Official Dual Sport BS Thread

Anyone ride one of these?
http://m.kawasaki.com/ProductDetail/?id=802

I'm looking at getting a dual sport for my commute, my biggest concern is gonna be insurance (17 year old male with little experience on bikes, but a clean record)

 

Jake that is an awesome bike. Reliable as all hell.

If you want a more off road worthy one look into the older model(without big fairing).

But for commuting and road comfort this is a great bike. Also lots of mods

 

Will also handle corn fed fellas no problem

 

That's what everyone says, and if it's anything like my Suzuki quad (a brother to a kawi quad) it will be awesome.

I honestly don't know how much off roading it will do, I'm sure it will se some mild stuff, but anything major and I'll avoid it or use my truck.

According to one of the reviews I read it's comfortable (number one priority) and gets about 34 MPG mixed (off-roading, highway, and city) which is more than double what my truck gets, so that's good.

I'll be applying for a few jobs and if I get one or two I'll be getting my motorcycle license and some gear, then a bike.

 

That's why I'm looking at the new version, a firmer suspension to support my size.

It's also very affordable, and basic (less to break, easier for me to fix myself)

 

Yea the klr is hard to beat.

Don't know bout your area but CL might have some good deals on already farkled out bike. Unless you want to go new for the fun of farkling your self.

 

Haven't check CL yet as I'm still in the research stage, but I did look on cycle trader and the closest ones were in New Orleans, they have a 09 with 4000 miles for $4200.
When I'm ready to buy I don't have a issue buying new or used if it's under 20k miles, depends on what's available, and price.

Thanks for the input Leo

 

No prob.

 

Alright, so I'm looking into possibly buying a dual sport to commute to work and get around on instead of always driving the truck.

Need some recommendations....

Here's some input:

I'd like new or very close to new just so I'm not buying something that needs maintenance right off the bat.

Height and weight are a concern so I've been looking at anything between 250-500.

 

Do you want something more dirt biased ala KTM 690, or something more street biased ala V-Strom 650?

A good mix is a BMW 650 Sertao, average weight, average engine power, great mileage, good reliability, average on trails, good on the street.

KTM 690, low weight, lots of engine power, average (for it's class) mileage, average to good reliability, great on trails, ok on street.


What's your seat height requirement, and weight limit for the bike?

 

What would y'all consider high mileage for a bike?
There's a 06 KLR650 with 21,xxx miles for $2500 that is local to me and if it's still for sale when I get a job I may go look at it.

 

Something mostly streetable but able to do basic dirt trails. Nothing too fancy.

I've been looking at Honda's and ended up putting a deposit on a CRF250L to have them bring one here to look at. If I fit and it feels right, which is should, I may have it next week haha

 

there ya go. now youre in the right thread haha!

fuck dude. didnt we all say the 250 was too under powered? you will want something with more oomph i guarantee it. They make 450 dual sports no? that would be a far better option.

 

Nope, actually everybody was recommending the 250 last night... Haha

It'll go 80 with larger people so it's good enough for me. I used to think I wanted a decently fast bike, but after driving a 1000 I don't want anything fast unless it's on 4 tires haha

I can barely fit on a 250 let alone a 450, they're huge haha

 

My klx 250 can do 70 pretty easy and thats on stock gearing. Just got a seat concepts replacement foam and cover to replace to the stock board they call a seat.

 

That's what I've heard haha most say it's too stiff and then a few so it's great.

I'll be getting the low seat so it's about an inch shorter.

 

Everyone is dumb haha. a 250 is just too under powered to take on the road.

70 isnt even highway speed. how do you plan on getting to the trails if you cant even ride highway speed?

Its not healthy for the bike at all to be pinned top gear trying to keep up with traffic and not get ran over.

 

Then don't go on the highway?

I didn't buy it to be able to be faster than the truck, just more efficient and a second vehicle that I can drive to the lake without having to spend $40 on gas.

 

Your hands will vibrate badly if you're WFO for a few hours.

 

If you are buying a dual sport, the whole point is to ride trails as well as on the road. I would hope you plan to ride more than one trail, wherever this lake is. You have to get to the trails somehow, and you will have to take a highway eventually. By never planning to go on a highway you defeat the purpose of a dual sport, might as well buy a ruckus.

And if you think you are going to "save money" on gas by buying an almost brand new motorcycle you are being naive that's the oldest fallacy out there. After buying it, license, insurance, riding programs, how many tanks of gas do you have to buy for the bike instead of the truck to break even. It will take you at least 4 years just to break even. Buy it to have fun

Then again if this is your 2nd vehicle so the truck isn't your sole DD that makes sense. But again, if the bike will take over DD duties you will want to be able to hit a highway eventually. You will get better at riding soon enough, and won't shy away from going fast, and you will want a more powerful bike.