Welcome to NESR! Most features of this site require registration, including replying to threads, sending private messages, starting new threads, and uploading files. Click here to register.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 26

New Duel sport time

  1. #1
    Lifer
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    holland ma.
    Posts
    2,826

    New Duel sport time

    With borders starting to open up around the world i want to get cracking on another round the world bike build. I left my last one in Europe due to covid. With so many new models out and in limited supply i cant really decide what to buy. Without the ability to test ride anything i need to look at reviews and advise and go from there. If anyone has any first hand knowledge of any of the bikes im interested in please chime in.

    So i have narrowed it down to a half dozen or so bikes at this point. I have ridden none of them or at least none in the last decade or so.

    Honda CRF300l or rally.
    KLX300 (almost bought this yesterday but it seems the people at Flamingo have no interest in sales anymore, only to chat about fishing. Probably best i didn't anyway, Its coolant tank is a stupid design and almost certainly going to cause me issues.)
    GPX fse250. (seems silly but having a chinese clone can be a huge advantage out in asia.)
    DR650
    DRZ400
    XR650l
    KLr650
    WR250R

    Having done legs of a round the world trip before i know a smaller bike rules and simple is better. I also know to stay way away from anything Euro too. You cant even legally own big CC bikes in alot of countries so spares are near impossible to get.
    I really like the CRF but it has a lot of know weaknesses mainly the suspension which can be fixed and the frame which can only be improved but not solved.

    1 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Last edited by boosten lebaron; 11-11-21 at 01:48 PM.

  2. #2
    Lifer
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Boston
    Posts
    1,207

    Re: New Duel sport time

    I have a Crf250l with a few mods that also increase power. It’s a great bike and I think would be perfect for Asia. I installed an Acerbis tank to increase range by 50%. Suspension is fine for most roads but weak for serious off road. I am not ware of any frame issues. My vote is for the crf. With stage 1 mods, I saw an indicated 89 mph on the highway. Real speed probably about 82mph. It will cruise comfortable at 70 mph all day. Lots of parts available. Lot so mods if you feel like it. Great vike

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    '15 Ducati Scrambler, '13 Multistrada 1200S, '07 VFR, '14 CRF250L/M, '15 FJ-09, '23 Tuareg

  3. #3
    Awesomeness, Inc. MattR302's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    New Haven-ish, CT
    Age
    39
    Posts
    1,644

    Re: New Duel sport time

    Depends what type of riding, the speeds, and the terrains.
    I’ve got a DR650, I used it to ride the MABDR back in May loaded with full camping gear, and did a track day a couple weeks ago in supermoto form. That MABDR trip was 75% highway slab back from VA/TN and was surprisingly comfortable.
    They’ve been unchanged since 1996 so tons of parts available and and nearly unlimited aftermarket.
    Plenty of good condition used ones with desirable upgrades for sale.
    I believe due to emissions, they haven’t been available in Europe for a few years though - not sure how that affects parts availability over there
    If you’re near central CT you’re free to take it for a spin.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Last edited by MattR302; 11-11-21 at 10:19 AM.

  4. #4
    Lifer
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    16,509

    Re: New Duel sport time

    No experience riding around the world or in most of the countries/regions you are headed.

    But I'm interested in hearing more about the CRF frame issues. First I've heard of this.

    I've owned a DRZ400 and ridden a CRF250L back to back. My read was the 400 made more power and somehow weighed less! Felt more agile and more "zippy".
    But the CRF was fuel injected and just bullet proof. Not that the DRZ is/was a problem child by any means.
    I've heard great things about the CRF300; that it is a worthwhile improvement over the 250L.

    I am not sure I would throw a CRF300 Rally out of my garage..

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  5. #5

    Re: New Duel sport time

    The duel between the dual sports!

    7 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  6. #6
    Super Adventurer SRTie4k's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Dublin, NH
    Age
    39
    Posts
    5,677

    Re: New Duel sport time

    I have a CRF250L Rally, and I personally think the CRF300L Rally makes one hell of a good argument for the perfect RTW bike. Fuel efficient, long service intervals, enough power and really easy and fun to ride. It's got a wide ratio tranny and enough suspension travel to make it good in the rough stuff (the 300 rear shock was actually improved from the 250), but also excels at on road riding, and the Rally package adds a bunch of real niceties for touring. The 300 will do 80+ mph as well and has enough wind management to make it comfortable at those speeds. The biggest complain I have is that the 250 is somewhat heavy, but the 300 variant lost somewhere around 10lbs compared with the 250. It's still light enough that picking it up is not really all that difficult.

    If I could only have one bike to do everything in the small dual sport segment, it would easily be the 300 Rally. The only other bike I'd consider is the WR250R, which you should really add to your list.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Last edited by SRTie4k; 11-11-21 at 11:18 AM.
    2023 KTM 890 Adventure R

  7. #7
    rides bikes
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    1,226

    Re: New Duel sport time

    I assume you're looking at the XR650L and not the R? If so, it's been around forever and largely unchanged, so parts should be easy. Pretty bulletproof platforms that are super well-supported in the aftermarket, forums, etc. Not the most exciting thing to ride, but it's cooler than a KLR!

    If you're looking at the R, I have had a few of these and always liked them. Only major issue I had was one that had chewed up second gear, which isn't uncommon. Once you get them tuned and figure out your starting sequence, kick starting them isn't a huge deal. Also well-supported in the aftermarket (though may be dwindling since they're getting older). KLX650s are very similar, but are also coming up on 30 years old, unless they're actually re-releasing which has been teased for years. Not sure you want to be too far from civilization on something old enough to drink, but new enough to have electrical complexity.

    DRZ400s are great bikes too, provided expectations are set correctly. Another largely unchanged platform that does well pretty much everywhere except the extreme ends of the spectrums.

    Assume you mean DR650? Basically the same story as an XR650L.

    Never owned a KLX300, but never heard a bad word about them. If you're really covering miles you might want more displacement (I would), but if you're getting technical overseas it could be perfect. I rode a KLX140 in Indo for a while and I was glad I didn't have something bigger.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  8. #8
    Lifer OneCheekRider's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    LA
    Posts
    1,600

    Re: New Duel sport time

    I'm biased, but WR250R should be a consideration IMO. Same bike since '08, decent performance, extremely reliable, and lots of aftermarket add-ons available to outfit to your liking. Yamaha just killed it but there may be a new leftover somewhere, otherwise plenty of good used options for not much money.

    I just did a trackday on mine this past weekend, this morning I swapped wheels, and I'm headed to the desert for two days of off-road riding this weekend. The yearly Baja dual sport trip is in the spring where I strap a Giant Loop saddle bag on the back for a week-long adventure.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Last edited by OneCheekRider; 11-11-21 at 01:42 PM.

  9. #9
    Lifer
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    holland ma.
    Posts
    2,826

    Re: New Duel sport time

    Thanks for the suggestions guy. Couple things to clarify-

    I mean dr650 and xr650l. I dont think they make the xr650r anymore.

    The CRF250l has a weak back section that has been known to snap when loaded. Its not really an issue for normal riding but the ones that spend time loaded to the gills develop cracks or break entirely. The 300 was supposed to be upgraded to lessen it but time will tell.

    KLX650 has been updated this year but to be honest its not really to my liking. Too big and heavy i think. I was really only considering it because the KLX300 is a bit of a let down with coolant tank being mounted where it is.

    Bigger displacement isnt really a concern of mine. I did most of my riding overseas on a 125. Other than french motorways with an 82mph speed limit i really didnt need much more that the 125. I did swap in a 150 kit at some point which made it just near perfect for what i needed it to do. Good chunks of Asia dont need any speed or power really. I had the 150 in vietnam and cambodia and i was really worried about the insane drivers there but it turned out a 150 is bigger than anything they can buy and is faster than most cars and trucks to i actually was fine with it. I could overtake and pass 99% of the people there. Top speed on the highway was barely 50 most of the time. In Morroco you were lucky to see 40mph.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  10. #10
    Lifer zxme's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Mass
    Posts
    2,204

    Re: New Duel sport time

    New Duel sport time-161c9e0e-3929-4220-b06f-4fa460c1778c <—- mine now…had a KLX 250, CRF250L and now a 2018 DRZ400SM
    The KLX was a complete dog and suspension sucked.
    The CRF250L was built nice and fuel injection was a plus but again a complete dog also, the only thing I liked about it was fuel injection.
    The drz is carbed ( might be a good thing if you are ever stuck ) but the bike is bullet proof. Some report 40-60,000 miles without tearing apart the engine . I went through a few bikes before I bought mine and I absolutely love it it’s not a highway bike even though I got 103 on GPS.
    If you’re interested you’re more than welcome to take it out for a spin I am in the Lawrence Andover area

    1 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Last edited by zxme; 11-11-21 at 03:50 PM.

  11. #11
    Lifer
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    holland ma.
    Posts
    2,826

    Re: New Duel sport time

    Quote Originally Posted by zxme View Post
    New Duel sport time-161c9e0e-3929-4220-b06f-4fa460c1778c <—- mine now…had a KLX 250, CRF250L and now a 2018 DRZ400SM
    The KLX was a complete dog and suspension sucked.
    The CRF250L was built nice and fuel injection was a plus but again a complete dog also, the only thing I liked about it was fuel injection.
    The drz is carbed ( might be a good thing if you are ever stuck ) but the bike is bullet proof. Some report 40-60,000 miles without tearing apart the engine . I went through a few bikes before I bought mine and I absolutely love it it’s not a highway bike even though I got 103 on GPS.
    If you’re interested you’re more than welcome to take it out for a spin I am in the Lawrence Andover area
    Do you think if your CFR was a 300 it would stack up a bit better against the DRZ400? I really like the idea of FI but im not opposed to a carb.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  12. #12
    Lifer zxme's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Mass
    Posts
    2,204

    Re: New Duel sport time

    Quote Originally Posted by boosten lebaron View Post
    Do you think if your CFR was a 300 it would stack up a bit better against the DRZ400? I really like the idea of FI but im not opposed to a carb.
    Maybe but still only at 76mph (GPS) If a short highway commute then definitely give the Honda a try but hitting the throttle on the 300 vs the 400 is definitely not the same.
    Try the 300 , getting rid of it will be very easy to do if you no likey
    A very reliable one is also the Yamaha XT225, Watched a lady on YouTube that put 30,000 miles on hers and it’s air cooled ( reliable)

    https://youtu.be/eF_EH2LZk7I

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Last edited by zxme; 11-11-21 at 06:13 PM.

  13. #13
    rides bikes
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    1,226

    Re: New Duel sport time

    Are you shipping a bike over and shipping it back? Any consideration to buying something in the vicinity of where you'll be?

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  14. #14
    Lifer
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    holland ma.
    Posts
    2,826

    Re: New Duel sport time

    I am planning on shipping a bike over and back maybe, just not any time soon. I'm thinking Late next year at the earliest for an overseas trip.
    I could buy one overseas but it's a real pain to get them registered and legal depending on where you are. That's what I did with my last one and while it's not impossible to do I don't think its the best way.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  15. #15
    is not wearing pants Point37's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    South Coast MAsshole
    Age
    43
    Posts
    3,502

    Re: New Duel sport time

    the advantage of a fuel injected bike is no adjustments needed if you are riding at varying elevations not that a carb'd bike is terribly hard to adjust and there are less electronics

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    bike: none but i have a seafoam green 125cc scooter
    Point37s Garage Sale Thread

  16. #16
    rides bikes
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    1,226

    Re: New Duel sport time

    I'd love to pick your brain on this one of these days. I travel a bunch (pre-covid at least) and ride motorcycles a bunch, and try to combine the two whenever I can. Sounds like my trips are shorter but more frequent than yours (generally two weeks overseas 4-6 times/year), so I'm usually renting or borrowing bikes for a day or two at a time. I'd love to spend a few months exploring though.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  17. #17
    Lifer
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    holland ma.
    Posts
    2,826

    Re: New Duel sport time

    Just a quick update. Ive been able to track down probably the last 300 rally still for sale in new england. I went to check it out this morning. Seems ok but the rear suspension is probably borderline dangerous for me and the stock seat is very angular and flat topped which makes it uncomfortable for me. Getting off the bike is tricky because the rear squats down so much and as you try to lift your leg over it the bike keeps rising to meet you. Rear sag had to be about 4 or 5 inches with me on it and im not that heavy. The salesman did warn me about the soft suspension before i got on it. The front seemed fine.
    I wanted to get on an xr650l but there are none to be had. Dealers are only getting 3 or 4 a year tops and the next batch isnt due to arrive until april.
    No drz400s can be found, only the sm versions.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  18. #18
    BMW track whore e30addict's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    I93/495
    Age
    47
    Posts
    9,571

    Re: New Duel sport time

    WR250r.

    Capable of highway speeds (will do 90 down hill), fuel injected, 65mpg, reliable as fuck and still solid off road. Best goldilocks little bike out there IMO.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    2012 Tiger 800 XC

  19. #19
    Lifer
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Boston
    Posts
    1,207

    Re: New Duel sport time

    Quote Originally Posted by boosten lebaron View Post
    Just a quick update. Ive been able to track down probably the last 300 rally still for sale in new england. I went to check it out this morning. Seems ok but the rear suspension is probably borderline dangerous for me and the stock seat is very angular and flat topped which makes it uncomfortable for me. Getting off the bike is tricky because the rear squats down so much and as you try to lift your leg over it the bike keeps rising to meet you. Rear sag had to be about 4 or 5 inches with me on it and im not that heavy. The salesman did warn me about the soft suspension before i got on it. The front seemed fine.
    I wanted to get on an xr650l but there are none to be had. Dealers are only getting 3 or 4 a year tops and the next batch isnt due to arrive until april.
    No drz400s can be found, only the sm versions.
    Did you check where the rear preload was set at? These bikes can carry two people. I wonder if the preload was set rather low

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    '15 Ducati Scrambler, '13 Multistrada 1200S, '07 VFR, '14 CRF250L/M, '15 FJ-09, '23 Tuareg

  20. #20
    Lifer
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    holland ma.
    Posts
    2,826

    Re: New Duel sport time

    Quote Originally Posted by dankatz View Post
    Did you check where the rear preload was set at? These bikes can carry two people. I wonder if the preload was set rather low
    Idk but every review you read about these mention the suspension being far too soft. I wasn't surprised it was soft but I was surprised it was that soft.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  21. #21
    TWINS! xrocket21's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Central Maine
    Age
    43
    Posts
    7,162

    Re: New Duel sport time

    It's not on your list but my KTM 500 EXCF is incredible

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  22. #22
    Lifer
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    holland ma.
    Posts
    2,826

    Re: New Duel sport time

    It's not a practical bike for what I want to do. It's not a bike you want to have needing a part in the middle of Africa.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  23. #23
    TWINS! xrocket21's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Central Maine
    Age
    43
    Posts
    7,162

    Re: New Duel sport time

    Quote Originally Posted by boosten lebaron View Post
    It's not a practical bike for what I want to do. It's not a bike you want to have needing a part in the middle of Africa.
    I figured, I'm just in love with it for my needs!

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  24. #24
    Lifer
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    holland ma.
    Posts
    2,826

    Re: New Duel sport time

    Quote Originally Posted by xrocket21 View Post
    I figured, I'm just in love with it for my needs!
    No doubt. I wish the likes of ktm, husky, bmw etc would work for what i want to do but they just dont realistically. You might be ok but if even the slightest part nedds to be replaced i would almost certainly be screwed. At least with the big four you stand a chance of getting a part in the middle of africa or can make do.

    If i had more room i would have a ktm right now to go running around local woods and build the world bike next to it but at the current 6 motorcycles im maxed out. Im not even sure where i can store the world bike. I have dreams of a two car garage addition to the house and while money isnt an issue finding someone to actually build it is.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  25. #25
    Wizard loudbeard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Rehoboth MA
    Age
    41
    Posts
    5,432

    Re: New Duel sport time

    Before you rule out KTM, you should read The Rolling Hobo. He did a build for exactly what you’re proposing and has put it through its paces.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    I went to MMI I know what Im doing here chief

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. This could be my first new sport tourer in a long time.
    By SteveM in forum General Bike Related
    Replies: 124
    Last Post: 06-27-22, 12:11 PM
  2. Gp shift on duel sport
    By Jayspeed in forum General Bike Related
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 07-19-17, 06:05 PM
  3. Woodcraft Duel Temp Tire Warmers
    By Io-bot in forum For Sale
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 10-26-11, 02:57 PM
  4. In appropraite time to use sport bike lingo don't ya think....
    By Cue Ball in forum General Bike Related
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 10-11-06, 04:39 PM
  5. Ride a Sport Bike - Sport Touring ? ( Worcester area )
    By urudufusmisrael in forum Rides & Events
    Replies: 68
    Last Post: 04-10-06, 09:29 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •