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dual sport

Discussion in 'Motorcycles' started by tim allan, May 6, 2012.

  1. May 6, 2012 at 2:21 PM
    #1
    tim allan

    tim allan [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I am looking at getting my permit in about 2 months when i have to get my license renewed, thinking of going with a dual sport bike, I am looking at new bikes and the ones that stand out are the klx 250s drz400s and the wr250r

    I will for sure want a full pipe and to open them up a bit but the will mostly see road some highway some town, and then hopefully single track and offroad stuff as well

    what are your opinions

    it will be my first dirtbike and first motorcycle,
     
  2. May 6, 2012 at 2:23 PM
    #2
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    FlimFlubberJAM
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    Good choice on a Dual Sport. Check into the DRZ400. More power than the 250's, with not much more weight.
     
  3. May 6, 2012 at 2:34 PM
    #3
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    I used to have a XT350. It was a lot of fun on and off the road although not quite geared for extended highway runs. It'd hold 65 - 70 but it was screaming to do so.
     
  4. May 6, 2012 at 2:43 PM
    #4
    Johns Taco

    Johns Taco I'm not 4x4, and have an open diff. So i'm 4x1

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    Iv'e been looking at the wr250x, it's a really nice machine built different than the regular wr250. Want one really bad.
     
  5. May 6, 2012 at 3:33 PM
    #5
    tim allan

    tim allan [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I figure that the wr with fmf pipe and pcV will be around 7400

    alot of people on advider say that the klx with a big bore is the better of the three
     
  6. May 6, 2012 at 3:35 PM
    #6
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    WR250 all the way. I have a DR650 and while it's great on the road, offroad is absolutely horrible.
     
  7. May 6, 2012 at 9:06 PM
    #7
    oldtimertoyota

    oldtimertoyota Well-Known Member

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    I ride a DRZ400, decent bike in general but it is a little heavy when riding off the highway.
     
  8. May 6, 2012 at 9:18 PM
    #8
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    exactly, that's why I would go with the 250 if you plan on any offroading at all.
     
  9. May 7, 2012 at 7:17 AM
    #9
    exploringcarolina

    exploringcarolina Well-Known Member

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    We have a 2008 Honda CRF230L. It's a nice bike, but not much power on the road. Normally don't run it over 55MPH on pavement. It's a nice off pavement bike weighing in at 270lbs wet! Good bike to learn on also!

    IMG_0166_e554ab6b5a3dcc1090051fa0068d202aefc71a04.jpg

    IMG_0165_3902e2ff0fd7554ab1702953892ab46d1a2ec437.jpg

    IMG_0163_15d55eedf364c928d4d1c38fb7439b5998707810.jpg
     
  10. May 7, 2012 at 9:01 AM
    #10
    RelentlessFab

    RelentlessFab Eric @Relentless Fab Vendor

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    Of those listed, I'd be getting the wr250. I've heard those respond really well to a few mods for more power, and the fuel injection is nice too.
    Last summer I bought a 01 wr426 that was street legal, need to reinstall the street legal kit and get my endorsement so I can ride it on the street finally.
     
  11. May 7, 2012 at 9:08 AM
    #11
    Me Likey TRD

    Me Likey TRD Well-Known Member

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    Totally agree. I had one for several years.
     
  12. May 7, 2012 at 4:04 PM
    #12
    oldtimertoyota

    oldtimertoyota Well-Known Member

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    My brother in brother in law rides a TE 250, much lighter and engineered for mostly dirt riding, one disadvantage to his bike is having to stay off the freeways.

    108_7921621a59eaedf5394f111c1e7fa07fb43ee41b.jpg

    106_d1b98ffc9846ca8e7a39c3ae52fc5c56ab86fed7.jpg
     
  13. May 18, 2012 at 6:05 AM
    #13
    Bajatacoma

    Bajatacoma Well-Known Member

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    Decide where you will spend most of your time (off-road, secondary roads, highway) then how much weight you need to carry. If you're going to be off-road most of the time then the smaller, lighter 250s are definitely better, if you will be on the highway step up to a 650. The DRZ is kind of in the middle but still doesn't like highway speeds much.

    Budget for a Motorcycle Safety course (usually gets you an insurance break too) as well as proper riding gear before you worry about farkles. Also check Thumpertalk.com for more bike specific threads.
     
  14. Aug 6, 2012 at 12:59 PM
    #14
    evanwile

    evanwile Canadian Pomp

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    I've got an 08 CRF230L with a Stage 2 dynojet kit, airbox mod, FmF pipe, and a XRSonly desmog kit and the thing is a dream on/off road.

    I was disapointed with the power and throttle response from the factory, but after spending about 500$ on it, its a totally different bike. She has just enough guts to get going on the highway, but I wouldnt want to ride between 3 or more exits.

    The bike shines off road and loves the back roads. With the jet kit and opening up the intake and exhaust she breathes alot better, and corrects the fatory lean fuel ratio and works very well.

    Used you can grab these bikes fairly cheap BUT!!! Keep an eye out this year because Honda is released the new CRF250L that has the same motor as the CBR250 which will be an awesome package.. 250 liquid cooled, fuel injected and a 4 inch higher seat height. I might be trading up lol.

    Check out www.hondacrf230l.com/

    Cheers.
     
  15. Sep 2, 2012 at 8:51 AM
    #15
    Speed Freek

    Speed Freek Tacoma Whisperer!

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    Why no freeway? Here in Cali we need to have at least 180ccs for highway operation, maybe NM is different.


    The TE 250 is am amazing bike from what I have heard, if I wanted a small bore DS bike that would be the one, but I want a bike that is setup for off-road with about 1% street, lol.
    I actually have a CRF450R that I converted to a DS in Arizona, that thing does just fine on the freeway!

    OP: the WR250 would be my choice of what you listed. Lightest most nimble choice, best for a beginner rider, if you get a 650/600 your gonna have a much longer learning curve since it is so heavy and wont respond quickly, and just a tank!
    On a smaller bike you will build your skills far faster!
     
  16. Sep 2, 2012 at 12:13 PM
    #16
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    It's not illegal to ride a 250 on the freeway here, I think he was just saying it would get pretty buzzy above 55 mph or so.
     
  17. Sep 2, 2012 at 4:30 PM
    #17
    oldtimertoyota

    oldtimertoyota Well-Known Member

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    You got it! That's exactly what I was saying, the freeways here are typically 65 MPH and it is quite buzzy added with basically full on knobs we stick to the smaller roads.
     
  18. Sep 2, 2012 at 4:42 PM
    #18
    dfrugia

    dfrugia Well-Known Member

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    I'm looking to get a 250 next year. Driving around town and off road use only. I'll load it up in the Taco if I need to go somewhere.
     
  19. Sep 7, 2012 at 3:26 PM
    #19
    paranoid56

    paranoid56 Well-Known Member

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    why not xr650l?
     
  20. Oct 2, 2012 at 9:24 PM
    #20
    PAlittlematty

    PAlittlematty "the soulless ginger"

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    Because they're a tank. Ever try steering a barn door?
     

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