Looking for Japanese dual sport bike

[deserteagle56]

Also keep an eye out for a Yamaha XT225 or its newer cousin, the XT250. I've put over 10,000 miles on my XT225 and all I've ever had to do is service it. Really dependable; light weight, the seat doesn't tower 3+ feet off the ground, and lots of available accessories. Lots of times they are offered up for sale with very low miles and really affordable prices. Check out XT225.com or ADVrider.com for more info.

 

[HenryJ]

+ 2 on the TW.

+3

Not a bad daily commuter too.

 

[DesertRose]

I've had an NX250 too but it was e-start only and the parts are hard to come by (cool bike though, like a mini Transalp.)

I think that's changed - BikeBandit.com has had everything I need - and a very cool system for OEM to aftermarket for tons of bikes.

I found out the hard way because at Overland Expo 2009 unknown to me someone was letting total newbie riders USE my bike and it got crashed hard several times - AURGH! So $400 later I am now fixed up, but everything I need was at Bandit - from cowls to the screws needed to levers to new throttle cables etc.

 

[Purzell]

No, you are correct. I was able to get everything at Bike Bandit too. I mostly meant there is no cross over from other Honda bikes and the parts aren't *that* cheap. It's a great bike, but a bit of an oddball. Bombproof six speed gearbox is nice though. I upgraded and got the Works Performance shock when ADV rider had a group buy on it too. I think you can still get this from Works if you contact them.

 

[DesertRose]

Jeeze... I feel like the geezer in the crowd. Consider a Honda Trail 110...Mines an '84. OK 110 cc...doesn't sound like much - and it isn't! But it does do an honest 45! More to the point it has a 2 speed transfer case so in low range 1st gear you can pretty much crawl around fairly serious obstructions - or @ 200lbs you can haul it around boulders & downed trees etc. If you travel with another 110 you can sort of carry the damn thing - and we aren't even into ropes yet! OK, true, not a freeway machine - although I once did 15 scary miles on the shoulder after a truck breakdown...
For in town & rural highways they are...adequate. I started to carry mine for safety in case of breakdowns in remote locals - it has become an essential tool for my landscape photography work. Also I can park the truck & explore roads & trails that fully wacked Jeeps can't do. These bike are really capable, just not very powerful.
There are very clean examples generally available with less than 5000 miles on them for less than 1500.00 - often a LOT less - $600 or so if you get lucky & can fix minor mechanical stuff. Parts & I mean ALL the parts are available -
Need advice?


So no...they won't get you off...but they will get you there. Peter

I love Honda Trails! I rode a Trail 90 all over the Sonoran Desert and around San Carlos, Mexico, when we were teens - so much fun. You are right - they are really fun and utilitarian.

I considered a 110, but decided I wanted something that could go highway speeds, though, and more or less keep up with the guys I sometimes ride with (with TransAlp, Suzuki DR650, BMW850, and Royal Enfield Bullet!).

I'm going to ride from Tucson to Queretaro, Mexico, this February, and I wouldn't do that on a 110.

 

[VicHanson]

From one geezer to another - Thanks but want something more road worthy and freeway usable when needed. I don't think my old bike would every forgive me if I went down to a 90 or 110!! Although it was NO good in the dirt, which I proved on a couple of camping trips.



1981 Honda CBX, 1,100cc, straight six. It was love at first sight, but had to sell it when I moved to Peru.

Also thanks GALS for your input, hadn't looked at the names close enough when I thanked the guys earlier.

Vic

 

[robert]

If you want to be able to do highway speeds for any distance and still have a lightweight dual purpose you are really limited. The smaller they get, the worse they are on the highway- they tend to get blown around pretty bad and are usually revving the engine pretty hard. Two bikes that might work well for you are the KLX250 and the new Yamaha WR250 with fuel injection. Both have six speed transmissions which really help them out. Most small dual purpose bikes have a five speed transmission and will do either road or dirt depending on how you have it geared.

The Yamaha is expensive, but getting very good reviews. The KLX is a good bike for the money and can be upgraded to a 351cc but out of the box it's not as exciting. I can't recall if you said you needed to carry two people, but none of these bikes is going to be great for two up riding. KTM makes some very, very nice lightweight bikes that will work really well, but they cost an arm and a leg and require more maintenance.

Have you checked out Adventure Rider.com? They have some great reviews and are generally a friendly bunch. Thumpertalk has good info too but can be a bit rougher around the edges. Minimalist touring thread http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201349&page=101

If you aren't planning to offroad it hard, Suzuki makes a couple of 250 streetbikes (one is actually fuel injected- TU250 http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=414302) that are pretty cheap and can be found used for good prices. Either would work better on the road than a dual sport and as light as they are you can still take them a lot of places. There's a guy on Adventure Rider that loads his up and rides all over Colorado- he's even got a rifle case on it for his squirrel rifle. He has some pretty amazing pictures of places he's visited with it.

 

[VicHanson]

Would have made a nice Christmas present for myself, but it is about twice the price I want to pay!

A beautiful 2008 Honda CRF-230L with 1250 miles for $2950

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-CRF-CRF-230L-Dualsport-2008-Honda-CRF-230L-Dual-Purpose-Trail-FREE-Deliv-Poss_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ170423027965QQsspagenameZRSSQ3aBQ3aSRCHQ3aUSQ3a101

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

My wife loves her XT225...and my WR250r is great, but tall. Both would serve your purpose. :sombrero:

 

[VicHanson]

OK, I had pretty well decided the the TW200 was the best option, but finally checked out the XT225 as well - Looks nice and it really tempting - but I really like the looks of the fat tired TW200! Will have lots of fun checking them out when I get back. Hopefully have found a good truck camper in Florida, my cousin will be checking it out for me today or tomorrow.

 

[robert]

One thing to think about with the TW is you are very limited on tire choices. While they are sold overseas, availability of tires may be a concern if you plan to take it with you outside of the US or Canada i.e. Mexico. I've never ridden one, but I understand they are "different" handling because of the tires. Not bad, just takes a little getting used to supposedly if you are used to a regular tire.

 

[deserteagle56]

One thing to think about with the TW is you are very limited on tire choices. While they are sold overseas, availability of tires may be a concern if you plan to take it with you outside of the US or Canada i.e. Mexico. I've never ridden one, but I understand they are "different" handling because of the tires. Not bad, just takes a little getting used to supposedly if you are used to a regular tire.

Exactly. If you spend time in remote areas this should be a concern. I've managed to cut a tire so badly it was unrepairable (got back to camp with the tire stuffed with sagebrush!). Any motorcycle dealer will stock regular motorcycle tires but I'm willing to be that no one stocks the TW tires because there just isn't enough turnover to make it worthwhile. I know that my local Yamaha dealer doesn't even carry those.

 

[VicHanson]

Thanks for the TW200 link, yes, Flying Al certainly gives lots of info. Good stuff to know.

 

[VicHanson]

After lots of thought and looking around, I am now leaning towards the Honda CRF230L instead of a Yamaha, in spite of the extra cost. Anyone have, or know of, one for sale?

Thanks,
Vic

PS Progress on the camper is going slow, put it on the truck today for a test fitting. You can see my progress, or lack thereof, on the Mitsubishi Heavy Truck forum.

 

[jesusgatos]

Don't mean to sound like a jerk, but the CRF230's are kinda crappy. Outdated and overweight. If you want a small CC air-cooled Honda, buy an XR250.