Small, light and portable dual sports...what are options?

[vulcanbill]

Plan is to get 2 bikes we can toss in the back of the truck while pulling the travel trailer.  Best of both worlds, donchaknow.  

I see the WR250 gets great reviews.  There aren't many out there used and they're bringing prime $$  But it looks like the KLX250 and the DRZ400 are the ones that are out there in pretty good numbers with reasonable prices.  Since weight is a huge factor, I want to avoid the 650s.  What other small but fun dual sports are out there that I'm missing that are light (300# or less) and fun?  Mid Maryland if you know of any.    Thanks.

BillO

[Cablebandit]

xt225
xt250
super sherpa

[vulcanbill]

forgot about the sherpa.  doesn't that hold ~ 11 drops of gas?  

[bluepoof]

xt225

 

[Cablebandit]

forgot about the sherpa.  doesn't that hold ~ 11 drops of gas?  

80 miles to the drop.  

[dtor]

The XT225 is a great little bike.

[garry]

For easy to find, affordable, and pretty bullet-proof, I think the DRZ400S is the way to go. The five speed transmission is the biggest downfall, but the stock gearing does a decent job of splitting the difference between single-track and highway. The bike hasn't changed significantly since 2002 when the "S" got the same fully adjustable suspension as the "E".

[JonS]

For easy to find, affordable, and pretty bullet-proof, I think the DRZ400S is the way to go. The five speed transmission is the biggest downfall, but the stock gearing does a decent job of splitting the difference between single-track and highway. The bike hasn't changed significantly since 2002 when the "S" got the same fully adjustable suspension as the "E".

While I love my DZR, they are not something you can just throw into anything. I've got the "E" and it's closer, but no cigar.
A Yamaha WR250 is renowned for being a good bike.

[DNA]

Just get the 'Tard - you know that is what you really want...

[Yankee Dog]

what kind of riding are you going to do once you get there. Single track, forest/gravel roads, pavement, just around the camp ground.  It might make a difference as to  your choice.

[vulcanbill]

The XT is getting the nod.  Wonder what kind of deal I could get on 2...  

[Deacon66]

The XT is getting the nod.  Wonder what kind of deal I could get on 2...  

My brother just bought a KLX250S (not the motard, the dirt oriented version) and LOVES it.  We've both been riding KLR's so anything light is a revalation.  For the money, the KLX250 is hard to pass by.  I will be buying one as well.

Best of luck with the decision.

[vulcanbill]

Guess I didn't bring this thread to completion...  We ended up getting 2 '13 XT 250s.  We got the new ones because they're fuel injected and while we could have gotten '12s cheaper, it seems a pretty nice thing to have for a few bucks.  We took a few days to get used to them by riding them to work and playing around the house.  The ride to work was a bit taxing as highway speeds are about all it can do with no room for speeding up or, say, going up hills.    But that was just a test and they're by no means expected to do high speed work during commutes.  If commuting is to be on the agenda, the back way will be taken.  

We've since had the opportunity to load them onto the truck and drag them down to Mississippi and play on some ORV trails.  REALLY happy we didn't try to get something with more POWER because it's totally irrelevant when you get into the woods.  These little guys have all you need for single track or technical double track.  And they're light enough to pick up if something untoward were to happen.  That light also translates into a drama free loading process when hauling.  I'm able to push the things up the ramp into the truck by myself and pick the tail end up with the grab handle and put it where I need it.  Nice.  

The saddle is leaps and bounds better than the WRs and the KTMs and the seat height lends itself nicely to being able to actually ride the thing since we're both about 5'8".  Kim's inseam is way longer than mine but the comfort of being able to touch the ground with confidence means many more things will be attempted off road knowing that the ground is a mere decision away as opposed to the WR which would require nearly falling in order to touch the ground.  

So, in all, we're very happy with the decision.  Seat height, tank capacity and available FI really sealed the deal over the KLX and the CRF.  Oh, and the fact that this bike has been made now for about 30 years had a little something to do with it as well.  

[GRN]

KLX250S got the vote for my money, spawned from true dirt bike DNA, comes stock with a much better than average suspension. Have put it through its paces and yet to have any regrets/complaints... except for the stock seat, but they all suck for long miles.