Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

Prices may vary regionally, but new 2015 WR450F's are going for $6500-$7000 around here. Used 2012+ (fuel injected versions) are $5000-6000. I have not seen a use or new KTM 690 Enduro for anywhere close to that. They are also quite a bit heavier (and also more roadworthy).

Depending on your state's rules, it may not cost much to bring into compliance. I have 4 plated dirt bikes here in Colorado and all converted from off-road ('12 KTM 300 XC-W, '07 WR450F, '06 KDX 200, '05 WR250F). I picked up the 2007 WR450F for $2950 two years ago. Horn Kit ($50) + Mirror ($17), Brakelight Switch ($20-$25) is all took to get into compliance here. CO does require DOT tires, but depending on your timing and how you do it, it may not be incremental plating cost, just simply picking up DOT tires at the time of replacement. True incremental cost is the insurance that is required to get plated (abt $75 per year) and the annual license/registation ($65-$75 per year)

To the poster who had a budget of $4K, you should be able to get into a '07-'11 WR450F for that price.

If you are into dirt bikes, i strongly recommend www.thumpertalk.com. Here's a pic of the plated '07 WR450F soon after i purchased it.

http://www.thumpertalk.com/garage/vehicle/3224-yamaha-wr450f-2007/

 

Wanted to share some pictures with you guys!! Hope you enjoy! My wife rides as well!! We Love riding dirt bikes. She rides a ttr230. The picture of her covered in mud was at her first race she had ever done. Probably the hardest race I had ever done. She got 3rd on her class!!!! I have never road in so much mud in my life hahaha.

 

There's a brand new wr450 for 2016 so that's probably why the 15s are such a good deal now. I was talking msrp for a 16 wr vs 690.

 

yep thats part of of it ('15's being discounted because the new redisgned '16 model is out). I agree about MSRP ($8,990 vs. 10,299), but I think the reality is that you will see greater discounts on the Yamis vs. KTM. In addition, in the used market, there are plenty more WR's to choose from than 690 Enduros (they are pretty rare at least in these parts).

To me, these bikes have different purposes where the KTM 690 you can ride asphalt all day and occasionally take it offroad and it will do pretty well depending on your tire choices. The WR450F is a dirt bike that can ride trails all day with an occasional sprint down a two lane highway. For me, I am using my plated bikes to connect from trail to trail. For others that may not be their intended use and will need to look to more street legal out the door dual sport bikes such as the KTM 690 Enduro or KTM 500 EXC.

Just throwing out some options for people that are looking for 95% dirt/5% street and used ones can be easily had for $5K or less.

 

The Husky may be a good option too. My brother had the TE610 and it was pretty strong.

 

+100

The maintenance on the KTM's really isn't that bad.

 

The 690 is NOT an all-day asphalt bike. It can do it but oh man it sucks balls compared to almost any other street bike. It's way more capable on the dirt then the DRZ or a KLX and can do street a lot better but it still sucks to ride all day on the street with. I did Denver to Seattle and back on my 690 and while I did take a lot of dirt along the way the highway, while doable was miserable and I just wasn't enjoying the trip because of it. It's one of the main reasons I sold the bike. The 690 shines if you need to cover 60-100 miles to get to a riding area, then go ride off-road, then ride home. My 525 while lacking the top speed of the 690 was better behaved at 60mph+ then the 690 which had an annoying twitchiness at speeds over 60mph. It persisted through different tires, tire pressures, and bike loadings. I checked the wheel alignment and everything was good. It had something to do with almost zero weight on the front of the bike and the steering geometry. But nevertheless when dealing with it for 10 hours a day on a trip I really didn't like it. The 525 feels way more planted at speed on the highway and that's with MAXXIS Desert IT tires vs MT-21 or Karoo3's on the 690. My theory is the gas tank is up front on the 525 puts more weight on the front and keeps the bike more stable at higher speeds. But ymmv.

With the engine mods I did to the 525 this winter I've had it up to 85 no problem besides the standard windblast from an unfaired bike.

 

The WR will smoke the 690 off-road but the 690 will smoke the WR on-road; the 690 is very capable on the dirt but it can't hold a candle to the 500exc/450 class bikes. Mostly due to the suspension which needs a stronger spring in the rear and softer springs up front + suspension revalving on the front and overall it has less travel on both ends then the 500/450 EXC and is close to the WR line which has better valving. The 690 will need a few bolts changed out for stronger ones (tank bolts) but more or less is ready to go.

You are a lucky man!

 

I think the twitchiness has something to do with KTM frame geometry. Had a 2010 Husaberg FE450 (Blue KTM), and same deal never felt stable at speeds above 45-50 mph. My 2012 KTM 300 XC-W, a bit more stable, still twitchy at speed but it has steering stabilizer which helps. I rode my buddy's WR450F and liked how predictable and stable it is. Grabbed the '07 WR450F for a move up bike for my son and liked it so much I kept it for myself and then traded my Husaberg FE450 for the '12 KTM 300 XC-W and figured i would ride it for awhile and then maybe trade for a 2012+ WR450F.

And yeah, I can see the Enduro 690 as being a bike you can ride to your trail destination from your driveway and then grab some trail action and head home. That to me is an all day ride, but I can see it not being a very comfortable long distance highway cruiser. Interesting to hear about the 690 twitchiness and sort of confirms my suspicions about KTM chassis's. Perhaps your 525 has a different steering geometry.

 

I wish my bike was 291lbs. Its 317 wet. Gas, oil, and coolant doesn't weigh 26lbs...so your source may not be accurate

 

Thanks man I agree completely!!!!!

 

Dunno, it's an older style KTM but it's very planted at speed. It still has a tiny fucking seat though, but it's doable.

 

Just get an integrated.

True. A 690/701 would still be cool. I just realized the are sohc instead dohc. Wonder why that is.

Yup the South Dakota trick

Just a lot of us is all. Welcome back in here!

Where I'm at there is no tagging converted bikes. I have to go through SD.

I have friends who still ride highway plenty on WRs. They are fully capable. May not like it near as much as the 690 buy still easy to do. Just like I can do it on my drz.

 

Just get a motorcycle already ya fooken pussy

 

Gas =13lbs (2.2 gallons @ 6.3lbs per gallon)
Oil = 4lbs (.53 gallons @ 7.2lbs per gallon)
Coolant = 3lbs (.34 gallons @ 9lbs per gallon)
Brake Fluid= 1lb (assumed) (1 pint of brake fluid at 9.6lbs per gallon)

There's 21lbs. Add in the battery (not included in motorcycle dry weight ratings) and you're probably sitting right at 26lbs.

 

Fair enough.

 

And then add in a Mason....
And you're considerably north of that!

 

Don't forget blink fluid. Mason changes his out 2x a year I've heard.

 

True, but it's so ethereal that I didn't count it as a measurable weight.

 

180 with gear

I like to think the bike and I together, full of fluids, are just shy of 500lbs