Help Scotty decide on an Expedition Moto...

[dirtysouth]

Would you really want to ride a Honda XR650L all the way to Alaska? Wouldn't that be one sore body after a few days?

It is easier and cheaper to make a bike more road friendly than it is to make it more offroad friendly. A corbin seat, bigger gas tank, windshield and luggage and you're set. You can easily swap out the front sprocket in a matter of minutes thereby effectively changing your bike from hwy capable to offroad capable. That being said, a buddy of mine did alaska on a sportster and had no problem. He did say when he goes again, it will be on his DR.

 

[Hltoppr]

Given those requirements...I'd go with my first bike....a Honda XR650L. Add these items:

Clarke 4.0 gallon tank.
Happy trails aluminum panniers and rack
Garmin 276/376C GPS on a MGV Touratech Rally Mount


Out of the box, the 30 hp XRL is a great all-around dual sport. I don't like to fiddle with stock jetting or exhaust too much, and found that with the idle mixture adjustment mine would work great from sea level to 11,000 feet. For long highway trips I'd put a cooler spark plug in. Granted, you're gonna want to play with the seat foam a bit...as the very definition of "monkey butt" will become very apparent after about 50-70 miles in the saddle. But this allows for frequent rest stops and meeting the locals...

Great off road, decent on road (I put 4000 miles on mine in 3 months...). Reliablility is top notch, and you can damn near find parts along the road in Baja....You don't have to worry about coolant or doohickeys.

The downside....

Small charging system....you can't really add heated grips, PIAAs, heated vest, etc.....( with the KLR it'll have more juice).

Lightweight for the road....you'll get blown around by semi's and wind....try to stay to the secondary roads.

Two up...fine going around the block to the local coffee shop...bad going out of town. (Two up I'd go with the BMW F650).

HTH..

-H-

 

[jkam]

I'm with dirtysouth.

The DR 650 with a big tank and some other goodies is what you want.

If you want lighter, I'd get an XR400, add the magic button and a big tank.

For me, staying away from water cooled bikes for expedtion travel is important. You say performance isn't a primary concern, go with an air cooled bike and remember it's not a race, it's getting there that counts.

 

[Scott Brady]

You say performance isn't a primary concern, go with an air cooled bike and remember it's not a race, it's getting there that counts.

Performance in the dirt is a primary concern, ranked after reliability.

Unfortunately, part of the requirement for this bike is to ride fast, pre-running for the Baja 500.

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it

 

[AZCPP]

Here you go Scott....http://www.dieselmotorcycles.com/PDF/M1030B1C_Marine_Corps_Commerative.pdf

 

[AZCPP]

here is the home page of their site.http://www.dieselmotorcycles.com/models.htm

 

[jkam]

Performance in the dirt is a primary concern, ranked after reliability.

Unfortunately, part of the requirement for this bike is to ride fast, pre-running for the Baja 500.

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it

OK, then go with an XR400. Add the magic button, big tank, better suspension and lighting. Throw on some soft bags for the overnighters and let 'er rip.

Unfortunately, no bike is the perfect solution for your needs, a compromise will happen somewhere. Personally, I tend to go for a little more comfort with my rapidly aging body and gave up the wheelies.

 

[dirtysouth]

Performance in the dirt is a primary concern, ranked after reliability.

Unfortunately, part of the requirement for this bike is to ride fast, pre-running for the Baja 500.

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it

I held 80mph to houston and back, right at 1700 miles in a weekend on the DR. Reliable as they come and as fast as you want to go.

 

[Doin_It]

The one major difference, that I see is in the frame. If you are wanting to mount any sort of hard bag/trunk system vs. just "throwing" on a saddle bag, the tail section of a KLR extends farther back then that of the XL or XR. That makes luggage mounting way easier on the KLR. On the XR though you can change up to a IMS 7 gal. tank, or even better for $800 or so you can change out the main tank, seat, and get an under seat tank the for huge total of 9.7 gal. from Acerbis. First made for Honda 6/7 years ago for the Paris/Dakar. But hey, I just keep beating my 'ol '86 600XL to death. That is the 1 bonus here in Canada, bikes last twice as long cause we only get to ride them 6 months a year.

 

[Desertdude]

:iagree: Honda XR650L- for all the right reasons :drool:

...you can get used to the color :wings:

 

[Scott Brady]

...you can get used to the color :wings:

You know me far too well amigo

I have been looking at replacement plastic and seats to eradicate the red. :gunt:

 

[calamaridog]

I really want to get a bike when I move to Vegas. My buddy and my brother-in-law are riding several times per month. I will be watching this thread with interest

I was checking out the neighbors DRZ400 the other day. He rides it to work almost every day and at least once per weekend it sees dirt.

 

[coloradocarlisle]

The XR 650 or even aXL 650 is the best bike by far for your trip. I ride a KTM 450 EXC same bike in the picture just a 450 I love KTMs they are SUPER bikes but If I were to ride BAJA I would want a XR 650 R. I have owned 12 XR's including a 2001 XR 650 R and here are my reasons for the xr 650 R

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/219190870.html

1) Ultra Reliable
2) Ultra Reliable
3) Ultra Reliable
4) Although the 400 drz suzuki and honda 400 are super bikes they are way underpowered for BAJA. Sure you can gear them up to run 80 mph on the dirt roads and street... Now place 6 inches or power robbing sand around the tires. It will fell like you are dragging a 50 pound cinder block tied to your bike
5) The XR is the only bike that was produced solely for BAJA.
6) Parts are everywhere IF you might need them
7)Dont need to add a lot to be baja capable
8) Lots of inexpensive 650's out there for sale
9) Plenty of power
10) Easy to start compared to other kick start bikes
11) Over built for reliabilty

Parts I would reccomend looking at adding
http://www.motocrossgiant.com/product_p/acerbis04-17.htm

http://www.mxbike.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=41662

http://www.mxbike.com/catalog/Pro+Taper+SE+Handlebar+(Silver)+KX+High+Bend

http://www.enduroeng.com/item.asp?ItemID=1&Category=Handguards And Handlebar Components

http://www.crfsonly.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1452

http://www.scottsperformance.com/indexmain.html

Hope this helps

 

[Scott Brady]

coloradocarlisle, thanks so much for all of the links and insight. It is greatly appreciated. I will be stepping up my research in earnest after SEMA.

 

[Desertdude]

Can we get a better deal if we buy two ? eepwall: