General Discussion Forum

I have been considering buying a Dual Purpose for some time now and am wondering if anyone has had any experience riding them?  I would like one that I could ride on the freeway without reving it to the moon.  I am planning on using it to get back and forth to work and to occassionaly hit a dirt or gravel side road to explore.  I won't be doing any serious trail riding with it, that's what my X is for, but I want the option if the need strikes me.  I have been thinking about the Husky TE450 or TE510.  The TE610, XL650L, and KLR650  look to be very heavy.  Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks,  Grizz  

Ahhh nooo dont even think about the XR650L. What a terrible bike! The thing is a pig. If I were you, I would look for a used 650R that has been converted to be street legal before you get the L. One of my dads friends bought the L and it is heavy. My gosh. If I am remembering right, the L is over 300 pounds. I dont know how much money you are looking to spend on a dual sport bike, but my dad wants to get a KTM 450 or 525 dual sport. I think those are awesome. But they are also a lot more money and I dont really know much about the used KTMs.

If I were you, I wouldnt rush. Take your time and research a LOT. Becuase it would suck to get ancy and go out and buy a bike that ends up being nothing you thought it was going to be and you hate it. Personally, I would try to stay away from the super heavy bikes.

i think maybe the DR400S is the best for you

its not too heavy

and with litle mods you kan use for off road too

hawe e-starter . slim body street legal,look good and its not expensive

..or maybe go get some xr400 and made street legal

.

if u can go new get a '07 ktm 525 EXC or a husky te510 or if theres a dealer close by the aprillia 550 is a legit choice just a little pricey and its not actually street legal it takes about 30 bucks and a hr and 1/2 at the DMV.all 3 are actual dirtbikes that u can ride on the road just don't get carried away,the drz400 is a great bike but its starting to show its age alittle.the 650L is better on the trails then it looks, 1 name should say it all "Scott Summers".i'm not really sure on the rest.

then if u really got some cash to throw around, make everybody orange with envy and get a KTM super-enduro 950!!!!

why ktm 950 ?

i think the BMW is better

now BMW hawe new licht and powerfull model

and-belive my the BMW is 100 thimes more reliable from ktm950 !

i know mens fho tested this ktm-s for the factory

i dont like to speak too much ..because i respekt the ktm facory wery much..but...

and this bikes -ktm950 and bmw is much moore expensive from drz400

the drz 400 is great dual purpose bike for wery good prise

but if you lot of money-get bmw ..lol

..and be happy

and litle pics

http://ftp.domainbg.com/mitkov/ERZ%20BMW%20BOX.JPG

http://ftp.domainbg.com/mitkov/ERZ%20BMW%20SPUSK.JPG

you not belive but with this bmw some riders ride on the hardest ewent in the world-erzberg rodeo austria and not just on the prolog but same on the hare scramble

and abaut drz400

look here

http://www.dirtrider.com/tests/offroad/141_0305_suzuki_dr_z400/

.

The KLR and 650L are very heavy but you said your weren't going to do any serious trail riding. Those bikes are great on gravel and dirt roads, including the DR650. They're big and heavy but much more enjoyable on pavement than a DR400S, you'll be screaming the 400 at highway speeds. You can't beat Japanese reliablitly either, the euro bikes are awfully pricey and probably not nearly as reliable. Be sure to check out adventure rider, (advrider.com) it's a huge site dedicated to dual sporting and the guys on there know everything. 

Good luck

www.advrider.com  

the reason i said KTM is because any company who who's willing to put a boxer motor on a off-road bike needs to get there head examined.how stupid can u be to hang 2 cylinders off the side of the bike where there most vularnable.my ex-grilfriends dad payed 15,000 for a BMW and aboustly hated the thing.a rock flew up from a big-rig and cracked the cylinder,also thats not all that happend to that bike.and if u look at the price differenice and dealer network KTM is the clear winner.i wouldn't hit a dog in the ass with a BMW.

yes the bmw cilinders litle unprotekted but many racers go from paris to dakar whidaut break cilinder or head

and i know for people who cross all world with bmw and dont hawe problems with this

..dont get my wrong i like ktm s too !