Psssssst! If you want to talk about bikes.....

[scottzilla]

I know, this place has been pretty edgy lately.  Nobody comes down here to dirt lovers.  It's the basement of STN.  The assho's are in OT talking nonesense, they will never even know we're down here.  

My crazy buying pattern may be coming to an end.  The XX isn't going anywhere and I really like the Tuono. It may indeed be the perfect naked for me.  
The KLR opened up a whole new world for me and I give it credit for that.  It's big, heavy and every other negative you heard about though. Wonder if something lighter may be in my future?  

So if you want to talk about bikes, c'mon in.

[DogBoy]

Notice how you enjoy road bikes with good suspension and (relatively) light weight? Those features are even more important off-road. Try something a little more exotic and you will love it. You can still drop it and get it dirty and not feel bad.

[mugwump58]

Now that my KLX 250 SF is a 300 I realize that it's going to become a disturbing trend...

I'd really like to see some of the 450s turn into street bikes with tire sizes that allow for some of the dual purpose tires not really available in the smaller 17" wheel range. Then I can have my cake and eat it too!

A motorcycle forum? What a novel idea!

[scottzilla]

Roadworthiness.  It has to do well on the slab.  The KLR is suprisingly ok on the hwy (knobbies cause some weave and nasty headshake around 75 or so).  If it can't do 200 miles at hwy speeds, it's no good for me.
Also, it really can't be too racy.  Trail riding is ok but racing through the woods may grab the attention of the police, angry hikers and nearby houses.  I don't want my bike impounded.  
This is what keeps me from looking at KTMs  .
Plus, they're expensive.  

[garry]

Ridersville Cycle in Berkeley Springs (WV) was selling 2011 Husky TE630s for $6100 OTD (pay sales tax, etc in your state). That's a crazy good price for a very nice 50/50 dual-sport bike. Might be worth looking around your neck of the woods for a Husky dealer with a leftover.

[Meemuh]

I picked up the boy a little Honda 70 this spring.  After 1 season, it looks like he's a fan.
He's only 9 now, but eventually I'd like to do some trail riding with him.

This isn't anything I know anything about - but I'm going to have to start saving my pennies for something.
Suggestions?

[kurtw]

Notice how you enjoy road bikes with good suspension and (relatively) light weight? Those features are even more important off-road. Try something a little more exotic and you will love it. You can still drop it and get it dirty and not feel bad.

+1

Roadworthiness

Well, you just can't have it all. If a WR250R is as roadworthy as some people say, and still be geared reasonably for offroad, then maybe that (I haven't ridden one).  Otherwise, any of the 650 class machines can be roadworthy in terms of motor and reliability, so it's just a matter of setup and how well they meet your offroad needs.

My KTM690 is a stellar bike offroad and with it's smooth revy motor and a little windscreen installed, it's great on the road too. As long as I am okay with burning up knobbies (it's part of the deal).

I'm know the same could be said of the Husky TE (great deal above). Even an XRL or DR 650 could be set up to be usable on the road and still handle offroad better than the chunky KLR.

----

From the weekend before last: light-weight overnight loop around SE Oregon with lots high-speed desert riding, many technical bits, some slab, silt, etc, plus a couple more day rides from base camp.

Three ways to get the job done -

[Mac]

I would also look at the DRZ 400s. Yes its heavy, but still lighter than the KLR. It is underpowered, but makes more HP than the KLR. It is not the cheapest dp bike out there, but is waaaaay less then a KTM.

I've had it on the hwy at extra legal speeds for hours with no issues. It performed well in an enduro race, but tended to get heavier after the 10th time I dropped it. The seat it pure murder on the behind, but name an offroad bike whos seat isn't.

All in all it is a great all around dual purpose machine.

[Meemuh]

+1



Well, you just can't have it all. If a WR250R is as roadworthy as some people say, and still be geared reasonably for offroad, then maybe that (I haven't ridden one).  Otherwise, any of the 650 class machines can be roadworthy in terms of motor and reliability, so it's just a matter of setup and how well they meet your offroad needs.

My KTM690 is a stellar bike offroad and with it's smooth revy motor and a little windscreen installed, it's great on the road too. As long as I am okay with burning up knobbies (it's part of the deal).

I'm know the same could be said of the Husky TE (great deal above). Even an XRL or DR 650 could be set up to be usable on the road and still handle offroad better than the chunky KLR.

----

From the weekend before last: light-weight overnight loop around SE Oregon with lots high-speed desert riding, many technical bits, some slab, silt, etc, plus a couple more day rides from base camp.

Three ways to get the job done -

Just gotta say - awesome pic.

[scottzilla]

Ridersville Cycle in Berkeley Springs (WV) was selling 2011 Husky TE630s for $6100 OTD (pay sales tax, etc in your state). That's a crazy good price for a very nice 50/50 dual-sport bike. Might be worth looking around your neck of the woods for a Husky dealer with a leftover.

My Honda dealer sells Husky and I missed that sale by a week.  He had already sold the last one he had (Or could get).

[scottzilla]

The WR could be the bike.  It has to be easier to pick up than the KLR.

[Ack535]

I picked up the boy a little Honda 70 this spring.  After 1 season, it looks like he's a fan.
He's only 9 now, but eventually I'd like to do some trail riding with him.

This isn't anything I know anything about - but I'm going to have to start saving my pennies for something.
Suggestions?

I started trail riding this past year with my son, and have been having a total blast. Like it way more than street riding, which is funny because I never would have thought that in a million years.

I started on a Honda XR200 but quickly moved into a XR250 which is a much better bike. Absolutely love the XR250 light, fast, easy to ride, but plenty of power.



You will have tons of fun with your son!

[Cablebandit]

Ridersville Cycle in Berkeley Springs (WV) was selling 2011 Husky TE630s for $6100 OTD (pay sales tax, etc in your state). That's a crazy good price for a very nice 50/50 dual-sport bike. Might be worth looking around your neck of the woods for a Husky dealer with a leftover.

Really!?  I was on their site last week and didn't see any in inventory.  That is a pretty good deal.

[KLRchickie]

The WR could be the bike.  It has to be easier to pick up than the KLR.

Much, much easier to pick up!  I know from experience

I don't *want* to do long stretches of slab on the WR (with either dirt or street wheels on it), but it CAN be done on that bike.  Get a bigger fuel tank & it's good for a substantial amount of mileage.

[scottzilla]

Is the DR650 that much better than the KLR off-road that it could be considered a compromise between the KLR and WR or is that a stretch?  

[sammyseaman]

Is the DR650 that much better than the KLR off-road that it could be considered a compromise between the KLR and WR or is that a stretch?  

It's been a long time since I rode the DR650 but I'd think the DR400 would be right about in between a KLR and a WR250  

I grew up on dirt and really miss it. Me thinks my next bike will be a DP, but which? DR400? WR250? XR250? XR400? DR650? I just can't decide!   I know one thing. It has to be reasonably priced  

[kurtw]

Just gotta say - awesome pic.

Lots more where that came from if you want an RR thread.  

The DRZ is a solid DS bike that is capable of highway miles. It's more of a compromise of course.

IMHO, you really have to decide first if you want to optimize for on-road or off-road (even if it's deciding 60/40 or 40/60) when choosing the bike. Then set it up for whatever compromises you need to make. You'll get nowhere starting from the premise that you want a lightweight offroad bike that is comfortable for long highway miles, and oh it should be cheap too. It doesn't exist. For a reason...trying to build it will be an expensive exercise.

Edit to add: Ack - love those little XRs!

[Meemuh]

Deciding on use is the easy part....
80/20 dirt & trail.  I've got a couple I can play with already on pavement already.  The only street use a DS would see is going from farm to farm around home...

[servicerifle]

 You can still drop it and get it dirty and not feel bad.

Feel bad?  Hell most of the time you can't even tell!  

[Gat]

I have a 2002 XR400 that I street titled earlier this year.  I don't mind doing some single track riding but I found I really love dual sport riding!  There are the few area's about 30 minutes from my place where I can run all the 2-track and gravel I want.  I've hooked up with the local ADV and dual sport guys and we try to ride about once a month.  Dual sport guys are fun as there's quite a variance between machines.  KLR, titled dirt bikes, BMW GS's, Triumphs, even a hacked Goldwing