Dual Sport Bikes

[Doc]

Been thinking about one of these for a while now. Can`t afford a BMW GS. A KLR is a little tall. Thinking of a DR650. I`m planning a Mexico trip next fall. Figure soft saddlebags, a tank bag and off I go.
Any of you bike types got any saddle time on a Dual Sport.

[tower controller]

Doc

Have you looked at the new BMW F800 GS or either of the BMW 650's, both are quite a bit less money than the 1200's.

Between the Dr650 and the KLR 650 I like the KLR because it's liquid cooled. The Honda XR is a nice bike and this year's model is supposedly updated.

Kawi seems to have more power than the suzi, and I haven't rode a Honda in a few years.

For Honda, Kawi, and Suzuki dual sports you can get a lowering kit that drops the seat height up to 3 inches.

I wish the manufacturers would make a dual sport a regular height person could ride.

Let us know what you decide.

[CarbIce]

Hey Doc, been riding a Suzuki DR650 for a couple years now. Great bike - problem free and pretty easy to keep running. While its good for running around town, I havent done any long trips on it. The stock seat is verging on a torture device... and I hear the gel seat replacement is only a little better. A few after markets out there too, but they can be expensive.. COrbin and another ... cant recall the name right now. The tank is only good for about 200km-250km depending on how you ride. There is an aftermarket tank too that greatly increases the range, but I think you have to change the seat if you change the tank. Could cost ya an extra $500-600 once the dust settles depending on your choices. Mine was lowered when I bought, but I had them raise it back up... only a couple inches, but you can feel the difference when you ride.

No saddle bags on mine... just a hardcase, and\or a backpack right now. Have googled them and they are available at decent prices. It has good top end and power, but its no sport bike... and at only 300lbs its a little prone to 'wandering' on gusty days. Tons of aftermarket for the DR400 and KLR, but a little tougher to find for the DR650. If I were buying again, Id look at a KLR... the 2008s look fantastic.

Over all a fun bike... with some tweaking it should be OK on a XC.

[Doc]

The 650 BMWs are way too tall for me. I can handle a standard R1200R, but the GS was made for 6'6" Germans! The reason I like the DR over the KLR is the fact that it is not liquid cooled. And not as tall. The Honda is just huge. I'm 5'6". Either way, the Corbin will be on it.

[niss]

Holy shitcakes doc! I thought you were taller!

I sat on a 650 and it was a dream come true, comfortable seat, nice position, I just wish I could ride it! I had a look at the 1200 and the 1150 GS and its like a freaking mountain!

Once I save my pennies the F650GS is the bike fer me.

[HuD 91gt]

Who need's a dual sport for Mexico :p

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297013


Forum will also answer any and all your Q's.

[Meecka]

Hey Doc! Did you trade-in your sporty? I didn't think you were the sport bike type, more for the cruisers!

[Doc]

No cruisers for me. Dual sport. Or standard. My true tastes run towards the Ducati GT1000. Don't you have a Virago? Your folks still on H-Ds?

This is what I want.
What I really really want.

[longjon]

Was just showing pix of my 66 T120R and thought it was the "Mother of all Bikes"
But then looks isn't everything.

[xsbank]

BMW is the only way to go. There's always good used ones around.

[Doc]

Now, this is what I'm looking for. It has a Corbin seat, large tank, and a few other goodies!

[l_reason]

Hey Doc, I had a KLR 650 and cant say enough about that bike. It has a windshield, decent seat, and enough fuel to go 350 Km. The liquid cooling is a blessing, it has a small fan that will turn on if it ever gets too hot. There are tons of accessories hard/soft bags, lowering kits, long range fuel tanks, skid plates and just about anything you could want.

There are a few things that a KLR needs to make them even better, a braded front brake line, a “real” skid plate (I made one with carbon fibre & kevlar) and something called a “doo-hicky”. Because your are vertically challenged, I’d get the dog bone to lower the rear suspension and maybe even slide the forks up in the triple clamp an inch.

I miss my old KLR, it would wheelie off idle in first or second and toped out at 100mph. I’d rather take a KLR on a road trip then any bike I’ve owned. My only problem was keeping the front tire on the ground. Mine was a 1988, I sold it with 76,000km. I tried my best to kill that engine and failed miserably. Shit I’d buy it back tomorrow.

Have a look at the Ontario dual sport club. http://www.odsc.on.ca

Let us know what you land up with.

[harveymushman]

KTM has a line of enduro to DS bikes from 450 up to 990cc
I dont ride orange, but they are some pretty interesting bikes

http://www.ktmusa.com

[l_reason]

Ok if you have the cash I'd also think about the KTM. Again I'd never be able to keep the front tire down.

[Meecka]

Doc,

No bike for me... can't afford it!! The folks still ride though. Mom's got a V-star 1100 clasic, and dad's driving a Road Star. Nice machines!

[kilpicki]

Butt ugly!! Practical maybe??

[Doc]

Your mom must love her V Star. Can't kill them with a stick! You should look at a Vulcan 500 from Kawasaki. Bullet proof engine (same as their Ninja, with better mid range gearing) good ergos. And not too many $$$.

I'd love a KTM. As you walk towards them, they just get taller, and taller.

The KLR is on the "lets take a good look" list though.

Any of you interested in bike trips should check out http://www.advrider.com Great threads on just about everything "bike"!

[Meecka]

The folks rode out to Nova Scotia via the Gaspe this summer. They said the scenery was amazing!!!

[nacho]

Doc,

I owned the KLR and THE KLX. Think about how many hours you will spend on that Corbin seat... I made a trip from Winnipeg to Toronto a few years back on the KLX and after a few hours you are wishing for a more comfortable seat.. KLR lot wider = better.
Sure it will deppend on your age and how tough you are.
Hel not even the best Oregon Aero cushion was good enough for me on the 7 - 8 hor legs on this last ferry, I guess I am old ..
Have a nice trip!

[Rudy]

Just get the GT1000 if that's what you really want. Buy bikes with your heart not your head.

The KLR and the DR are ancient technology and have compromise written all over them. Way too heavy for serious dirt biking. Way too dirt bike for serious highway miles.

[CarbIce]

So Doc, have you made the plunge yet? Bike season is almost here!

Saw a guy riding a VStorm on the QEW yesterday...

[Rudy]

Doc, maybe check out that new Beamer. F800GS I think. Looks like a winner for what you want to do. My magazine says you can lower the ride height an inch by swapping in a lower seat.