Dual Sport bug....

[rockaduc]

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]

[GLantern]

Enjoy it, looking forward to the pics!

[the_Journeyman]

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

[GLantern]

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_Journeyman]

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

[GLantern]

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?

[rockaduc]

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

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).    

[DRKWNG]

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

[akmnstr]

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

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. 

[Le Pirate]

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

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

[akmnstr]

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. 

[mitt]

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


yamaha super tenre


triumph xc800


bmw f800gs



mitt

[GLantern]

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

[akmnstr]

I love the functional ugliness of those bikes. 

[Le Pirate]

that triumph makes me drool