Official Dual Sport BS Thread

Nice parts list. When I ran out of valve adjustment I had Dave do the Kibblewhite conversion on my 450. Really nice work. I like to freshen up the plastics every couple years. I'm on the can't wait to go riding list too. Just because I love to ride. Btw I had that same banjo bolt break below the rated torque when I was reassembling mine.

 

Hey everyone,
I am looking to get into riding and to buy a dual sport bike. I don't currently have my motorcycle license, but am starting the process to end up in the right place. I have a few questions maybe you can help me out with.

- I've never ridden a motorcycle on my own. I've ridden on the back of one and I can ride a bicycle (I'm told those two items will be a big help. With that said, there are places in my area that do road classes so you can get your license and then there are places that teach you to ride in the woods and on dirt. I would eventually take both courses, but my question is which one to take first. I've read recommendations both ways.

- I would prefer something that is more of a street legal dirt bike. My nearest offroad spots are about an hour away. Would a street legal dirt bike be decent to ride that far, or do I need to make arrangements to always load it in the truck to get to the places?

- I am 5' 6". Do you have any recommendations for a decent dual sport (street legal dirt bike style) that you would recommend for my height?


Thanks,
Mike

 

Late model Yamaha XT250 would be a good starter bike. Dirt first than street. Gives you a chance to fall down without getting run over.

 

Hi, Mike. Dual sports are great bikes. Any course will be beneficial to you as a new rider. Take whichever course will translate directly into getting your permit.

I have a Suzuki dr650. If I ride for 2 hours nonstop, my backside feels like I was sitting on a cured bag of quick- Crete. Of course, there are aftermarket seats and other bikes may be more comfortable. Also keep in mind that you have to ride home, and some of the stock fuel tanks aren't very large.

5'6" might be a pushing it for some dual sports. I am 5'8" and could put both feet flat on the ground on my dr. But I am also sort of fat... I know the dr can be adjusted for height, can't speak for other bikes.

That's all I know! Have fun and be safe.

 

What inseam/pant length do you buy typically?

Do you know how to operate a manual transmission?

What's your budget?

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I was kinda of thinking that as well (about the dirt course).

Thanks! I know the road course gets me the permit, whereas the street permit does not. I'm about 180 lbs right now, and dropping (been hitting the gym every day for three months straight). A friend of mine who is about the same height mentioned he did some lowering of his dual sport. I have to check and see what make and model he has.

I typically wear a 30" pant length but they are little long, so I would say 29" would be about right.

I can drive manual, both synchro'd and non (I used to drive a tractor trailer).

I don't really have one, but based on what I saw on Craigslist for sale, I was thinking under $3k. Any more and my wife would probably start pushing me to see the truck.lol

 

Yamaha WR250R - technically could do street but I'd throw it in the truck personally.
Yamaha WR450R not sure if they made a 450 before 2016 though. Avoid the YZ prefixed bikes.
Honda CR250R
Honda CR450R

Maybe a DRZ 400 but the tech is kinda old on it.

You'll be on your tip toes on the bikes above. You could lower them but then you lose ground clearance.

 

On a WR250 he wouldn't touch the ground without a yamalink, and even then I'm not sure. I'm 5'11" 230, and I tiptoe.
I believe the Hondas are fairly low height. The yama XT is also low, but more street oriented.

Do dirt class first, gives you confidence for the street course and skills transfer.

Remember that if you fall in the woods, you and the bike have to get home. Do you have a way to get it home if you are broken? I was sent to the ER and luckily had a coworker i could call to ride it home. What if the bike is broken? I have come close to dropping the bike and busting off the clutch twice. Rode home in first for one of those accidents.

 

I have a similar 29.5" inseam or so and typically can only get part of one foot down at stops. I noticed it the first month I rode bikes but after that I don't notice it at all unless I put my foot down on the wrong side when I stop on an off-camber surface.

 

More parts ordered today. Couldn't bring myself to stick new graphics on old plastic. New fenders and air box cover coming in the mail. I'll just stuff all the used plastic in the trailer cabinet as spares.

 

Yeah I bought a fresh set of plastics a year ago and the rad/gas tank shouds are already cracked on one side. I fall over too much so I ordered a new set.

 

I had a cracked shroud too and a ripped seat. Had to sacrifice the bike to save myself from a barbwire fence.

 

Thanks guys. I've started making some calls and leaving messages about signing up for the dirt courses. Really looking forward to finding another hobby / enjoyment for myself.

 

On another note, for those of you who bring the bikes to the trails and don't always use the Taco, what are your thoughts on the trailer hitch carriers?

 

I would like one, but I haven't found one that would work with my HC bumper the the tire gate. The height is too tall and the bike would need to sit out further to not get in the way of the tire.
A guy local to me with a similar setup went all out and boxed his frame, then added a second receiver near the front of the bed. Next, he welded a 5' extension (or whatever) to the hitch, so that when he connects the carrier it slides through the regular receiver, and then into the secondary, and locks both with standard hitch pins. I don't know if all that is necessary, but it would provide a bit of peace of mind I guess.

 

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like he over killed it, but can't blame him for being over cautious. Was thinking that while I could use the truck to haul it around, it's quite high off the ground with the lift and 33's. I also have a Grand Cherokee that I could get a carrier for. Don't really have the room to store a trailer.

 

Some progress today. Cleaned the headlight lens with PlastX.



Rear wheel bearings installed. Air box disassembled and cleaned. Picked up the ignition cover from the powdercoater.



Waiting for new plastic to arrive then will put the rest of the graphics on.

 

The old DR is coming back to life. She got a new fuel tank, full exhaust, seat, fork covers, SM front fender, skid plate, clutch and rear tire. I also chopped the rear fender and remounted the license plate.

 

The powdercoater did not cover the back of the ignition cover so the mating surface got coated. Spent some time today with a flat plate and a sheet of sand paper making figure eights until the podercoat was gone. I only told them five or ten times to cover the back and was assured that it would be done. Why can't anyone follow simple instructions anymore. This is why I do all my own work when possible. I'm not set up to do powdercoating but I'm seriously considering it now. The good news is that the new plastic came so tomorrow I'll apply some more decals. Hoping to turn the corner this weekend and start putting this bike back together.

 

Made some progress this morning. Planning to do some mechanical work later today. Was able to buy locktite 243 on Amazon. It is specified by KTM in the engine manual because it works in the presence of oil. So now I can get the stator mounted to the inside of the ignition cover and put the cover back on the engine and not worry about it coming loose. Once that's finished it's on to the clutch side to replace the shifter locking lever. The new lever has a solid bushing instead of a ball bearing to eliminate the possibility of a bunch of little steel balls ending up churning around inside the motor if it fails.


The decal.


The new cover.


New decal mounted.


New rear fender.


The new decals.


Graphics installed.