Which Dual Sport?

GimmieBoost

GimmieBoost

Active Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2008
Location
Lincolnton, NC
I've been wanting one for a while and I may pick one up in a month or two. As much as I want the perfect 50/50 bike I know there isn't such a thing. I basically want something I can ride on the road to where ever and still be able to hit up Brown Mtn. Oh, and price is a huge factor. I'd like to keep it under two G's so I'm looking for an older bike.

I'm 5' 11" and 170lbs soaking wet. I grew up on a XR80 and have rode other bikes more recently. The biggest and most recent being a modded RM 250 that was wicked fun but down right scary if I wasn't careful with the throttle. :wheel:

So with that being said, what would yall recommend as a first "big" bike and first road bike? How would a 10 year old 400-650cc four stroke compare to that newer RM 250 two stroke?

Thanks,
Jesse
 
Kaw KLR650. Plenty of power for the road and the trail . It is the one I would buy if I were in the market for an enduro (dating myself. That is what they were called back in the 70's)
 
450Fs run the same class as the 250-2smokers in motorcross
But I believe the road bikes are gonna be geared a little different as well compared to the MX bikes.
I rode a XR400 at one point, and it wasnt a bad bike, had good low end. But IDK how it would have been on the road trying to run 65-70.
I think you will be fine with a 400-650cc bike. Biggest thing is to always respect them, because the moment you think you are doing good, it will bust you.
Seen a guy up at URE this weekend riding a big Suzuki dual sport. Looked like a 500+cc bike.
 
Just sold my 99 xr650l. I loved it and would recomend it. Reliable honda and pulls like a mull on stock sprockets. I rear geared for highway speeds and still had to be easy in first. Mine had a thing for staying on the back tire. I commuted on it 50 mile round trip to work and i would say its a comfortable bike. I had engine work done and was getting 41mpg riding the shit out of it. I saw 60mpg before i did the engine work.
 
I've got a 95 Yamaha XT350 I'm looking to sell here soon. Lots of fun on and off road, and well within your price range. Might would even take a partial trade for some garage door work...
 
I too am in the market.
I got a buddy with the honda xr650l that I've been riding and the only thing I don't like is how tall it is. Im 5'10" but im getting use to it.
He also has an older stock sp250 and there is no comparison in my opinion.... but thats nothing compared to the rm
I would like to check out the yamaha one day
 
I was going to say, being under 6' and 170...a 650 might be a little large/heavy for woods riding, with the xr being ridiculously tall unless you're in the desert. I would look at the smaller kawasaki dualsports in that price range. $2k and under will limit you
 
Under 2 bones, you're not going to find a big bore bike that isn't a complete turd. I've ridden more than a handful of dualsports and currently own an XR650L. It's the truest "50/50" bike I've been on. The KLR is better on the highway but downright awful on anything more offroad than a FS road. I've recently been on a few KTM's, the 525exc and 690exc. Super fast bikes that feel like supercross bikes compared to the XR. There are plenty of good dualsports out there. Ride a bunch of them and decide which one works for you.

For everyone that says the XR650 is too tall, I've got a lowering link for sale. The PO of my bike put it on and it was too short for me.
 
Will have you ever ridden a KLX650? It's another good 50/50 bike.
 
I rode all day today mostly offroad but some on the street and I would say the xr650 is more street legal dirt bike.
But its too tall for me.... how much does your kit lower the xr?
The xr is my favorite so far and if I could lower it 3" that's what I would get.
I love the looks you get.... most people probably think your riding a full on dirt bike.
 
jeepinmatt said:
Will have you ever ridden a KLX650? It's another good 50/50 bike.
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Never had the opportunity. I don't know anyone that's ever owned one. I've read enough about them to understand they are a great bike, but there's not too many around. I wouldn't hesitate to ride one if given the chance. Hell, I'll ride anything with handlebars and an engine. I'm a bike slut like that.:lol:
 
customcruiser said:
I rode all day today mostly offroad but some on the street and I would say the xr650 is more street legal dirt bike.
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Yes and no. It gets killed by more modern DS bikes offroad, but it's bulletproof, oldschool technology. What it does give you is a very capable offroad bike that's way more comfy and won't beat you to death. I'm smitten with mine.
how much does your kit lower the xr?
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The lowering link states 1.5" but it felt like more than that when I put the stock link back on. I'll make anyone interested a screaming deal on it.lol
The xr is my favorite so far and if I could lower it 3" that's what I would get.
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1.5" doesn't seem like much, but it is a night and day difference from the stock link. It was waaayyy too low for me with the lowering link. But then again, I'm a tall fatty.
I love the looks you get.... most people probably think your riding a full on dirt bike.
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Strangely, even the police don't even bat an eye at me. Must be because it won't go over 75mph with my current gearing.
 
willness33 said:
Never had the opportunity. I don't know anyone that's ever owned one. I've read enough about them to understand they are a great bike, but there's not too many around. I wouldn't hesitate to ride one if given the chance. Hell, I'll ride anything with handlebars and an engine. I'm a bike slut like that.:lol:
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My dad has one and I've ridden it quite a bit. Its a great bike on and off road, though not as smooth as the KLR on the road. For me its a little tall, but those who know me know that even an XR100 is probably on the tall side, haha! He got an XR650 for a few weeks and sold it because he liked the KLX more.
 
jeepinmatt said:
My dad has one and I've ridden it quite a bit. Its a great bike on and off road, though not as smooth as the KLR on the road. For me its a little tall, but those who know me know that even an XR100 is probably on the tall side, haha! He got an XR650 for a few weeks and sold it because he liked the KLX more.
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I'd like to see the KLX sometime. I like checking out different bikes to see what's out there that I don't know about. And yeah, your inseam just might make a tall bike interesting.
 
Yall have me considering a smaller bike now which may be a good thing. I'm surprised no one mentioned any bikes to stay away from for mechanical issues. Are they all pretty reliable and mostly just personal preference?

Thanks,
Jesse
 
GimmieBoost said:
Yall have me considering a smaller bike now which may be a good thing. I'm surprised no one mentioned any bikes to stay away from for mechanical issues. Are they all pretty reliable and mostly just personal preference?

Thanks,
Jesse
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Pretty much. Do the maintenence required and ride.
 
The DR is also a good bike. Anyone seeing a trend here? My one and only issue with the DR is the lack of ground clearance over the XR. Still, 10" of clearance is fine for most dualsporting.
 
Buy a XR650L and check out forums and write ups on 4strokes.com, you won't be disappointed. There are a lot of free/cheap upgrades.
 
i ride a suzuki dr 650 almost every day. good road bike. so so on the trails. also lowered it 2 inches, i'm short myself. it's an 07, i bought it in 08 with 150 miles on th clock for 3000.00. got over 7000 miles now. i put 70/30 avons on it, made the ride alot better and a pipe to open it up a little bit. 55mpg.
 
I haven't done alot of street riding but I have rode the DRZ400. Ive been thinking about getting a dual sport myself and thats what I will be looking for when I get one. Maybe even the supermoto because they look so sick.
 
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