 Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Are there any dual sport or adventure riders here? I'm considering picking up something inexpensive that has some off-road capability where the pavement ends. I'm not looking for a dirt bike, or a big bike. Maybe something like a KLR 650 or VStrom 650? An older Tiger with dual-sport-capability would be nice, but probably too pricey for my needs. 
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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 Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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A customer of mine had a Suzuki DR650 and loved it. It sits lower than a KLR or XR, and is 100lbs lighter than a V-Strom. 
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 325
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 325 |
Dont buy the klr i had an 08 for about 3 months then unloaded it. It was nothing but trouble leaked oil,eletrical problem, turn signals fell off the dealer had it more then me. Go to the klr web site and check it out alot of guys are having the same trouble. just my experience
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Feb 2008
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Funny you should ask, as I am considering the same thing.
The KLR is on the too tall side, & so is the Honda XR650L.
The DR650 needs suspension work, but is otherwise a possibility & has a reasonable seat height. But it is aesthetically challenged.
The DL650 is a very functional bike, but to my eyes it is fugly, & too street-biased.
I don't know much about the DR400, but man is that seat narrow.
The XT250 is kinda small, as is the comparable Honda 230.
The KLX250 is tall, but better equipped for offroad excursions.
I am really interested in taking a look at the KL250 Super Sherpa, but have not seen one on the dealer's showroom yet.
I also like the idea of a tricked-out Scrambler...
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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How about one of these?  '98 ATK 605. $4K on cycletrader. 852 miles.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
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I'm picking up a 2005 KLR250 this weekend for my son. I almost bought a Yamaha XT350 but I hear it has some overheating problems. I'd like to have a dual sport for myself. Just gotta let the wife cool down first. For some reason she's not thrilled that my son wants to ride. 
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
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mmmmmmm....... 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Feb 2008
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
...I almost bought a Yamaha XT350 but I hear it has some overheating problems...
What year? IIRC the last model year brought over to the states was 1999...
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Feb 2008
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
mmmmmmm.......
Yep, that's what I'm talking about...
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Quote:
mmmmmmm.......
Yep, that's what I'm talking about...
Nah, I'm not really a Scrambler fan. If I was going to spend that kind of money I'd get an older Tiger, or VStrom.
Thanks for the ideas guys, keep 'em coming. 
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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You asked for it: Ural Gear-up. Two-wheel drive sidehack.  Definite off-road capabilities. 
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Ahen...Brian. Now I COULD be wrong here, but I THINK Kevin said he was lookin' for a dual-purpose motorcycle here...NOT somethin' with which he could use to defend Leningrad against "The Hun", dude!!!    I say, maybe wait and see what that new 675-based dualie, (said to be named the "Tiger Cub") looks like before you whip out that ol' checkbook o' yours, Comrade...err, I mean Kevin!!!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
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This one is on my dream list: 
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
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Yep! I can certainly understand THAT, Bill! That new parallel-twin GS Beemer seems like almost the perfect bike to go just about anywhere...within reason that is!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
This one is on my dream list:
I was considering that too but found it was limited in what you could do to it in preparation for longer journeys (larger tanks etc.).
Instead, I bought this as a donor bike yesterday and will fit a WR2 kit from Wunderlich in Germany, bringing it close to the weight and off-road capabilities of an HP2 while still maintaining it's long distance character/strengths.
SM05, if you are considering adventure-touring with some serious off-road work (and I don't mean going through the Sahara desert), then I don't think you'll find the Wee-Strom and the older (or newer) Tigers very capable without some serious mods.
A good choice IMO could be the smaller KTM Adventure (690cc).
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Ahen...Brian. Now I COULD be wrong here, but I THINK Kevin said he was lookin' for a dual-purpose motorcycle here...NOT somethin' with which he could use to defend Leningrad against "The Hun", dude!!!
I say, maybe wait and see what that new 675-based dualie, (said to be named the "Tiger Cub") looks like before you whip out that ol' checkbook o' yours, Comrade...err, I mean Kevin!!!
 
Dwight, you may be on to something with the Cub. But don't think I didn't consider the Urinal. A little too wide for most trails around here though. But it would be nice in the winter!
I've definitely been eyeing some of the BMWs. Nice, but very pricey.
This is to be a part-time ride and I'm not looking for anything with serious touring OR dirt capabilities. But they sure are purdy.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Actually Dwight, the Ural is a copy of the bike used by the Hun to attack Leningrad. 
Last edited by BrianT; 03/05/2009 2:06 PM.
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: May 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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06 America 904
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
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Quote:
This is to be a part-time ride and I'm not looking for anything with serious touring OR dirt capabilities. But they sure are purdy.
Well, if those are your parameters Kevin, and as long as you wouldn't mind owning another bike powered by a very similar engine as your Speedy, then I'd have to agree with Dave[roadworthy] above and think you couldn't go wrong with a Triumph Scrambler. ESPECIALLY this limited edition olive drab model which I think "looks the business", or I guess looks "purposeful". It wouldn't be a long distance mount or totally dirt-oriented at all, but I'm sure it'll get the job done in the circumstances for which you mentioned you would mainly be using it.
(AND...it looks soooooo friggin' CLASSIC to boot, RIGHT?!...kind'a like the "Desert Sleds" that McQueen, Ekins, Lee Marvin, Keenan Wynn and thousands of others used to ride over the Mojave on, from Barstow to Vegas back in the day!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Dual Sport Recommendations
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Actually Dwight, the Ural is a copy of the bike used by the Hun to attack Leningrad.
Right you are, Brian. But I figured I'd say the above the-other-way-around 'cause the Ural was/is Russian-built.
(and besides, THAT WAY I could jokingly later refer to Kevin as "Comrade" in my lower parenthetical text, and figured it would make a little more sense that way too!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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