250 Dual Sport

[Bowtie76]

I've got a plated crf45r it's a beast in the woods.  No fun on the road but I can link trails with it.

[Sport-Touring]

[rajflyboy]

That's always a good idea especially for someone with your riding expectations.  My only word of caution is most states are heavily cracking down on anything with a "offroad" vehicle designation on the title.  For example, you would not be able to plate a 250X with a Baja designs kit here in NC.  

In short, it's a great option but do your homework so you're not stuck with a bike you can tag and ride legally on the streets/ roads.

Thanks for the advice

About 10 years ago I sold a Honda xr650r that had a NC Tag

I should not have sold it.  Awesome ride!

So..  NC is not friendly now a days for doing this?   Or is the Baja kit not the tight one for this state now?  

[kwb377]

You also can't plate an off-road bike here in Alabama, however...

South Dakota will tag your bike. The paperwork is available online (I can't remember where I found it...should be easily Googled. There are threads on various forums like Thumper Talk, etc.), have it notarized and mail it. A couple of weeks later they'll call and take payment via CC over the phone. A coupe of weeks after that, a tag and title arrive in the mail with your home address listed. You can either run that tag, or take it to your state DMV and transfer it...it does not have "Off Road" listed anywhere on it. I did it with my KTM 200 EXC, and several others I ride with have done it with various bikes that would otherwise be untaggable here (XR400, 300EXC, KDX, Yamaha YZ, etc.). It cost me @$53 for the KTM.

From off-road only to tagged in Alabama, via South Dakota...

[rajflyboy]

You also can't plate an off-road bike here in Alabama, however...

South Dakota will tag your bike. The paperwork is available online (I can't remember where I found it...should be easily Googled. There are threads on various forums like Thumper Talk, etc.), have it notarized and mail it. A couple of weeks later they'll call and take payment via CC over the phone. A coupe of weeks after that, a tag and title arrive in the mail with your home address listed. You can either run that tag, or take it to your state DMV and transfer it...it does not have "Off Road" listed anywhere on it. I did it with my KTM 200 EXC, and several others I ride with have done it with various bikes that would otherwise be untaggable here (XR400, 300EXC, KDX, Yamaha YZ, etc.). It cost me @$53 for the KTM.

From off-road only to tagged in Alabama, via South Dakota...

Great tips!  Thank you so much !  Very good to know.

[snowjob]

Still looking?

I love riding dirt (even more than ST).  I have a CRF250L, KDX200 & Alpina 350 that are all "plated" currently.  In the past I have owned YZ250s, YZ450F, KTM Freeride 350 and an XT600.  For hop on and ride, the Honda is awesome.  I beat the crap out of that bike and it just keeps going.  Yes, it is underpowered and overweight, but that has never stopped me from every kind of offroading on it (other than MX).  My wife likes it so much that she has encouraged me to buy nothing but Hondas from here on out.  In general all dirt bikes require a lot more wrenching, but the Honda keeps that to a bare minimum.

That said, there are better choices depending on needs/riding situation.  The WR is a better bike, but more costly.  Nearly as reliable.  The KTMs are much better off-road, but I have had very poor experience with reliability and the amount of wrenching needed.  If you do get into hardcore offroad, you may end up looking for a 2-stroke.  They scared the crap out of me on an MX track initially, but they can be awesome on the trails.  If I could plate a new Beta XTrainer here in WI, I would likely get one as a modern version of my KDX.  The licensing trick above used to only apply to bikes older than 15 years, not sure if that is still the case (EDIT, that was via VT, not SD.  I have some research to do   ).

Good luck and get dirty!

[jay547]

Ok Smarty people

What is the best 250CC Dual Sport bike out there or even a 250 trail bike with light.    I really like the Honda and the Yamaha.    Any other thoughts.     I want Fuel Injection and Electric start

I will primarily be riding it offroad.   I don't need it plated but I wouldn't mind a plated dual sport either.

It appears that you never got one.

The 450 is here now.  

[rajflyboy]

It appears that you never got one.

The 450 is here now.  

Amen Brother

Honda wants over 10g for that 450.  Might as well get a KTM

[jay547]

I'll catch flak from the Kool-Aid guys but I'd rather have the Honda.

[rajflyboy]

I'll catch flak from the Kool-Aid guys but I'd rather have the Honda.

I like the Honda but 10g for something  I want to beat the hell out of ?

 

[02Tac]

Did you ever get a DS?

I did yesterday, KLX 250.

[jay547]

Did you ever get a DS?

I did yesterday, KLX 250.

I saw it on Ridedualsport.com. Good looking bike.  

[02Tac]

Its a shame it hardly get used!  


Couple farlkes;
Sargent seat!
Hand guards - mainly for wind deflection when cold
GPS with powered mount
Denali DM lights - fantastic little units. 1/2 my commute is at night so they are a necessity
KX air snorkel
Speedodrd speedo correction unit. Stock it rad 9.5% high!
PMR rear rack and Apache (Harbor Freight) top case.
Cogent 7.0 kg/mm rear spring

[jay547]

I had a Sargent on my DR. Best seat ever, amazing.