Dual Sport Suggestions

[Josephd14]

So, I'm strongly considering going with a DS, Rode dirty when I was in teens and earlier and nothing since, other then a quick rip on a friends. Anything to stay away from? Would like something a bit agile, but I am a fat bastard so not looking to break any trail records.. I searched the forum but really didn't find anything under any of the search combos I put out there, even links to info would be great. Thanks..

[richw]

assumiong reasonable price

more dirt DRZ400s

More street KLR 650

street plus dirt roads Strom, or versa, strada

[ChR1s]

Cost conscious? Trails more than dirt roads? Ability to pull highway duty for short stints? Suzuki DRZ400S. It can handle nasty stuff at a moderate pace, and has enough power to pull a fat bastard through it.

[Josephd14]

Yea, what i'm hearing is DRZ bit quicker in the tight spots, KLR for all around fun and comfort.. I'm looking to go cruising through the trails not really looking to go ripping through woods, i'll get an all out dirt bike when it comes time.. worried about my size vs bike that will suit me better, I'm 5'9 240ish..

[The Crashing Tomato]

CRF450 X ....... making mine street legal this week or next check this thread out http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...t-crf450x.html
offers the best of both ..... great trail bike that is strong enough for the street

I Looked at a lot of bikes over the last several months. most have their issues and none are trouble free. just have to ask your self "what else do I want to do with it?" dirt mostly .... track day here or there ( motard wheels? or not?)
trail to street back to trail (hopping)?

there are so many bike choices out there ........ I almost bought Tony's WR as it has lots of street cred stuff already on it and it is reggied.

I just don't like yammy enough

Kawi offers the KLX 300, and 400 that you can pick up used for a couple of G's but they are more street oriented

as rich said the DRz is more dirty

the KTM's are expensive and last I heard have not worked out the grenade effect.

Aprillia is on the move with a great bike but for 9-11 large I could but two CRF's

I tried the CRF 250 4-stroke and it move like a fat guy on a bmx bike ....a lot of noise and slow to arrive.

The Honda 230L is more street oriented and reggiable off the shelf but not that great of a trail bike

hope this helps

[gregp]

I own a 2000 DRZ400S and I love it. Sure, it's not as light as a KTM, a WR, or a CRFX, but it is reliable as a cinder block and fast enough for me. If it ever died, I would buy another one in a heart beat.
I owned a KLR as well, and the DRZ is a much better dirt bike. They both are decent enough street bikes, with the KLR seat being the only thing that sticks out in my mind as being an important factor to consider. The DRZ seat is narrow, and you will feel it after a while.

[ChR1s]

Yea, what i'm hearing is DRZ bit quicker in the tight spots, KLR for all around fun and comfort.. I'm looking to go cruising through the trails not really looking to go ripping through woods, i'll get an all out dirt bike when it comes time.. worried about my size vs bike that will suit me better, I'm 5'9 240ish..

The KLR is a good do-it-all compromise of a bike. It is NOT a good dirtbike. The bike splays the legs while standing, and it's super top heavy. The seat is on the tall side for a bike that can't move very quickly through the woods. Get it stuck in mud or sand and you'll soon realize what "wet weight" is all about.

The DRZ is extremely reliable and requires little maintenance, and it's a good enough dirtbike that you can ride it just about anywhere off-road that a true dirtbike can go. It's got much better suspension for off-road, too. If the seat height is a real obstacle, a quick remedy is lowering links Cool thing about the lowering links is that it's only a few minutes of work to swap them.

There're other options out there, but for your dimensions, and for ease of use, the DRZ is hard to beat.

[Josephd14]

Thanks guys you have been great, I'm really leaning toward the DRZ400 as far as an all around bike for the money. My head ache is coming from an "s" or "SM" the sm is geared more toward street/track where the S toward ON/Off Road all around riding. I really want the abilty to go to the track in the future with it, so am I better off to go the S route where most of my riding will be on/off road and a track day from time to time, and buy some after market 17" wheels.. I know the suspention on the SM would be better for the track but will the Suspention on the S serfice for the occasional trackday, if I throw on the 17 inch wheels with some Power Pilots? or am I better to get the SM and get some dual purpose tires to keep on it, and take the street tires/wheels off and just use them as needed? Will the SM suspens surfice for me off road. Now Like I said I'm not going to ripping through an MX track just for putting off road and through some trails and dirt roads? Anyone that has been down this road or understands what i'm trying to do. I have a TRL for all out street riding, so this would be 50% street 30% off road and 20% track.. Thanks again for the advise and help..

[ChR1s]

I'm not up the DRZ400SM's details, but if you want something track worthy, and don't mind dropping nine-large...

[R7]

KTM 450/525/530EXC is your answer My 525 has been one of the most reliable bikes I have owned. It's also the smoothest running single I've ever ridden.
Get the KTM sm wheelset and you have a bike that can do anything you want year round. I've got probably 4k street miles on mine, 2 or 3 open practice sessions at NHIS back in 2006, 2k dirt/trail miles, and at least a few weekends of ice riding...best investment ever for me

[Josephd14]

I would like to go the KTM route, I just cna't open my wallet quite that far YET!! but I do have some future plans. I've been told DRZ SM is the way to go, and put on some good dual sport 17" tires, such as Avon Distanza's ?? and then when I got a few extra bucks maybe over the winter, Buy some 18/21 S wheels with the sm Brake rotors for quick swapping, the down fall is the more aggressive braking of the big SM rotors in the dirt but I think I will be ok for my riding, and a good first dual sport if I deside to go down this road.. Thank you all again for help and Suggetions..

[gregp]

I'd love to get some 17" wheels for my DRZ, but the price of two wheels rivals the price I paid for the entire bike!
If you do get a DRZ-S, look for a 2003 - up. The first two years of the "S" had damper rod forks and no rebound adjustment on the shock (like mine!).
If you can find an '03 -up for a good price, the next thing to look for is one that somebody has already done the FCR carb swap for you....
The SM comes with inverted forks and larger diameter rotors, if that stuff is important to you.
FWIW- The KTM's are great bikes, but I have two friends who have EXC's, one a 450 and one a 525. They both run super hot and boil over in the tight stuff. The 525 keeps killing the battery in 35 miles. The battery is new and the bike has done this since it was new. He has installed the Baja Designs "fix" for this and it still has not gone away. (I just got off of the phone with him). He also installed a JD jet kit, radiator fan (KTM), and a catch bottle for his boiled over coolant. Both bike run circles around my DRZ, but I haven't had to touch my DRZ since I bought it 4 years ago. Neither of them can say that. Besides, I cringe at the though of having to break (and re-peen a master link) the cam chain to remove the head on a KTM (Husy's are the same).
The DRZ does have one achiles heel, and that is the 2nd gear transmission bushing that can be damaged upon over tightening the CS sprocket. So, if you are looking at a used DRZ, check to see that the CS sprocket spins freely and is not bound up (in neutral, rock the bike up on its side stand and spin the rear wheel. It should spin freely. If it feels like the brake is dragging, press the caliper in to loosen up the pads, and try it again. If the wheel is still dragging, move on).
Try Thumpertalk for more info on DRZ's.
Good Luck!