Bike to putt along FS roads and two-track roads? Need help picking

[sagerat]

So we're out hiking E of Bend with Baxter when a couple of guys go by on a KTM.  Ural Ballast Babe goes, "that looks like fun.  Maybe we should think about dirt bikes."  Could've knocked me over with a feather.

And it's off to researching bikes.  UBB's requirements is that it must have headlight (case it gets dark, and not so much for street legality, although it's a slim possiblity), be able to flat foot when she's on it, not too heavy, and not too powerful.

Based on that, we've looked at the following:  KLX 250, TW200, TT225, DRZ 400.  We'd go used as the budget allows for $3K at most for the bike.  What I know about dual sports is...nada.  Help a brother out here with any info you have.

And I mentioned the BMW 650, KLR 650 and Honda XL650R and they were uniformly bounced.  

[speedjunkie]

The KLX250S is somewhat tall, at least compared to the other mentioned bikes.  The KLR250, and DR200 weren't mentioned.  As for first time, beginner DS, I'd probably steer away from the 400, unless she's ready and wants a little more power.  Otherwise, just about any of the 200cc class bikes would be GREAT starter bikes!  Light weight, nothing overwhelming power wise, handle VERY well, and all nearly bullet proof!  I believe there are a few of the fairer members here that have the XT225, so maybe they will chime in.  Good luck!!



Mike

[Nny]

I have experience with the BMW F650 GS, the DR 200, and have sat on a KLR 650.

The F650 is pretty heavy, especially for a new dirt rider who will more than likely take a few spills.  Getting to the dirt would be really smooth though..

The KLR was too tall for me to feel comfy on at 6' with a 32" inseam.  There's no way she'd feel comfortable on it unless she's that lady from Goblet of Fire.

The DR 200 sounds good to me as well.  That was my MSF course bike.  Had decent get up and go, light, and not scary at all.  Plus it's street legal so you can ride it to the trails as well.  Depending on how tall she is and how much she weighs she might be able to flat foot it.  I could...  But I can flat foot a fair amount of bikes.

[Johnny Monsoon]

Well...

If street legalism isn't required, the smaller trail bikes like my TT-R125LE would be a good choice.  You could get some TrailTech HID lights and mount them up easily.  They're a blast to ride and the e-start makes things very easy.  Super light, and low.  While I do feel a bit silly  on a small bike when the big bikes are out in the open parts of the trail, it all vanishes when I get into the tight stuff and start having tons of fun; especially when I see the 'big, "real" bikes' getting stuck everywhere.  There are a couple of places like Baja Designs that sell headlight and blinker kits for the TTR bikes (and similar) as well.  

I'd much rather have a dirtbike for doing dirtbike stuff (provided you have a trailer).  I am guessing this is just for fun; so the TW200 or XT225 would be my pick for either.  The KLX is a rather tall bike, if she's a shorty, she's not going to be happy with it (at least in stock form).

[kurtw]

First, do you need to be street legal or not. This thread so far is steering to dual-sports but your requirements say street legal is a non-issue. That should change things completely.

You've got great dirt biking options out there and it sounds like street legality isn't a priority. So regardless of how fast or slow you plan to go, why weigh yourself down with all those dual-sport bikes? Weight and size are liabilities you don't need. Not to mention that gearing, tires, and other road-biased factors will make them more difficult to ride off-pavement than a dirt-bike regardless of your riding style/pace.

I'm thinking something along the lines of an XR200/250 for BB and an XR400, DRZ (dirt only version), or some such for yourself. Or, a good KDX is a great bike out there if you want a cheap, light 2-stroke that isn't too high-strung. Any of those should come in within the budget and serve you very, very well out there.

Then go put around Four-corners/Millican or China Hat and have a blast!  

BTW, I'm hoping to come up to Four-corners/Millican this week or next if you want to try to meet up.

Some examples - note all shown have headlights.

XR200s


XR400 and DRZ - note the XR is mechanically simpler and easier to maintain, slightly older-tech


KDX

[kurtw]

If street legalism isn't required, the smaller trail bikes like my TT-R125LE would be a good choice.  You could get some TrailTech HID lights and mount them up easily.  They're a blast to ride and the e-start makes things very easy.  Super light, and low.  While I do feel a bit silly  on a small bike when the big bikes are out in the open parts of the trail, it all vanishes when I get into the tight stuff and start having tons of fun; especially when I see the 'big, "real" bikes' getting stuck everywhere.  There are a couple of places like Baja Designs that sell headlight and blinker kits for the TTR bikes (and similar) as well. 

Yep, and AFAIK, it's still possible to licence dirt bikes in Oregon for street use if you get a dirt bike and decide that you want to do that. If you have questions on this type of thing, a good resource is the Oregon Dual-sport Riders group:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Oregon_DSR/
I've licenced a few dirt-bikes in Oregon over the years without any hassles, but some DMV offices and/or personel may be easier than others...

[sagerat]

Thanks for the input.  We're both basically six-footers (I can flatfoot the KLR 250, once the springs squash) and we're in the 175-205 pound range.

Street legal is a requirement as the bike may also be used to go to work.  Plus we don't have a trailer, so they may need to be ridden to the trailhead.  We don't have any storage room at our place for a three-rail trailer. (Hmm, renting a storage room, buying a trailer, need some off-road gear, yep, getting a set of entry-level dual sports will sure be cheap, honey!   )

There's a used dirt bike and dirt riding guy in Redmond that I'll have to check out.

Sorry for Kawi confusion, it was the KLR 250 we were looking at, not the KLX.

kurtw:  I've got to make a quick trip to Eugene on Fri to pick up a friend's ashes, but we should be around for the wknd.  PM and we'll see if we can get together.

Thanks again all for the advice and feel free to keep it coming.  

[ZED]

Some that would work well but likely be too tall for her to flat foot:  KLR650, F650GS, KLX250, (and some of the true dirt and MX bikes)

Good dual purpose candidates:  KLR250, XT225, Kawi-SuperSherpa

My wife rides an XT225 when the going gets too much for her reach on her KLR650.  It's streetable in case we end up needing to.  We've both ridden the SuperSherpa and think it's a bit better (more solid) of a bike but couldn't find a used one.

[Nny]

Given that you're both around 6ft' the dr200se should be fine and get you to the trail as well.  Don't know about higher speeds, but looking back on it now (after riding MUCH more) the dr was pretty forgiving and light.  And that was my first time riding ANY bike.  Not saying anything bad about the others, but that's all I know from my experience.  I would *not* recommend an F650 for primary off road duty as a first dirt bike as it is pretty freakin' heavy to pick up (My gf dropped it once).  

[Johnny Monsoon]

Hands down the KLX250S.  It is mild enough for a new rider, and is truly a dirtbike when it comes to suspension, etc.  Amazing machine!  It can also do road duty quite well (better than a DRz400).  Take a look at my review in this forum on the KLX250S: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,2758.0.html.  You get so much with this bike for the money it is mind-blowing.  Add to the fact that you can step up to 330cc with factory parts (and not void the warranty) plus doing some performance mods.  It also has the most comfortable saddle in the truly dirt-able realm; good for a couple hundred miles easy.

[Ghost Rider]

KTM or DRZ would be my pic for that criteria. However myself... I'm probably going with the KTM 950 or 990 Adventure.

[Johnny Monsoon]

KTM or DRZ would be my pic for that criteria. However myself... I'm probably going with the KTM 950 or 990 Adventure.

KTM 950 or 990 ADV for putting around on trails?!?

KLX250S or DRz400.  Even some XT225s would be fun just for putting around.  The KLX is the true dirtbike in the bunch, the DRz400 is pretty close, but tall and less comfortable to ride, and less comfortable on the highway/roads, the XT225 is more comfortable to sit on than the DRz400, but won't have the power or suspension, and also not great on road.

Are you wanting to explore or trail blaze?  The KLX250S will allow you to do both.  The XT225 is better at exploring.  The DRz is more focused on thrashing but takes a good bit of muscle and a long reach to the ground to do so.

[Ghost Rider]

KTM 950 or 990 ADV for putting around on trails?!?

An no.  

But for some single track, some technical riding, with alot of dual track, FS Roads and pavement inbetween, YES a KTM 950/990.  Yes they are big and heavy, but I've seen pics and video and heard of first hand accounts of those bike being quite able to handle just about anything in their way. The weight is low, plus you have plenty of cargo cap, a nicer ride on the road, and good enough range (about 200 miles, or 380 miles if you get the 10g tank).  I'd much rather RIDE to the dirt, then DRIVE to the dirt.