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Best Dual Sport
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Posted by: pelikan---------------------
I'm a crotch rocket rider looking for something good on trails (im a newbie in that regard), but ok for inter-city travel. I thought the super sherpa might be good, but they don't sell it in California....anybody got another recommendation?
Posted by: cmott---------------------
used Yamaha XT350 (they dont make them any more), good road bike (85 mph top speed) with good suspension for trail, lots of torque, low seat hight, 33". XT225, electric start, low seat hight, ok suspension. Kawasaki KLR 250, liquid cooled, low seat hight 33", good offroad suspension. Suzuki DRZ400S best of the factory made dualsport bikes but may not be all that comfortable on long highway runs (but most of them are not anyways). WR 250, 426/450 with a dualsport kit. XR650L, tall but powerfull. There are alot more choices then I can think of right now
Posted by: ziadel---------------------
how does the dr-z400s stack up against the LC4 640?
in terms of dirt-ability, not street ability....
Posted by: cmott---------------------
I have never ridden either one (DRZ, LC4). From the looks of the LC4 650 I would think the DRZ would kick but in the dirt over the KTM. The KTM has that funky front shroud that holds the head light parallel to the frame at all times, it makes it difficult to see the front tire when turning (turn the bars and the head light is still facing straight). I had a Honda NX250 that was the same way and I hated it in the dirt for that reason. The DRZ-S is real close to the all dirt version, just a little heavier and softer springs. I would think the DRZ-S is about 65% dirt and 35% street, and the KTM just the opposite.
Posted by: tigerowner---------------------
For a truly trail worthy machine it is best to buy a 4 stroke dirt bike over 400ccs and buy a dual sport kit for it. On the trail you do not want the weight of a factory dual sport and on the street you want something that can cope with freeway speeds and passing. THe following are good bets.
DRZ 400E. Electric start and competant off road
WR 400 or larger. Wild 5 valve engine with great off road potential
XR 600 or 650. Little heavy off road but trail worthy and good highway power
Gas Gas 400 FSE. Expensive but has fuel injection, E-Start, and all the good parts for off road.
KTM 400+. Manufacturer doesn't reccomend but sounds good
Husqvarna TE570. Many offroad championships, all power you will ever need, reliable as they come, Supermotard championships, Company is unfortunately in transition.
Husabergs. Not reliable enough yet (things changing)
There are a few more options but that covers most
Posted by: hyonline---------------------
You said "trail riding" Road and trail riding are totally different styles. Weight of the bike and rear wheel hookup are the top two priorities for trail riding. I rode a KLR250 for 14 years and loved every minute and all 20K miles of it. Just bought a 2003 DR-Z400S, so far so good. Hope it lasts longer than the KLR250.
Posted by: crankin355---------------------
I have owned a 1995 KLX650 dual sport. It is a good all around machine with a very wide powerband, making it good for street use. It is nice on developed trails, but when the going gets tough its weight is too much. I wrenched my back several times picking it up. The same goes for the KTM640. All of the 600cc+ bikes weigh in at 325lbs. or more dry, they are actually closer to 350lbs. I test drove a DRZ400-s and it felt much lighter and has a more responsive, powerful engine. In my opinion, the DRZ400-s is the best dual sport available. Although, a better dual sport can be made by legalizing your favorite dirtbike. Unfortunately, this is not an option in my state (NY) without a major hassle. I would like to see Yamaha make a street legal version of their YZF450 without adding too much weight. Maybe the manufacturers will see that there is some demand for dual sports and build something new to compete with the DRZ.
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