Dual Sport Bikes

CJ7nvrstk · May 2006

Does anyone here have any input for a good dual sport bike. I used to know them as enduros, but I guess the terminology has changed. Can be licensed for on road use but also half way decent off road.

IAMACLONE_2 · May 2006

Lots of luck!
Been surfn da web Honda aint got one.
Yamaha has 2 a 220=$3800 & 225cc=$4150
For that you can buy a older Celica type car and still get 34mpg and stay out of the weather.
Also been looking for a old 4wd Toyota pickup to mount a gun turret on.
[:D][:D][:D][:D]

hughbetcha · May 2006

quote:Originally posted by CJ7nvrstk
Does anyone here have any input for a good dual sport bike. I used to know them as enduros, but I guess the terminology has changed. Can be licensed for on road use but also half way decent off road.

I used to have a Yamaha XT550 Enduro that was the best combo of street and dirt I've ever seen. It could cruise the freeway all day at 70 and climb dirt hills like a mountain goat.

PC800 · May 2006

Get a honda, here you go:
http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/off-road/model.asp?ModelName=XR650L&ModelYear=2006&ModelId=XR650L6

I have been riding bikes for 30 years, Hondas run forever.

dcon12 · May 2006

quote:Originally posted by PC800
[I have been riding bikes for 30 years, Hondas run forever.

Arn't you tired? Don

PC800 · May 2006

no, are you?

GuvamintCheese · May 2006

I have had 2 klr 650's and they are fun if you dont have to go on the hiway. Too small for the interstate and really too big for serious off road. but fun around town.

iceracerx · May 2006

Actually Honda has at least FOUR (4) different models of "Enduro" bikes.

XR650R (Serious Enduro)
XR650L (More Dual-sport)
CRF450X (Another Serious Enduro / ISDT bike)
CRF250X (yet another Serious bike)

BMW makes a F 650 GS and R 1200 GS AND a WILD HP 2 ENDURO (a limited production Factory RACE bike!!)

Kawasaki KLX650

Suzuki DR650SE

Buell makes the Ulysses XB12X (a BIG dual sport bike!)

And I'm pretty sure that KTM still makes "Enduros"

Tailgunner1954 · May 2006

Enduro's don't meet DOT specs out of the box, tires, turn signals emissions etc.
Dual Sports do meet DOT specs, but often need a tweak or 2 that a true Enduro dosn't (smaller ft, larger rear sprockets). DS tires tend to clog up in mud, but work quite well in sand.

CJ7nvrstk · May 2006

Thanks for the input. Some of what I have been reading is leading me towards the smaller bikes because they seem to be more nimble when off road. That, and I haven't ridden a bike in 25 years. I don't want to kill myself off road. (Or on road for that matter)

gagirl · May 2006

Honda sold the plans for the older ones to Lifan. You can pick up one for around 2k. They great bikes! Same as Hondas.

sig232 · May 2006

"gagirl" Whats a Lifan!

plains scout · May 2006

BMW GS -- 650 Paris Dakar, or move up to an older 1000cc BMW PD, or an 1150GS or the new boss 1200GS.

They race them across the desert in Egypt.

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/group.jsp?g=enduro

And, unlike the cars they are not overpriced.

gbeggrow · May 2006

Get a Supermoto bike!

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/DRZ400SMK6/Default.aspx

CJ7nvrstk · May 2006

quote:Originally posted by gagirl
Honda sold the plans for the older ones to Lifan. You can pick up one for around 2k. They great bikes! Same as Hondas.

Just did a quick search and couldn't find any recent info on them. Do you have a link?

slipgate · May 2006

I had a Suzuki SP250 for years that was pretty good on the street. It was a 4 stroke so not terribly punchy off-road like a 2 stroke would be. But fun none-the-less. Also it had no electric start so sometimes that was a pain. But it got great mileage and was super reliable. I sold it for $600.

I used to drive it to work every day weather permitting. I bungied my briefcase behind me.

Dual Sport Bikes

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