Registering a CRF450x in Vermont

[markbvt]

Or you could just make sure you get the C of O when you buy it (I got nothing on the higher maintenance) and be able to ride it on the track. That big front wheel on a dual sport SUCKS for street handling.

You know, you can put 17" motard wheels on a dual-sport just as easily as on a dirtbike.

But all of this said, a streetable enduro is a great choice too. My main point was that non-plated dirtbikes really limit riding opportunities in Vermont, which is why I was suggesting to Brett to get something plated.

--mark

[Doc]

You know, you can put 17" motard wheels on a dual-sport just as easily as on a dirtbike.

But all of this said, a streetable enduro is a great choice too. My main point was that non-plated dirtbikes really limit riding opportunities in Vermont, which is why I was suggesting to Brett to get something plated.

--mark

Isn't a dual sport just a dirtbike made more road friendly?

[markbvt]

Isn't a dual sport just a dirtbike made more road friendly?

I guess it's kind of a matter of semantics. Ask KTM, and they'll probably say a dual-sport is just a dirtbike that comes from the factory with the necessary equipment to make it street-legal (ie, lights, mirrors, horn). Ask the Japanese, and they'll tell you a dual-sport is a hybrid that's designed to offer off-road capability but that's also designed for greater comfort on the street and longer maintenance intervals such as you'd find on a street bike. (Most people will tell you that a KTM 530EXC, while street-legal, is pretty miserable to ride on the road for any length of time.)

The older Japanese dual-sports (DR-Z400, XR650L, DR650) are a great choice for ripping dirt roads, Class 4 roads, and open countryside, and linking the offroad portions together with pavement (including highway stretches, if necessary). They are a little big for tight, technical woods trails, but then, so is a CRF450X. The newer 250-class Japanese dual-sports -- KLX250S, WR250R, and to a lesser extent CRF230L -- are pretty intriguing, because they offer light weight, good suspension, punchy engines, and a more compact bike (the WR is especially appealing). Unlike your old CRF250, these things can be ridden longer distances at normal street speeds without feeling like they're going to grenade, and they're light and compact enough to make decent woods bikes too.

(You'll notice I made no mention of the KLR650 -- that's because it's a 430lb pig.)

But really, it's the Europeans who are making the kickass dual-sports. The Husqvarna TE610 is lighter than the XR650L, makes 53hp, comes stock with high-quality suspension, and is easy to maintain. The KTM 690 Enduro is even lighter than the Husky, has even better suspension, makes 63hp, and with the 690 motor, KTM have finally figured out how to make an engine with normal street maintenance requirements.

And if you want something really fire-breathing... get a Husaberg. Those things are ridiculous.

--mark

[SVRACER01]

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NOW RIDE IT!

Wow, You are full of useless advice.

...meet kettle.

[SVRACER01]

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I couldn't resist