places everyone else takes their big bikes. Just takes me longer to get there. The whole time I was in DV this year the bike just felt sketchy on everything. When I got back I took the steering head apart and found HUGE divots in the race. Replaced them with some tapered bearings and it rides MUCH better now in looser stuff

Heading into Titus Canyon

Second bike in picture here. My buddy "Stoke" also on a strom is in front.

 

[GSequoia]

Nice.

David Bricker and I were there, too. Bricker was hanging out at PSR with his Jeep and I was riding.

 

[JohnX]

I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't love their's but at the same time they've all had issues with them that cause them to be "down in the chocks" for extended periods of time.

Hi, my name is John. :wave:

While I totally agree with your choice for commuting, I do loved my Ktm. I ride it 100-250 miles a week (to/from trails, and mostly dirt), change the oil every couple months. And nothing else besides rear tires for the last three years since I got it used.

My two cents, ride a few bikes before you decide.

 

[xDUMPTRUCKx]

see if you can get your hands on a ktm 525exc.

i loved mine, light enough, powerful enough.

 

[devildog0]

see if you can get your hands on a ktm 525exc.

i loved mine, light enough, powerful enough.

These are really popular down here as far as I can tell. Light enough to get the job done but enough ass in the engine department to get you moving down the road.

 

[Boudroux]

My vote would be for a XR650R that someone plated. I've been riding and racing dirtbikes in District 37 and Baja for a very long time. I've ridden that 650 on everything from wide open dirt highways to crazy single track. It is a little heavier than something like a 525 but you are tall and would have no issues dealing with it. They are also pretty much indestructible. I've had things go bad in Baja on it that would have killed any other modern 4 strokes out there. I do unsupported multi day baja rides and there really isn't the option of calling a buddy to come get you when something goes wrong. I've gone 60-80 miles with just about no oil in it, broke radiators and ran hours with no coolant. After one really bad get off I rode for what had to be 45 miles with no coolant and no oil. The old girl is still going strong, doesn't smoke and runs as good as the day I got her.

For me there is no other bike as good as a XR650R for everything but motocross and extreme offroad type stuff.

 

[mako my day]

Sold.
Now do I look for a kick start or battery starter bike?

 

[Boudroux]

Sold.
Now do I look for a kick start or battery starter bike?

If you are talking about the 650 it is kick start only in the model I'm talking about. They were produced between 2000-2006 I believe and each year is identical. The only change was a rubber seal behind the kick starter or shifter can't remember right now. That change was 2000 to 2001 model year for that part.

If my memory serves CA outlawed dual sport conversions on anything from 2002 and up so if you find a 2000 or 2001 that someone has already plated you are good to go. Lots of folks have plated more recent year bikes but personally I'd be nervous about the plate being revoked after you change title to your name.

I know the 650 in and out so if you find one you are interested in one and want someone to go with you to look it over give me a shout.

Something like this one

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mcy/4622808305.html

 

[JohnX]

Sold.
Now do I look for a kick start or battery starter bike?

I'm a pretty big guy with a very healthy leg....I still won't buy a bike that doesn't have both.