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Thinking about a Dual Sport

  1. #1
    Lifer Falko's Avatar
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    Thinking about a Dual Sport

    Bouncing around the idea of picking up a dual sport to take place of the sporty bike. This would be a second bike, so no concerns about having to use it for other purposes than running around back roads and occasionally dodging trees. Couple questions for those in the know of these things.
    1. Is there much trail riding around to use one in the northern MA southern NH areas? (legally)
    2. What is a good bike, I don't know anything about them. I was thinking a KLR650 in case I ever want to go up into ME or northern VT etc.

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  2. #2
    Super Moderator TheIglu's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    What part of NH/MA are you talking about? Out by me there are tons of areas in NH. I looked up "Moontown", but it is less than helpful.

    KLR650 is what I roll with. Great on everything but extremes. Cheap, cheap on gas, not enough HP to get you into trouble, but still enough to make it fun. Comfortable, but it is still a big dirtbike. Too heavy for the really tight stuff, but it can be done (people on here have seen my do it). Also fantastic in the tight technical twisties on pavement, including sport rides.

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  3. #3
    Lifer markbvt's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    The biggest issue with a KLR650 is that it's a huge, heavy, underpowered pig of a dual sport.

    Ultimately it all depends on how you want to use it. If your emphasis is on trail riding and getting dirty, you'd be best off going with something smaller/lighter, such as a Suzuki DR-Z400S or even a Yamaha WR250R or Kawasaki KLX250S. If you want to go ride unmaintained dirt roads, railbeds, logging roads, and the occasional trail, and want to do it some distance away, you'd be better off with one of the bigger-engined dual sports such as a Honda XR650L or Suzuki DR650. If you want to explore dirt roads halfway across the continent, then consider the KLR650.

    I rode my XR650L over the Trans-Labrador Highway and through Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. It did awesome on the dirt/gravel, but was a bit underpowered on the pavement, but overall, it was still a great bike to take on that trip.

    --mark

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  4. #4
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    This thread might have some suggestions for ya as far as bikes go. Sounds like you're in the same boat I was up until I picked up a KTM 400exc a couple of weeks ago.

    http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...ers-again.html


    For riding areas, I'm also on the MA North Shore and there's not a whole lot of riding within 30 minutes of my house, but I'm gonna see if I can't find some more "secretive" places to ride in the near future.

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  5. #5
    Lifer Chippertheripper's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    This pretty much (below). First you've gotta kind of figure out what you're going to do with it, and go from there. For general sorta around town, and trails (anything less than woods racing) the drz400 is pretty universal. Look for a plated e if you can find one. It's a little hotter cam and a bit lighter than the s version. If you want something that's capable of woods racing also, pretty much outta the box, a ktm exc will fit the bill. It'll need a reznaco seat first before any real dual sporting though, and maybe a bigger tank, then game on.


    Quote Originally Posted by markbvt View Post
    The biggest issue with a KLR650 is that it's a huge, heavy, underpowered pig of a dual sport.

    Ultimately it all depends on how you want to use it. If your emphasis is on trail riding and getting dirty, you'd be best off going with something smaller/lighter, such as a Suzuki DR-Z400S or even a Yamaha WR250R or Kawasaki KLX250S. If you want to go ride unmaintained dirt roads, railbeds, logging roads, and the occasional trail, and want to do it some distance away, you'd be better off with one of the bigger-engined dual sports such as a Honda XR650L or Suzuki DR650. If you want to explore dirt roads halfway across the continent, then consider the KLR650.

    I rode my XR650L over the Trans-Labrador Highway and through Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. It did awesome on the dirt/gravel, but was a bit underpowered on the pavement, but overall, it was still a great bike to take on that trip.

    --mark

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  6. #6
    Lifer Falko's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    I looked up "Moontown", but it is less than helpful.
    Lunenburg, not overly far from Royalston.

    As far as where will I be riding, don't know as I don't really know what is out there.

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  7. #7
    Lifer markbvt's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    Quote Originally Posted by Falko View Post
    As far as where will I be riding, don't know as I don't really know what is out there.
    A DR-Z400 would probably be the top all-around choice. Light and nimble enough for some pretty serious dirty riding, and if you set it up right you can still go long distances on it without feeling like it's going to grenade. A friend of mine rode his across the continent on the Trans-America Trail.

    An XR650L would be another decent option (or a plated XR650R, if you can find one). It's the most dirt-oriented of all the 650 dual sports. It'll be more work, but it's still a capable enough bike to be able to ride some pretty gnarly stuff, especially if you put the right tires on it. (Another advantage it has over the other 650s is its 18" rear wheel, which opens up the full selection of dirty tires, unlike the DR650 and KLR650 which have 17" rear wheels.)

    If you have a little more money to spend, you could always look for a Husqvarna TE610 or KTM 690 Enduro. These are lighter than the Japanese 650s, have better suspension, and make substantially more power.

    --mark

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  8. #8
    Lifer Chippertheripper's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    I may know of a te610 for sale. I'll do some digging if you think it's something you might be interested in.

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  9. #9
    Lifer Chippertheripper's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    Ps: you shoulda bought my lc4. Thats the best doeverythingwell bike I've ridden to date.

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  10. #10
    Lifer Falko's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    just got the itch lately. not sure how far it will go to be honest, just trying to do some research first. If you guys would have said, no where to ride, maintenance headache, better off buying a horse, then it would have ended that train of thought. Besides, need to dump the Aprilia first, I guess.

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  11. #11
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    Quote Originally Posted by Chippertheripper View Post
    Ps: you shoulda bought my lc4. Thats the best doeverythingwell bike I've ridden to date.
    I woulda bought it, but was looking for something a little lighter. Lovin the 400exc

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  12. #12
    Super Moderator TheIglu's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    You are welcome to try out my KLR if you'd like. It is heavy, not fast, but it is cheap and reliable.

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  13. #13
    Lifer Stromper's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    I had a DRZ400S for years

    Once I replaced the idle/pilot jet it was great

    Did everything very well. It is tall so at a 30 inch inseam dabbing was near impossible. It would do 90 so really geared tall and wouldn't creep in granny gear. If you would be 80 percent dirt I would gear her down like 15%

    If bought right you should be able to keep it for a while at little cost

    With street oriented tires it was a real sumo too

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    Last edited by Stromper; 09-23-11 at 12:24 PM.

  14. #14
    Lifer Chippertheripper's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    Quote Originally Posted by OreoGaborio View Post
    I woulda bought it, but was looking for something a little lighter. Lovin the 400exc
    I bet you are. Hopefully I'll see you at marks and put some miles on it.

    Op, you can snag a drz for right around 2k. I've seen some 17-1800, but they go quick. There's a lot of Ktms available now, plated, right around 2500ish. But those would be like 85-15 bikes dirt-street.

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    Last edited by Chippertheripper; 09-23-11 at 12:47 PM.
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  15. #15
    Lifer Falko's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    Thanks all, especially the offer to take a test ride.
    The subject came up over breakfast as I knew one of the guys rode dirt. He had a klr previously and recommend a smaller bike being I have no experience.
    Found a drz local I may go look at tomorrow.
    Again, thanks.

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  16. #16
    Posting Freak
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    Quote Originally Posted by Falko View Post
    just got the itch lately. not sure how far it will go to be honest, just trying to do some research first. If you guys would have said, no where to ride, maintenance headache, better off buying a horse, then it would have ended that train of thought. Besides, need to dump the Aprilia first, I guess.
    Falko? PM me.

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  17. #17
    Junior Member jeff4880's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    I have a DR650 and it is a great dual purpose bike. But its just OK in the dirt and just OK on the pavement. Its way over powered for the woods and under powered on the street. But it does both and is great on gas and fairly confortable to ride.

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    Last edited by jeff4880; 09-29-11 at 02:01 PM.

  18. #18
    Lifer
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    Been reading about TW200's lately. Those look like stoopid fun.

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  19. #19
    LRRS/CCS #627 JRide's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    Have you looked at or considered a Yamaha WR250R? Mine is actually for sale and figured I'd throw it out there in case you didn't see it. A lot of people compare them to the DRZ400. Despite it having a smaller engine it the power difference isn't drastic.

    It has a better suspension, brakes, fuel injected, and the maintenance is very easy. Looking at 24k for first valve check/adjustment. I'd like it out of my garage so I'm willing to negotiate on the price a bit.

    http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...eet-legal.html

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  20. #20
    Lifer Falko's Avatar
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    Re: Thinking about a Dual Sport

    yeah, I saw that and it looks like a great fit. Currently have two bikes and a third would cause instant death by the hands of wifey. Need to reduce before I increase.

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