Dare I Ask?

[Stoneman]

Okay, for those that may have been following along, a street-legal dirt bike is most likely my next stead. As usual, I'm looking for actual real-life experience. Not your 'uncle's buddy who had one', or what you read on another online community. Just real shit relevant to what I'm looking for. I'll try to lay out best I can it's intended and/or expected uses...

Right now, I'm really getting drawn to the 400's (and up). There's some decent deals out there on (DRZ's/WRF's/CRF's) 400's especially that are already street-legal DIRT bikes that can also be had with street components thrown in. My mind & body however tell me that a 250-ish would much better suit my skill set. BUT, I don't wanna sell myself short and eventually get disappointed with a 250...

I'm GUESSING it's usage breakdown would be somewhat as follows:
50% local backroad town roads & dirt roads
40% discontinued roads, logging & fire roads, ATV friendly trails
The remainder would be little rips down the store & what-not. Steady speeds of 50+MPH on (NH) route 28 north of say, the Epsom traffic circle. Once in a great while, even taking it to & from work in Manch where steady speeds of 50-60MPH would be needed. I tell myself now that I'd have little use for single-track totally gritty off-road use...

Keeping in mind that I'm pretty much only interested in DIRT bikes that're street legal. I may or may not go for one with the motard conversion thrown in as well, so let's just asume NOT. It's a dirt bike, so comfort is really not relevant here - I KNOW the seats suck for long street rides and the wind's gonna nailing me and there's no weather protection...I get that. Based on WHAT YOU KNOW PERSONALLY about the above, would I be selling myself short by going with a 250, and/or would a 400-ish be better suited?

I'll try to keep my replies as civil as possible if we can stay on track. If I've left anything out and you feel it's important to the discussion, please ask...

[Chippertheripper]

A 400+ would be better, for sure.

Please stop what you're doing, and go buy this:

http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcy/4046479798.html

That gen lc4 (even with the old 'zokes) is quite possibly the best all around dualsport (with amazing woods capabilities(even though it's not light)) ever built. Gear it up for highway capabilities, and just let the bike do the work offroad.
If I had any $ at all, this would already be in my garage.

[Stoneman]

Yeah, see...Even Bill's KTM 510EXC was too much for me. I immediately knew that even as smoooove as it is, that'd I'd NEVER be able to adapt to that kind of zing. Outfuckingstanding bike, no doubt. But WELL beyond my capabilities will ever be...

[Chippertheripper]

This is a different platform. This motor is much milder, like an xr vs crf sort of difference.

[black]

ever think of a xr650r? i have a motard one ( street legal but before that it ran on dirt rims).... does all that quite easy. ( 70 mph cruise down I-95) just not good for dirt trails where a real woods bike would be needed.

[GixxerJosh]

I have a small street/dirt bike, XT-225. I have put about 5000 street mikes on it and some trail riding. I love it!! 75mpg It is a lot of fun. Only thing missing is I would like a touch more power.

[TheIglu]

+1 to Chip's recommendation. Go buy that thing and learn to love it. Won't take much.

[Trouble]

Hmm. I like Chip's suggestion. Mmmmm. Electric and kick start....

I have a '99 WR400 and enjoy riding it. I'm running non-DOT dirt tires and have it sort of set up to ride in the woods so the suspension is spongy on paved roads and it's squirrely when they're wet. It has plenty of power for me (150 lbs) but it's still manageable in the woods, even on single track. I don't have much experience with other street legal dirt toys but I would think a 250 would get old on the street quickly. The WR is incredibly fun and some day I'm going to lose my license for either drifting on dirt roads or doing wheelies as I leave from stop signs.

[Stoneman]

I appreciate the toss outs for the 650's. But I'm almost certain it's between the 250's & 400-ish's at this point. They're not entirely outta the question, but not really where I'm heading with this...

[Stoneman]

I have a small street/dirt bike, XT-225. I have put about 5000 street mikes on it and some trail riding. I love it!! 75mpg It is a lot of fun. Only thing missing is I would like a touch more power.

There's a really well set-up WR250 for sale here (NESR) that's really appealing to me...

[GixxerJosh]

There's a really well set-up WR250 for sale here (NESR) that's really appealing to me...

I would say that would be a blast. The hondas have more power than my Yamaha. I am 200lbs and I still get through the gears fast and can run 70-75 on the highway. Very nimble little bikes

[Stoneman]

There's a really well set-up WR250 for sale here (NESR) that's really appealing to me...

I would say that would be a blast. The hondas have more power than my Yamaha. I am 200lbs and I still get through the gears fast and can run 70-75 on the highway. Very nimble little bikes

The WR250 IS a Yamaha. Go check it out in the For Sale section. VERY nicely set-up, albeit a bit pricey. It's REALLY got me thinking hard. Something keeps telling me I'll be happiest with a dirt-oriented 400 that's already been outfitted & regi'd for the street though...

[Stoneman]

http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/4098503454.html

Something like this just screams out to me. Short money too (although we all know I'm gonna work on that)...

[Chippertheripper]

The lc4 is cheaper, and better in every way.
Really man.
If you do get a drz the very first thing you need are some tt case savers.

[R7]

Right now, I'm really getting drawn to the 400's (and up).

Keeping in mind that I'm pretty much only interested in DIRT bikes that're street legal.

The only interested in Dirt bikes part makes it pretty simple.
As I've mentioned in the past, the KTM exc/excR and xcwF 400/450 is without a doubt what I'd be looking for if I were you. They are IMHO the best do it all bikes....and that's coming from someone who has a soft spot for Yamaha! haha The 6spd gear box is key, which most other bikes don't have. It gives nice low gearing for anything tight and technical, and in 6th you can cruise with the flow of traffic pretty much anywhere.
Keeping on the dirtbike topic, you'll still enjoy the enduro models from any of the big 4. Most offer electric start and easily support the lights needed for street use...and in your area, most used ones have already been converted to a street plate. Stay away from the MX type dirtbikes, while they are fun on the roads...you'll suffer in the woods with it.
The road legal "dirt" bikes from the any of the big 4 are overweight and under powered

[gregp]

Having been pretty much in your shoes already, I would recommend: A DR650 - great at everything you want it to do. The seat sucks, but can be swapped out for Seat Concepts kit for $175. A KLR650 - Good for everything, but that tank/fairing is cumbersome. An XR650L - Tall, but very off-road competent. Better than the previous 2 off road -not as good on.
Beyond them, you start to get into smaller bikes. A DRZ400S will do what you want, but it will be slightly revvier at higher speeds. Mine topped out at around 75 MPH. The 5 speed transmission will leave you wishing for a 6th....Which a DR350 has! I like DR350's. To me, they are better than the DRZ's for simplicity and competency, all around.
I hate LC-4's. They are unreliable paint shakers. I owned 2 of them, and had extensive experience with a 3rd.
At this point, I would not recommend a Euro bike, unless you want to get very serious about your off road endeavors.
JMO.

[gregp]

Oh yes - a WR250R. Good bike. Smaller is better for dirt riding. The little WR-R is pretty good at everything, but you will have to wind it up pretty tightly. A WR-F is a different animal - and you will not like it on the faster street sections. A KLX-L or a new CRF-L will most likely leave you wanting more power on the open road.
The DR650 is heavy, but can be easily lowered for shorter folks, and its motor is *sweet*. A DR350 is less powerful, but it is the Swiss Army Knife of Dual Sport bikes. A DRZ only gets an OK from me.

[ben10281]

I bought a 2009 WR250X this year and LOVE IT! Previous bikes have all been sportbikes with plenty of giddyup.(YZF600/GSXF750/CBR929/Duc 996) I also owned a few 2 stroke dirt bikes in the past as well, but didn't spend a whole lot of time on them.

I went on a 3 day trip in VT this year and had a blast on the WR250X. My buddy was riding a Monster 695 and the only time I really noticed a big difference was when passing cars or hitting stretches of 60+ MPH riding(he easily cruised up to 80ish, while I topped out around 70ish going downhill with the wind at my back, laying on the tank) Now my X version is the SUMO version so I cannot speak to the road-ability of the R version's dirt wheels, however most of the guys on the forums seem to have no issues taking trips ranging from around town to big ol ADV style mammoth trips with lots of miles.

The suspension is soft(but that is something you would probably change on any bike purchased so its not the end of the world) and seat is on the higher side(its a dirtbike) I am about 5'9 155lbs and can touch ground with both toes, or shift my ass to one side and plant my foot firmly on the ground, no biggie. I have had a smile on my face since the day I rode it for the first time. To me it is just simply fun to ride. Compared to other bikes it may be heavy for the motor size and under powered, but if you can forget the facts for a second and just make a determination based on actually riding it you may find that you enjoy it just fine, I know I do.

From a maintenance standpoint it is a pretty standard Japanese bike that seems to run with little fuss. My bike is completely stock still as I was determined not to make any changes until I had ridden it for a while. After this season of riding the only changes/mods in store for next year are light duty dual sport tires. (Distanzias) Hell as long as it puts a smile on my face, I don't see any reason to dump money into it.

The last thing I will mention is that it is very confidence inspiring, I rode my bikes everyday when I owned my first three bikes, then had a kid and didn't ride the Duc very much at all and started to feel less in control. I jumped on the WR250X and immediately felt like my old self again, plus I had a new excuse to find dirt roads to ride on.

Hope that helps in some way.

[gregp]

DRZ Achilles Heels = Paper thin engine cases - get guards as mentioned. Brake and shift levers go through the mag and clutch covers with some regularity.
Also - the 2nd gear bushing. There is a brass bushing in the output shaft that can get crushed by over torque-ing the counter shaft sprocket - once. This cannot be repaired without splitting the cases. If the bushing gets crushed, the entire transmission will lock up as soon as the counter shaft nut is starting to be tightened. If the counter shaft nut is left "loose" - this is why. Any attempt to re-torque the CS nut will stop the rear wheel dead.

[maxim_X]

Had a DRZ. It's very bland and does what it should do. It will suit your needs. But, there are better options out there.

[nhbubba]

[nhbubba]

The WR is incredibly fun and some day I'm going to lose my license for either drifting on dirt roads or doing wheelies as I leave from stop signs.

Gee, that sounds like a ton of fun...

[OreoGaborio]

I'm half tempted to sell you my 400EXC, but I never did the paperwork on it so it's still in the previous owners name
I really regret slacking on that.

[nhbubba]

Why does that matter? Taxes? NH tax rate is helpful in that respect.

[Stoneman]

I'm half tempted to sell you my 400EXC, but I never did the paperwork on it so it's still in the previous owners name
I really regret slacking on that.

You've got my attention...