Dual Purpose Options

[stuco]

I'm looking for a dual purpose that is a good value for the money. I want something that will last a long time. (How many miles can you typically expect out of this type of bike?) So far the Kawasaki KLR650 looks like a pretty good buy.

I know suzuki and yamaha have some similar options at around the same price. Is there anything else that I should look at? What are the best most durable bikes in this category?

[CB750F]

The KLR650 has been around forever. I would be willing to bet with proper care one would last for a long long time. Even still being a single it wouldn't be real expensive to have the top end rebuilt.

[iamgumby]

KTM has a good rep. Kind of pricey. You gonna have to be tall or long legged. They have a good website.

[BillTheCat]

I cant seem to brake a Honda and I am hard on bikes.
Take a look at the Honda XR 650 L they are going to be
a few more $ than the Kawasaki but they make up for
it in the long run.

[CB750F]

If I wasn't 5'6" I would have a dual sport. :D

[BillTheCat]

I am thinking of a Motard smaller wheels lower the suspension 650cc
single with a cushy ride WooHoo :D

[iamgumby]

CB - jump on a Suzi DR :D

[stuco]

I cant seem to brake a Honda and I am hard on bikes.
Take a look at the Honda XR 650 L they are going to be
a few more $ than the Kawasaki but they make up for
it in the long run.

I looked at the honda but I think I need something more versatile. The 2.6 gallon tank is not going to get me too far if I do any back country touring. One thing I like about the klr650 is it has a 6 gallon tank. I'm sure the honda is more agile off road though. There is always a tradeoff.

[CB750F]

CB - jump on a Suzi DR :D


They might be low enough. I mean damn, I rode my 93 Suzuki RM125 with the super tall suspension with no problems.

[Beatnig]

stuco...
you want a reliable bike...
buy a honda transalp or a honda africaTwin
they have the same engine, and are both super strong.
The africaT is more rigid, and a bit faster. Good brakes and good offroad character. The transalp is more on the confy side.
The new transalp is a bit off the dirt side... (small whells, exposed exhaust...)
I have a 95 transalp 600cc. I've gonne far with her. More than 100.000 km for sure ( the sppeedmometer broke some time ago). Anyway she is tuff. I only went to the shop: for direction axel bearings, new clutch plates and new cilinder rings (she started drinking oil at about 60.000km).
The rest I do at home, except changing the tires...
I don't know how it works in USA, but here (Portugal) honda stoped selling the AfricaTwin some 5 years ago.
When my transalp breaks, i'll be looking for:
a) another transalp (pré 2008)
b) a Africa tWin
c) a BMW GS 800 - beautifull bike, but expensive... maybe i'll go to Germany and buy it used there...

... but if you're more into road use, the machine for you is the Suzuki v-strom 650cc. Best seller around here, and I only hear great stuff about her ( except in offroad )

[stuco]

Beatnig, I'm not sure if they ever sold those in the U.S.A., although they look like they would work.

[Uesque]

They might be low enough. I mean damn, I rode my 93 Suzuki RM125 with the super tall suspension with no problems.

I rode a DR200 in the MSF course, and I could just barely flat foot with a 33" inseam.

[Joe28]

I've had a few Dual Sports over the years.
I had a ATK 250 I made into a dual sport, fun for a while, but a true off road bike has a tough suspension for on-road.
XR 250 converted, cool but a little smallish.
2 DR 650 ('96,'99) good bikes a little heavy for any off roading. But, dependable.
KTM are nice, but the smaller ones(450) don't hold a lot of oil, so it really gets a work out. 650 and 900 are the bees knees, (but expensive). That goes for the BMW as well.
I just bought a '08 Kawi 650 KLR.
More road orientated than the prior years.
Man, it is a nice bike!
The suspension and seat make it a good all day ride.
It also has a BIG tank, (like 6 gallons!), so you can do some touring on it.
That's my 2 cents.
Old Joe:D

[carrey_sx125]

what to you think of ktm sx 125?is it good enough as a honda cr or a kawasaki kx?i've heard that it has lot's of problems!soory for my english i am greek

[Joe28]

I've been a KTM man for years.
KTM are power bikes. If you want the king of H.P. they're the one:D
Most times you gotta get the suspension done to make them work, Sag is critical, I always go 95mm instead of 100, (a little weight onto the front wheel to make it stick in the turn.
The only thing I found with them is the bearings go, wheel, hem joint. I don't know why?? I have a moose seat cuz the older models had a seat made of concrete.
I LOVED my '99 125 EXC, (I still race it in the super senior class in Hare Scrambles and do enduros with it). But that had conventional forks.
Old Salty Dog Joe:D

[iamgumby]

Hey..a...Joe...wouldn't have a pick of that new Kaw in your pocket to post would ya? 6 gallon tank? Yeah!

[Joe28]

I can try, but, for some reason digatal cameras and me don't seem to work well togehter!:mad:
For some reason the camera takes onlt blurry pics or pics of my feet, but I'll try.
I got the red one, (although the blue one looks cool also. The green looked, to.................... Exercist green?:D
Joe
Camera inept:eek:

[iamgumby]

Acmonman! You can do it! Do it for us! Or have your kid (or somebody else's kid) take the pic!

[Joe28]

OK;) I'll give it a try
Old Joe:rolleyes:

[carrey_sx125]

i bought the sx 125!it's a monster...but the suspensions are too hard!it's amazing anyway!thnx joe28!!!keep riding!

[Joe28]

You can replace the fork oil with a lighter oil, back the compression out a few clicks, the rear, get the 95 mm sag, soften the compression up until it feels good, (don't forget your rebound, that'll help you corner)
Vortex reed systems works great for that the Boysen reed set up for MX works well.
Good Luck and remember- Dress for the carash, not the ride!:D
Old Joe:)

[nupur]

Whatever you buy ,but don't forget to use power extractor engine in your vehicle.

[Boots]

The KLR650 is a good choice with the larger fuel tank

[cdg]

I have a thing for vintage dual sports. Suzuki TS 400, Kawasaki Big Horn 350, or Yamaha 360. While those essentially represent my dream rides, I like to ride the smaller bore rides more than anything. My TS 125 and KE 100 top my list.

You sound like you want something newer and more reliable. If you want a really fun, cheap, reliable thrill, find an old Honda XL 600. It doesn't get much cooler than that big thumper between your legs! It's low enough to the ground for me to feel comfortable really letting it all hang out too! :D

Edit: My dad's KLR is surprisingly capable on and off the road. Handles like a dream. It's just a bit on the tall and heavy side, and I'm nervous about going 100 miles to the middle of nowhere with no kick start backup. That said, these bikes literally have a reputation for almost never leaving you stranded.

[kschilk]

I recently bought a new XR650L. I researched all of 'em, before I finally settled on the XR. They all have shortcomings but the XR's were minimal...most common complaints were about the low handlebars and tall seat height, both easy and cheap fixes.