Dual sport choices

[Shiggins37]

Alright fellas, I’m sure there are some with experience in this area.

Here’s a little background, I have spent a lot of time on two wheels over the years. Glamis, trail, desert…. I’ve always owned MX bikes but I am looking into dual sport as in street legal in Ca dual sport. I would love an adventure bike but not sure the wife is ready for me to fully go that route yet. So I want a bike I can get for a decent price ($5k range) that I can ride from the house and do some exploring. But not so big that I can’t throw it in the back of the truck with my son’s bike and haul it somewhere to ride with him. Here are some of the bikes I’m reseaching
Wr450
Drz400
Beta 500rr
Ktm 500
Klr650
Xr650

Any other ideas or I go on these bikes would help me out… thanks! I know this is GD.com but I know some of you got some info for me. I don’t need something g that will take me across the country but something that I can hop on and take off for a few hours on and not be too uncomfortable. What say you?!

 

[Sausage450r]

Im in the same market right now.

I’ve had a plated xr650r
downsides; kick start, heavy, drifts alot in high speed dirt turns, engine parts are really hard to find
Pluses gobs of power, smooth powerband, heavier makes more stable on asphalt

I really want a wr450r but parts will become scarce for those as well so im leaning towards a new husqvarna or beta. Downsides i see though is a rocky financial future for parts supply. They share parts with ktm which is now from my understanding primarily indian/chinese company (bajaj majority shareholder)

 

[Cookie]

All the bikes you listed are for sure more of a Street version than MX version. Meaning heavy, stable and very mediocre on technical single track. You need to make a decision on what type of riding and really how much pavement you plan on riding. For myself the Plate was just a means to get to one trail to another and still being legal.

If you ride desert, Mammoth, or Kennedy Meadows, I would stay in the 450 range and lean on a bike designed for all dirt. If you are planning on riding 10-15 miles on pavement and then just on fire roads (or two tracks) I would look at what you are looking at. Also remember, none of the trails are getting easier, all of them are getting rockier and rougher to ride (or it could be my age, haha).

I personally have a plated Husky 350, love it, but it is really for the dirt only. It also gets ridden in Glamis as well.

Good luck, lots of options out there.

 

[rivermobster]

Why no KTM 350 on your list?

Nevermind. I just saw your budget. I would the a DRZ would fit best?

 

[Cookie]

Why no KTM 350 on your list?

Nevermind. I just saw your budget. I would the a DRZ would fit best?

5K gets some good bikes nowadays, not new but used (only a few years old)

 

[EastMT]

WR450 with a YZ450 ignition.

 

[rivermobster]

5K gets some good bikes nowadays, not new but used (only a few years old)

Definitely.

And if I wasn't a midget, I'd have a KTM350 for sure!

(If you wondered why I ride a quad, now you know)

 

[ROBERT L]

Definitely.

And if I wasn't a midget,

So now we know why you don’t like SXS’s. They’ve got booster seats.
Sorry buddy I had too.

 

[Free ride]

I might be biased as I love my KTM, but consider a 500exc. I've done 100+ mile dual sport runs, taken it to Glamis, track. Very capable bike.

 

[RIDERED]

Look at the Honda CRF450RL

 

[Hondajimz]

Husky TE

 

[Shiggins37]

Soooooo….. I fell into a deal today. A SUPER clean DRZ400SM setup for dirt. It has suspension done, aftermarket exhaust/jetting, and was super well maintained. Got it for $3500 with 6k miles on it. All maintenance records in a booklet. Runs like a raped ape but is heavy for sure. And then on the way home came across a 2021 KLX230r (for my 14 year old) from the original owner for 3100. Felt like they were both great deals. Lots of good info, thanks guys. Seems there isn’t an absolutely perfect do it all bike. I guess the answer is own more than one

 

[rivermobster]

Soooooo….. I fell into a deal today. A SUPER clean DRZ400SM setup for dirt. It has suspension done, aftermarket exhaust/jetting, and was super well maintained. Got it for $3500 with 6k miles on it. All maintenance records in a booklet. Runs like a raped ape but is heavy for sure. And then on the way home came across a 2021 KLX230r (for my 14 year old) from the original owner for 3100. Felt like they were both great deals. Lots of good info, thanks guys. Seems there isn’t an absolutely perfect do it all bike. I guess the answer is own more than one

The DRZ is bulletproof bone stock.

I put all the DRZ-E pieces on my Z400. I smoked whathurts, on his Toomy piped Banshee up the hills all day.

Get the shocks done and your golden. Congrats!

 

[Drupanddown]

Score!!!
Line’em up!! I have a problem with motos