Dual-Sport Recommendations: BMW 1200GS, F650GS, Kawi KLR or Versy or ?

[R Doug]

PS…

The Versys and the Multi all have off road ergos making you, the rider, feel more comfortable off road.  But, these are pretty much on road bikes.  Think of them as an AWD crossover SUV.

The KLR, DR, and 650GS are more off-road ready with the ergos and the suspension to better handle off road conditions.  These bikes can also be used for touring with the right farkels.  I know a guy from WV who traveled to California and back on a DR w/ an aftermarket seat and windscreen.   Two GREAT bikes in the large thumper area is the KTM 690 Enduro and the BMW 800GS.  They're not cheap, but they can truly deliver the best of both worlds.  With these bikes, you have an adequate touring rig and an adequate off-roader.  Think of these bikes as a no freels Jeep Wrangler.

If you want something bigger than the bikes mentioned in the above paragraph, the BMW GS (the big one) and KTM 990 Adventure are what you need to consider.  With these “big trailie” bikes, you have excellent touring abilities and good to fair off road ability.  You can think of these bikes as Land Rover luxury sport utes.  

If you prefer more off-road ability, there are bikes like the DRZ400, Husky TEs, and the KTM EXCs.  Here, you are getting into bikes that come the closest to a full on dirt bike but you fall below the adequate status in terms of touring ability.  These bikes are more like serious modified off-road Jeeps.  

[R Doug]

Oh yea, one more thing....

In regards to the smaller thumpers mentioned in the last paragraph above, you can get moto wheels and tard the bikes to go terrorize your local go-kart track and favorite twisty bits of paved road.  After riding a proper tard, you'll wonder why you'll need a Monster in your garage.  

Ask me how I know.  

[KLRchickie]

After riding a proper tard, you'll wonder why you'll need a Monster in your garage.  

Ask me how I know.  

Whadda ya mean?!

Monsters & Motards make great friends!


They're different *types* of squidly fun!

[UFO]

MTS 1200

Uhh, the MTS isn't a "dual sport" bike...then again, neither is the giant GS in my opinion.

[Nodaclu]

Was looking at a Seca II as a potential purchase in another thread, so I found one locally to go sit on yesterday (it was absolutely trashed and the sale price was crazy high, but it served its purpose for answering a question I had).

It was then that I remembered that I'm all legs.  

I was bound up like a pretzel on the Seca II. It was workable, but not comfortable. It reminded me that I even found the pegs on my DL650 to be a little higher up than I'd like. This has been one of the biggest stumbling blocks for me in terms of comfort on long terms trips. My knees start to lock up after an hour in the saddle, causing constant stops and limiting my range on any given day. (Even on a route that's 50% freeways, it can still take me 10 hours to ride 300 miles - just need to stop and stretch too many times - that and the fact that I eat WAY too much on the road.   ),

The same place I looked at the Seca II also had an 07 KLR for sale. I wanted to sit on it, but it was wedged in a corner. I was also trying to keep the 14 year old daughter from climbing all over the dirt bikes on the showroom floor... .

I need to go back and throw a leg over to get a feel for the ergos. I'm probably a 95% road, 5% Jeep trails kind of rider, but I'm also slow and have found my comfortable limits in the twisties. Now I just want to kick back and enjoy the view around me.

Wow....I think I'm talking myself into a KLR.  

I really like the idea of something simple, basic, reliable, easy to work on, and easy to find loads of aftermarket parts for (the same thing that's making me lean toward a 4.0 Liter TJ-Series Jeep Wrangler as my next automobile).

Nice 2001 KLR 650 here locally for $2000.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/1898292022.html

To bad I won't have the cash until next month.  

[Nodaclu]

Found a nice 1990 Tengai for $1,850. I forgot about them.....L-O-V-E these bikes!!



Since I'm looking at 95% street riding and 5% dirt roads (no trails), it makes some sense to me to go this route.

I know there are some differences - especially involving the bodywork. Anything different that would prevent adding hard luggage to the Tengai's?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Nice 2001 KLR 650 here locally for $2000.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/1898292022.html

To bad I won't have the cash until next month.  

Damn - that is a good deal     You could always go look at it and if it speaks to you, give him some sort of deposit to hold it for you (unless he needs the cash immediately). Just write up some sort of agreement that he holds the bike (and it remains in the condition its in) until you come back with the balance. If you're not back by day "X", then the money is forfeit. Or something like that...


Because that's a nice looking bike at a great price  

[Nodaclu]

Also just found another Tengai with 26K on the clock that I may be able to get for right around $1K. At that price, I could afford to rebuild the whole thing if I had to.   I'll check it out on Friday or Saturday.

If that falls through, I'll probably talk to the guy selling the 2001. I'm noticing that there seems to be plenty of KLR's on the market out here, and they aren't moving real quickly. I know there's some good deals to be had out there.

[atadaskew]

Found a nice 1990 Tengai for $1,850. I forgot about them.....L-O-V-E these bikes!!



Since I'm looking at 95% street riding and 5% dirt roads (no trails), it makes some sense to me to go this route.

I know there are some differences - especially involving the bodywork. Anything different that would prevent adding hard luggage to the Tengai's?

Man, I remember drooling over those when I was broke and in school.  I guess the Versys is the equivalent now..

[DogBoy]

Wow....I think I'm talking myself into a KLR.  

I really like the idea of something simple, basic, reliable, easy to work on, and easy to find loads of aftermarket parts for (the same thing that's making me lean toward a 4.0 Liter TJ-Series Jeep Wrangler as my next automobile).

I've got a 2006 DR650 with low miles (4400) that I'm probably going to sell real soon. Even if thats not exactly what you're looking for, you're welcome to come give it a look and take a spin so you can check it off the list. I'm local.



edit for clarity.

[Nodaclu]

I've got a 2006 DR650 with low miles (4400) that I'm probably going to sell real soon. Even if thats exactly what you're looking for, you're welcome to come give it a look and take a spin so you can check it off the list. I'm local.

Thanks, I appreciate that! I just may take you up on it.