Ducati Monster Forum

Any dual sport riders out there? What do you have? How do you like it? I'm looking at keeping the miles down a bit on the Duc and taking advantage of a friend's 10 acre spread with some knobbies.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2490079321_5c2ffbe732_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26339726@N03/2490079321/)

My first bike was a dual sport (I still own it - it's my travel bike).  It's an '07 BMW F 650 GS - the last year the F was still a thumper (now the thumper version is the G 650 GS.  Confusing, yes I know).  It's pretty capable, but if I was doing tons of dirt track, I'd want something lighter...maybe something like the KLX 250 in the bottom two photos (me taking an offroad skills class last spring).  I love my dual sport as much as I love my Duc, but I love them for completely different reasons.  For one, if I dump my F, I pick it up and laugh, because nothing broke or if it did, it's a cheap fix.  If I drop my Duc, I pick it up and cry and whine because it's expensive.

(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u162/akliz/DSCF0484.jpg)

(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u162/akliz/2010-05-08at15-30-26-1.jpg)

(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u162/akliz/2010-05-08at14-28-09.jpg)

I have the bug.... but not yet the bike.  I considered KTMs - coz they're sexy  8).  I really like the Yamaha 660 Tenere.... if it wasnt such an overweight fat pig.  But instead, I decided the underrated plain Jane will fit this bill nicely. 

Looking for a sow's ear of a DR650 to disprove the silk purse theory.  Watch this space  [popcorn].

Already have me some "new" forks to replace the stock pogo-sticks  [evil].

yep definately got the bug.

I've got a DR650, pick up a late model second hand bike spend a few dollars on the suspension, get a long range tank, fit some decent racks then load it up and you've got an inexpensive, reliable, bomb proof bike that is capable of  taking you almost anywhere.....well at least thats what I did.

i did a solo 7000km trip last year mainly on dirt and desert tracks out through central Australia, and the planning for this years trip is already underway

heres some pics from last years trip

(http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad175/mesuke1/P1010164.jpg)
(http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad175/mesuke1/P1010351.jpg)
(http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad175/mesuke1/P1010444.jpg)

See? That's what I'm talkin' about [thumbsup].  Tell me about your suspension mods....

+1 even though I have the Cagiva Gran Canyon, I view it more as a sport tourer for me...I occasionally think of a DRZ400 or perhaps a DR650/XR650L/KLR650/XT600 for to have a bad weather, no idea what road conditions I am going to encounter, just ride the piss out of it and not care how dirty it is except to clean it only when I need to do maintenance kind of machine...because there are some guys who I know who just will all of the sudden turn left/right/whatever off of a perfectly twisty piece of road to head up a trail/fire road to some unchartered or unexplained piece of exploration and I just can't see myself dumping or getting stuck with the CGC, as it is kind of a pig generally speaking...

See my signature line.

I've upgraded the springs on both.  Had them since new.  I believe Suzuki coined the term "dual sport".  The 350 is not the greatest on long pavement rides (especially since I put 2 teeth larger rear sprockets on them) but they are light enough to be fun on tight trails.  I like air cooled simplicity, no radiators to bash on trees miles from nowhere.

Whew! So, it's not just me. Holy smokes ollie, that looks like a hoot. Another reason I wouldn't mind a ds is for the occasional winter ride, like you say, if you dump it, just get back on and ride away. I'd have to go with a low seat height, I'm 5'6".

  I have a real nice XR650L I would sell,  '03 with 2300 mi.  needed "more power" so I installed a JE piston with a little more comp. ,Hot Cams cam,cleaned up the ports,FMF header with custom muffler. made a huge increase in power and ridability, without going too far and reducing engine life, could still use a flatslide carb, but now It's tuned well and starts good hot or cold, runs smooth and clean. I just don't ride it much and need to sell to someone who will.  I'm located in Colo. can post pics if any interest, will post on For Sale board... 

CRF230L over here.  I used it as my trail ride and commuter on the highway.  Damn thing is so light I can pick it up off it's wheels.  Get's me through any terrain, commuted to school at 70 mpg and parked it anywhere without the worries of theft.  Best part about it, air cooled motor uses 1 qt of oil and doesn't require a paper oil filter, just a strainer that you clean off. 

Oh and betty gets up to 70 mph!   [moto] 

Ollie, your DR650 looks exactly like my husband's.  Same extended fuel tank, and the stock blue fender :)  He loves it (I can't comment as I haven't ridden it).  He says it's a lot more nimble than my "pig of a bike" (that's what he calls my BMW)  ;D

Hey bulldog, that's kind of what I'm looking at, the CRF230L, great gas mileage, light and flickable. Lower seat height as well.

Ya, it's cheap if you get them used.  It's not fast, but the 6 speed transmission wins my vote over the xt250.  In short, it's a small bike that can do big things. 

I even kept up with my friends KTM 640 adventure when we hit the local trails. 

The honda xr650 is a solid motor that's been around for ever, competes well in the most grueling of environments and has a lot of aftermarket support.  The downside is that they are big, heavy bikes by modern standards.

My pipe dream?  Honda XR650R (much lighter and more powerful than the factory dual sport L model).  Reality?  KLX250.

JM

I am seriously contemplating pulling the trigger on a 2011 KTM 450 EXC.  Still doing the research.  WHY the KTM?  Light, powerful, light, premium components right off the floor, and oh yeah, it's light.  (Bout 251 lbs before fuel).  I'll be keeping an Eye on this thread for any revelations that may get me to change my mind.  If any of you are thinking KTM, go join KTMtalk and lurk around.  The people there are just as friendly as the people here.  So far, I have learned a few usefull things about the bike I may purchase.  [thumbsup]

I have the same feeling about KTM and their peeps, especially when I was seriously contemplating replacing the Cagiva Gran Canyon with the 990SM-T ( I still think about it, but I had the shelf that to the back burner for now)...but based on your rationale, the Priller 450 would be right in line too then!

I've been hanging out at ADV too much because I'm actually considering selling the Duc to get a DS bike. But I know I would regret it in the long run. Regardless, I plan on getting a DR350 as soon as financially possible. For my needs, it's the perfect all around DS bike out there. My goal is to do the TAT in 2013 and would eventually like to do the Pan Am Highway.

I'm still kicking myself for selling this XT350 a couple of years ago....

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2516411143_e94846036b_z.jpg)

Aboslutely!! The Aprilia looks like a great bike...I just don't have a dealer within 30 miles of me...
As several people over on advrider have put it..."you can spend the $ up front and be happy (ktm) or spend later when you realize you aren't happy (the Japanese DS bikes).

The XT350 is a good DS, I should have jumped on that DR350 I found locally a couple years for next to nothing.

JM

(http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k561/acris007/017.jpg)

Here's my crf230L passing my wife car on the highway.  [moto]

Hmmm not sure that's a balanced opinion  ;).  I understand the passion for the brand.... I could seriously get into the KTM thing too.  But.   If I'm "dual sporting" sexy isnt the top priority.  Dependability is it.  For as nice as KTMs are, and they are indeed nice..... can they really be ranked amongst the most dependable of machines?  I know the same can be alleged by Jap owners of.... dare I say it.... Ducati... but my Duc is a beautiful show pony - a horse for a different course.  I'll take the unburstable dependability of a DR650 and spend the money on upgrading the crap cycle parts if I'm gonna be heading off into remote yonder.  And I wont care if I scratch it or drop it or get it covered in outback grime. 

And I'll still have change in my pocket  8).

I think the key difference is in how hard you are riding said machine and in what conditions and how regularly....there is no question, the rougher things are, the better a KTM reveals itself to be over the DR's and DR-Z's and so forth....but for the casual DS rider who engages on a less regular or less fanatical or less aggressive course of riding degrees than the more directed and honed "hardcore guys"....the more dependable a "just ride it and keep on going till it doesn't go anymore" japanese bike reveals itself to be...I know one guy who is riding the same 01 DR-Z 400 that he has been for the last 5+ years and he has put over 70K on the chassis and has gone through 2 motors and still is under the $$$ of what his old LC4 Duke II cost him, even after upgrades so that he can swap it all out to go motarding as well as DS'ing and single tracking on the thing...

This month's Overland Journal http://www.overlandjournal.com/ (http://www.overlandjournal.com/) has a great story on exploring the washboard & trails north of the Grand Canyon aboard a Royal Enfield Bullet 500, inspired in part by Guarev Jani's exploits taking a 350cc Royal Enfield to places that would make your basic, fully-accessorized ADV rider piss his Rev'it suit http://www.dirttrackproductions.com/ocr.html (http://www.dirttrackproductions.com/ocr.html). Reminded me me that people were riding their standard motorcycles where they wanted to, road or no road, a long time before BMW declared those places off-limits without Gelände/Straße...

 [laugh] [laugh]

Post that over at ADV and there will be black helicopters over your house in 5 mins, tops.

I think I'll go Jap, I already have a bike that costs a lot to maintain and has a very limited dealer network, at least in WI.

All very valid replies.  For me, I would end up modding the crap out of a DRZ 400s (convert to an inverted front end, new rear shock, gearing, etc.) until I have spent the same if not more $ (not to mention the time doing it all myself) that it just makes sense for me to look harder at the KTMs.  All I need to do with a KTM is replace the seat (the seats off the show room are hard as concrete) and set the suspension to the proper sag.
TO each their own I guess  [beer]

I'd say that the new KTMs are at least as reliable as the new Japanese bikes.   The guys I know that ride them, love them, and I don't ever see them getting towed back to camp, either.  Parts prices?   Well, can't have everything.   And they flat smoke those DRs and XRs. 

The bug hit me big last year.  And then I realized that I was not riding the monster much because I was taking the V-strom on gravel roads all the time.  But then I wanted true dual-sport riding.  Don't tell, but I traded the monster for this...

Yamaha WR250R
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_GQRJBRf4oKY/TViQnf4mElI/AAAAAAAAAQo/ue5-zAJnH3k/s720/P1010002_8x6.jpg)

Just realized that KTM makes a dirt-biased 900-something CC dual sport.  KTM wins.  BAM!

The stock DR suspension is really soft and by the time you strap another 60kg of fuel water and gear to the bike it really doesn't handle at all.
I got the rear shock revalved and replaced the spring with a much stiffer number, at the front end I put in stiffer springs, heavier oil and emulators (all race tech stuff). I spent about $800 including labour and it has completely transformed the bike, I have no hesitation at all at throwing at the roughest, shittiest peace of corrugated track even when fully loaded, just stand on the pegs, open the throttle and point it in the right direction ;D


The key is working out what sort of riding you have in mind, If I was just after a weekend trail bike just to ride tracks and firetrails with maybe the occasional couple of nights away I wouldn't hesitate in looking at a KTM or big Husqvarna [evil]

Indeed the KTM's and BM's and other europeans are sexy (and marketed well!), but I really cant justify the extra $$'s for the type of riding that I do, that is -  extended trips on remote, rough tracks.Last trip I did 7000 km's on predominately dirt tracks I had zero issues with the bike, with the exception of using a bit of oil when i was sitting on 130 -140 for a couple of hours on long straight bitumen sections in western QLD. Doing solo trips in the middle of nowhere reliability is the main concern, not HP, comfort, electronic gizmos or sexiness. The only downfall of the DR is that it gets does get a bit viby at high revs on long bitumen sections, but that's the best part of having a bike like this you're being able to avoid those sections!

just another gratuitous shot of my DR  ;D

(http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad175/mesuke1/P1010180.jpg)

I've thought about getting one to explore all of the dirt/gravel roads off the Blue Ridge Parkway ~

JM

+1 here in Iowa.  We have more miles of gravel roads than any other state, and a lot of them are more scenic than our paved slabs.


mitt

Recent Ride report I posted over on advrider,

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=663490 (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=663490)

nice job.    [thumbsup]


mitt

Great report and pictures!!!! [thumbsup] [clap]

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/780monster/100_1779.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/780monster/100_1747.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/780monster/bmwdenalihwy.jpg)
A few pics of our Dual Sports.  My wife's DR has been lowered, has a lower custom seat, homemade
skid plate and windshield, large plastic tank, and a few more farkles.  Mine is a 1999 BMW F650.  A better road bike but not as capable on the dirt.  Got these
bikes to do long distance tours in Alaska and now that we are in TX we have ridden them in the desert.  The desert pushes the limits of the BMW and my skills.  The beemer works as the mule as it is set up to carry more gear.  Power has never been an issue with these bikes.  Both can cruise on the highway at 75 plus. 

I went with a DRZ400 since I have an exotic that costs a shitload to maintain and keep around already.  I don't want to do valve checks on two bikes and I don't want to pay a ton for parts on 2 bikes not to mention I would like to commute on the DRZ regularly and not worry about putting so many miles on it I need another valve check.

I wanted reliability and cheap parts so I got a DRZ.  I do love the Husky TEs but I can't justify the price with a 1098 in the garage.

It's really hard to beat a properly set up DRZ.

JM

fixed it for ya! 
 ;D [cheeky] ;) [thumbsup] [moto] [beer] [drink] [laugh]

And really hard to break one too  [thumbsup]

Yep.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154019 (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154019)

Well, i did it!  Put a deposit doown on a 2010 KTM 450exc yesterday!!!  I take delivery next saturday.  I saved $2000 off msrp as it was a left-over and the dealership needed to move the stock.  Naturally I will post pics upon brining 'er home. 
I am keeping the monster as it is too much fun to ride.  I just want to get dirty again. [moto]

Enjoy it, looking forward to the pics!

Now that my Monster is back together, the SS has served it's purpose of keeping me from being bikeless during the M750 rebuild.  The local Japanese bike dealer has a leftover '09 KLX250 that I'm considering trading the SS in on.  Nobody seems to want to buy it, so maybe trading it in is the next best thing.

JM

If your going to get a 250 get the Yamaha WR250 otherwise I would go bigger you won't be disappointed with the extra power.

The WR is entirely too tall for me to comfortably ride, I've barely got a 30" inseam.  I'm wanting  something my wife can ride too, and she's even shorter than I am.  I know the WR is a nice package, but it's just too tall.

JM

Ahh ok that makes senss, i'm just not a fan of the KLX from what I have heard they are horribly under powered.  But I could be wrong.

Maybe there are ways to lower the WR or a different dual sport?

Yes the WR is tall, but the KLX 250 is terribly under-powered and over weight for a modern 250 dual sport.  You might want to consider a drz 400s.  But then again, the seat height on those babies is higher than on the 650 I believe.  THere are many ways to mod whatever you get to achieve a seat height very close to what you (and the missus) would be comfortable with (lowering links, lower seats, re-valve, re-spring the fork, etc.)
Good luck with your decision and keep us posted!!!  BTW, my unasked for $.02 says to get a drz 400s (if you are looking at Japanese bikes).   [beer] 

Rumor has it that KTM makes a dual sport or two.   :D

My wife had issues with inseam so we got the DR650.  Although tall stock it can be lowered in a few hours through standard, factory pre-set up shortening of the suspension.  It results in about 8.5 in. of travel.  Still plenty for most conditions.  Add to that a lower seat and you can knock it down about 3+ inches.  There is additional sag due to compression of the suspension when you sit on the bike.  My wife is 5'4" and can sit on her bike nearly flat foot.  Her heals are slightly off the ground.  Takes a bit of practice to get on the bike load the suspension and then retract the kick stand, but it is not hard. 

Not really the dual sporting you guys are discussing, but I've been eyeing one of these hard:

http://www.imz-ural.com/gearup/ (http://www.imz-ural.com/gearup/)

not alot of support for them in the US though, I've found

2 wheel drive sounds pretty awesome though.


I'll more than likely end up with an older BMW 650 Dakar, if I can find one....or something japanese

I've thought about a Dakar myself.  I came very close to buying one a few years ago.  I'd like the extra suspension travel in comparison to my F650.  The EFI and liquid cooling would have the big jap singles beat in HP.  I've known folks that have gotten 60 mpg with their EFI rotax singles.  I think the downside, in comparison to the DR650 is the weight of the bike.  But it will be more capable of carrying all the gear you need for a cross continent trip. 

Dual sport is the fastest growing segment currently.

There are some pretty potent bikes that have been introduced recently or will be here in 2011:

guzzi
(http://www.motoguzziguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/moto-guzzi-stelvio-1200-4v-tt.jpg)

yamaha super tenre
(http://knowledgeareas.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2012-Yamaha-Super-T%C3%A9n%C3%A9r%C3%A9.jpg)

triumph xc800
(http://www.latest-price.com/latest-car-model/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/112210bottom-1.jpg)

bmw f800gs
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0cfAmDOT2DM/THruwip19BI/AAAAAAAAAA8/n1FJxDA4PB8/s1600/BMW+F800GS+08++2.jpg)


mitt

My wallet can't take all the pretty pictures please stop  :o

I love the functional ugliness of those bikes. 

that triumph makes me drool

WELL...then I won't send you any pictures of my sisters 97 BMW F650 Funduro that is coming up for sale in the VERY near future.....LOL

If I had the money, I'd get either the Triumph or the 800 BMW.  The BMW has a crap suspension but there is a fix at Race Tec.  The fix cost many $ but since I'm just dreaming why not go for it. The triumph has an adjustable suspension but I'm unsure of it's cruising range (I consider that critical for a dual sport) and a few more issues.  I look forward to a full blown test of the Triumph in a moto mag.  A head to head test would help resolve the issues. 

I'm just getting out of the DS mode myself.  Recently sold my XT225 which was rock solid but way underpowered for hwy.  Be careful of these higher cc adventure/dual sport bikes.  These bikes are nice on the road but too powerful and heavy for the trail.  Aside from the XT225, I had a DRZ400 and a KLR250.  The DRZ was my favorite but was a bit high for my inseam so I lowered it a couple inches with a lowering link.  The KLR was an nice bike but has some reliability issues.  If this is a bike you want to use in the trail then stick with one of the bikes I mentioned above.  The 650cc+ bikes wont be very nimble and maneuverable offroad.  Just my 2cents.

Brought 'er home today!!!   [moto] Sorry for the dark pics, the light was weird this afternoon...

(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk201/rockaduc/DSC01166.jpg)
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk201/rockaduc/DSC01165.jpg)
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk201/rockaduc/DSC01164.jpg)

I just have to do a few things before I can hit the trails.  Bark Busters, Aluminum skid plate, remove fork reflectors and warning stickers, and set the suspension for my weight.

Thats one bad ass bike.  Good luck with it. [thumbsup]

Sweet ass bike! I am orange with envy.







If you're using a point & shoot, you might wanna check your ISO setting. I usually leave mine full auto, but it somehow got set to 80 and all my pics turned out blue exactly like yours. See below:

(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/Gibsonchild/P1010358-1.jpg)

Looks like less of an ISO issue and more of a white balance problem.

That may be the case as my white balance is adjustable too. Only thing I recall changing was ISO, but my memory is total shite, and this was a couple months ago.

Yes, it's a point and shoot thingy.  THanks for the tip.  I get along with cameras like Michael Vick gets along with dogs (before the flames start, I am a dog lover and have owned several.  i currently have a black lab.)

Thanks! I can't wait to hit the trails with it.  It's so light, I can stabilize it with one hand and lift the rear off the ground with the other!! 

I like the Guzzi.  Although what I should say is that I like the look of the Guzzi.  I really want to like it coz...... well its a Guzzi.  But i reality is an overweight, under suspended BMW-fatpig wannabe.  If you're shopping for UberADV, might as well buy the ugly, more capable 1200cc Real Thing aus Deutschland. 

But the F800GS not?  They look near enough to identical as make no difference to my eye.  Practical, functional.  But droolsome? 

Why is my brake on the opposite side on my 1999 M750?

JM

Opposite, meaning your brake/rotor is on the rider's right side?

Don't get me wrong. I'd take the 800GS in a heartbeat. But I love Triumph's triple engines  [evil]

You can also get the Triumph with a suspension with more adjustment.

I've done a huge amount of off road and a fair bit of dual sporting.  I've put 13k miles on a DR250SE, 1500 on a DR350SE and about 3k on a XR650R.  So not huge miles, but a fair bit.  All the miles on the XR are true off road/dual sporting - first time I ever rode it was racing Vegas to Reno, the longest off road event in the US (got 5th overal racing iron man unsupported and 2nd in class), I've ridden it around Baja quite a bit and on most of the trails in the Gunnison area of Colorado (including Gunnison to Aspen and back all via off road). I've also raced MX, HS and SX and done a bunch of trail riding in most areas of the US (except PNW) and bits of Mexico.

If you really want to ride off road I suggest starting with a light, cheap dirt bike - something like a KDX200 or 125cc MX'er - it takes a huge amount of skill to pilot a heavy dual sporter like a GS off road and without that skill  you'll just find yourself posing on dirt roads that are also frequented by honda civics [laugh]

The XR at Willow Creek Colorado
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_O6Rc9bYy2jg/TL-olKW-DiI/AAAAAAAALt4/dcSBpdKOnfk/s720/P1040702.JPG)

Ripping down the beach at sunrise
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_O6Rc9bYy2jg/TIUkWvd9-TI/AAAAAAAALh0/61gNGsDTkqw/s720/P9030052.JPG)

Fooling around on a dry lakebed in Baja
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_O6Rc9bYy2jg/TIUlxIdzV7I/AAAAAAAALlA/UB2hyaZaOw0/s720/P9040101.JPG)

V2R Finish
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_O6Rc9bYy2jg/THNlElikVQI/AAAAAAAALLM/dkSPf02g6LQ/45000_152640921415071_100000074920798_498431_7131776_n.jpg)

Dual Sported CR250R at Captian Jack's Colorado
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_O6Rc9bYy2jg/TLjyo4T3laI/AAAAAAAALsQ/5tz5UoKpGLQ/s720/P1040826.JPG)

Same bike at IMI
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_O6Rc9bYy2jg/Sn0JU4_bGYI/AAAAAAAAJ7A/xGteCEq8_8Y/s720/DSC00545.JPG)

very cool  [thumbsup]   You should post up your racing adventures in our racing forum

<-----

mitt

Never mind then, the angle of the pic had me thinking the rotor was on the riders right side in the pic.  If that rotor is on the riders left side, I don't have some weird-ass Monster!

JM

The WR is tall, but can be lowered pretty easily.  It's got about 1in adjustment stock, then you can get lowering links for another 1.25-1.5in. 

I know of one woman that also had the suspension lowered since she is only about 5' 1in or so.

If you really think  about the WR, check out the huge thread on ADVrider
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=329337 (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=329337)
or the wr250 forum
http://wr250rforum.forumotion.com/ (http://wr250rforum.forumotion.com/)

Re the height, the WR actually isn't too tall for you at all - dirt bikes are supposed to fit like that. It'll feel weird at first if you are used to short street bikes, but once you get the hang of dirt riding you won't want it any other way.  You need both plenty of room between the seat and pegs and loads of ground clearance, that means a tall seat.  The bikes are ultra narrow and light so its not a problem to hold the bike up when you stop (just shift a cheek off to one side of the seat).  It may be a little tall for your wife depending on how tall she is.  Most dirt bikes work out to be an ideal fit for someone in the 5'7" tall range (maybe the average height of a japanese man, I dunno).  I'm 5'10" and have to fit taller bars and a high seat to most everything to get it to fit me correctly - including my XR650R.

Today... I bought this...
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5558464246_ce7b22d6d8.jpg)
...to attach to the DRZ400e front end I aready own....

Cool.  Good going with the DRZ-E front end.  The 00-02 DRZ-S front ends suck and wouldn't be worth the trouble.  The later DRZ-S, DRZ-K and DRZ-E forks are ok though.

Also, what's up with the ginormous sissy-bar on the back?  I think that'd hurt if you go over the bars and the bike follows.

Good choice,

What are the plans for it?

[laugh]  I know - it'll be gone ASAP.

[popcorn]

[quote
 [popcorn]
[/quote]

c'mon give us a hint?

Nice find.   [thumbsup] Good luck with it and keep us posted on the surgery.  [popcorn]

i've got a wr and a 31" inseam. i can touch the ground with 1 foot no problem.

right now its sitting in the garage on a stand, forkless and with a rusty kinked chain.  [thumbsdown]

Nothing you haven't seen before mate.  Sort the front end out.....  ditch the stock speedo.  Then something new and better to suspend the other end (and somehow raise the rear to bring back the geometry since the DRZ forks are slightly longer).  A seat that can be sat on for hours without killing your arse. A robust rack & pannier frame combo, some quality soft panniers*.  Clean up the stock header, ceramic coat it, add a slip-on can.  Carb upgrade.  Safari or IMS tank.  

Go for a long ride  ;D.

Any advice on good 50/50 tyres?
* How do you like your Steel Pony panniers?  I'm fighting with myself between these and Andy Strapz.

I run Dunlop D606s for 50/50 use (that's 50% bad roads, 50% true off road).  For strictly road use (including bad and dirt roads) Pirelli Scorp. MT90A/T work pretty well and last forever.  I get 500-1000 miles from D606s but I ride hard and the XR650R is pretty hard on tires. Riding casually they'd go about 3k miles I think.

sounds good [thumbsup],
 -  unless you're planning something with stupidly long legs between fuel stops, the IMS is better than the safari IMO, the safari puts a stack of weight on the front, keeps your legs splayed wide as and slops around a fair bit when half full.
- Corbin seats matches perfectly with the the IMS as well.
 - Tyres - Mitas E07 rears are a great 50:50 tyre, struggle a fair bit in mud, the fronts are rubbish though - match with a 606 or a pirelli for good alround grip
             - For a more dirt orientated tyre Mitas E09 dakars are a good, so are dunlop 606's and there is a good michelin also but I can]t remember the exact type

I was really happy with the steel pony panniers, they're fairly similar to the andy strapz but a little better stitched together. Industry compettion is a good thing and I like supporting small business's as well  - steel pony  are just a husband and wife team and were great to deal with.

Dunlop D606's eh?  I'll have to do some research on these.  The KTm came with metzler 6 days which I hear wear very quickly.

Yeah the 606s hold up pretty well.  I ran the same rear 606 on my XR650R for all 534 miles of Vegas to Reno and it still had something sorta like knobs left.  It was good enough that, being broke, I ran that tire for another !1200 miles in baja and then another ~500 miles in Colorado.  Now by the time I took it off it was in really bad shape and the innertube was starting to poke through a crack in the base of a knob, but still that's a long way to go on a 650 thumper ridden in anger.  Grip is ok too, not amazing, but not bad at all.  Good enough that I was competitive in the race against people with actual pit crews to change their wheels out at pits so they could run grippy MX tires. (nabbed 2nd in class, 5th overall, but was running 1st overall expert 'till I crashed and knocked myself out...).

I'm told the Michlen T63 holds up well too.  Its probably a little less aggressive than the 606 and is physically a touch smaller.  Might be better mannered on the street too. I have one in the garage - came with my XR, but I haven't ridden on it yet.

IIRC the Metzler 6-day is basically a MX-compound tire with Euro-legal knobs (euros have short knobs  [laugh]).

THat's mighty impressive mileage!!!  :o  I'm def. going to check those out.  THanks.

GYEAH!

(http://www.personal.psu.edu/adv11/KTM.jpg)

Got this yesterday. 400CC for $1600? Couldnt pass.

Cant see it here, but it does have headlight and tailliught. No turn blinkers

Good deal.  Looks like an LC4 motor right. Its quite rugged (and heavy) and should last well.  Its basically a de-stroked, sleeved down 620 so overall its very robust and under-stressed.  The motor is a pita to work on as far as dirt bikes go (which are generally really easy). Pay particular attention when doing an oil change, its rather weird and people sometimes screw it up with significant collateral damage.

i just run 90off/10onn tires all the time. they get destroyed on the pavement, but they are cheap so i don't mind too much. so long as i'm not doing too much distance on them.

i put a 14tooth front sproket on the xr650l and it made a HUGE difference on teh trails.
also, if you are planning on doing trails with a BRP then just get used to picking the bike up. also get a clark tank and good bark busters.


to the guy with the 650r in the air. i love seeing pigs fly  [thumbsup]

Here's what I did today  ;D

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/5796054886_d759ea070f_b.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/5796219810_2b2e4cff4e_b.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/5796053188_c688d2150b_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2594/5796046338_f2cdcd56bd_b.jpg)

Looks like a good day! [thumbsup]

Ungeheuer,  Looks like a great ride!  I've never seen the windscreen that you have on your DR.  Looks great.  What is the brand and where did you get it?

Cheers, yeah it seems to blend in nicely with the bike and does a reasonable job.  Its from ScreensForBikes, in Melbourne.  They ship worldwide though >>  http://www.screensforbikes.com/gallery/suzuki/dr-650/ (http://www.screensforbikes.com/gallery/suzuki/dr-650/)

Finally started a thread with some staying power, damn I'm enjoying this! A lot of lovely and insightful posts! [bacon] [drool] [beer] [drink] [Dolph] [Dolph]

Here's my DS bike. [evil]

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4wdosWl9LE4/Te4dQeBJjfI/AAAAAAAAAO4/fc0EG2A8OsE/s640/2011-04-17%25252013.14.35.jpg)

A little squirrely on gravel and limited suspension travel means I need to take it easy on bumps, but still it's good fun! ;D

I will at one point get myself a *real* DS bike, haven't decided yet between 1 or 2 cylinders, ideally I'd get one of each!

You will not regret buying a single cylinder DS.  [thumbsup]

You're probably right. Recently watched "The Long Way Round" with Charlie and Ewan and there was a point where their cameraman's bike broke down and he traded his GS for a russian thumper and he loved it! It was so much lighter than the GS so it would rarely bog down, and when it did it was much easier to dig out ;D

LOL I love that bit of the trip.  Both Charlie and Ewan looked as if they where about to start crying from the exhaustion...   [laugh]

That was classic  [laugh]  Also off road its really difficult to make use of more than about 50hp, especially if that extra hp comes with extra lbs - you just end up spinning the rear tire more and tearing off the knobbies more quickly.  My XR650R will hustle up to ~100mph pretty quickly then stops about there.  Its a rare occasion where you can really go faster than that off road (not saying I won't pimp the motor a bit before I race Vegas to Reno again for a few extra mph on the lakebed though).  In general stuff like the SuperEnduro and Hp2 are slower off road than your everyday dual sport thumper.  The bike bikes have some advantages for extended road riding or carrying a passenger or a ton of gear. 

Nothing wrong with riding a road bike on all sorts of roads though, including ones like  ungeheuer posted.  Most any moto will do just fine on dirt-gravel roads.  I've done a few hundred miles of dirt/gravel on a 919, a bandit and my TLS.

Here in So. VA we dont have open flats so it's a waste to have anything over 20 hp lol. 

We get those tight technical single tracks that are barely wide enough for your handle bars.  I remember riding with my friend on a KTM adv while I was on my CRF 230L.  We hit some tight forest trails and I ended up having to slow down.  It's nice to have the extra cylinder when  scouting for trails though. 

In the right hands.  Mine are not. 

On some of the tracks I was so busy just trying to stay on the bike there were no thoughts of stopping for photos  [laugh].   Deep rutted mud is not my idea of DR fun.... must avoid in future  [laugh].

I went up one steep track which began looking not too bad but which get steeper... and muddier... and I remember thinking "shit... I'd hate to have to go back down this"......  and when it began to get even steeper and muddier and very deeply rutted....  and I knew I'd ran out of ability....  Well.... you know that I had to turn around and go right back down.  Glad nobody was there to see that "performance".... hahahahahaha.

Just listed my DualSport, 2008 WR250R on fleabay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110699373554&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:MOTORS:1123#ht_500wt_1182 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110699373554&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:MOTORS:1123#ht_500wt_1182)

But gravity helps out on the way back down  [Dolph]

A lot does come down to what you are used to/comfortable with. 

Here's the 919 on pike's peak a few years ago (when less of it was paved)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WQ9ACGbbso0/SHYKCvkhA7I/AAAAAAAAD5Q/CvswFGxkQs0/s640/P7090086.JPG)

There was even a little puddle of mud
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--LDD1sxsKP4/SHYKM-hOunI/AAAAAAAAD5w/-NtMGsIlgYw/s640/P7090075.JPG)

Brilliant Video ... not! It did keep me entertained for a bit tho, and he does have a good point.

Which Dual Sport Motorcycle is right for you? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zibj7KnjClk#normal)

Yeah, I think he does make a good point.  But a question that you should ask first is, Will I be taking this bike to places where I am likely to drop it?  If the answer is no, maybe that $20K Ducati will do for ya.  Based on my own experience of riding in the desert, my bike needs to be able to pass his test.   [cheeky] [cheeky]

in the beginning there was this..
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5266/5558464246_ce7b22d6d8.jpg)

... and now  :)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/6892418366_eee6704525_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/6999166094_eb8b9f0877_c.jpg)

red and orange is the new black  8)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7185/6999054044_d41e67c835_c.jpg)
I really need to buy some appropriate riding gear  [laugh]

Had a blast riding around the south part of Michaux State Forest (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/michaux/index.htm).

(http://codeherrings.com/images/moto/rides/2012-05-05/michaux_01-med.jpeg)

(http://codeherrings.com/images/moto/rides/2012-05-05/michaux_04-med.jpeg)

(http://codeherrings.com/images/moto/rides/2012-05-05/michaux_06-med.jpeg)

Nice bike! How big is the Safari tank, and how do you like the Britannia Composites headlights and fairing?

Nice scenery.  Nice helmet too!!  8).

Safari tank is as big as it is nasty.  Thirty litres, enough to take me 640kms before I need to flip over to reserve  ;D  BC lights are fabulous..... but the fairing itself is not quite the precision moulding you'd expect for the $$ (maybe dirt riders are more easily pleased).  Its a good platform for mounting a real speedo and my GPS.  And theres room within to host a proper fuse panel to run everything.

Nicely done fellas! [thumbsup]

Tempting!  [evil]

Beyond the Border - Riding Solo in Mexico (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgBFQxY0XQk#)

had some fun in the cold today....  lots of damaged roads... some passable.... others not...  rode thru a brief hail shower...  that was fun  :-\

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7471581516_8cdb9dd822_b.jpg)

Another fun day on dirt roads.... despite one of the crew downing his VStrom on a muddy track...  :-\
(https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?saduie=AG9B_P8yxWkpJtlWTDDTvZ9nAg5O&attid=0.7&disp=emb&view=att&th=138f090fda39c38a)
(https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?saduie=AG9B_P8yxWkpJtlWTDDTvZ9nAg5O&attid=0.9&disp=emb&view=att&th=138f090fda39c38a)
(https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?saduie=AG9B_P8yxWkpJtlWTDDTvZ9nAg5O&attid=0.10&disp=emb&view=att&th=138f090fda39c38a)
No harm to bike (apart from broken screen and an airbox full of oil) or rider (apart from injured pride and tomorrow's inevitable aches).... coulda been much worse if bike had followed rider over the edge.

But alls well that ends well...
(https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?saduie=AG9B_P8yxWkpJtlWTDDTvZ9nAg5O&attid=0.11&disp=emb&view=att&th=138f090fda39c38a)
(https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?saduie=AG9B_P8yxWkpJtlWTDDTvZ9nAg5O&attid=0.12&disp=emb&view=att&th=138f090fda39c38a)

I can feel a front-end upgrade coming on  ;D

http://www.emigracing.com/ (http://www.emigracing.com/)

preeeeeettttyyy!

 [drool] [drool] [drool]

DR done

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/8728588464_7b3310fecf_k.jpg)

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7331/8727437733_d9334459e9_k.jpg)

 If you want to go Italian, a Freind of mine has this on the 'bay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987-Cagiva-Ducati-650-Elefant-/151042712037?_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&forcev4exp=true#ht_514wt_1021 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987-Cagiva-Ducati-650-Elefant-/151042712037?_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&forcev4exp=true#ht_514wt_1021)

 He really knows his stuff, too!

Nice work U! 

Went over to the Suzuki dealership yesterday to look at the DR 650 some more.  It will be mine!!

Told the wife I REALLY need a bike again now that we're in CA and I can lane split!!

Thanks IZ.

DR makes a great do-everything bike.  Its excellent at nothing but pretty handy at almost everything.  I like coz its cheap, cheerful and simple as can be.  Though "built-to-a-price" is painfully obvious in the torturous excuse for a seat... and the stock suspension, which is as ancient as it is wollowingly soggy.  

If I could only have one bike.....  [will I be I'll be run out of DMFland for saying this?  :-\] .... it would be the DR.

Although the new(ish) Husky 650 Terra is worth a look too IMO.  More modern for very little more $$$.  Husky guys will tell you its not a real Husky (and they're right), but they're also missing the point.  Its not there to be what they want from a Husqvarna, it's there to temp DR650 shoppers into a Husky dealership.

http://www.husqvarnamotorcycles.com.au/product.asp?pid=57&t=TR+650+Terra&cid=37 (http://www.husqvarnamotorcycles.com.au/product.asp?pid=57&t=TR+650+Terra&cid=37)

As I've mentioned before, I had a '97 DR350 back in Flagstaff. Perfect ride for that place!  It was my first bike and I wish I had kept it. 

+1 on that all the way! I was seriously thinking about one as my first DS bike. I ended up buying an 05 BMW F650GS instead, but I still really like the simple, clean, time tested design of the DR.

I think the best part about the bike is the Rotax engine (reliable and fuel efficient): it's the continuation of BMW's G650 X-challenge bikes. Weight and performance wise, I see it somewhere between a Husky 610 and a BMW F/G650gs.

If I had to pick a DS bike today, it would be between a DR, a Terra or the KTM 690. [evil]

Aw you're jealous, that's cute

I've got no problem admitting it's a very nice bike(*)!


(*) assuming it doesn't leave you stranded due to soggy electrical connectors are sealed or bad gas pump...  [cheeky] ;D

Seem the problem was that those connections WEREN'T sealed... wtf KTM wtf...

The pump thing really seems to be the fuel filter thing. Out of the factory they clogged up super fast, over working the pump and burning it out

You're spot on with the fuel efficiency. I have a couple of riding mates with X-Challenges and another with the F650GS...... they're amazingly miserly on fuel.  Its worth noting when considering max fuel range from what at first glance may seem like not overly large stock fuel tanks.  They get more out of less than I can on my DR.

Husky Terra or DR650 would be my dilemma.  KTM690 is a very nice bit of gear too, but a bit too "special" for what I want form a DS ride  ;).

I get 60MPG easy (about 4 litres/100 km)  8) ;D Worst I've seen is 50MPG (4.7 l/100km) in heavy traffic or hauling @$$ on the interstate ~75MPH And this is with "Regular" US gas (87 AKI , PON , (RON + MON)/2 ), no need for anything more except extanol free gas maybe...

With the US tank (16litres ~ 4gal) that's easily 200+ miles of normal riding. Euro tank does without some EPA filter crap and holds another liter or so (1 US quart), don't know about you guys down under.

The main negatives with the F650 are the weight (gas under the seat but battery and oil tank up high???), stock suspension (crap), and to an extent the importance of a good battery for the fuel injection (no push starting!). If I ever went adventuring in remote areas I would rather give up some MPG for the easy to fix carbs, push-start on a dead battery DR.  [thumbsup]

When I bought it...

(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/moto/elefant650/c2_3.jpg~original)


I haven't ridden it in a while, I need to tweak a few things, but I love it.. The forks need rebuilding..

Photo time, forgot to share these:

Green Ridge Rd in the Green Ridge State Forest.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-I5gihZ3lAT0/UYWdm7S5ZPI/AAAAAAAABcA/eZoeggENUHI/s1152/IMG_20130504_145146_679.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-covd0k89yVU/UYWcvlznpLI/AAAAAAAABcA/fXn3sKMsNIE/s1152/IMG_20130504_145153_838.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Tv5slIX3ETk/UYWbDS7vGzI/AAAAAAAABcA/_iMHIXfCx68/s1152/IMG_20130504_145159_392.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GQMU7OWKpf8/UYWdSD5e_GI/AAAAAAAABcA/ZnbvfAWW4tQ/s1152/IMG_20130504_145204_201.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kHXDnWcrSYE/UYWavLx79BI/AAAAAAAABcA/CJS2ox3bT9E/s1152/IMG_20130504_150805_885.jpg)

Got more pics?

The clutch cover came like that, and I've painted it since.  (Lauer Duracoat)

(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/moto/elefant650/95_3.jpg)
(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/moto/elefant650/81_3.jpg)
(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/moto/elefant650/39_3.jpg)
(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/moto/elefant650/26_3.jpg)

I rode a DR400Z this weekend as well as a DR650. Looking for a dual sport to go play in the dirt when I don't want to break things on the vastly more expensive Multi.
Funny part is, my dealer suggested a second set of wheels with TKC80s on em for the Multi...which I wouldn't mind. But parts for the Multi cost a LOT more to replace when I fall over trying to climb that steep ass hill or do that rocky water crossing. Hehe.

Been hard pressed to resist the allure of a full on dual sport bike. I have done plenty of gravel on the Multi but when the roads dwindle down to single track or dirt, things get hairy. Plus, the idea of trying to right a fully loaded Multi doesn't sound nearly as much fun as doing it with a DR.

Yeah there's a big difference when something like a DR tips:
"Ah shit... well that sucks." Wipe wipe "Ok, off we go"

And the Multi
"AHHHH SHIT make the beast with two backs OW!" Crack, crunch "Oh great, $500 in plastics from a stupid slippery rock slip. Awesome!"

My wife was the one who suggested a set of TKC80s...at first. Then I showed her parts costs. She quickly changed it to "After I get my bike, we should look into a dual sport for you to play in the dirt with..." [laugh]

A woman of insight.

The multi is a great bike - I really want one. But an off-roader it's really not. As noted, too expensive to fix from a tip over which is all too common for a DS bike. My monster's never been down on my watch which has been years now - the KTM Took several low speed naps, including walking itself off the side stand in the first couple months I had it

My fails at the 2012 Shenandoah 500 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNQfT-941cY#)
Imagine doing this on a Multi ... how much would it end up costing you in (plastic) parts [cheeky] That's me during last year's Shenandoah 500, falling over more times than a drunk Irishman on his way home  [laugh]

I have no doubt that a skilled rider could do it, and one guy on a 1200 GS passes me making it look effortless (I suck and I know it :-[) but it would be much more easy/relaxing/fun on the right sized bike. Besides I'm sure a Multi would tear through the TKC-80 rear pretty quickly!  [laugh]

Thanks Tiz.
That's an awesome jigger! [evil]
Interesting airbox frame plenum thingy concept. A way for more airbox volume with space constraints? Ha, the Panigale airbox inspired by the Elefant! [laugh] Work ok?
The 650 nearly made as much power as the 750, that correct?  Or the smaller valves hold it back compared to the Paso heads of the 750? 650 with 36mm Dell Ortos and 750 with 32mm Bings. Surely people must have put some Dell Ortos on the 750.

@ 1.00 I'm sure I can hear you thinking.... "gotta not end up in that mud-lake... gotta not end up in that mud-lake...."  (ask me how I know  ;) [laugh])..... and then later on I like that you adopt the "make the beast with two backs it" strategy and ride striaght thru 'em (well almost)  [thumbsup]  [laugh]<< in a good way.... coz I've been there too  [laugh].

Yup.  Never yet dropped the Monster.... but the DR650.... well just like The Mad King Pepe's vid... it often takes a lay down... just pick it up (and a DR isnt that easy on your own either)... dust it off, and keep going  ;D

I've linked to them before but worth dragging some out again.
17 inch rims, tires that aren't actually knobbies and a supposed public road by me, oh yeah and a big drop off to the one side

RiverRoadAlmostFall.wmv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GvRv00l-UU#)

RiverRoadWaterfall.wmv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFQ0Lmi9HFM#)

RiverRoadRocky.wmv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIoEg7kyv_g#)

Since I already have a 1200GS I wanted something that leaned more dirt than pavement.  After agonizing for months on this decision I ended up with a WR250R.  Great bike off road and I can still do highway. 

(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a394/Merrell/cd8fa52478ff0cbb6d61f2319aeed86e.jpg)

^^ Nice.

+1
and a lot better fuel economy than my KTM  [laugh]

this was my old dual sport bug I built from near to be scratch.

(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/Skybarney/Baja%20Bug/Fullrear.jpg) (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/Skybarney/media/Baja%20Bug/Fullrear.jpg.html)

(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/Skybarney/Baja%20Bug/front.jpg) (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/Skybarney/media/Baja%20Bug/front.jpg.html)

I know it has four wheels but if it makes you any happier it once became a three wheeler at about 50mph.......  Took me two days of hunting berry bushes to find my rear tire and wheel  [bang]

I feel for you but still... [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

Heard good things about it on Advrider, sweet little ride! [thumbsup]

Some of the budget minded options put head to head
http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/02/27/dual-sport-motorcycle-comparison-test/ (http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/02/27/dual-sport-motorcycle-comparison-test/)

The Honda really looks tempting compared to the others: cheapest, best mileage, and lowest seat. Only negatives are weight and basic suspension.

The Yamaha is the best overall bike, but you have to pay for it... ("48 percent more expensive than Honda; Only (!) 26 percent more power" - 24.8 vs 19.6 hp  [laugh] )

The Kawasaki is just there for people who don't like FI.

But overall, I think a big thumper is still better: more power on the highway (maybe the Yamaha is close) and still ok off road...    but then I really suck off road...  :-[

Love the Yamaha! They just need a bigger cc model in the US..660!!  [evil]

How many miles after a fill up can you get on that?

YES... LET THE RED PIG OUT.......
I dont know about the low seat I am pretty freaking tall and I am on my tipy toes sometimes :-[

Put some meat on them bones!  [laugh]

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/9661439007_16e9f7db4c_k.jpg)

Nice! Where is that?

There's Nothing Like Australia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Nq-VQkCi64g#)

I was thinking about something a bit more specific...

'Down Under'

 ;D

on the southern edge of the Strzelecki State Forest, south east Victoria....

Lately dual sport riding has taken over our interest and time.  Since retiring last January, I spent 6 months prepping our 2 dual sports for a ride up the Continental Divide route.  The route is about 2800 mi and 80% of that is dirt.  I fabricated crash bars and racks to hold our aluminum panier boxes.  The fork internals of our BMW F800 GS were replaced with fully adjustable ones and an auto tune power commander installed.  I really can't remember all the mods I did to get the bikes ready.  Here are a couple of pics of the bikes while on the trip.  We did the trip in July and had an awesome ride; we are very seriously considering doing it again next summer.  
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/780monster/DSCN0089_zps5d8143b7.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/780monster/media/DSCN0089_zps5d8143b7.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/780monster/DSCN0206_zps056757fa.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/780monster/media/DSCN0206_zps056757fa.jpg.html)
 
I edited the video we took on the trip.  It is a sampler of the types of roads and landscapes encounter on the trail.  Unfortunately we have no video of the most difficult sections.  We were too busy trying to stay upright to turn on the camera at those times, but what is here is typical.

Sarah and Bill Ride the Great Divide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3CyRQRp7v0#)

Just been out last week...
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3d731b3127ccef440eee2e24b00000030O00ActnDNi1at2IPbz4A/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00107551386920130911040347987.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)

(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3d731b3127ccef4407b77233c00000030O00ActnDNi1at2IPbz4A/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00107551386920130911040546453.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)

(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3d731b3127ccef440fc75e2d500000030O00ActnDNi1at2IPbz4A/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00107551386920130911040602128.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)

Cheers,

b]akmnstr[/b],

some great riding country you have going on there  [thumbsup].

picard,

spectacular scenery, great pics  [thumbsup].

Thanks for taking a look.  Yes, it some of the best scenery that America has to offer and you have to ride the dirt to see it. 

Reading this thread is not good for my health  ... I mean wallet ;D

What do you guys think about Husky TE 630? I got an offer for a new 2011 TE 630. Still not cheap, but it's almost half the price of Husky TR650 or Sertao 650.

I've been thinking about getting a second bike for weekend ride and long ride to places with bad road conditions, try some light off-roading and also as a commuter. Do you think TE630 will be good for those kind of ride?

bob

Not sure if what I think about the Husky TE630 is worth knowing... but I'll tell you anyway.

Welded on Husky guys will tell you that the TE630 is a real Husky.... (unlike the econo BMW with-a-Husky-badge TR650).

I think the TE630 is a far more hard core piece of gear than the TR650.  Its a better motorcycle, in a single-minded way.  Better cycle parts, not built down to a price.  Its also far more "needy".  Much more needy.  Be prepared for a high maintenance regime. 

I see the TR650 as a nice, relatively inexpensive, more modern alternative to my trusty old Suzuki DR650.  The TE630 is much more of a thoroughbred than that. Think KTM.

So that's my take on it FWIW.

Thanks Ungeheuer [thumbsup]
I'm going to visit the dealer tomorrow and try to sit on it, if they have this bike in their show room. I heard that it's quite tall, 36" IIRC and my inseam is only 32" ;D


bob

I visited a Husky dealer yesterday to try to sit on a TE 630. There's no demo bike, so sit on one is all I can do.

Anyway, it is a tall bike. Wearing sandals with both feet down I had to stand on the balls of my feet. Flat foot was possible with one foot down. But since it's not a heavy bike... I think it's light... the height won't be much of a problem.  It will take some time and practice to ride it in a stop-and-go traffic, but nothing difficult I guess. Like Jeremy Clarkson loves to say "How hard can it be?" ;D

Looks like my search for a dual sport bike is over ...all I have to do now is convincing the CFO to let me buy another bike ... that may be difficult  ;D

Seek not permission, seek forgiveness   ;) ;).

My DR is now somewhat raised... I can't flat foot it at all...  tippy-toes if I'm trying for both feet.. or more usually I flat foot on the left and leave my right foot on the peg (you drive on the same side of the road as me, so you get the idea).  Works alright until you're trying for footing on a substantial camber  :-[.  The DR gets dropped.... semi-regularly... most often when stationary due to tall bike, short leg syndrome  [laugh].

Go for it, you'll be fine.  Looking forward to hearing what you think of the TE630................

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/10344326254_32ed543758_o.jpg)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34623151@N03/10290249306/#secretb9408269da (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34623151@N03/10290249306/#secretb9408269da)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34623151@N03/10344716205/#secret7008edfcfa?likes_hd=1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34623151@N03/10344716205/#secret7008edfcfa?likes_hd=1)

how I suck in sand.....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34623151@N03/10345408985/#secretec5cfaac6f?likes_hd=1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34623151@N03/10345408985/#secretec5cfaac6f?likes_hd=1)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34623151@N03/10345985716/#secretb18c501c6c?likes_hd=1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34623151@N03/10345985716/#secretb18c501c6c?likes_hd=1)

 [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
That's the kind of ride I have in mind when I bought my TE630. Ride the bike to where the asphalt ends ...keep riding and have fun there ... then ride back home  ;D

I'm looking forward to reading about it here  [thumbsup] [popcorn]

I drooled on one of those last summer when the new BMW & Euro dealer opened up.  Looks like a very good dualie!

JM

Somebody do it!

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/128-bikes/257865-2007-s4r-terramostro.html (http://www.ducati.ms/forums/128-bikes/257865-2007-s4r-terramostro.html)

Wakey wakey, spring is almost here...  [laugh]


(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_54QtE0nO0U/UwLSPfGu-gI/AAAAAAAADz8/J0ETK4PINIM/s800/IMG_20140202_131437_729.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MIAed-ImrJA/UwLSAPOFvrI/AAAAAAAADzA/NOEAchftu5s/s800/IMG_20140202_131537_529.jpg)

Nice MKP  [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

(How the make the beast with two backs to you manage with so few cylinders?  ;D ;)

in his head or mechanically?

 ;D

Weather's good enough to bring the Gran Canyon out of hibernation... but I didn't finish the timing belts and valve adjustment over winter.  [bang]  Work, travel, surgery, etc...

I'll probably break it out for a ride this weekend, then put it on the stand and tear into it.  Hopefully the weather will motivate me to git 'er dun.

I may have a 750 Elefant by tomorrow! 88 Bifaro in Elf colours. Dead stock but for a wider 900 rear wheel.  I'm going to buy it and put it in the shed (wonder if my wife will notice). Should know by tomorrow.

[thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

And you think I can't get you into any more trouble?  [evil]

We'll be expecting photos!  [drool]

Ooooh! Ooooh!  [popcorn]

Spoke to him again today, its looking good. Will have a deal sorted by next week. We are pretty much settled on the price. He wants to prep it for me. He's a good guy and we get on well. It ain't getting away this time!  :D

Checked the E750 glory box. :D
I'm ready to go with the intake and exhaust mods. The oem carbs (tiny Bing 32mm CV units) and the ugly oem muffler (weighs a ton) are contributors to asthmatic performance. I will look at either using pod filters or modify the airbox. The airbox is very interesting and uses the hollow back bone frame as a plenum which feeds the carbs on short manifolds thru tubes exiting the frame.

TM38s x 2         check
K&N Filters        check
Smaller indicators   check
Monster tail light     check
Heavy duty earth wires   check
Spare ignition modules   check
Alloy (ancient) Staintune muffler   check
Exactfit coils        check
New ignition wires    check
Source of dual sport tyres   check
Tiny Shorai battery from Gixxer    check
Exacfit belts in Cart    check

I plan to remove some hard to get oem items and replace them with modern dirt bike parts.


Tragic really [laugh]

Cool  [thumbsup]  I hope you land this one mate.

My 2 bobs worth?  If you have any plans to ride it on dusty dirt roads.... forget about the pod filters.  And if you're gonna run K+Ns... have some kinda secondary oil foam over-filter to catch the shit that the K+Ns will allow to pass thru.

Outer wear covers over pods be ok?
The oem airbox takes a K&N filter.

Outerwears not enough IMO.

I have a K+N in the DR's stock (but opened) airbox... but in addition I run an oiled foam sleeve over the K+N...   as first line of defence its gets filthy with grot, but keeps the K+N in good shape. 

I reckon I could run an outerwear that would cover the whole airbox, due to the unusual design.

I think full "skeleton" armour, articulated leg protection and neck brace. I heard that dirt diggin' is dang dangerous. Might up the health insurance too. I'll ride sweep out back. 8) Honestly I feel safer on the track.

You might have the hard core Nissan Patrol, but I'll pose in the Range Rover ;D

Mate, my "dirt diggin" is done at pretty tame pace.  Its not my natural riding environment either... lifetime of riding the bitumen doesn't count for much on the loose stuff.  I'm getting better at it (from a low base).  Dirt riders seem to make good road racers, not sure there's much backwards compatibility  [laugh]

 [thumbsup]

Ok you dual sport champs, help a noob out here. ;D

The flump has 2" ish x 21 inch front and 3" x 17 rear wheels. So I think that translates to 90x90x21 front and 140x80x17 rear. It has the oem front rim and oem E900 rim out back for a bigger footprint. Another point is tubes, air pressure and valves, any tips?

I'm after dual sport tyres with a road bias in Michelin or Dunlop as that's what my local guy mainly has and he looks after me on price. He told me he can get me anything and I still get a good price. Good guys out at First Class Motorcycles in Liliydale, Victoria Australia.

I reckon much of the riding will be two up with 70% road riding and 30% dirt road riding and no bush bashing planned (for I am old and frail). ;D

Ok, I found the Michelin AnakeeIII. They have 54S/H/V rated 90/90/21 and 140/80/17 rated at 69H and 150/70/17 rated at 69V. Any good?

Dunlop D606 looks good for dirt, but too knobby for street.

Dunlop TR91 is a street tire, no matter what they say about it.
It's not going to work very well at all on anything remotely loose.

Michelin Anakee 2 looks reasonable for street oriented, T63 for dirt oriented.
Anakee 3 looks like a street tire, I suspect acts much like Dunlop TR91 in the dirt.

Cant help with 70/30 tyres... I always run full knobbies...  Pirelli MT21s or Dunlop D606s...

It seems the road biased tyres have gone from 70/30 to 90/10 and to suit bigger heavier bikes like the larger Beemers, Yam, etc that are more tourers than dual purpose. Probably suit the flump pretty well with my wussy dirt riding ability. Sorry Unge, I'm a white belt. ;D

My choice of knobby tyres does have a lot to do with my dirt riding ability.

I need all the help I can get  ;D

And on the bitumen I back myself to cope with tyres which are less than ideal for that purpose.

This is what hard cornering does to DOT knobbies.  Probably doesn't help that these were mounted up in the fall of '78.  This is from terrorizing my neighborhood one summer day.

(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/GenMoto/DSC_0096-1024.jpg)

JM

Crusty! [puke]
You sure get your monies worth from your tyres. [laugh]

I rode a mates XR250 on the street with knobbies, just about shat myself.  ;D

The TKC-80's have wide and low knobs, so they don't fold over like standard dirt knobbies.
As long as you keep in mind that there's less rubber on the road than a street tire, they're fine on pavement.
They just don't last very long.

Years ago I had an XT600.
Normal front was a 3.00x21, and both me and my KLR650 mounted riding buddy wanted to get a bit more traction with the same tube-pinch resistance.
So we bought a pair of Kenda 3.25-21 dual-sport tires.
Tall and skinny knobs.
My first freeway ramp at a modest lean angle at 40 mph the knobs folded.  :o
Rode it carefully back home, demounted the tire and threw it in the trash.

That mushy, vague feeling is one thing, but a folding tyre is another. :o

When my mate and I swapped bikes for a bit while out on a ride I was riding my modified Superlight. That XR250 was the first dirt bike I had ridden in years and didn't know what hit me. My mate said he was ruined forever. It was his first ride on a road bike and the SL had high comps, FCR39s, open airbox and dialled cams. He said he popped his cherry with a Victoria's Secret model in road bike terms. I fell on hard times and he bought it immediately. He still has it.
I can see myself on Anakee III or Dunlop 607s. Maybe I can get some runout Anakee IIs.

Does it have any decent tires on it now, or do you have to buy something before riding it?

It has more dirt biased dual purpose tyres which will be ok, but I cant ride for a month anyway. The tyres are probably very old as are the belts, so I have some work to do. I've got plenty of time to work on it one handed with mates helping out. I need the projects or I'll go nuts. I'm gonna' miss the best part of the riding season this year down here.

The flump and the Gixxer should keep me occupied between medical stuff :P

Pics bro pics!
GK

He's vanning it over this week. He is a very busy IT guy and wants to prep the bike. PM sent. I am off the bike for months and I need a test pilot for the Gixxer when it's rebuilt bro [evil]. What could possibly go wrong... ;D

For those of you wanting an idea if the strange intake set up of these early 650/750 Elefants, check out page 10 of this thread to see ducatiz's 650. See where the airbox starts at one end of the hollow frame and breathes through the frame backbone and has exits for the tubes which fit the carbs. It's like the frame is a plenum or intake tract extension adding to airbox volume. Pretty nifty. Probably just a packaging solution, but its interesting.
It will be hard not to do back to back road tests against pods at least to see which gives better power characteristics at street legal speeds.

This week.

Is done.

 [popcorn]

Annoying delay.
Maybe this weekend.
After this weekend, if ever. [bang]

Comp in AMCN mag here has 2 x DR 650s as the prize, other prizes are 2 x full sets of trail gear.

I should enter and win the riding gear so I can ride around town looking like a wanker (the dirt is so dirty). ;D

A bit muddy out there it was...

Video doesnt do justice to just how steep the descent is nor how squirmingly muddy.  Fortunately it also doesnt show just how often both my feet are paddling the ground too  [laugh]....

dingo creek road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=h6P4Yi_KcFA#)

As a discussion point....

I've not done heaps of mud riding, as I've lived in Southern California my whole life.
But I've done a good bit, and spent lots of time riding in the dirt.

I can't see how muddy it really is, and even that is dependent on what kind of dirt it is.

But in this situation, ignoring the oncoming ute, which actually did limit your line choice a bit...

My first choice would be the green line, second would be the yellow, third would be the orange, and last choice red.

Green looks best due to some vegetation offsetting the sliminess of the mud.
Yellow goes through almost no water.
Orange looks about as good as the yellow, but the proximity to the downslope is a concern.
Red goes through the most water, which is of unknown depth (which I've found to occasionally hold a wheel-sized hole, leading to close visual inspection of the front fender and subsequent body/ground contact).

Line choice seemed improved at about the 9 minute mark.

As I wasn't there in person, I may be taking through my hat.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/13919433991_a191a420f8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nd1JMe)

Speeddog, I agree with your analysis (ignoring the ute).  

But....  you fail to take into account that my ability in these conditions is backed by.. an appropriate level of confidence  ;)  [laugh]  

And the DR... it aint a lightweight  :-\.

So whilst green does look good in theory... it's the high point of a slimy ridge.... and I'm concerned about slipping off down into the adjacent rut, getting crossed up and losing control.

Ditto yellow.

And while I agree with your thoughts re the red line.... its almost always the choice I (possibly unwisely) make.   Can't slip to any lower depth than the low point.  And yes, there's the risk that its 12' deep... or has some unseen obstacle lurking within the murkiness.  

And the orange line?  Same deal as green, but due to the proximity of The Edge to the left.... I'm very, very wary of orange.

Being in Australia my natural road positioning is to keep left.... yet you'll notice just how often I choose the right side of the track.

Its fear of The Edge.

Pretty steep, muddy long way down over The Edge.

I had a small suspicion that the green line wasn't as good as it looked.

The proximity of the orange line to the edge is indeed worrying.

All safety margins depend on the riding conditions.
I began dirt riding on motocross tracks.
Obstacles were the same every lap, help was close by, so I adopted rather slim margins.

Later, I started riding dirt roads much like that one.
Oddly enough, with the same slim safety margins.
A few hard falls riding solo led me to widen the margins. [roll]
That, and I don't bounce nearly as well as I used to, so margins continue to widen.   [laugh][laugh]

The best way of dealing with The Edge is to not look at it.
Granted, 8 million times easier to say than to do.

I've found it's easier to deal with marginal traction while standing or crouching on the pegs.

I'm paying attention to all this, taking notes and maxing out the Health insurance. ;D

Riding your motocross tracks, you had already developed dirt riding skills to give you that confidence  [thumbsup] 

In these conditions when I fall (not that I did this time) it's always low speed topple-over embarrassment due to ponderous indecision  [laugh].  No bounce required.

Agreed.
Hence my chicken-shit avoidance tactics.....

Agreed again.  And its something I generally do to good effect.... but when I'm really having an "oh shit" moment in slow muddy conditions like these.... even though I know standing up on the pegs is the most effective strategy....  I find myself sitting, paddling my feel along the ground like a 3 year old attempting to ride his big brother's bicycle  [laugh] [bang].

I'm at my worst in mud.  Over the couple of years that I've been dirt riding I have actually got reasonably competent and can scoot along pretty good so long as its dry.  I should get out in the mud more coz nobody ever got good at anything by doing less of it.

I've not gotten very good at riding in mud, as we seldom get enough rain to make much of it.

If you can find a low risk area to practice riding it while standing, where you're not going to end up down in a ditch or under the wheels of a ute if you make a small error in judgement.....

If you can get access to a smaller/lighter mount to practice on, that will speed the learning process IMO.

I've ridden a good bit on an XT600 with proper dual-sport tires, and it did respond to the techniques I had learned on dirt bikes that were 100 pounds lighter.
It just didn't respond as quickly and as emphatically, and was harder to gather back up when it went pear-shaped.
You can still learn the techniques on a beast, it's just more difficult.

Some sound advice there Speeddog. 

I keep thinking I "need" a lightweight dirt ride....  but I'll persevere in mastering the Pig... it does so much so well (but excels in none).

What a boring video! I kept waiting and hoping, but you didn't go down even once.  [cheeky]

Instead of just a lighter bike, have you thought about a Trials bike? Saw a video that got me thinking:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubL92ekvbMM (http://)

sorry, I meant this one got me thinking about learning riding techniques on a Trials bike:  [laugh]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll4M-wEqVE8 (http://)

Oh, and I sold the F650 and got a WR250X  ;D

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AlyfSv2hSxk/U1WkGhy4QMI/AAAAAAAAEGM/rqhmm4uERT4/w1598-h899-no/20140421_151532.jpg)

That's a weapon.

What's the maintenance schedule like on those?

I knew you'd be disappointed with my shabby effort  [laugh]

Can't argue with any of that  [thumbsup] 

A trials bike for me would make some sense.....  can ride it around our woodlot/forest... a neighbour of mine is very into trials machines....  so advice is easy to come by....  (http://d26ya5yqg8yyvs.cloudfront.net/hmmm.gif)

Nice  [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

I've been wondering if it's WR250R brother would be an effective lighter option for me..
(http://static2.stuff.co.nz/1347501156/437/7670437.jpg)

...problem then is that I'd also want an effective heavier XT1200 Super Tenere... to handle the cruisier side of the dual sport equation....  Two bikes in place of the one pretty good compromise I now own in the DR650.  Its why I just keep coming back to where I already am  :-\.

I don't think it will happen. The vendor is avoiding me big time after saying he would deliver the bike on three occasions. Most likely it means he sold the bike to someone else or has decided to keep it.
I'll find another.

Oil change every 3000 miles or so; valves every 26,000 (twenty six thou, not a typo); you only need to rebuild the engine if you ride for several thousand miles in third world countries with poor gas (~70-ish octane).


I was actually looking for a WRR, but found the WRX for much much less, so I jumped on it. Difference is mainly the wheels, many people buy a second set and just swap them.

The DR is a great do-it-all bike, if I ever do a RTW trip, the DR would be my top choice: simple, reliable, easy to fix, tolerates cheap gas, an anvil of a bike (and weighs the same [cheeky]). The WRR has nowhere near the torque, so you really have to rev it, whereas the DR just goes. However a WRR and an XT would be a nice combo: best of both worlds!  [drool]

Good you got the "cooking" model. The high performance models have scheduled servicing in hours rather than miles from what the dirt guys tell me. Sounds unburstable. [thumbsup]

This was my last dirt bike. Great fun but I do prefer my two strokes for the bush!

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/13999111862_8c9e97154c_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nk47eC)IMG_0429 (https://flic.kr/p/nk47eC) by scoober11031 (https://www.flickr.com/people/119072382@N04/), on Flickr

Some fun shenanigans going on here.....

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=786059 (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=786059)

I'm feeling the need to buy a bigger touring dual sporter...

I really can't bring myself to like the sensible, obvious, BMW R1200GS  :-\

And after all I've said - Travman is gonna have a ball telling me how much he told me so [laugh] - I find myself wanting.....

a Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX

 8)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7446/16461857151_10a60ddfdf_c.jpg)

How many oil filters does it have?

 ;D