Selling my 1000RR, want dual sport

i dont know much about dual sport except i want to get into it. i want to ride offroad, and still be able to commute to work if its nice out.

i get 40mpg on my 1000RR now, and obviously i dont mind stepping down in hp and cc but i cant step down in mileage...
i swear there are more friggin options for dual sports than anything ive ever seen!

a local dealer sells huskys so ive been looking into their bikes and i like the TE 310

thoughts? anyone want the RR?

 

I've owned several dual-sports and it is perhaps the widest category of bikes available. The right bike depends on your use.

Do you have any experience riding off-road?

What's your budget for the bike? What's your total budget for bike + mods?

What kind of off-roading do you want to do? Dirt roads? Dirt trails, double track/4x4/jeep roads? Single track? Mountain trails, desert sand?

What is your street commute like, how fast do you ride, how long is it?

How far is the closest off-roading area?

How long are your legs/what is your pants inseam?

Do you plan on maintaining the bike yourself? What is your level of mechanical knowledge?

 

The Kawasaki KLR650 is probably the best bike for dual sport with the most aftermarket support. I've owned the KLR650 photo'd for the last 5 years. I've owned a Hayabusa at a point in my ownership of the KLR and sold it about year or two later because the dual sport is so much more fun. My KLR650 can take you to the heart of the biggest city or in the deepest part of the backwoods.

Here's a few teaser photos of the fun that will ensue.

Additionally, I took a brief look at the TE 310 you mentioned and want to remind you to take the fuel range of the bike into account. I know my bike has been bored out with some jetting modifications and I get about 40mpg and I like to refill at about 120 miles.

 

That can be debated, heavily.

 

When speaking of versatility I have to say I can't see a better bike. It has moderate fuel range, decent suspension travel, not too heavy, highway capable, mud capable, city capable, trail capable.

I do understand what you say though since I only offer a one sided view as the KLR650 is the only Dual Sport I've ever owned

 

I know several people with KLR's and they are very capable bikes, a bit moreso with the 685cc kit. However I think taking the OP and putting him from a 1000rr to a 35hp KLR would be a bit, slow for his liking.

I've owned two V-Strom 650's a KTM 950 Adventure and now my 690 Enduro. My closest friends have KLR's and one rode his KLR from Colorado to Alaska, and then down to the south tip of South America, and back up through Brazil.

If budget is an issue the KLR is a viable option, but if budget allows I think there are several better bikes out there. Plus if the OP hasn't had any off-roading experience before I'd say something lighter and less top-heavy than a KLR would be best for learning in the dirt.

 

I had a XR650R that was DS'ed and I lvoed it, did well on the road but was very heavy for the tight trails that I like to ride.

Was awesome on open dunes/sand/wide trails.

If I had the money i'd look into a DRZ400, I've heard good things about them and a 400/450 will give you plenty of power yet a decent amount of weight for throwing it around.

Good luck.

 

thumpertalk.com is a great resource. TacomaWorld for 4strokes

 

Yamaha WRW250R or X. I have an X that I use primarily for commuting and it can get close to 70 mpg if I don't crank down the throttle too hard. I have occasionally swapped tires to take it off road. I personally would not want the weight of a 650 on the trail. It gets old having to pick up that weight time and time again in the woods.

My 250 is a versatile bike, and with the fuel injection it's almost bullet proof.

Check out the advrider forum for more ideas/feedback.

 

i have experience offroading... but either on pedal bikes (downhill) or 4x4. ive got a ton of seat time on two weels, but right now its going to be a learn as i go thing. i can handle my own for the most part, but i wont be racing a dual sport.

im selling the RR for 10k, id like to spend half or less on the next bike. at most i would upgrade the tank size immediately, and save the craziness for as i go type stuff.

what i want to do with it will only be limited with my time and imagination - and better sensibilities. i DO NOT want a super heavy bike. ive been on some of the bigger bmw bikes, and im looking for more of a dirt bike thats legal on the road.

my commute is 45 miles of mountain/canyon roads going into open desert. on the RR it takes me 45 minutes, in my 4runner it takes me an hour. speed limits are 45-55 and there are two pretty significant hills. id like it to be able to manage hills well enough that i dont wonder if its going to make it. by hills, i mean im in the mountains. the 4runner gets dropped a gear.

my life is an offroading area. i live near big bear california, i have open desert to my right, and open mountain to my left. i just have to pick.

im 6' with a 33" inseam. i am kind of concerned about seat height, but my buddy's yamaha 250 dual felt high at first. i didnt have any complaints or issues riding it.. but DAMN the gearbox was close. i have a feeling im going to have to get used to that though.

i can maintain myself and i intend to. i worked at a custom shop for a few years due to a case of mistaken identity. it took them a month to figure out i wasnt the guy they thought i was. it was a small shop and they just... brought me in the back and showed me how to do shit! it was pretty cool, owner was obviously fucking retarded. so... im pretty happy doing just about anything on my sport bikes (though i refuse to open the top end or gearbox of my honda. im scurrd. my R6 track bike is easy peasy.)

im attracted to the husky's... but im open to about anything. id like to stay with middleweights.... but again, i dont know shit so maybe a 450 is ideal. but the bike could evolve into a one man traveling machine, it could be used for the occasional romp in the desert after work.... or i could toss it in the tacoma and bring it to moab to watch people destroy their trucks on the trails i wont take mine on.

now i just need to get 10k for the RR

 

ive heard that the DRZ-400 are damn near bulletproof. and it sounds like there is a very large market for replacement and aftermarket parts. problem is.. for some reason im not sure i could stomach being a suzuki owner. i know it sounds stupid.. but all the dumbass Marines and city kids on their GSXR-600s and 1k's ruined me.

i doubt that i will have much to do on sand with any bike though.. i think thats the one thing i wont be doing.. and i dont like being launched into the air either..

 

I don't like jumping my bikes too much either, never got into MX so never really left the soil very often.

There is something in the dunes though, ripping through fresh sand free to move wherever you want as fast as you want and the challenge of not falling over. Traversing the face of a large dune is fun to. Riding upright with a 10ft drop between you and the surface on the left, with a peg dipping sand on the right.

I've never owned a Suzuki, but if a DRZ fell in my lap for the right price and I had the scratch I wouldn't think twice. I've heard great things about them. I've owned mostly Yamahas with one Honda in the mix. Can't really go bad with any of the big names, it's all just about the model and what you want out of it.

Good luck.

 

thanks! i agree, i wouldnt complain if i got a great deal on it. buuuut, idk... im just being that advicehole with the DRZ. ill certainly entertain it for a good price. im looking primarily at used bikes anyway, so anything is possible.

 

$5k is a bit limiting for exotics. I'd say maybe a used Honda Xr600. It may not look pretty but you'll be dumping it a fair bit. I personally love my bike but I'm biased. Easily does 75 mph but weighs only 317 lbs. New they are 10k and aux fuel tanks are $700 minimum. There are some known issues but nothing serious that preventative maintenance won't handle.

I'd get at least a 500cc class bike for that level of street riding. The huskies have spotty aftermarket. Yamaha's are $$$. KTM's are $$$. If you get a dirt bike turned dual sport plan on getting a decent seat.

 

5k is what id like. when i got the 1000RR i was only browsing. i have a problem.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/4345746250.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/4376536616.html

are examples of what im considering.. but with ordering my 2014 tacoma.. i want to sell the RR first to make sure i have a nice down payment.

i have a dealer local with a 2012 for 5600 brand new too... im just worried about having too much money out and then getting the call the tacoma is ready... and if i cant keep from losing too much on the RR (i ended up paying 14k with the interest) ill just keep her and wait on the dual.


also, that DZR looks nice!

 

I bought my 01 XR650R plated and ready to go for 3500 a few years ago. racked up the miles, new front and rear tires, brighter headlight, bigger output stator and then sold it for 3000

wish I had it back.

 

Those huskys are basically dirt bikes with headlights and street legal stuff. That means the gearing is narrow and very short. My uncle's TE511 got really really buzzy in the handlebars over 55mph. He could regear but then it'd be a little low in first and second for dirt riding.

I wouldn't want to ride those huskys or even the 511 my uncle has for more than 30 minutes on the street.

I'd say get an XR600R, DR650, DRZ400, KTM 525 with the wide ratio 6 speed, BMW 650 Dakar or Sertao, KTM 690 Enduro 2009+ (avoid '08). That list is roughly in the order of cost. A KLR 650 is an option but add $400-500 for a 685cc bore kit. The Husky Terra is an option too, but it's heavier and basically a cheaper version of the BMW 650 Sertao (has the same motor too).

Weight wise the XR600R and KTM 525 weight in about 280 lbs. The DRZ400 and KTM 690 Enduro come in around 320 lbs. DR650 is 360 lbs, THen the BMW 650's, Terra, and KLR come in around 410-420 lbs.

I personally think you'd love the power on the 690 coming from the 1000rr, but used 690's are scarce and new ones are hard to find under 10k (msrp is 10.3k). Take them all for a test ride if you can to help you decide.

 

thanks for the tip!

so, i just looked up the 525 exc on CL, theyre like a dime a dozen where im at! i like the wider gear box, light weight... and its a ktm! what should i be looking for though? any thing in particular go out or abused on these?

 

It's a racing engine so occasionally having to do a top end is normal. A friend gets about 20 hours per oil change using Rotella T6. Pistons last about 200 hours sometimes more.

If it's hard to start then it probably needs head work though that's not a given.

A friend has one and freaking loves it. With the wide-ratio 6 speed it can cruise at 60mph all day. Stock gas tanks are a bit small but there's a bit of aftermarket for 525's so that can be fixed.

I rode his off-road once on tight quad trails (50" wide) and it floated over stuff with a lot of low end torque. Very forgiving, could pick a bad line off-road and the bike would just handle it. I was on my 950 Adventure at the time which was a harsh mistress that punished you badly and laughed at the same time if you picked a bad line (on the trails anyway).

The stock seat on the 525's is probably horrible. I'd check to see if the owner has maintenance records (last time the top end was done, etc). Honestly, if you find a cheap beat up 525 for 2-3 grand I'd get it, have the engine rebuilt, and suspension serviced and you'll have a solid bike imo. Good learner bike too for off-road (I say that because you've ridden a 1000rr so you're used to power).

Working on the engines is super easy too, valve adjustments are quick.

 

I had a DRZ, it was an awesome bike. I unfortunately my commute to work grew a lot and the only real option I have is freeway. The DRZ was not fun on the freeway nor did it like being strung out like that for extended periods of time. If you wanna do freeway go klr650 or bigger, normal roads and offroad DRZ or xr650.

For more money there are a lot of other bikes that have much higher performance, but for just getting into it I would look for something tried and true that your not gonna be upset about when it gets crashed