Dual-purpose/Enduro Recommendations...

[Seventies Man]

Yeah I almost don't have to go to Plymouth, The Suz Drz has won the Pelican Board wisest choice award, speaking in terms of miles of smiles. I should sell my BMW now before it gets 300 miles on it?

It is surprising to hear about high maintenance 4 strokes, but some maintenance is fun, right?

[daveel]

From your discription of what type of riding you'll be doing, experience level, and mechanical attributes, I'd suggest an 07 KLR (I can hear the "Damn, who let this low rent guy on the list!" oozing from my computer) Some are selling for $4,300 new, throw $1,000 at suspension, pegs, crash bars, etc, and you'd have a great bike to learn on. With the right gearing they can get you anywhere you really need to be, easiest bike I've ever owned to work on, and has been dead reliable to this point. Face it, you will lay it down several times while learning the ropes of off roading. Would you rather look at a $4000 beater or a $8000 beater?

[markjenn]

The KLR is a great adventure/exploration bike for gnarly pavement, gravel, forest service roads, and fire roads, but it is simply a lousy dirt/single-track bike, even if you throw $1K of mods at it.

- Mark

[John Lyon]

Originally posted by markjenn
The KLR is a great adventure/exploration bike for gnarly pavement, gravel, forest service roads, and fire roads, but it is simply a lousy dirt/single-track bike, even if you throw $1K of mods at it.

- Mark

I agree with that. I threw my KLR 350 into a berm once and it just fell over. Too top heavy. I actually don't like any bike in the dirt weighing more than about 250 lbs, but I suppose one "could" work if the weight was very low. Even the R11S works on a fire road or gravel - the main limitation is the tires.

[daveel]

Originally posted by markjenn
The KLR is a great adventure/exploration bike for gnarly pavement, gravel, forest service roads, and fire roads, but it is simply a lousy dirt/single-track bike, even if you throw $1K of mods at it.

- Mark

That's true. I've learned the limitations of my klr the scarry way! Looked to me that he was more interested in fire roads/jeep roads/ some single track but no "goat trails." Here in Oregon I've run across lots of guys on big KTM's, Husky's, that bought them thinking they would get back into serious trail riding, only to find out that their bodies don't work the same way they did when they were in their twenties,(I can relate) and that these new bikes are way more powerful and heavy than the 250's of their youth. Buy a used cheap klr, ride it for the summer, it's good enough to show you what kind of riding you're really interested in doing, then if you really want the serious off road bike, use the klr as a trade in. Or use the adage "you only live once" and buy whatever calls to you.

[repoe3]

some great options out there for sure..looking at the zuki...whould it make much sense to get the streat variant and set it up for dirt?

remember, it needs to be plated.

still very unsure about considering the new F650X for the previously stated concerns.

repoe3

[BMW Atlanta]

We're going racing with a G650XChallenge next weekend in a 24 hour enduro. We are the only 650cc bike in the line up against alot of big displacement 2 strokes and 400 or 450cc KTM's. We have a very good rider entering it in the IronMan contest, so it's as much about the bike holding up as it is the rider. Will be a good test of the reliability and the effort required to run the bike the full 24hours and see how the results stack up. Willing to bet lap times will not be that far off on the G650XCh. I have ridden it in single track for maybe half a mile here in GA and put on several miles down in FL on another one. It's suprisingly light in feel and was very similar in handling to my 295lb KTM 620 LC4, but smoother power delivery.

Most folks who doubt the G650XCh haven't ridden it or like myself need all the help they can get with lighter racebred bikes which is a compromise in the dual sport/highway department.

[repoe3]

bobby, can you do anything to the front end, different internals, etc. or are you guys running is basically stock? thanks in advance. good luck and cant wait to hear a report.

repoe3

[repoe3]

for anyone interested in reading:
http://www.onewheeldrive.net/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=688&Itemid=126

repoe3

[Corky]

No "E" button here!


Baja XR650r

[Rapid Dog]

Here's another XR just up for sale...Baja Bike

and another in TX...2001 XR650R dual sport, plated in TX

Here's a good starter DR in TX... DR350

Oh! a DRZ400s in VA!...
DRZ400s

Here's a clean KTM...00 KTM 640 LC4 in So Cal. MINT

Husky in VT 2000 Husqvarna Te610e in VT

...and here's an X-Challenge out your way... 1700 miles. lowered to $8K!FS BMW XChallenge

Here's an interesting blip about a normal guy with his X-Challenge...
BMW X-Challenge 650 Miles \ Part Two

and another...BMW X-Challenge, 500 mlies in the Pines.

[BMW Atlanta]

The stock forks on the G650XChallenge are Marzocchi Shivers basically and its a pretty darn good OEM fork. So basically other then a few clicks here and there, it's all stock as well as the rear shock, the engine, gearing etc.

We will install a foam air filter, a full Remus exhaust and let her rip. We are in the middle of choosing and right tires and installing rim locks. Other then that a few protection farkles and she'll be purring for 24 hours come next weekend. We already have around 500 miles on it, so it's well broken in and ready for some abuse.

[markjenn]

Originally posted by repoe3
some great options out there for sure..looking at the zuki...whould it make much sense to get the streat variant and set it up for dirt?

A lot of guys are doing this. They get the SM and then for about $1K (without tires), you can build up or buy a set of S wheels. With the SM, you get a better fork than the S. This nets you a pretty cool trail bike AND a great SM bike.

But don't do this if you want to dirt ride and aren't willing to run a 2nd set of wheels. The 17" front end of the SM just doesn't work in the dirt and you can't get a decent set of knobbies (or even good dual-sporting tires like TCK80's) in a 17" front size.

The DRZ has been around for so long, the range of mods are incredible. The DRZ forum on thumpertalk.com is the place to be for DRZ owners. Just doing the "3x3 mod" (airbox and jetting but leaving the quiet stock pipe) put mine at about 36 RWHP which is only down a single hp from what CW tested the 450 EXC at. Don't get me wrong, the DRZ is no KTM as it doesn't have the suspension and it weighs 30 extra lbs, but it will do absolutely anything the KTM will do, just slightly slower.

- Mark

[on2wheels52]

There's a lot of variety in the dual sport mix, you're going to have to decide where your priorities lie or you'll be owning half a dozen different ones (I need one more). I'm pretty fond of a DRz400 for its ability as long as I don't leave the county.
Jim

[repoe3]

Originally posted by on2wheels52
as I don't leave the county.
Jim

why might that be, if you dont mind me asking? distance to travel or some other reason?

you guys are great. definitely having me consider a few bikes i wasnt thinking about in the beginning. if anyone gets input like this and still makes a bad decision, well, they dont have anyone to blame, but themselves

repoe3

[on2wheels52]

I didn't mean I wouldn't take it out of the country, though I don't see any Baja trip in the future. County, as in radius of the ride.
The stock DRz seat is pretty skinny and firm, no doubt there are Corbin or other alternatives. I once had a one-way 100 mile ride back home after five hours of off road in the National Forest. 65mph was its cruising zone. It's better at being a dirt bike than being a road bike.
But for my ten minute commute to work? A 35hp mountain bike compared to my other rides.
Jim

[levert]

Wswartzwel,

Spring is good except for the bugs.Sold the S to but a cottage up north, I have over 2000km of trail.I still zip around on my wifes R1150gs but spend most time on the Husky.

[repoe3]

boy, look at this thing...a 690 baja racer...


http://www.ktm.com.au/news.php?newsid=939

there is also a slew of other 690 powered machines coming.

repoe3

[wswartzwel]

stop now while you still can.

[ExarKunONe]

The tank is too small, and it dosent look like it has saddlebag mounts.