Big Dualsport Adventure poll

[USA MEDIC]

I have had a 1150GS, Aprilia Caponord, and a Vstrom. 6'4" 265

[mtrider16]

XR650R - 5'9" 220lbs

[bluepoof]

BMW F650GS,  5'1", 120 lbs

[R.Markus]

KTM 640 Adventure.    5-08 / 155 lbs.

Wouldn't buy a different bike...the only "big dually" I would consider is the KTM 950.

[speedjunkie]

I'm 5'11", 190 lbs.  I own both Tiger and a KTM LC4.  Wouldn't trade either of them for anything!



Mike

[Mrs. DantesDame]

R1150 GS  6', 160lbs  

I like the GS, but its a little unwieldy on any dirt that even hints at being "technical". I'm also afraid of dropping it and not being able to pick it up. Overall though you know that I love that bike  


(didn't your mom ever tell you you're not supposed to ask a lady a question like that??)

[Max Wedge]

I have a street legal KLX300. It's my 'dirt' dual sport, and one day I'll have GS as a 'road' dual sport.

edit: 5'8" 180lbs

[USA MEDIC]

R1150 GS  6', 160lbs  

(didn't your mom ever tell you you're not supposed to ask a lady a question like that??)

You were supposed to say 6' and DEAD SEXY!!!

[kken]

1986 Honda ct110, 5'8", & 175lbs

[Cricket]

I have KTM 450 EXC street legal short hop on the roads are ok. But once you get to dirt it’s a total blast. Lower the gear ratio and Wolfmans fender bags, Flat Land racing radiator guards. Moose Skid plate and Cycra Hand guards so far getting ready to order a bigger gas tank.
  The big problems some people are having are maintenance with the bike how frequent the servicing and the low oil volume.

I’m 6’ 2” 210 # 36” inseam.

[hig4s]

I voted other,, get a KTM 950 Super Enduro  

[R.Markus]

I voted other,, get a KTM 950 Super Enduro  

I like everything about that bike except the seat is just too wide...if I had one it would definitely have to be re-sculpted to make it narrower.

[Global Rider]

Not only do I want to know what bike your riding, but what height and weight are you, and would you prefer a different bike now?

2004 BMW R1150 GS Adventure, 2003 BMW R1150 Adventure, 1990 BMW R100 GS and 1986 BMW R80 G/S Paris Dakar.

6' 1", but that isn't what matters; the 33"/34" inseam is what really matters when riding a tall motorcycle. I flat-foot my GS Adventure.

200 pounds.

Prefer a different bike now? With four BMW GSes in the stables since first ownership in 1991, are you .

[hig4s]

I like everything about that bike except the seat is just too wide...if I had one it would definitely have to be re-sculpted to make it narrower.

Anything around 320 pounds or less I never worry about getting both feed down. But the KTM is over 400lbs so I suppose it would be nice to get both feet down.. You could always go with the KTM 950 Supermoto,, virtually the same bike with street tires (17 inch front and rear) instead of dirt tires (18 inch rear 21 front). Makes it handle better on the pavement and lowers the seat 2 inches. Switch the streets for dual sports and it is still a fine BIG dirtbike.

[R.Markus]

Anything around 320 pounds or less I never worry about getting both feed down. But the KTM is over 400lbs so I suppose it would be nice to get both feet down.. You could always go with the KTM 950 Supermoto,, virtually the same bike with street tires (17 inch front and rear) instead of dirt tires (18 inch rear 21 front). Makes it handle better on the pavement and lowers the seat 2 inches. Switch the streets for dual sports and it is still a fine BIG dirtbike.

I'm not worried about getting my feet down...I just don't like having that much seat under my butt, especially in the dirt.

[sagerat]

6'1" and 205-210.

I can flatfoot my GS and it's a great bike, but a bit of a handful at low speeds.  That or it's me, which is probably more true.

[Tejasbusa]

DL1000 V Strom, 6'2" 210lbs.

Only thing it could use, is a shaft drive, but other than that, good bike

[JetJaguar]

DL650 V-Strom, 5'9", 170-ish lbs.

It's pretty good for a big DS bike, though I wish it were a little more dirt-worthy out of the box.  I want to pick up a small (in the 250cc range) dedicated trail bike, but then that's getting outside the scope of "big dualsports".

[R.Markus]

I want to pick up a small (in the 250cc range) dedicated trail bike, but then that's getting outside the scope of "big dualsports".

Yes, but it's well within the scope of "fun".

[JetJaguar]

Yes, but it's well within the scope of "fun".

True, a lot more fun.  Florida is mainly sand, and the V-Strom is too heavy to be fun in a lot of places it otherwise would be if only the ground were made of dirt.  A TW200 with it's balloon tires would would be perfect.

[dougc]

I ride a street legal 2000 XR650R with big tank and taller gearing as a dualsport.  I ride an '01 with lower gearing as an off-highway rig.  Both are uncorked and rip!  The '01 easily keeps up with my son's 85 CR500.

I wanted a dualsport that was a true dirt bike albeit not an MX by any stretch.

I stand 5'9" and weigh 250+ depending on season.

[techieguy]

KTM 625 SXC.  48 years old, 170 lbs, 5'10", 31" inseam.

[Mac]

Not a big dual-sport, but mid-sized. An '04 DRZ-400s. I'm 6'5" and 270 lbs with a 36" inseam.

[hig4s]

Was just down at the KTM shop and they are releasing a 690 Supermoto soon.

[FlowBee]

KTM 950 Supermoto.   5'11"  185lb.

[marc11]

KLX250s 5'9" 165 pounds.  No big adventure bikes for my scrawny butt.

[Madtowner]

04 1150gsa 6'3" 220lbs

[C_H_A]

6'00". 200 pounds.
KLR650 and not regretting anything.

[R.Markus]

6'00". 200 pounds.
KLR650 and not regretting anything.

Is that the big Ruckus you have, or the little one?

[hotspice]

5'8" with a 29" inseam and I'll be tooling around on an 07 R1200GSA with the low seat starting this summer.

[Ducky149]

03 SXC 625...6'0" and 265....33 inch inseam

[PackMule]

6'1", 33" inseam, 185lbs (give, during the summer; take, during the winter)


KTM 620rxc, KLR 250. (VFR800)


The KTM is the most fun bike I've ever ridden (well, maybe tied with a 620 Duke I rode in Cali).  Long term, it's not the best adventure bike, IMO, because of the maintenance factor.  

I'll take a hard look at the new BMW G bikes when I'm up for a new all-rounder.  Also DR650, and maybe the new KLR.  If I could get a wee strom with real suspension, that might be about perfect.

I used to want a GS or 950adv really badly.  I've come to realize that they're just too big (er, overkill) for what I want to do with them.

I still use the KLR 250 for trail scouting and winter riding.  It's a lot easier to ride (and get unstuck) by myself if I'm not sure where I'll end up.  And the soft power and mushy brakes are perfect for the snow.

[dlrides]

KTM 950 with "S" suspension  
KLR 650 for local
6'6" 230lb

[SWriverstone]

KLR650, 6'0", 220lbs...and I put RAISING links on it!   (Well, only when I was carrying 80lbs of gear...I put the factory links back on for daily riding.) And yes, when I first got the bike, I did the "stopped on a hill and put my downhill foot down, but it didn't touch ground and DOWN I went" thing.  

Scott

[DavidLSI]

I own V-Strom the Big Ugly....

I love it and find it very comfortable,  256 lbs and 5'9"...

I do not have anything other than my old GS1100E...

I ride it daily and put 18K of the 21K I rode last year on it.

SeeYa
DavidLSI

[sleazy rider]

R1150GS Adventure, 5'8" and 160 pounds, not to mention the 30" inseam.  It's a handful, but careful planning and brute force win the day.  No, I don't want another bike.  Well, maybe a 2007 Concours 1400 with all the toys to replace the Trophy.  

[DangerMoney]

R1150 GS  6', 160lbs  

I like the GS, but its a little unwieldy on any dirt that even hints at being "technical". I'm also afraid of dropping it and not being able to pick it up. Overall though you know that I love that bike  


(didn't your mom ever tell you you're not supposed to ask a lady a question like that??)

A guy we ride with intentionally put his 12GS on it's side to show us how to pick it up. I've done it, it's easy. I'm 6'0, 175 lbs. Put it in gear before you pick it up and it won't roll away from you.

[KTMinNV]

Gots an 05.5 KTM 950 Adventure for my 5'9" 190 pound so-called "body"

Lance

[Oddball]

DRZ400E, weight 260#.  Picked it up for almost nothing and love it.  Now I want the R1200GSA.

[Beatkiddo]

BMW f650gs, 5'10", 180

[FRZY]

05 Triumph Tiger
5' 10'' (with boots on   )
150 lbs.

and yes I can pick it up  

[wacky_woodchuck]

I voted Other....

2006 Buell Ulysses, 6' 220lbs, 32" inseam.  And I'm on the balls of my feet.  So far it's been heaven for my 5000 miles on it.  this past weekend was my first forray into the wet and dirty that are Ohio back roads.  It was rainy and they were slick, but the D616's held up okay.  Just have to remember that it is a 500lb street bike and not a 250lb dirt bike.

[old wanderer]

2002 Aprilia Caponord......5'10" 190#  30" Inseam....

[ZED]

I like my KLR due to it's capability from everything from dirt trails to the highway.  I wouldn't want one of those other big monsters for anything other than paved or gravel roads.
I'm 6'2" and wiegh about 190lbs.

[blakebird]

6'-1" 220lbs, riding ~40yrs

I've had an R1150GS Adventure, and it was probably one of the best overall bikes I've ever had.
But I just got back from a week in Mexico (Copper Canyon), and rode 1100 miles on my plated XR400R. For the switchbacks down to Batopilas, I would not have wanted my R1150GS Adv. in it's place!
But the XR was not the best on the road.

I've had XR500R, XR600R, XR650R, KTM LC4 Supercompetition, KTM 300EXC, KTM 520MXC (dualsported), KDX220R, DR650, and the XR400R.

The DR650 is an excellent (and cheap) alternative. I could see a KLR650 in my future as well - maybe I just want to try them all!


But my optimum 2nd bike now...the one I've got at the top of my list?

KTM 640 Adventure.

Perfect for exploring Colorado, and a bike I can ride to Mexico and tour on down there

[Bad Dad]

Just picked up a DL-1000 Strom. Haven't registered it yet and it's to wet to take it on the track I have on my land. I've ridden one on the road and it'll scrape the pegs just fine A little buffety around the helmet though My current Adv. bike is a dirted XR650L ( The Silk Purse, Ya know pigs ear and all that) I'm 6'1 200lb. 33 inseam.

[forester]

I ride the v-strom, I'm not interested in purchasing a different bike, since this one works so well for what I do...5'10" 200# 33" inseam.

[bluesurf]

VStrom DL-1000:


And since the KLR and DR-Z have been mentioned, a DR-Z400S:



The 950 Adventure has been looking rather tasty, also.  If the DL-1000 weren't so well set up already, then one of those could be in the near future.

[duckbill]

Bike, KTM 640 ADV. Medium size with extra large gas tank. Me, 154lbs., 5'10" with a big bladder.

"Unless you are on fire, you can never have too much fuel."

[itsatdm]

 95 kawasaki klx650C and 92 Yamaha TDM850.  5-10 200#   Like me, I like old, overweight, and out of date motorcycles.

[kdub]

Hmmm, well if money were no object, I'd have have one of each.  I currently ride a wee strom but I've had my eyes on a new Tiger or GS.  6' 2"  228 and 34" inseam.  The wee is a great bike - just wish it had a few more ponies.

[Paul Barnard]

I have a VStrom 650.  I'm 5'11" 175.  If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably go with the 1000.  Right now I have the 650 and an SV1000S.  The VStrom 1000 fill both roles in a single bike.

[TLGREEN]

   I love my KTM 950.  I'm 5'7" tall about 150 pds.  I've taken this bike where it probably shouldn't go & have dropped more times than I'd like to admit but it sure takes the Abuse.  Rode an 1150 gs for awhile but never would have taken it off road like I do this bike.  
I'm presently looking for something smaller to do the tight trails but until then I will continue to muscle my 950 around!!
ps... The guys all said I could never handle this bike

[johnwesley]

klr 650 5'10 210lbs. Love the klr. My dad has the 1200adv and that is a awesome bike but I would not push it off road like the klr. You can drop a klr and improve its looks  

[johnpitts01]

Honda XR650L

5' 10" 210lbs.

I love this bike.

Idaho 2006; http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166318

Will be riding TAT 2007.

Looking half-seriously to upgrade to KTM 950 Adventure, but I can't bear the thought of giving up the XRL!

[R.Markus]

Looking half-seriously to upgrade to KTM 950 Adventure, but I can't bear the thought of giving up the XRL!

The 950 would be great on the TAT...but so would the XRL.

That was a good ride report, I remember reading it when it was written.  

[cosmoose]

V-Strom.  I'm 6'1" (34" inseam) and weight about 165.  

I suppose if someone threw a KTM 950 at me and ran away, I might ride it around a little...  But I like the 'Strom a lot.

As a note, I have an actual dirtbike (DRZ400) for riding in actual dirt.  The 'Strom is a streetbike for me.  

[kurtw]

"Big bikes are for wussies, buy a little KTM"

6'1", 165lbs
KTM 640Adv and,
KTM 450EXC dualsported/supermoto'd depending on the day.

The 640 is almost perfect for a lot of things. I toured on it last summer, ran an AMA dual-sport rally the summer before, it's great around town and the twisties, and has what it takes to be thrown around like a big dirt bike. In short, I've used/abused the hell out of it. But wait for the new 690s 

The 450 is dualsported and street-legal, plus it has recently been serving supermoto duty at the kart tracks.

[tshelver]

Husky TE610, with a Renazco saddle (even taller than stock  ), Promotobillet rack and side bag protectors with Ortlieb panniers, Baja Designs Tecate HID high / 75W MR16 low beams, GPS and Valentine One.  Oh yes, and a 5 gallong tank ready for install.

Had an R11GS, not nearly as tall as the Husky but too heavy / tall / cumbersome / undersuspended for easy dirt cruising, and an F650 'classic', which was better than the GS in many ways.

Also ridden the KTM 950 Adventure (IMHO ideal adventure tourer for people who actually ride dirt roads) and the R12GS.
Somehow after riding all of these, I ended up with the Husky...

[rc30boy]

GS1200, 6'0", 215 lbs.  The only real complaint I have is too many computers controlling too many vital functions, and if the computer fries, I'm done.  That is kinda scary when I'm waaay out in the sticks.  Other than that, this thing is quite possibly my perfect bike.

[rockmantex]

I am 6'3" , 196 lbs and have a 06  650 V-Strom & a DRZ400S.

[Codys]

KTM 950 adventure

A little surprised at where this thing has taken me.  A set of DOT knobs and into the sticks we go.  ONce done with the dirt  it rips the pavement all the way home.  I'm hooked  

6'0"
180 lb's
33inch inseam
I occasionally tip over  . Renazco saddle is a couple inches taller than stock. The bike carries it's weight well aka low but sometimes.....