It wont be long before riding season is back in full swing here in my area, since I sold my street bike I've had an itch to get back on another ride.

Due to my recent divorce I can now buy a bike with no bitching or moaning and enjoy it, I would really love to mesh offroading with motorcycling since I lost my toyota in the divorce.

Which leads me to dual sports......I've just started looking but am leaning towards a new Kawasaki KLX250S all the reviews I've read have been positive.

I'm a bit concerned a 250 may not be enough mount for me, I want to be able to ride some technical trails so I've been overlooking the KLR650, the Honda XR650L is still on the radar, its a bit tall and heavy as an anvil though.

So I figured I'd ask you guys for advice. I'm 25, 5'-10", 32" inseam, and weigh 225 pounds.

What bikes do you recommend? I will entertain all suggestions and am looking for a new or used bike in the sub $7k range.

Thanks,
Josh

xr400 converted to street.

And lose 25lbs

that is really one of the hardest questions...........

How much highway time do you expect to do?


What state are you in? ...... How about a converted dirtbike?

I have a 650L, I like it because it will cruise at 65 easily, has a large fuel range and has a real nice seat that dosnt hurt my ass after 150 miles of dirt.

There not bad on tight trails (if you can ride) but I have another bike for tight trails....

The DRZ400's are great bikes too, but their a bit fraigle (need side cover protection and radatior gaurds) off road and they are alot slower on the road than the 650L .......


No matter what you get, in a year or so you will want somthing else :)

I live in southwest Virginia, I dont plan on riding this bike for very long on the highway.

We have lots of forest road riding opprotunities here and I will be mostly sticking to that. The bike will also be loaded into the living quarters horse trailer and hauled around to places that my girlfriend can ride horses and I can ride the bike. Mostly national parks, and recreation areas on the east coast.

I would say the bike will be 20% road, 80% forest roads and trails.

Husqvarna TE310 or a WR250R<< a little on the heavy side.

xr400 converted to street.





The DRZ400's are great bikes too




Yes and Yes.

I like the Suzuki DRZ for the price! Great trail bike and OK for street use (not fun long distance HWY riding). DRZ 400 SE would be my choice, comes street legal, and you can find newer models for half your budget with money to spare..

I'd think a 250 would suck on the street personally.

KTM......end of story!!!:flipoff2:

Short list:
WR250R, but it is a little over weight. Way nicer than the KLX250s. Aftermarket is growing rapidly for them. Aqualine has a nice 3.5gal+ tank for it too.

KTM 530 EXC
converted XR650R, not the L, different beasts entirely
DRZ400
Husky TE310/510/610

Oddball fun bike that gets overlooked a lot, TW200.

I would really look for a converted bike like a WR450 that someone made street legal. Lots of those available in NC, TN and OH, converted bikes that is.

I love my '02 DRZ and take it all over Cali camping! It's got over 25k on it now. For the money it's been a good bike, BUT...I am always trying to shift into 6th gear on the freeway. The problem being it doesn't have one! Also the thing is nearly 300lbs!!! UGH

Some of the mods I've done are the 453 kit, stage 1 Hot Cams, monster coil, E model CDI, 40mm square slide pumper carb, FMF power Bomb header and Quite Q muffler and about everything off the E model that I considered an upgrade over the S model.

I retrospect I wish I had just dropped the 10k on a damn KTM 530 EXC R!!!! At least it comes with everything already on it! I am waiting for KTM to fuel inject them before I pull the trigger on a new one though!!! Probably just keep the DRZ for a spare bike since I've got so much money dumped into it.

How much dirt experience do you have? Where in SW VA are you? Im in Christiansburg.

I'm not sure if you can plate this thing but if I had a spare 10k I'd definately find out!!!!

http://www.husaberg.com/360-View.239.8.html

570cc, FI, 6 speeds, 251.9lbs, wave rotors, Brembo brakes, huge clearance, Excel rims, radical redesigned engine, SS exhaust, yada yada yada. :drool:

XR 400 or 650L both are rock solid and you can find a used one for a reasinoble price. If you go with the 400 you can do 65-70 w/ stock gears, but its screaming since thats about all it can do. It will not last long if its mostly on the road, it wasnt made for that, it really likes the dirt. The 650 is much more freiendly on the road because it has taller gearing and it was designed to do the baja 1000. It will be a pig if you get on tighter trails. Buy a bike that suits your riding, 400 for mostly dirt, 650 for more road than dirt.

Don't spend a lot of money on your 1st DS bike. Buy something cheap & really find out what you enjoy most. Several bikes have been mentioned & all are great DS bikes. You'll find that not one bike will fit all your needs. I ride a KTM 300 for the hardcore DS rides & have an XR650R for the rides out west. There are several good used bikes out there & with your size the little 250 may be a little underpowered.
Good luck
John

ktm 450 is pretty hard to b eet if you want a dirt oriented bike. Prolly a drz for a more street oriented.
The KTM is a little more maintenance intensive, but not terrible. Really depends on what you are looking to do with the bike.

It wont be long before riding season is back in full swing here in my area, since I sold my street bike I've had an itch to get back on another ride.

Due to my recent divorce I can now buy a bike with no bitching or moaning and enjoy it, I would really love to mesh offroading with motorcycling since I lost my toyota in the divorce.

Which leads me to dual sports......I've just started looking but am leaning towards a new Kawasaki KLX250S all the reviews I've read have been positive.

I'm a bit concerned a 250 may not be enough mount for me, I want to be able to ride some technical trails so I've been overlooking the KLR650, the Honda XR650L is still on the radar, its a bit tall and heavy as an anvil though.

So I figured I'd ask you guys for advice. I'm 25, 5'-10", 32" inseam, and weigh 225 pounds.

What bikes do you recommend? I will entertain all suggestions and am looking for a new or used bike in the sub $7k range.

Thanks,
Josh

Haha, just figured out who you are......give me call, I know where there are some perfect bikes for sale that would suit you perfect.

I have a TW200, KLR650, and a XR650L. TW is great on Jeep trails, so small antone can ride, marginal comfort on the street. The KLR is a big pig, good for dirt roads, great for long distance on the street, comfortable for 2 people for maybe a 100 miles or so. The XR is a giant TW. Aircooled simplicity, fun on the trails till they get really tight, highway friendly. It is my bike of choice to commute on. Any of these bikes can be found used for cheap and all have great aftermarket support.

I ride a XR600. Love it. Heavy, but not hard to ride if you can ride.
Power band is way smooth and can roll out of lugging around a tight corner with an easy twist of the throttle.

I've ridden both the 600 and the newer 650 and the power is identical, but the 650 is a tad lighter.

Hauls ass on the hwy.

Always wanted a KTM, but cant stop loving the power band of the XR600/650.

Am I the only one who LOL'd after the first reply?! And lose 25lbs

That was funny! Anyways, I've had a 250 dual sport before, and didn't like the feel or the lack of power on the highway. But I love any dirt bike or dual sport, so they are all fun to me. I ride a DR650, and love riding it on very mild trails, but mostly paved roads. But it sucks for any real off-road riding. For a good all around great bike and best deal, id suggest either a DRZ-400 or an XR-400.

Yeah might look into what your states rules are. When I bought my dual sport I had to be able to touch both feet on the ground to be legal on the road. SUCKS for me since I'm only 5'6". I ended up with a Suzuki 200. I ride about 90% trail 10% road. It'll do 60 ok, I've had it to 77 where it maxed out, but then Im only 140 pounds. I've beat on it and it always has ran great with no problems and had it for almost 5 years.

For here if you have a dual sport with up to date tags you don't have to have dirt bike tags for trails. SO nice to hop on the bike and ride anywhere you want whether it's public roads, dirt bike trails, logging roads, anywhere. Don't know if VA runs that way, but if you buy from a dealer they should be able to tell ya. For you 400 or bigger sounds good. Though I wanted a bike with more balls it is light and easy to pick up if I dump it on rough terrain. I get 60-80mpg too depending.