Pelican Parts Forums - Dual Sport Bikes (2024)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1329268260.jpg

KTM 990 Adventure R

When I was getting ready to buy a dual sport last year, I read up on the DR650 and XR. It was a tossup between the two.

I'd suggest a DRZ400 with mods. Previous owner of mine did exhaust, cams, FCR carb. It'll scoot well past the speed limit without a problem. It's relatively light, cheap, and gets good mileage, BUT the lack of 6th gear really sucks on the road. I want to do a road trip to the Rockies or do some of the TAT, but I dread riding the slab for more than 10 miles without seeing curves. That's where the DR650 would be better, IMO. DRZ probably does everything better than the DR, XR, or KLR, except for long distance.

DRZ is my first bike, so take my advice very lightly.

My very first post:

I love the 990 Adventure, don't get me wrong. I've ridden one a little bit and really enjoyed it. My buddy that went to Prudhoe Bay on his KLR was accompanied by his neighbor on a 990 Adventure. The three of us ride together a bunch, and said neighbor really wanted to try out my 900 SS, so we've swapped a couple of times.

I'm afraid, however, as cool as it is, it's a bit big for my needs. Maybe as an only bike, but I've got three dedicated street bikes, so my dual sport will be a smaller bike, definitely a big single. Interestingly, the closer they got to Prudhoe Bay, the more the neighbor wished he had a KLR. The closer they got to back home (after a month on the road), the more my buddy wished he had the 990 Adventure.

Speaking of big singles - I love the SR500. But, alas, it's a street bike. We have a very active cafe' racer scene in the Seattle area and, believe me, there are some SR500 cafes' to die for. Very, very cool bikes. I kind of see them as a Gold Star that has brakes and runs every day. A cafe'd SR500 is certainly on my short list - what a hoot that would be.

Most fun bike I own: KTM 625 SMC - Have a pipe, jet kit, better seat and street legal knobbies. Great for back roads, dirt or paved. Not much range or luggage capacity.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1329274190.jpg

What I keep for the tight single track: Honda XR650L. Pipe, jet kit, high compression piston, big tank. Models from 1993/present are all the same. Buy an older low mileage one for $2K. I can ride dirt from Greenwater to Mission Ridge...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1329274303.jpg

Ah, yes, I was hoping you would chime in, Bob. So, the KTM has grown on you, in spite of your wife coming home with the "wrong" bike?;) That does look like a fun ride.

The Honda really hasn't changed in all that time? I know it's been virtually the same bike, but I figured they would be making at least little changes over the years. But boy, if I can really pick up an older one cheap, and not be giving up much if anything to a newer one, why the hell not? Then I wouldn't feel so bad about leaving it outside with a cover over it. Hmm...

My very first post:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins
I'm starting to entertain the idea of a dual sport thumper in the 500 to 650-ish range.

Sorry. I hear thumper and go right to old school along these lines.

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSytapnmq5qR2lExQr5qByb5HzP8BRa3 cbg81M_t_qoWwc9vXABylX2Qlomxw

Jeff: Yes, like the KTM now. It's not for the single track, but 56 RWP, light, good suspension and great brakes. That's what I get for buying a bike when I'm out of town for Nascar and telling my wife to pick up up.

True story on the Honda, check part numbers. A close friend from High school has been a bike mech all his life and now owns two Honda dealerships. Like he sez: "Buy the KLR if riding mostly on the street, the Honda for the dirt. I've had both and prefer the Honda...Come over and ride when you get one....

Absolutely, Bob - I would love to have you show me around over there. It's been 30 years since I used to go over at least once a month and ride the slag piles and woods beyond.

One of the things that has kind of rekindled my interest in riding off road has been, well riding off road. Of a different persuasion, though. Snowmobiles. A buddy in North Bend has two sleds, but no steady riding partners, so I've been "forced" to ride his 2004 Polaris 800. I had never been on a sled in my life until this winter, and I've had a ball. We've been riding out of Gold Creek. using the more eastward entrance by Crystal Springs.

I have had a hard time really getting into the sleds, though. I find them kind of awkward after years on bikes. They just feel weird. On top of that, I see their use as pretty limited, and it's a PIA to load 'em up and haul 'em to the trailhead.

The whole time I'm on one, I'm wishing I was on a dirt bike. No desire to go back to loading one of those up on a trailer again, either, plus our roads are mostly restricted to street legal vehicles now anyway. So, to me anyway, the obvious choice is a dual sport. And it's looking like the Honda is getting to be the obvious choice there...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1329280261.jpg

You owe it to yourself to ride a real supermoto. Many are hardcore but Husqvarna makes a milder version as does KTM and few others. The Husky (it looks more hardcore than it is, not that it's weak but it's not an MX bike with street tires) >

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gal...005%20%201.jpg

Jeff - I'll show you and your buddy where the good snowmobiling is. I've done 1,100 miles in the past 2 months (knee replacement slowed me down a bit)

I started riding the "slag piles" in 1970. Did 500 plus miles a year on those trails once I built my cabin at Lake Cle Elum.

Honda would be good for you, you have long legs. Suzuki 650 is a direct copy with a lower seat height, but they came into the game much later, so no deals on older "low mileage" models"....CU on the trail, did a valve adjust on the KTM 2day to get it ready.......

A rather bullet proof machine. Lots of aftermarket parts if that interests you. Good balance between full dirt and on road machine. Not goobs of plastic, that adds unnecessary bulk or weight. Its just a great do it all machine. You may look for Peter Egan's piece in Cycle World from about 8 mos ago on this great machine. I will try to find it and link it to you.

I have been riding since age 8, and also have a '99 BMW R11 which I love, but has been riden very little since I purchased the DR a few years ago. My riding partner (who drives an 87 930) also has a DR. He too has been riding since childhood. Our goal is to one day ride the Trans America Trail.

We do a lot of fire roads, national park service roads, some single track, and trail rides in the North GA mountains. At times we ride straight from home and these bikes are a charm in the paved twisties. Other times we'll trailor to save the knobbies....

Good luck with your search!! yaz

Reminds me of the old days.... loved the old Yamahas!

I owned a KLR650. My friend owned the BMW GS650. The BMW had WAY more power. I did feel the KLR was under powered, esp. at higher altitudes and when fully loaded with the camping gear. It was manageable, but not much passing power! I really like my friends BMW and it still is stone cold reliable. If I had to get one again I'd get the BMW.

IMHO, if you're going on longer trips you'll want a windshield. This is something the other mfgs. do not offer (at least stock). The high windshield will enable you to be more warm and FAR more comfortable for the hours you'll spend on the highway. Without it the constant wind trying to rip you off the bike is very tiring. The other bikes just don't seem to be geared all that well either (at least for highway speeds for long periods of time).

So, I'd go with the BMW 650, but the KLR is a fine bike. Either way, BE SAFE! Those 18 wheelers coming at you on a narrow two-lane at 65+mph are NOT fun!.

Al

Something like this to get started:

1995 Honda XR650L

Includes bigger tank, good exhaust, luggage rack and extra tires. Lots of grins for cheap.

Is this 2005 XR650L for $2950 a good deal then?

2005 Honda XR650L

2005 Honda XR650L, 10802 miles, 4.7 gal Clarke tank, comes with stock tank as well. Skid plate, wide footpegs, Luggage rack, HD aluminum handlebars etc. Some spares and workshop manual. Tabs good till 2013. Clear title.

Eric - Yes, looks to be a good deal on a clean bike....I've searched prices nationally, and the prices really vary for a dual-sport. They go for more here in the Northwest where there are prime riding areas. They bring less money in the Mid-West.

Reminds me of the old days.... loved the old Yamahas!

DTO Garage Plus vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.