Subject says it.

KLR 650 http://www.kawasaki.com/motorcycles/dualpurpose/main.html# click on KLR650

XR650L http://www.hondamotorcycle.com/models/2002/index.html?model_number=XR650L

DR650SE http://www.suzukicycles.com/sr_02/dual/fs_dr650.htm

I am just getting back into riding after 18+ years never road on street. I am 6' tall and 230 pounds. Bike will be used to commute 50 miles each way in heavy traffic (DC beltway). Will be some moderate offroading mainly fire trails and power lines. Will take a course prior to riding for the commute.

Let me know which bike you would get and why or why not for the others.

I like the idea of getting a real dirtbike and then get e dual sport kit for it.

The bike is lighter has a frame geometry that will be perfect when your off road and just fine when your on the road.

www.bajadesigns.com sells the kits. I know the dealers around here often install the kits and qualify the bike for the street before you pick it up if thats what you want.

If you want to go that route check out the Honda XR-650r
Really nice bike plenty of power. Liquid cooled

It's the bike that has been dominating the Baja 1000 races for the past few years.


I'm going to get an XR-400 and dual sport it.

I would go the Honda route. All bikes are very street oriented, but the Honda has the best of both worlds ( very good off-road capabilty and reliability). All the bikes you have in mind are very close in weight (350 pounds wet), the Honda being the lightest, but not enough to tell.
Aftermarket support for the Honda is easy to find, say if you wanted to tailor it to your liking, ie. gearing, exhaust, suspension.
The Honda has an extremely long track record of being bulletproof, being built off of the XR600 platform since '83.
I have a friend with a '98 XR650L with over 25000 miles and it still runs top.
I ride a '00 XR650R that is dual-sported, I love it.

For you I would go with the Honda XR 650. I am going to get the XR 400 but it will suit me better.

It all depends on what kind of dual sprt you are doing. If you arenbt going to be doing hecktic trails and shit, just some dirt road rideing, I would go with a the GS. There considered a dual sprt, but not that great off the road. I have a 99 XR 400, and I dont like it for more than 25 minutes on the road, its uncomfortable and slow.

Get a Honda XR650R, and do the dual sport kit. Dump all of the unnessarrys after the inspection, to keep the weight down to a min!

what about the ktm 640?? lighter and more powerful than any of those by lots!! brembo brakes, white power suspenders....

Thanks to those that have replied. I'll admit I was leaning towards the Kawasaki because of the bigger gas tank it would give me the same range I have in my heep and that I sat on one and it fit me pretty well. I guess I need to look at the Honda a little closer and find a KTM at a dealer. We do have a couple of KTM dealers here but they almost never have any in stock.

Later

My choice would be a KTM 520exc or possibly the 400exc but they're big $$$ so not the best choice if you're not looking to race it or have money to burn. The Honda XL650 would be the best choice for a practical dual sport IMO.

I'd go Honda XR650. I like the DR's as well, but when it comes to 4-strokes you can always count on Honda to have one of the most relieable units.

Jeff

A little different approach...
BMW GS or F650 since you are not doing any radical off road and have a 50 mile ride every day!

If you can afford it (maybe used) the GS will make you very happy.

Course as a beemer rider i am kinda partial.

Moto Guzzi Quota is also a pretty cool bike.

Cory

anybody priced a new XR650L recently? I think I might move over to an enduro for a while and/or keep the FZR1000 too just incase.

they start at $5,499 but the guy over the phone said I could take $500 off just because its raining...

So the question is: who has purchased a new bike lately and how much off the list price were you able to negotiate?

I just bought a 1996 KTM 620 from a buddy of mine in NJ who is having financial trouble. The bike is WAY too big for me but he was letting it go relatively cheap. I was gonna ride it through the GA winter and sell it in the spring to buy something more size appropriate-I'm 5'9" 170#. I would like about $3200 for it and will have it in the back of my truck transporting it from NJ-GA after Xmas.