Dual sport recommendations

[trider143]

I am thinking of selling off (or trading) some stuff to pick up a dual sport. My first thought was a F800GS, only because I have taken it out for rides before.

I am interested in your thoughts on good used value dual sport bikes (it will be my 3rd bike, 1st dual sport.) I am not looking to spend big $$$ on a new bike. I am more interested in a value bike to last 2-3 years.

if you have used recommendations for ~ $5K or less, please advise.

Thanks!

[sandman]

xr650 is probably your best bang for the buck

[breakdirt916]

what's the breakdown of how it's going to be used?

commuting with highway? track days? mostly off-road?

[Chippertheripper]

Yes, to make an accurate assessment we need a ratio. Ps. I know of a smoking deal on a te610. One of the best true 50-50 bikes going IMO.
In regards to a xrl, the lc4 platform is better in pretty much every way. And can also be had relatively cheap.

[trider143]

Good point! Bike use will be 70/30 trails and highway. In other words, I have to slab it to get to the trails I am thinking of riding.

[Chippertheripper]

I'd seriously consider this:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=615925
If you can get past the fact that NO ds is attractive, this will do almost anything you ask it.

[tonyd]

cant see buying an F800gs if your going to spend 70% time in the woods on trails... unless by trails you mean dirt roads.

[sandman]

Good point! Bike use will be 70/30 trails and highway. In other words, I have to slab it to get to the trails I am thinking of riding.

how far of a slab ride and what do you call trails?

single track through the woods or fire roads?

[schleppy]

If you want to try a Suzuki DR650 you're welcome to come down and take mine for a spin. It's a super moto right now, but you'll get the idea.

It's probably the simplest dual sport to work on (and likely the cheapest). It doesn't completely suck on the highway, and they are damn near bullet proof.

[trider143]

how far of a slab ride and what do you call trails?

single track through the woods or fire roads?

No rock hopping for me. Fire roads, snowmobile tracks, etc. Slabbing it round trip 100-400 miles depending on W MA, ME, etc.

[trider143]

If you want to try a Suzuki DR650 you're welcome to come down and take mine for a spin. It's a super moto right now, but you'll get the idea.

It's probably the simplest dual sport to work on (and likely the cheapest). It doesn't completely suck on the highway, and they are damn near bullet proof.

Sounds like a good endorsement, particularly the cheapest and simplest to maintain.

Thanks for the offer to take it for a spin! I am out of time this weekend (heading to IMOC tomorrow.) May PM you later this week to try to work something out.

[Chippertheripper]

No rock hopping for me. Fire roads, snowmobile tracks, etc. Slabbing it round trip 100-400 miles depending on W MA, ME, etc.

In this case, klr, xrl, dr, f650gs, all would suit you well, for pretty reasonable $. If you start venturing into more rugged territory, suspension upgrades will be a must for all.

[sandman]

No rock hopping for me. Fire roads, snowmobile tracks, etc. Slabbing it round trip 100-400 miles depending on W MA, ME, etc.

snowmobile trails can get very rough.

if you going to be on pavement for more than 30-40 miles to get to the dirt, i'd get a pre 2006 tiger.

it's great on on and off road. if your pavement run is short and you want to try some tougher trails get a xr 650

both of these bikes can be had for less than 5k

[markbvt]

The Tiger's awfully heavy for true dual-sport duty.

My advice would be to go with one of the European ~650 singles. The Husky TE610 and BMW G650 XChallenge would both do the trick nicely, and wouldn't completely suck on the pavement. Or, of course, you could go for a KTM 640 or 690 Enduro (fyi, the 640 is much more maintenance-intensive).

A dual-sported XR650R would be good too, although it would require more maintenance than the above bikes or, say, an XR650L or DR650.

As long as you don't have to spend too much time on the highway, you'd do fine with a DR-Z400 as well.

--mark

[khuygie88]

XR650R

They're a blast.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Also remember The tougher the terrain the harder it gets, And you also need the bike to get you home. You break something in the woods you have no truck,

[sandman]

The Tiger's awfully heavy for true dual-sport duty.

My advice would be to go with one of the European ~650 singles. The Husky TE610 and BMW G650 XChallenge would both do the trick nicely, and wouldn't completely suck on the pavement. Or, of course, you could go for a KTM 640 or 690 Enduro (fyi, the 640 is much more maintenance-intensive).

A dual-sported XR650R would be good too, although it would require more maintenance than the above bikes or, say, an XR650L or DR650.

As long as you don't have to spend too much time on the highway, you'd do fine with a DR-Z400 as well.

--mark

i agree the tiger is heavy, but if your idea of dual sport can be done on a F800GS but want something for under 5k the tiger would fit the bill.

also it depends on the highway ride, i dont care for singles other than maybe the ktm 690 which imho might be the perfect dual sport.


for me like everything else it's a trade off. i need at least 100hp, a good suspension, the ability to run heated gear, carry some gear and go over 200 miles on a tank of fuel.

for me that bike is a 950se

if it's just fire roads and lots of pavement it's a gsa although the new ducati multistrada looks like it might be even better than the gsa.

[schleppy]

Sounds like a good endorsement, particularly the cheapest and simplest to maintain.

Thanks for the offer to take it for a spin! I am out of time this weekend (heading to IMOC tomorrow.) May PM you later this week to try to work something out.

I've been thinking about going to a larger bike again (for two up), so if you like my DR I could likely give you a pretty damn good deal. It has all of the "must have" parts on it already. It's also immaculate.

Shoot me a PM if you get some free time