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07-26-2012, 08:06 AM
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#1 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 25
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Hello
Recently found the forum and though I'd join up. I grew up riding dirt bikes but now at 30 I would like to start riding again. I've not yet purchased a bike yet but I am looking at a WR250F and making it street legal with the TUSK kit. My goal in purchasing is to have a commuter bike for my 30 mile a day commute but also be able to ride dirt roads in the country and around our property for moderate trails and the occasional wheelie across the pasture ha. I'm 6'3" 175 and a little concerned about the power, hoping its sufficient, for what I want to do. The last bike I owned was a new YZ426 that I absolutely loved but sold 5 or 6 years ago. Any advice would appreciated.
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07-26-2012, 08:14 AM
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#2 |
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Forum Supporter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: T'orndale!
Posts: 5,082
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Re: Hello
  I ride a KLR and like it; but it's too heavy to be a hardcore dirt bike. We have all kinds of riders here, and quite an orange contingent (KTM). I sure you will get lots of advice!
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"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him; better take a closer look at the American Indian!" ~ Henry Ford ~ ----------------------------------------------- Mark East of Wierd, Texas |
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07-26-2012, 08:21 AM
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#3 |
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Arlington
Posts: 4,929
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Re: Hello
Welcome. I haven't ridden dirt in many years, so I'm not up on the current models. My youthful experience, though, tells me that if you really like a bike offroad, you'll pretty quickly get tired of it as a commuter bike. Get the bike that works for you on the dirt, just as long as it's plated. Then start saving for the street bike that you're going to be wanting about next spring.
It's a disease. You have it. We have a twelve-step program. I believe all twelve steps involve buying more hardware.....
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Tim in Arlington '05 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Preach the gospel. And if necessary, use words - Francis of Assisi |
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07-26-2012, 08:39 AM
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#4 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 25
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Re: Hello
Haha I am well aware of the disease! The road bike that I really want but have been unable to find is a clean clean Honda CB four from the early 70's. I have never ridden a bike as a commuter so I was thinking that the WR or something similar would allow me to test the waters while allowing me to ride off road also. I live in the country and my commute is rural roads until I get within 5 miles of work. My parents live around Cameron on a nice big piece of land that I would like to take the bike up and ride on and cruise the miles and miles of dirt roads and back roads and go into town etc.
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07-26-2012, 08:54 AM
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#5 | |
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Forum Supporter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: T'orndale!
Posts: 5,082
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Re: Hello
Quote:
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"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him; better take a closer look at the American Indian!" ~ Henry Ford ~ ----------------------------------------------- Mark East of Wierd, Texas |
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07-26-2012, 09:16 AM
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#6 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 25
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Re: Hello
Very nice! My parents place is near the river in NE Milam County but I lease some additional country for cows and hunting near San Gabriel so I cover Milam county quite often. I'll definitely look for that ride!
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07-26-2012, 09:32 AM
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#7 |
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Arlington
Posts: 4,929
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Re: Hello
Oh, the CBs are out there. You'll find some on this forum. I've owned a 400 and, 2 years ago, I had a CB650. Don't buy a barn find unless you're willing to invest the time and $$$ into all the components that will start failing - particularly anything rubber, every gasket, etc - when it suddenly starts getting ridden again.
Within the past year I've run into 350s, 450s, 550s, and a couple of 750s. Even without full restoration, they can be very good bikes. But the good ones will cost you at least 2 bills. A 750 is probably quite a bit more, and well worth it.
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Tim in Arlington '05 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Preach the gospel. And if necessary, use words - Francis of Assisi |
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07-26-2012, 09:35 AM
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#8 | |||
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Euless
Posts: 5,492
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I like CBs. They're everywhere.
North lake college sees two 350 4s regularly, and a few years ago, I stupidly passed up an opportunity at a 900.
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2001 VT1100c2 2003 Concours 2007 Sportster Go Army! Quote:
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07-26-2012, 01:38 PM
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#9 | |
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Keeper of the Asylum
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Huntsville, Tx.
Posts: 37,480
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Re: Hello
Welcome to the site!
 In order of most dirt worthy to most street worthy 2001 Honda XR650L $2600 http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75391 2007 Suzuki DR650SE - $3200 http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74811 2004 KLR 650 for sale, including riding gear - $3500 http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75238 2007 KLR 650 5900 miles - $3600 http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75173 2008 KLR650 with 5650 miles - $3700 http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75035  If you can find one, a DRZ400 is also a good bike, leaning more toward the dirt side, but can easily handle street duty. It really depends on how you gear it and what tires you want to run. The big XR650L is probably the most dirt worthy, but it is big and not real comfy for long hauls unless you maybe change the seat to aftermarket. The pre 2008 KLRs are slightly more dirt worthy than the 2008+ models. They have a little more suspension travel and less plastic to get dinged in a drop. The newer models have more street oriented suspension and more plastic, but otherwise are almost identical. For any riding other than single track, there is not much in Texas that a KLR cannot do easily. For dirt roads, pastures, and commuting, the KLR is a fantastic bike. I did not list any of the KTMs because they are typically MUCH more dirt focused than even the XR650L and are not much fun to ride on the street for any real length of time. However, I have to admit that I had an absolute blast running my KTM 530 down some seriously twisty pavement in North Carolina a few months ago...  That was even with full knobbies on the bike. BUT, I would not want to commute on the bike. The KTMs also tend to cost a bit more and take a tad more maintenance because they are really just full on dirt bikes that are also street legal. Based on what you said about your intended use, I would jump all over that 2008 KLR above. John brought it to NC with us back in May. It looks brand new and is loaded with accessories. It is definitely a buy and ride!
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Scott Friday Total Forum Supporter Donations For May: $733.91 - Previous Month: $1119.01 - Record High: Feb 09 $1360.84 The number one rule for this forum! Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Eph 4:29 (NIV)Think before you post. Leave out the vulgarity, personal attacks and foul language! Quote:
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07-26-2012, 02:34 PM
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#10 |
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: RIO DELL, CA
Posts: 4,681
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Re: Hello
Welcome aboard!
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Wally[electronics technician] 2007 RED BANDIT |
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07-26-2012, 05:06 PM
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#11 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 25
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Re: Hello
Thanks for the warm welcome and information on the bikes that are for sale! The big enduros honestly turn me off and I don't say that to offend anyone it's just not what I like or want. I have always ridden Yamaha or Kawasaki and would like to stick to those but I like what I hear on the DRZ400's. I actually found a cleeaan one today but it has been sitting a while and has some carb issues which is where these questions stemmed from.
I have a few general questions, if this is the wrong place for that please delete and I'll put them in the appropriate spot. 1) what if any draw backs exist to buying a bike with a non Texas title? 2) how hard are drz carbs to work on |
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07-26-2012, 05:09 PM
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#12 |
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Cibolo, TX 78108
Posts: 236
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Re: Hello
Welcome aboard! I haven't ridden dirt in years, and I'm resisting the temptation to go back to it (so far, anyway!).
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Scott 2012 "STutter", STOC# 8642 My garage: 2012 ST1300, 2004 Toyota 4Runner, 2001 Volkswagon Jetta, 1997 SeaDoo GTX, 1955 Triumph T-100 Dead or Gone: 2010 Honda ST1300, 1975 Yamaha XS500,1986 Honda VF500FII, 1982 Yamaha XZ550 Vision, 1978 Honda CB250N,1974 Yamaha RD350, 1972 Yamaha DS7, More I can't even remember |
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07-26-2012, 05:23 PM
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#13 | |
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Forum Supporter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: T'orndale!
Posts: 5,082
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Re: Hello
Quote:
I just typed "DRZ" in the search drop down box, and this was part-way down the page: http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthre...&highlight=DRZ Good luck!
__________________
"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him; better take a closer look at the American Indian!" ~ Henry Ford ~ ----------------------------------------------- Mark East of Wierd, Texas |
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07-26-2012, 11:21 PM
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#14 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 25
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Re: Hello
I found a clean 2008 DR 650 with under 3K miles on it I am going to check out I think. It may be a little big but I imagine it would be a little more streetable than the WR 250. I think Ill set on em both and see which one I like better. Cost is close to the same. 2007 WR 250 for $2600 or a 2008 DR 650 for $3400. Tough decision because I know I will have over $3K in the WR before I'm street legal and up and running. The DR is ready to go.....decisions
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07-27-2012, 09:17 PM
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#15 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 25
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Re: Hello
Well I gave in to the urge today and picked up this 2007 Suzuki DRZ400. I really like what this bike so far. Love the size and power and cant wait to really start riding it. The bike has a small leak in the rear tube that I need to address and it needs some fresh gas and maybe some carb tuning as it doesnt really want to idle but I feel I can take care of those issues. For $2500 I couldnt pass it up.
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07-28-2012, 12:12 AM
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#16 |
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Forum Supporter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: T'orndale!
Posts: 5,082
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Re: Hello
__________________
"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him; better take a closer look at the American Indian!" ~ Henry Ford ~ ----------------------------------------------- Mark East of Wierd, Texas |
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07-29-2012, 01:30 AM
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#17 | |
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Keeper of the Asylum
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Huntsville, Tx.
Posts: 37,480
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Re: Hello
Great bike! The gas tanks on the DR650/DRZ400s is a bit small, but there are aftermarket tanks if that is an issue for you. The DRZ400 is a totally bullet proof bike, very reliable. There are a mess load of folks on TWT with them. Great bike for riding up in Arkansas, in any of the National Forests here in Texas, Big Bend, and generally anywhere  The owner of that 2008 KLR I listed above also brought a DRZ400 on our trip to NC.
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Scott Friday Total Forum Supporter Donations For May: $733.91 - Previous Month: $1119.01 - Record High: Feb 09 $1360.84 The number one rule for this forum! Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Eph 4:29 (NIV)Think before you post. Leave out the vulgarity, personal attacks and foul language! Quote:
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07-29-2012, 11:29 AM
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#18 |
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Addison
Posts: 430
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Re: Hello
Great find. I hope you enjoy the DRZ.
Welcome to the Forum.
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Steven 2012 Super Tenere 2007 XR650L - Sold 2002 XR650L - Sold 2007 Fz1 - Sold 2003 Vulcan 500 - Sold |
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