Dual-Sport Recommendations

Discussion in 'Anything Goes' started by jaimev34, Sep 6, 2009.

  1. jaimev34

    jaimev34 New Member

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    I seek your advice regarding possibly adding a dual-sport to my stable of one bike. I'm a complete novice in the off-road world but would like to try it out. I am a big fan of Honda bikes, so the obvious choice is the xr650L, but I'm open to other models or makes. Also, I'm considering the Suzi DRZ400. I'm fairly light (165 lbs), so I think a 400 would be acceptable also. Any of you guys with dual sport experience, I'd appreciate your input.

    Thanks.
     
  2. jaimev34

    jaimev34 New Member

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    Bumpity bump bump.
     
  3. Knife

    Knife Member

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    Take a look at the V-Strom 650 and 1000. A little bulky for hard-core off-road, but many rave about it being a great touring and light-duty off-road bike. The looks are controversial, though. But the price is right!
     
  4. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    Drz 400

    We are DRZ 400 people here in Sacramento.Good bike, takes wild abuse ,tons and tons of mods available and cheap.I have owned 600's and I have loved them all but the weight on trails can become too much on a long ride.The DRZ can be a dog in stock trim but a carb wakes them up nicely .:biggrin:
     
  5. jaimev34

    jaimev34 New Member

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    Thanks, but the strom is too heavy for my applications.
     
  6. jaimev34

    jaimev34 New Member

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    I'm leaning more toward this one because of the weight, and the 400cc engine seems like that's all I'll need. Thanks.
     
  7. stewartj239

    stewartj239 Member

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    First of all, a dual sport bike is a compromise. They're not great in the the dirt and they're not great on the street. What is your intended use for the bike? Will it be used mainly in the dirt, street or about the same? If you'll be spending a lot of time in the dirt, then I think a 400 makes the most sense due to the lighter weight. However, if you'll be on the street, then a 650 is what you'll probably need, especially at highway speeds.
     
  8. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    Wrong!

    I will put up my pink on a tight road against you on my DRZ.I can out ride myself on a DRZ. I smoke the kids on the Ridge and can play hide and go kiss my ass until they curse me.As far as off road if you would like to take my old ass to task in an all day ride on game trails and fire roads I am game.:thumbsup:
     
  9. EricGDR

    EricGDR New Member

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    I road an '02 Drz400s off road for nearly 3,000 miles from the Port of Rooseville, Montana to Antelope wells, New Mexico along the continental divide two summers ago. I have nothing bad to say about the bike except that it runs out of steam on interstates and highways rather quickly. But, that isn't what it was designed for (and in the bikes defense, I've ridden it up to an indicated 92 mph. So, I suppose that it does have the steam, but it just vibrates some). It does great off road and it was fantastic on the trip. However, on any ride of such length I'd recommend an aftermarket seat...
    On the same trip, my father road an XR650. I really like that bike as well. It is heavier and less trail oriented, but it did just fine with what we needed from it. (In the XR's defense, I've ridden with Dave Klaus, the creator of "dave's mods" if you're really knowledgeable about XR's.. and he road that bike through tight, gnarly north eastern trails a surprising amount of speed and grace.) My father didn't complain about anything about the bike other than its height (which is about the same as the Drz's).
    But, as stewartj239 had said, it depends on what type of riding you'll spend the most time doing. Having said that, the Drz and Xr feel a lot different (I guess that's obvious), but I know it isn't just because of the weight difference. The Drz feels taut and precise, especially in the front end, while the xr feels a little wobbley, almost like something is loose up front. I'm not really sure if the difference lies in the two bikes differing geometries, or if the forks are better/newer on the Drz.
    There's no doubt that both bikes are great, capable machines. It just depends on your preference and riding style.
    Good luck!
     
  10. SickWittIt

    SickWittIt New Member

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    DRZ400 is a great bike. Especially cause it has DOHC where as most have SOHC. The 650's are more of on road then off road. But if the trails are fairly open you won't have a problem. Suzuki is the way to go for dual sports....or KTM..... Honda's 230 is under powered and the 650 is made for some who is atleast 6'4''
     
  11. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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    Aprilia SXV 550

    [​IMG]
     
  12. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    I ride a Yammy 450f so I'm partial to the WR modded to get a tag on it. It wont do much on the street but lookout on fire roads and trails. Good bikes. I really like XRs also. Easy to work on (not that they need much)... I have an old ass DR 100 so I think they are decent bikes, too... Hell, I had a friend who had a KLX 300 that was a blast to ride. It was a little more street than dirt but you could still play on trails. As far as riding where I ride, you'd have to get one of the more dirt oriented dual sports as the trails can be hairy...
     
  13. speedpoker

    speedpoker New Member

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    I have an 05 drz400e that is dual sported. It is a good bike. Not super light but totally trail worthy. Fun on the dunes with a paddle also. With my street tire setup it can be a fairly zippy bike on pavement also. It does run out of steam at higher speeds of course. Would not be good on the freeway. The bigger bikes would probably kill you on any serious trail riding. I can not even come close to riding the drz to its full offroad potential.
     
  14. Natas

    Natas New Member

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    BMW G650GS.....we love ours!! :thumbsup:
     
  15. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    Dry weight: 295.4 pounds
    Suzuki DRZ 400 SM

    and here's the Yammy
    Wet Weight272 lb (123.3kg)


    Look's like the Yammy is lighter to me. And if you find a used one that someone slapped light and such on to get tags, you have a full on dirtbike that is legal on the street. Woo-hooo...

    ---------------Let's do some shoppin:
    http://slo.craigslist.org/mcy/1363467575.html
    http://slo.craigslist.org/mcy/1345256994.html
    http://slo.craigslist.org/mcy/1323266326.html
    http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/mcy/1347648645.html
    http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/mcy/1352616833.html
    http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/mcy/1342374132.html
    http://slo.craigslist.org/mcy/1357711442.html <--- pretty nice klx 300
     
  16. ontargetnow

    ontargetnow New Member

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    I also own a 97 xr 650l

    Mine is very good on the street but too tall and weighty for serious off roading. I would opt for a drz 400 or a street legal xr 400 if I were to do it again. The real reason I ended up with this one is the price. ( $1000 in spring of 2007 with 3800 miles on the clock) It is bulletproof,though. Ride safe, Dave
     
  17. Kevin_70

    Kevin_70 New Member

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    Couldn't agree more with this statement. I had a plated DRZ 400 a few years ago, fine bike and it was nice to be street legal but compared to a pure dirt bike it definitely had its shortcomings especially in the tight stuff.

    If you're gonna ride 75% of the time or more in the dirt I'd definitely look the way of a plated WR. Less than that the DRZ would be a fine copromise, or even an XR400 but I don't see those plated as often in CA.
     
  18. pm_wizard

    pm_wizard New Member

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    Since I ride one and enjoy it on and off road, I will stick the KLR650 into the list. It's drawbacks are weight, seat height and old design. It;'s strength is pretty much the same. it is easy to fix where ever you are, and it is relatively uncomplicated. The front brake is next to useless for the street, but it won't lock... unexpectedly (or any other time on pavement). You have to set it up properly, pregressive front springs, do the clutch/side stand/gearshift interlock override and protect the radiator, but that is all cheap and easy.

    The other big advantage is cost, there are lots of used KLR650 bikes around, and they are cheap.

    John
     
  19. Kobe Diesel

    Kobe Diesel New Member

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  20. jaimev34

    jaimev34 New Member

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    Thanks for all the replies. I'm still thinking about which way to go. The DRZ is great, but the Yamaha sounds good too. I'm not in a rush, so I'm taking my time and waiting for a good opportunity.
     
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