WTB Dual Sport under 650cc for my son

1leglance

2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
Howdy One and All,
So now both my boys are on motos and of course that meant I needed a ride...which resulted in this as a Spring Break pic from a few days ago. Yeah my 1 legged butt is on the cruiser as I need something peg forward.
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As you can see we have an odd mix of bikes there :)

My younger son started with this older XL 250 thanks to an amazing Expo member!
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But that was a bit tough to take on the long city drives we need to get out of central Phoenix not to mention any sort of highway (even the 2 lane variety) was rapping it out.
So he thought maybe taking another older bike and going Flat Tracker style where gravel roads would be the worst surface might be a good idea.....So he sold a couple of his rifles (yeah at 16 is already a gun collector) and bought this....
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However with my older son on a used dual sport (thanks to another incredible Expo member) he misses the ability to really get into the remote dirt areas.
So we already sold the CB450 and the XL250 is posted locally and now it is time to see what the forum folks might have tucked away in the corner of a garage, on a back patio or under a cover....

Here is what he is looking for..
650cc as a max..he is 16 and while very strong he just doesn't want to get beat up by the moto. He has tried the Dakar and it is too top heavy for him. So while he wants a KTM 520/530 I am thinking DRZ400 or Honda 450...of course we are open to all thoughts down to a 250 if it will cruise 60 on the freeway/highway
Dual Sport as he already learned trying to make something else work, didn't work
Street Legal so he can ride it around town and out of town
We are located in Phoenix but for the right bike we would either go get it or have it shipped.
and now the ugly part...he has $3000 max, top dollar, can't go higher as a budget. I already helped him get the other 2 bikes so he is stuck with what he has for money. The Ninja is being sold by my older son to pay me for the Dakar.

So tell us mighty forum world, what is hiding around your house that needs to go to a good home?
 

SpeedoJosh

New member
I would look into a Honda XR650R or XR400. The XR250R doesn't like going above 50ish on the highway. The 450 is not really a dual sport friendly bike. Just a dirt bike that some people plate (not easily).

The XRs are durable, and plenty of torque. The 650r will go 60 on the highway easily. (and 100 in the dirt :bike_rider:). Their only downfall is the kickstart only. I had a dialed in 650R and it only took one kick. My 250r is dialed in and only takes one kick.

Just some food for thought.
 

1leglance

2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
Thanks for the heads up on the 450x...will take a look on craigslist
 

schmittie120

New member
I have a 1996 DR650 (no design changes till 2012) with 9500 miles on it. A crap ton of upgrades (pipe, carb, tank, hand guards, seat, bars, tail lights) that I could part with for 3000. Catch is I am located in San Diego. Let me know if you want or need pictures, I am thinking about getting rid of it before it sits during my 10 month deployment.
 

ZMagic97

Explorer
I'd recommend a DRZ400. I got a 2002 in the Fall for $2100 from Craigslist. I've had 3 total in my life and they're great. Inexpensive, reliable, light, easy to work on, and fun. I'd sell you mine, but I like it too much.
 

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