Talk to me about dual sport motorcycles

[edoz]

I'm thinking I want a dual sport motorcycle. I have never owned a motorcycle, and only ridden one once. 90% of my riding will likely be in town, if I'm honest about it. I would love to do longer trips on it when I'm a decent rider, but there will be lots of riding to work in there as well.
There seem to be two camps, 1) get a nice bike now and 2) get a crap wagon to learn on.

I know people love the KLR650s. Someone also recommended the Honda CB500X. The Yamaha WR250 was also a suggestion.
I probably don't want to spend more than $5k on the bike, and initial riding gear is going to be a separate budget.
I'm 5'10" and a fairly strong 200lbs.

What say the Salonistas?

[becomingblue]

If you get a crap moto now, you'll be ready for a nicer one after 1,000 miles or less.

Based on your weight, a 250 is going to be under-powered. The smaller bike will be lighter and more maneuverable, but you say you are strong and unless you are going to get crazy on it, the bigger bike with a bigger output will be better.

Have fun! When I took a riding class years ago, one of the instructors, an old war horse with who knows how many miles under his belt, looked out over the students and said, "Today's a good day, we get to ride our bikes."

[Corso]

Take a look at the Suzuki DRZ-400. Suzuki's been making them forever, so bikes at a deal are out there.
Google it, and you'll be buried with info. Start with Thumpertalk.

I have the KLX400, which Kawasaki put out for one year, by buying them from Suzuki. It's 100% a DRZ, but green.

There are basically 3 versions: Dirt, dual sport and supermoto.

Mine is the dirt version with a street lighting kit. The bike can idle down low cleanly, but it pulls strong when you open it up.

It's no KTM, but it does the job!
KLX400-ME.jpg

[sailor]

If you don't want to go on any trails but want easy dirt road capability and cagro capacity look at a kawasaki versys, I had one for a while for the type of riding you describe. It is bigger and has more omph than a honda 500x and more character than a dl650 v-strom which are also both good options.
If you actually want to trail ride get a real dirt bike.

[PaMtbRider]

Dualsports are a great bike. I have a DR650 and my wife has a Yamaha XT250. They are relatively lightweight, good for maneuvering in around traffic, and give the option of exploring dirt roads.

Skip the WR250. If you were planning on riding a larger portion of dirt and interested in riding more than a gravel road it would be worth considering.

The Kawasaki KLR650 and Suzuki DR650 have both been around forever and are good options. Either of these used, in good condition will come in below your budget and will be able to be resold with very little loss.

Advrider.com is the place to go for an overload of information. Be forewarned that the DR650 thread is over 8000 pages alone. I spend entirely too much time there, as it is easy to get sucked into so many different discussions.

Check with your state and see what they offer as a training program. Most states are using the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) for training and licensing. It is typically a free or low cost class and is worth your time.

Feel free to pm if I can answer any specific questions.

Dan B.

[David Tollefson]

My thoughts are:

* What is "around town" for you? Does it involve more than a few minutes above 50 mph?
* How much off-pavement riding do you think you'll do in the first three years?
* What kind of off-pavement riding is available to you, and that you would ride?

[XR2]

Why a dual sport when you say the riding will be in town? And that some longer distance is in the future. Any bike can be ridden off road if necessary. You want new or used? How much do you plan on riding?

And by all means take a beginning riders course.

[Mabouya]

90% of my riding will likely be in town, if I'm honest about it. I would love to do longer trips on it when I'm a decent rider, but there will be lots of riding to work in there as well.

The key question is whether you really need the dual-sport for your first moto.

If you're not sure about this, then definitely buy something used and at the lower end of the price range, and use that to figure out what you want / need to do the sort of rides you like.

Also, you might want to join the ADVRider forum - there's tons of info there for all sorts of riders and a diverse group of guys. Also a large Classifieds section (visible only to members) that will give you a good idea on prices.

Adventure Rider

[monadnocky]

Also, you might want to join ADVRider - there's tons of info there for all sorts of riders and a diverse group of guys. Also a large Classifieds section (visible only to members) that will give you a good idea on prices.

Adventure Rider

Listen to this wise man. Great stuff there.

[edoz]

The key question is whether you really need the dual-sport for your first moto.

If you're not sure about this, then definitely buy something used and at the lower end of the price range, and use that to figure out what you want / need to do the sort of rides you like.

Also, you might want to join ADVRider - there's tons of info there for all sorts of riders and a diverse group of guys. Also a large Classifieds section (visible only to members) that will give you a good idea on prices.

Adventure Rider

Need? No, but I don't need a motorcycle period. I joinded ADVRider yesterday and started looking at pictures. I'm already planning trips for a bike I haven't bought yet. I found a guy on Instagram planning to ride up through Canada to the Arctic Ocean. I so want to do that.

[Mabouya]

I joinded ADVRider yesterday and started looking at pictures. I'm already planning trips for a bike I haven't bought yet.

So I'm sure that by now you know that if you get a KLR you have to also get a milk crate to go with it... ;)

This guy really went all out and got one that matched the rest of the bike.

[Too Tall]

Edoz can I throw in here? Since the bike I'm looking at is in the same price range maybe we can draw some good mutually useful comments.
I may have the opportunity to purchase a BMW1200GS from a well known local instructor. The bike has extensive suspension mods. and a continuous service history from the shop I used to use and it purrs like a kitten. The catch is that the bike has 150,000 miles. I've owned a R100 and a K75, both were incredible. The GS fits me 100 times better than the street bikes ever did or could.

[PaMtbRider]

Edoz can I throw in here? Since the bike I'm looking at is in the same price range maybe we can draw some good mutually useful comments.
I may have the opportunity to purchase a BMW1200GS from a well known local instructor. The bike has extensive suspension mods. and a continuous service history from the shop I used to use and it purrs like a kitten. The catch is that the bike has 150,000 miles. I've owned a R100 and a K75, both were incredible. The GS fits me 100 times better than the street bikes ever did or could.

The BMW GS is a great bike. I've owned an R100GS, R1100GS, R1150RS, plus several other BMWs and other brands. With 150,000 miles I am going to guess the bike is a few years old and not the newer liquid cooled R1200GS. The big thing to look for is when the driveshaft was last replaced. Very few boxers of that generation go that far without having the driveshaft and / or the transmission input splines go bad. Last I heard you are looking at a $3000- $4000 repair when that happens. The splines on my R1150RS went out with only 38,000 miles. The newer liquid cooled boxer motors have a different design and reports are that they have corrected the problem. Google BMW motorcycle driveshaft failure for all the horror stories.

I currently have the Yamaha version of the GS, a Super Tenere. These are reliable as an anvil and can be picked up with low mileage relatively cheap. Bikes that are 4-5 years old with less than 30,000 miles typically sell in the $6000 range.

[edoz]

Edoz can I throw in here? Since the bike I'm looking at is in the same price range maybe we can draw some good mutually useful comments.

Hell yeah, c'mon in!
Maybe we need a permanent dual sport thread here:)

[Corso]

I found a guy on Instagram planning to ride up through Canada to the Arctic Ocean. I so want to do that.

Then I retract my DRZ400 suggestion. Your gonna need a bigger bike!

I also plan on a bigger adventure bike in the future. A relative has an older BMW I have my eyes on.

[jerk]

Josh- 150,000 miles is just broken in!!!

Haha. It’s a great 4500$ bike wth those miles and good 5500-6000 bike.

Me? Save a few shekels and buy a brand new Moto-Guzzi Stelvio. I test rode a new r1200gs and a Stelvio and guess what? The Stelvio is a better bike. You can find a brand new one for under 12.

The only reason not to do this is if you’ve got a great bimmwr shop and no Guzzi shop near by.

I really liked the Stelvio. It was pretty perfect.

Oh! If you want another cheap weird option and are willing to go WOP look at the Aprilia Cappnard. It is less of a tractor than the shaft bikes but lighter and sportier.

Me? I love race bikes with low clip ones and high rearsets and big adventure bikes and anything else feels like a compromise. So take that as you will.

To the OP: EVERYONE with any sense will tell you to buy a small bike to learn. They’re right but you’re going to learn in about 100 miles that that little bike is fine for putting around town and figuring out the nuances of stop and go traffic going up a hill- but it’s damgerous on the highway and doesn’t fit anyone except a midget.
Want a great first bike? Fine a used r1200gs if you’re tall and strong or an f700 if you’re mortal.

Or do what I did- buy the most bad ass looking 1977 Yamaha XS 650 flat track looking thing. Realize how stupid it is to try to keep up with California Highway traffic- sell it- so the sensible thing and buy a Ducati Supersport S because you think the sport bikes will kill you. Enjoy it, but keep making into something it is not with clip-ons, talle screen, lowered clip ons, etc. then make the horrible mistake of testridimg an APRILIA RSV4rr and be in heaven

[Too Tall]

Thanks Craig. If/When he is ready to sell that's the offer I'll give. Yes part of this is proximity to one of the most awesome repair shops ever and the same place that serviced my prior BMW bikes.

[AngryScientist]

my bike isnt exactly a dual sport, but it's quite fun for 135# me to bomb around on, and it'll handle well groomed dirt with no worries.

[maunahaole]

Thanks Craig. If/When he is ready to sell that's the offer I'll give. Yes part of this is proximity to one of the most awesome repair shops ever and the same place that serviced my prior BMW bikes.

Did this same shop maintain this bike you’re looking at here? Perhaps the can do a point for you. Any way you slice it, that’s a lot of miles.

[Too Tall]

Did this same shop maintain this bike you’re looking at here? Perhaps the can do a point for you. Any way you slice it, that’s a lot of miles.

Yep. Same shop. I'll eyeball the records closely as well as look at other used GS bikes.