What dual sport for a newbie?

[Hellwig]

But wait why then does your signature say that the bike is for sale then? Sounds like a slick used car salesmen setting the hook to me, hahaha

Yeah I thought about that as I was posting and forgot to uncheck the signature box. If it makes you feel better, I will refuse to sell to him! Just call me Al Gore if you wanna.

[shanedman]

Originally Posted by WoodButcher

Okay, 20 pounds heavier then me so you can handle a full sized bike.

Id like to think so

[kojack06]

I suggest trying some different sizes before you buy and discover what your appetities are. However, this can lead to an expensive condition known as "multiple motorcycle syndrome" or simple "MMS". The condition, once it starts, expands exponentionally. It can't be stopped but only treated with additional purchases of motorcycles and motorcycle accessories...

[neoxaero]

For an all-around bike I'd look at the DRZ400. The E model is fairly easy to convert to be street legal and the SM model is easy enough to setup for off-road riding. Both will cruise down the hwy at a fairly comfortable 70+mph.

I decided to move over to supermoto riding from having a sport bike to engage in some hooliganism and bought a sumo'd DR650. Its the most fun I've ever had with my clothes on for sure.

I test rode a couple DR650s and a DRZ400SM before making my purchase both are good bikes for sure. I ended up buying the DR over the DRZ soley based on price and the mods the DR had done to it.

I see that you have a ninja 250, so the busyness of the drz400 on the hwy would probably feel about the same.

[TwoSmokeDS]

Suprise no one suggested XR650L yet. Awesome for beginner if he has the legs for it, which at 6' tall he does. As simple as a stone hammer (no water coolant, no techno EFI computer). And as reliable too. Can ride technical single track as well as cruise on the highway all day long and can still chug up monster hill. That's what I read anyway. Never had one myself. Got the short leg syndrome.

[Boxercup Dave]

I got back into dual sport bikes a few years back. My first priority was a bike that was not too heavy when in tight AR trails, then came the ability to hit highway speeds and the last was fuel injection. I like 650s but thought they were a bit to heavy for my taste. The only 400s were non FI. I ended up with the WR250R and really like it. If I wasn't looking for FI then I would have gone with the Suzuki 400.

[WoodButcher]

Originally Posted by TwoSmokeDS

Suprise no one suggested XR650L yet. Awesome for beginner if he has the legs for it, which at 6' tall he does. As simple as a stone hammer (no water coolant, no techno EFI computer). And as reliable too. Can ride technical single track as well as cruise on the highway all day long. That's what I read anyway. Never had one myself. Got the short leg syndrome.

Yeah, I tried one out before one bike before I bought the DR650. The XR is a tall bike and with a heavier bike, I was glad to have the slightly lower DR when I got to tough offroad stuff. Both are nice, simple air cooled engines. I also mentioned the the DR because I have one he can test out.

So Dusty, PM me or let me know in this thread if you want to try it out. I'm going to goofing around in the garage anyway tonight and I'll be around on Sunday too, but no rush.

[neoxaero]

Originally Posted by WoodButcher

Yeah, I tried one out before one bike before I bought the DR650. The XR is a tall bike and with a heavier bike, I was glad to have the slightly lower DR when I got to tough offroad stuff. Both are nice, simple air cooled engines. I also mentioned the the DR because I have one he can test out.

So Dusty, PM me or let me know in this thread if you want to try it out. I'm going to goofing around in the garage anyway tonight and I'll be around on Sunday too, but no rush.

Can I test ride yours some time so I can compare mine to stockish
I assume you don't have yours modded all to ****.

[troyfromtexas]

Hey Dusty,

I'll add a few comments.

I started riding and riding dual sports about two years ago. I decided to buy a used Yamaha XT250 for the following reasons: reasonable price, simple mechanics (air cooled and carborated), ease of maintenance, low seat hight, reputation for durability and inexpensive insurance premiums.

I wanted to ride around town during the week and ride around trails on the weekend. I learned quite a bit about riding and maintenance from other riders that participate on this forum. Also, I learned about dual sport riding from the Dual Sport Riding and Advanced Dual Sport Riding videos.

I could take the bike on the highway for short distances and keep up with traffic at 65-70. Passing traffic was a little more challenging because the top speed of the bike was about 75. I did take the bike from Austin to Corpus Christie once and rode between 65-70 the whole distance. The bike can handle it, although it was a little buzzy. The XT250 is a capable bike.

I would recommend the Yamaha XT250 or Kawasaki Super Sherpa 250.

The alternatives in the class are the Yamaha WR250R, Kawasaki KLX250 and now the Honda CRF250L. All of these bikes have more advanced technology (water cooling, EFI, adjustable suspension) and offer better performance. The issue that I found with these bikes was that there were not many used bikes on the market. It seems that the owners hold on to the bikes longer and ride them harder because they are very capable bikes.

I do not know if I would recommend a mid size (Suzuki DRZ400, Suzuki DR650, Kawasaki KLR650) or large size (BMW, KTM) bike until you have some experience riding on dirt and gravel. It is possible that while you are learning you will drop your bike and damage it. Dropping a small basic bike, picking it up and repairing it is simpler and less costly endeavor than dropping a bigger bike. I do not know if I would recommend buying a dirt or enduro bike and converting it into your first dual sport bike because of the maintenance time and costs. I just think that it is more fun riding than maintaining a bike.

After a year of riding and learning about dual sporting and maintenance, I was ready to upgrade. I bought the XT250 with 600 miles on it for $3000 and sold the bike with 4000 miles on it for $3000. So I did not loose any value, but gained a great deal of experience.

In year one of riding dual sport on the XT250 I rode a little over 3000 miles around Texas and it was great.

In year two of riding dual sport on the DR650 I rode a little over 24,000 miles around Latin America and it has been fantastic.

If you'd like to know more about my Suzuki DR650 you can visit my website.

Best of luck,

Troy

[WoodButcher]

Originally Posted by neoxaero

Can I test ride yours some time so I can compare mine to stockish
I assume you don't have yours modded all to ****.

Sure, but it isn't stockish. Air box is opened and the carb is rejetted and a dynojet needle and spring. Slide is drilled also. Suspension has been reworked. Large tank, skid plate, trail tech speedo. 14 tooth front sprocket. Other than that it is stock.

[neoxaero]

Originally Posted by WoodButcher

Sure, but it isn't stockish. Air box is opened and the carb is rejetted and a dynojet needle and spring. Slide is drilled also. Suspension has been reworked. Large tank, skid plate, trail tech speedo. 14 tooth front sprocket. Other than that it is stock.

That's a lot closer to stock than mine is.


@OP - As you can see there are quite a few different choices you can go with. It all comes down to what you're wanting to do and how much you want to spend. The heavier bikes are more of a pain off road but considering you're about the same size I am, you shouldn't have any problems picking up a 3xxlbs bike when you drop it.

The heavier bikes get blown around a lot less on the hwy as well, so that adds to the comfort cruising down the slab. All these bikes suck compared to a sport bike of any time in that respect though. They're a LOT more fun to ride and the insurance is a TON cheaper though... so its a trade I'm willing to make!

[shanedman]

loving all the input....
that was the reason i started this post....better to make informed decisions with information from more experienced riders....

[Hail]

I recently bought a DRZ400. I can cruise on the highway around 75mph with it bone stock and I am about 230 lbs. The DRZ has ben around in its present form since 2000 so parts and upgrades are super easy to find. It is a solid bike.

[jimhaleyscomet]

I have a KLR650 and it is the most sold dual sport for a reason.... BUT only if either of the following applies.
1. The farthest you are going off road is gravel/dirt road.
2. You have a fair bit of experience.

I love my KLR650 as a road machine and I even take it on tight technical trails but I have been dual sporting for 30 years. I am also willing to turn around if the incline is steep and slippery or the mud gets deep. I have no problem with my son (1.5 years experience) riding it on gravel roads but not in the dirt. Every one drops at least a few times when they start in the dirt and a KLR650 is heavy enough that lots of expensive parts can break.

Much better for a less veteran dirt rider is a 250 dual sport. I just purchased a new Honda CRF250L and it is a bargain at just $4500 new. Even less is one of the 250 dual sports for $2k - $3K and sell them a few years later for about the same money. A used plated Honda CRF230 would be great in the dirt for you and makes a great learner / wife bike. I also just purchased a Honda CRF250L and I am loving this bike. Much easier to handle than the 650 on the trails but easily does 60mph for short hops on the highway. I would place it perhaps midway between the other 250's and the WR250r (which is about $4000 used, $7000 new).

That's all for now because I want to ride!

[swoody126]

Originally Posted by troyfromtexas

Hey Dusty,

I'll add a few comments.

I started riding and riding dual sports about two years ago. I decided to buy a used Yamaha XT250 for the following reasons: reasonable price, simple mechanics (air cooled and carborated), ease of maintenance, low seat hight, reputation for durability and inexpensive insurance premiums.

..............

In year one of riding dual sport on the XT250 I rode a little over 3000 miles around Texas and it was great.

In year two of riding dual sport on the DR650 I rode a little over 24,000 miles around Latin America and it has been fantastic.

If you'd like to know more about my Suzuki DR650 you can visit my website.

Best of luck,

Troy

the XT250 is the successor of the XT225, which i bought for the grandson to ride to high school for his first year of driving

he's put many(way more than Troy) miles on it & is way into his 2nd set of tires

he lives in rural north Texas where gravel roads are a way of life & as a boy of 15 you can imagine the other stuff he & his buddies got into

last spring break i took him to HILL COUNTRY & he kept up w/ me on my WEE STROM, my friend on his big Yamaha Bagger & a Hardley Ableson Bagger

the XT225 is virtually the same as the Yamaha TTR230, w/ lights...

the XT250 is just the next step up

i'd have to +2 what Troy said

shiny side up

sw