Dual sport question

[Smittie61984]

I searched around and didn't see much info on the dual sports.

My buddy is looking into getting a dual sport and selling his KTM 250 (thumper trail bike). He doesn't ride as much trails anymore but still rides (his daughters have 2 ATVs). He's looking for a bike that he said would be 75% street (work and some mountain twisties) and 25% off road (ATV trails and such). So he'd like one that can hit around 70mph or so.

He's considering the DRZ400 but wonders how different a 650 (KLR/XR) would be from the 400. Is the KLR650 too bulky for somewhat aggresive trail riding?

Any suggestions?

[Trip]

Almost could go the DRZ400SM, you can do forrest roads with the right tires and still tear up the asphalt.

[Smittie61984]

I thought the SM also but he rides more aggresive off road than just forrest roads. Does some single track but not much into jumping a dirt bike.

[Trip]

I thought the SM also but he rides more aggresive off road than just forrest roads. Does some single track but not much into jumping a dirt bike.

I have a 400, its either fun off road or fun on road. You sacrifice one for the other, unless he wants to change out sprockets and wheels every time he rides something different. You are going to have trouble finding something good for single track and tearing up the twisties.

[Smittie61984]

I have a 400, its either fun off road or fun on road. You sacrifice one for the other, unless he wants to change out sprockets and wheels every time he rides something different. You are going to have trouble finding something good for single track and tearing up the twisties.

Gotcha. Now you have the SM right? How different is the SM from the normal dual? Is the gearing different?

How does it do at 60+ mph? Are you pigging off the rev limiter? Does it feel unstable at higher speeds? I think those are his main concerns, especially if he gets the knobby tired dual.

I think he'd like the SM better (or a FZ6/1) but his daughters ride ATVs and he needs something to go on trails so he can ride with them.

[Trip]

Gotcha. Now you have the SM right? How different is the SM from the normal dual? Is the gearing different?

How does it do at 60+ mph? Are you pigging off the rev limiter? Does it feel unstable at higher speeds? I think those are his main concerns, especially if he gets the knobby tired dual.

I think he'd like the SM better (or a FZ6/1) but his daughters ride ATVs and he needs something to go on trails so he can ride with them.

No, I have a DRZ400E. It down right sucks over 60. I have it setup more for trails and forrest service roads though. It's not a fun on road bike.

[askmrjesus]

I thought the SM also but he rides more aggresive off road than just forrest roads. Does some single track but not much into jumping a dirt bike.

It's like Trip says, it's a trade off.

The DRZ400E, is great for trails, but sucks on the freeway.

KLR's suck on both.

An XR or a DR650, properly kitted, will do a reasonable job on and off road. Heavy, yes, but lots of torque.

I've had XR's, and DR's, but finally settled on a KTM LC4 640. 14 inches of ground clearance, 300 lbs. dry, White Power suspension front and rear, and a kick-ass motor. It's OK on the freeway, and there isn't any trail that isn't two-stroke only, I wouldn't take it on.

JC

[Trip]

I've had XR's, and DR's, but finally settled on a KTM LC4 640. 14 inches of ground clearance, 300 lbs. dry, White Power suspension front and rear, and a kick-ass motor. It's OK on the freeway, and there isn't any trail that isn't two-stroke only, I wouldn't take it on.

JC

Yeah, I don't know too much about all the different katooms, but if there was on bike that could do both decent to well, it would definitely have to be a KTM.

[Phenix_Rider]

Weestrom (650) or KLR650 are both supposed to be great- depending on how aggressive he's getting in the dirt. In favor of backroads, at least for the stuff I know of around here, the KLR would be my choice over something smaller. That thing was a lot of fun and didn't feel overworked on the street like a smaller engine does. Plus, maintenance is much farther apart. 15,000 for a valve check I think.

[Trip]

Weestrom (650) or KLR650 are both supposed to be great- depending on how aggressive he's getting in the dirt. In favor of backroads, at least for the stuff I know of around here, the KLR would be my choice over something smaller. That thing was a lot of fun and didn't feel overworked on the street like a smaller engine does. Plus, maintenance is much farther apart. 15,000 for a valve check I think.

Single track/ATV trails would not be fun with something that big and clumsy. No way a wee strom could come even close to doing stuff we have around here as far as trails. The KLR would be pushing it on ATV trails. It would be a ton of work and just not make you want to ride it on those type of trails. They are usually rutted out and in extremely bad condition, so it would be aggressive.

[Smittie61984]

He's looked around some more and decided on a DRZ400. He won't be going above 80 much so he thinks he'll be happy. If he doesn't like it he'll just sell it.

Thanks for the input. though I did tell him to quit being a pussy and get a CR500