Recommendations for first dual-sport rig.

[outdoornate65]

I'm starting some research on entry-level DS bikes.
I'm a new rider and would like a mid-size DS bike that I can use to explore the mountains here in Colorado and also commute when the weather permits. I've always liked the BMW 650s but worry about expensive maintainence/upkeep. Looking hard at the KLR or wee-Strom as other options. Tons of used offerings around here for the KLR at all price-points.
My budget is around 5k and I'm thinking used since this is my first bike and I'd hate to drop a shiny new Beemer during the learning process.
I'd welcome any feedback you folks have as I'm a complete noob to the world of 2-wheeled adventures.

Thanks in advance.....

Nate

 

[MarcFJ60]

Seems like you're on the right track, but how about more info about you:

Height/Weight
Type of riding you plan on doing (single track, gravel roads, all pavement, how much highway)
Loaded or with a passenger

$5000 is going to get you A LOT of bike on the used market. It's definitely a buyers market out there. I will also go out on a limb and say pretty much EVERY mid size dual sport available in the US right now is a very good bike. They all have strengths and weaknesses, but if you get a well cared for example there is very little risk of a lemon.

Make sure you get a bike you like - It's hard to go wrong in this segment and I think you're fine to buy with your heart rather than your head. Besides, it's your first bike and you'll likely find that your notions change once you own a bike and may want something bigger or smaller or more (fill in the blank).

Based upon your list, I'm guessing you're looking at a road oriented bike. You can add a Kawasaki Versys to your list on the street side or a DR650 on the dirt side. At $5K you could likely even get something like a Triumph Scrambler if that floats your boat.

Make sure you leave enough $$$ left over for riding equipment and accessories. It's pretty easy to drop $1000-$2000 on that in a hurry. And if you're not already aware of it, take a visit over at ADVrider.com (Thumpers or Beasts sections) to find a new way to waste hours out of your day.

Did you take a MSF class yet?

 

[grahamfitter]

FWIW its significantly cheaper to buy a bike that somebody else has sprayed with fast depreciating farkles and then got bored (most motorcyclists have a short attention span) than it is to start from scratch. You do risk discovering ghosts of owners past but for the most part they're reasonably benign unless somebody has messed with the engine/carb/exhaust.

Anyway, what MarcFJ60 said.

Or you could start with a 200-250 cc DS bike which is cheap and fun and move on when the time is right. I learned on a DR200 and sold it for a couple of hundred bucks less than I paid for it 8000 miles and a year or so later.

 

[outdoornate65]

Thanks for the feedback guys...

More info...

I'm 5'-9" and 200#
Living in Denver and hope to use the bike for equal parts forest-road exploring and commuting. I will probably not be toting any passengers around but might end-up loading the bike up for 3-4 trips to the mountains. I'd also like the idea of being able to put the bike on a hitch-mounted carrier and being able to take it places with my 4-Runner.

As I mentioned, I'm a brand-new rider.....have always wanted a bike but SWMBO was not having it. Now I'm not longer under the control of the evil dictatorship that was my marriage and free to move forward with my dream of owning a dual-sport MC.

I plan to take my class as soon as possible but might have missed my window until Spring....I hope not, but I need to do some research on that.

I like the thought about buying a bike that appeals to me. I've always wanted a BMW but realize my money might go further buying a KLR or Strom.
Have also budgeted money for good gear to keep me safe and comfortable.

Hope that helps.......and thanks again.

Nate

 

[goodtimes]

Given that info, I'd be looking at the bigger single cylinders (650cc +/-).

Putting a 200 pound rider + camping gear on a 250cc dual sport isn't going to be much fun anywhere but the lonely back roads. Put that combination on a freeway or even a well used state highway and you'll be wondering if you need to get off and push (I have a DR200 and an XL250 that both leave me wondering if I'm going to get run over in traffic -- they don't have the power to get away from anyone in a hurry).

For the money you want to spend, you *might* find a BMW -- but you're right, it will go a lot farther with a japanese bike. I love the BMWs, but they're expensive (both to purchase and to maintain). But -- they hold resale value like no other. I sold my 650GS for about what I paid for it (+/- a couple hundred bucks). I bought it new (3.1 miles), and sold it 2 years later, to the dealer I bought it from, with just over 24K on it.

If I were in your shoes, I'd be looking at something like a DR650, maybe an older KLR (the new ones have way to much plastic).

 

[outdoornate65]

Goodtimes,
I agree....since I will probably use the bike to commute, I'm thinking a 250cc might be a bit small.

I want low seat ht since I'm new to riding and feel comfortable with my feet on the ground....but know the KLR can be lowered a couple inches.

Lot's of KLR's for sale here in the Denver area....a testament to the popularity of dual-sports in this area.

BTW...I grew-up in Tucson, looking forward to visiting for Thanksgiving.

Nate

 

[MarcFJ60]

I'm 5'-9" and 200#
Living in Denver and hope to use the bike for equal parts forest-road exploring and commuting. I will probably not be toting any passengers around but might end-up loading the bike up for 3-4 trips to the mountains. I'd also like the idea of being able to put the bike on a hitch-mounted carrier and being able to take it places with my 4-Runner.

That does help. Your size shouldn't really limit you on may of the bikes you're considering. At 5'9", you should be able to get at least the balls of your feet solidly on the ground with all those bikes. Bike I would recommend at least sitting on several to see how they feel to you.

Couple things to consider with the bikes you listed:

Fuel Injection (BMW, Strom) versus carbs (KLR, DR650); and
Singles versus Twin Cylinders;
Weight

Some people love carbs - I'm not one of them. And if I lived near the Rockies, my opinion would be that much stronger. Carbs don't like elevation changes. You can set it so it runs well at say 5000 feet, but then run up to 10,000 and it runs like garbage. EFI deals much better with this. But the Rockies are full of carbed bikes, so it shouldn't be a deal breaker.

Generally speaking, a big (650) single cylinder bike will have more vibrations and more torque than a similar twin. Twins generally are smoother and have more top end HP. This, among other reasons, is why there are a lot of single cylinder dual sport bikes and highway bikes are generally twins or bigger. That being said, none of the singles in this thread are known for being excessively prone to vibration.

Weight - If I'm not mistaken, most hitch carriers have a max load of 500 lbs (many being even lower). Moreover, depending what year 4Runner you have, I'm not sure how much weight you want cantilevered 2 feet of your hitch. A Strom or Versys would be pushing that. Even the F650 and KLR can be well over 400 pounds when loaded up.

As said before, all the bikes you listed are good bikes and will handle what you want them to do (aside from the hitch) just fine. Buy the one that jumps out to you.

I will say this about my feelings (and I'm 5'8", 175, and only been riding about 2 years) . . .

I wouldn't get a KLR (2008 +). It is a fine bike, but for somebody my size and ability it is way too big to do anything aggressive on. I would just assume get a Versys/Strom because they would be even better on the highway, fuel injected, and just as capable on dirt roads. I wouldn't take them on tight trails, but I wouldn't take a new KLR either. Earlier KLRs are lighter and can be had dirt cheap. Given your size, I think a DR650 would be a better fit.

Much of the above can be said for the F650 as well. But they have a lower seat height, feel smaller IMHO, and are fuel injected. They also cost quite a bit more.

 

[goodtimes]

I want low seat ht since I'm new to riding and feel comfortable with my feet on the ground....but know the KLR can be lowered a couple inches.

Pretty much any bike can be lowered -- but honestly, the height thing is outgrown pretty quick.

I'm anything but tall (5'6" w/30" inseam). My first bike was a 2007 F650GS w/34.5" seat height (measured). It took about a week before I completely forgot about not getting my feet flat on the ground in traffic.

Now, my tallest bike is a 2000 Husaberg FE600, with a 37.5" seat height. It feels a *little* tall, but not bad. After riding it for a day, my 800GS feels really short, as I can get the toes of each foot on the ground with the BMW. I'm completely comfortable riding the 'berg in traffic, only being able to get one foot to the ground at a time.

Obviously, everyone is different when it comes to that, and you should go with what you are confident in -- but most new riders I know outgrow the need for a low seat height within a week or two.

 

[outdoornate65]

Thanks...that's a good point.
I put a three inch lift on my 4-Runner...got over that real quick :sombrero:

 

[ScottReb]

Gotta go with the BMW 650. Ive got 2 of them. One for my wife as well. Does great for most every use. Great on fire roads and more difficult trails. Will go almost anywhere with an experienced rider. Comfy on the road. Have done 2000 miles over 4-5 days without complaints.

Re: lowering. Dont do it. My wife is 5'6" and hers is lowered. She regretted it shortly after she got used to the bike.

 

[grahamfitter]

If I were in your shoes, I'd be looking at something like a DR650, maybe an older KLR (the new ones have way to much plastic).

I have a newer (2008) KLR that is so unloved by most folks around here. What can I say -- it was super cheap and came fully farkled including the 685 kit that keeps the oil in -- and, unlike the older KLR, actually lights the road. I'm thinking about getting a DRZ400S which has way less plastic.

 

[goodtimes]

I have a newer (2008) KLR that is so unloved by most folks around here. What can I say -- it was super cheap and came fully farkled including the 685 kit that keeps the oil in -- and, unlike the older KLR, actually lights the road. I'm thinking about getting a DRZ400S which has way less plastic.

The DRZ is a fun bike. Probably not my choice for my only 'adventure' bike -- unless my adventures come without long stretches of freeway (which is why I sold my 650GS and bought an 800GS -- longer legs when it's loaded down on the freeway).

As I've said before, any bike that is between your butt and the road is better than all the bikes on dealer floors combined . . .

 

[Black Dog]

I ride a 2008 Harley Sportster 883 low (not a dual sport) and the main reason being that it was the smallest physical size Harley there was. It has a seat height of around 27-28 inches and I am 5'5" and loved that my feet sat flat on the ground and I could even have my knees slightly bent. Its my first bike and I bought it new with 7.4 miles on it, 6 of which I put on test riding it. And nowadays I'm kind of regretting it, mainly because it is strictly a road bike and I can't take it out on forest roads, but also because it is so small. I've ridden a couple other bikes with 34-35 inch seat heights and it wasn't bad, when I came to a stop I could firmly plant at least my feet on the ground. The only bike that was way too tall for me was a Yamaha 450 dirt bike that was tuned up for doing jumps and stuff, so it was set really high and I actually had to stand on a step stool just to get on the bike, and barely just the tips of my toes touched the ground. So since you are a couple inches taller than me most dual sports shouldn't be a problem for you as far as height, just go with whats already been said and sit on a few and ride them and see which feels best. Finding the right bike is kind of like finding the perfect pair of jeans that fit better than any others in the world.

 

[dwh]

For a new rider - start small. A 200 or 250. You want something that is light enough that you can muscle it around, and also easy to pick up when you fall off, because you will fall off.

You also want something that is durable and cheap. Something that you won't be afraid to fall off of. Because you will fall off.

Take it out and beat it up some. Push the envelope. Make mistakes. Fall off.

Learn how to do doughnuts - you need to develop a feel for what it's like when the tires let go of the surface. Dirt is the perfect place for that. You need to find out what it's like when you brake hard and only the front tire grabs while the rear slides - and vice versa.

Riding motorcycles is easy. Getting the experience of how to handle a bike when things go wrong can be done by riding until something goes wrong - or by going out in the dirt and pushing it and making things go wrong.

If you've put in some hours gettin squirrelly, then when you hit that patch of oil or water in a curve on the road...you'll have a hellofalot better chance of recovering - or at least falling off with style.

Start small and get wild. Then move up to something larger with confidence.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

X2 on the starting small. Normally I'd recommend my ride...a Yamaha WR250r with fuel injection and plenty of power. But it sits high and I think it's important that a newbie be able to flat foot a bike. So...if looking new, I'd check out the Yamaha XT250 or any of the Kawasakis or Suzukis in the same displacement range. Bottom line...go sit on some, test ride if possible, and buy used if you can find what you like. Then trade up to more power or features. Good luck! :sombrero: