dual sport of the decade??

[swingset]

But.....you get what you pay for.....that's why I love my EXC 530....light, nimble & very quick (if you can get traction)  

The EXC is a great bike, but it's a race bike with a plate. Not everyone wants that kind of bike, the WRR fills a different niche. It's a true small dual sport with an insanely long maintenance interval, cheap cost of ownership, with an engine that's very overbuilt.

It's all about the type of riding you do. I've owned KTM big bores, and they're a gas, but now I'm on a TTR250 and can't say enough good about it. It's perfect for what I do, so to get what you pay for might just mean I could have paid $8k for a KTM and it wouldn't have been worth what a $1400 used Yamaha is.

[Lon]

I had just about gotten over jumbo jonesing for one of them, and you go and post all the reasons I want one.  grrrr...

I picked one up  

They're rare on the used market, but I found one for a decent price.  Just waiting on a couple accessories and I'll be good to go.

[axelwik]

I don't know about dual sport of the decade, but I like my XR650L. It does what I tell it. On the rough stuff I rode circles around my buddy on his DRZ400 and kept right up with another buddy on his 690 Enduro last weekend. (Can't just be the bikes.)

The XRL is old tractor technology - big, heavy, and lots of torque, but it works well for me.

[Uncle Leo]

You all fail.

The greatest DUAL SPORT of ALL TIME is.......

[kurtw]

An entry in this year's Baja1k:

[Indefatigable]

Me want bad, very bad.  

[kurtw]

Me too  

Spendy though. For me, whether it would be worth the cost will depend on long-term reliability.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

You guys do realize that half of the bikes posted here - while sexy - are not "dual sports". I see very little evidence of turn signals, a key factor in allowing a bike to be in this category.  

[kurtw]

You guys do realize that half of the bikes posted here - while sexy - are not "dual sports". I see very little evidence of turn signals, a key factor in allowing a bike to be in this category.  

See all that junk hanging off the tail of the 'Berg?  
True, this one is customized, some factory street equipment removed/replaced, but it's a factory dualsport model.

(edit, so are all the others on this page... KLR doesn't have exclusive claim to the term.. .   ).

[Mrs. DantesDame]

True, this one is customized, some factory street equipment removed/replaced, but it's a factory dualsport model.

That I didn't know. Ok - I just look at the pics and ass-u-me that's how the bike comes.  

[arr2]

You all fail.

The greatest DUAL SPORT of ALL TIME is.......

Now that brings back memories. Had a 3 of those, different years, back in the day.
 
It boils down to this. On a budget get the Yamaha WR250. (Maybe substitute a DRZ400).
Not on a budget, Get a KTM EXC.

A KLR is not a Dual Sport bike. Maybe call it a cheap adventure bike. Maybe.
I know all you KLR riders like to defend this bike, but as a offroad bike it SUCKS.
I know I've owned one and hated it. You could give me another, but I would sell it immediately.

[birdrunner]

Next time I start a thread on Dual Sport of the Decade, I should be more specific about which decade.

[kurtw]

Next time I start a thread on Dual Sport of the Decade, I should be more specific about which decade.

No need...this thread will still be going strong a decade from now...

[fastdadio]

You guys do realize that half of the bikes posted here - while sexy - are not "dual sports". I see very little evidence of turn signals, a key factor in allowing a bike to be in this category.  

Turn signals are optional and not required in Michigan. Good thing since they usually end up being trail litter anyway.

The dual sport of the decade is the one your riding. But, to pass the test, you got to keep it running for 10 years.

Run whatcha brung baby!

[Mike-H]

You guys do realize that half of the bikes posted here - while sexy - are not "dual sports". I see very little evidence of turn signals, a key factor in allowing a bike to be in this category.  

Turn signals are optional and not required in Michigan. Good thing since they usually end up being trail litter anyway.

The dual sport of the decade is the one your riding. But, to pass the test, you got to keep it running for 10 years.

Run whatcha brung baby!

 

[SoCal STrider]

Wow,, looks like everyone is wrong   I rode my indestructible XR650L for years on everything from MX (ouch) to single track (it actually rocked) but NO dual sport compares(imho) to the 2009 and later Aprilia RXV 450 except for maybe the 550... top of the line everything right from the manufacturer ... does everything incredibly well!!!!!!

[fastdadio]

A friend of mine bought the 450 prilla. Spending more time in the shop than on the trail. Beautiful bike though. Goes like stink when it runs right. I want one, but, being a po boy I gotta vote with my wallet.

[Lon]

Wow,, looks like everyone is wrong   I rode my indestructible XR650L for years on everything from MX (ouch) to single track (it actually rocked) but NO dual sport compares(imho) to the 2009 and later Aprilia RXV 450 except for maybe the 550... top of the line everything right from the manufacturer ... does everything incredibly well!!!!!!

Performance wise, you may be right.

Unfortunately, when "piston and rings" become wear items that need to be replaced every 5600 miles, it's just not the bike for me.

[hobie1dog]

I went in the back room of the Aprilla/Yamaha dealership recently and there were 4 Aprillia's laying on their sides, all supermoto style/dirt bikes, and the tech said that they all had electrical problems and that Aprillia keeps their service dept. profitable.

[Poustman]

'Dualsport' means different things to different people, of course, but for me it means a killer woods bike that I can legally ride on the street to connect trail networks.

As you point out, your meaning is extremely different than a killer street bike that can handle gravel and dirt roads comfortably.  The Versys and the V-Strom are, I think, on the far end of the continuum.