Dual Sport Bikes

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Trollhole

Trollhole

THC
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Mauldin, SC
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Been thinking for a while about getting one. Sure would cut down on a couple days gas of comuting to work and around town. Plus it would make a very economical way of scouting out some trails.

Anyone have any experience with these? I'm not going to be looking for something new. 3-4 grand would be about my limit. I have no idea what to look for or where.

90% on road
10% off road

Has to be something that can cart my fat ass around. I've ridden motorcycles off road in the past so I have plenty of skill.
 
My neighbor has had a few dual sports in the last few weeks. He's bigger than you Marshall, and has no problem on them. He's had a Kawasaki KLR and an older 80's model (can't remember name). Really liked the KLR, and looked good. I'll ask him if he has any leads on one and send it your way.
 
if you get one marshall I am in as well; been wanting one for a while to use for offroading/scouting just haven't looked into it to hard because I didn't have anyone to ride with........

sure would open up a lot of possiblities trails wise and you could cover so much more ground :cheers:
 
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I'm also looking for one for a lot of the same reasons. 55 MPG would be SWEET for commuting to/from work/classes. Plus, I could still ride it to Jumping Off Rock and such or even Cullowhee for a night. I've done a fair amount of research and I'm stuck on a KLR 650. They didn't change the design for 20 yrs, it's good on the highway or offroad and extremely dependable. Cheap and easy to fix too! UC needs a Biker Gang chapter. So, I'm also interested in leads, but I'm trying to stay as close to $2k as possible.

One word of advice, ask about the doohickey on the KLR's and if it hasn't been done, then replace it. Research this and you'll know exactly what I mean. Not expensive, but necessary.
 
KLR's are nice but I wouldn't really want to commute on one. The frame's geometry is much closer to an actual dirt bike. That's great for off road, but not so good when someone cuts into your lane or turns in front of you. So it's really just a street legal dirt bike with lights, muffler and a place to bolt your tag. I think the KLR's are great for all the trail scouting type things you mentioned, but the percentage for this type of bike is really more like 80% dirt 20% street, I think.

Just throwing my devils advocate (Safety officer) .02 into the discussion.
 
ClemsonCruiser said:
here you go Marshall a nice basically new KLR :2007 KAWASAKI KLR 650 for sale in Summerville, SC: Dual Sport - CycleTrader.com

heck brand new the things only cost about 5 grand........ just gotta convince Mary E I can use it as a commuter :D

*edit* here is youtube on the new KLR: YouTube - Dirt Bikes - 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 Dual Sport Motorcycle

great comparrison video here: YouTube - Dual Sport Motorcycle Comparison Review - MotorcycleUSA.com
Click to expand...

JP keep those for sale links coming.
 
Trollhole said:
Has to be something that can cart my fat ass around. I've ridden motorcycles off road in the past so I have plenty of skill.
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Are you going to be wearing a helmet? UC has too much knowledge floating around in that head of yours to risk it bouncing off the pavement. Maybe UC should raise money for the "UC LC Library Protection Fund?":grinpimp:
 
Have you ever driven a bike on the street? Its ALOT different that riding a dirt bike on the trail. I went through that phase 7 or 8 yrs ago and got my liscence and went and test drove one. Man, no way I would do that, I had a dirt bike most of my life growing up and I will never drive a bike on the street.

Ueah MPG is nice but so is living, I will choose my 4runner and LC's over saving some $ on gas on that anyday.
 
BMThiker said:
KLR's are nice but I wouldn't really want to commute on one. The frame's geometry is much closer to an actual dirt bike. That's great for off road, but not so good when someone cuts into your lane or turns in front of you. So it's really just a street legal dirt bike with lights, muffler and a place to bolt your tag. I think the KLR's are great for all the trail scouting type things you mentioned, but the percentage for this type of bike is really more like 80% dirt 20% street, I think.

Just throwing my devils advocate (Safety officer) .02 into the discussion.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it. We'll see what I think after I've ridden a few. I may end up hating it, which if I do, then I'll still have a ton of cash saved up. Thanks again.
 
89s rule said:
Have you ever driven a bike on the street? Its ALOT different that riding a dirt bike on the trail. I went through that phase 7 or 8 yrs ago and got my liscence and went and test drove one. Man, no way I would do that, I had a dirt bike most of my life growing up and I will never drive a bike on the street.

Ueah MPG is nice but so is living, I will choose my 4runner and LC's over saving some $ on gas on that anyday.
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GSX-R 1100
VF750 F Interceptor
VFR 400 Intercepter

I owned an xr 200 up until last year.

We are all gonna die sometime. That is the last thing I'm worrying about.
 
Trollhole said:
We are all gonna die sometime. That is the last thing I'm worrying about.
Click to expand...

Just don't do it a vegetable. Helmets please. My last godown I had three crushed spots on my full head helmet. Bones and skin heal, brains don't.

b
 
I agree with Bill. My Dad had a bad wreck where someone pulled out in front of him. The top of his helmet was scraped down flat b/c he literally slid upside down feet in the air sliding on the top of his helmet across a 4-lane intersection. I would not be here today had it not been for his helmet.
 
I have been riding street and dirt bike for about 20 years and I love riding dual sports on the road. I feel much safer ridign dual sports than street bikes. You sit up higher on the dual sport and you can make a quick manuver much faster and if you have to make a quick move off the road you are good. This is just my 2 cents on it. I have a 94 honda xr650l and a 06 kaw. KLX250s and a Suzuki Gs750 and some other junk. I ride the xr650l to work almost everyday (10 mile one way). I prefer the dual sport over my Gs750.

Tim
 
Get a Supermotard! They are awsome on the street. There is a reason why these are getting very popular. They are awesome in town!!!!!!!!!

05 KTM 625 SMC
 
Kawa KLR, good.
KTM better.
BMW F800GS best, especially if the riding is predominately street.
Just my $0.0s.

My first real bike was a Triumph 650 Trophy, maybe the original dual-sport ca 1968. Mine had been customized with a tiny Honda flame arrestor, Ceriani front end with plastic mini-fender, bobbed rear fender, solo seat and PP, no instruments, kill switch etc. I mostly used it on the street, even rode it to Daytona bike week in '69, but it is really cool to be cruising down a back road, see a power line cut and hit it, getting air off every other terrace. I also had a Suzuki TS450 in Saudi. Dual sports rule.
My favorite would be a Ducati Elefant, SS900 in an enduro frame but they're getting pretty hard to find.

X2 about the visibility and manuverability. But don't expect much fun on the superslab, that wind will beat you to death at highway speeds.
b
 
cant believe concrete hasnt chimed in here...... creme de la creme ATK, Husky, Aprilia
he sold his a couple years back and i should have bought it instead of letting it go to a fiery death in FL

I agree w/ the supermotard kit. There is a DRZ400 w/ two sets of wheels for sale near you in that range and also saw a KTM for sale in the upstate(mt. pleasant) w/ the same setup but might of been around 6 i believe. KTM makes a motard from the factory called the duke... 2002 KTM DUKE 2 640 for sale in Murrieta, CA: Dual Sport - CycleTrader.com Just like 40's ..... all the good deals are in CA
you could test his OBO factor 2006 Ktm 640 ADVENTURER for sale in Greenville, SC: Dual Sport - CycleTrader.com

ive been using Dual Sport Motorcycles For Sale - CycleTrader.com
ThumperTalk
and the classifieds on some diff dual sport forums like ATK
dont forget craigslist too

and the best deal going.... hesitant to share :D 2004 HUSQVARNA SM450R for sale in Rome, GA: Dual Sport - CycleTrader.com
 
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I've been a fan of BMW's for a long time and then saw this a few years back. It stirred up the feelings to do something like this on bikes or in LCs. Great show that aired on A&E as a miniseries. Rent it if you haven't seen it.

::..:. Long Way Round .:..::

One thing I remember is that they decided on KTMs to make the journey, but KTM wouldn't back them (donate the bikes). KTM didn't think they would make it, so they went to their second choice which was the heavier BMW. Bimmers held up well up to about Alaska and had to reweld some of the frame.

When I first heard about the trip, I had not seen the show, and thought, Oh, BMW was right behind them the whole way, so what kind of challenge was that? But after watching it, I saw that they were pretty much on their own except for the film crew in a Mitsubishi SUV. They did employ "local" mechanics occassionally.
 
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