I have a few duel sport questions….

[Thefox]

I am thinking of getting a duel sport, at this point having a few machines just isn’t working out so well so I am thinking of selling the ATV’s and the motorcycle and getting a duel sport.  But what should I be looking for? 

Things I want….

Ability to ride on the highway at 70 mph (comfort is optional)
Light enough to be able to use it off road
Good gas mileage (higher the better)
Aftermarket support is a plus


So far I was thinking about the Suzuki DRZ400 , Yamaha WR400, Yamaha XT350 but this is just the start of the search

[GreatWhiteHunter]

I've been looking into the same things myself, I have to tell you that the best resource I've found where many people debate these same issues, on a daily basis, is Adventure Rider. You can find them at http://www.advrider.com. I use the thumper forum as that's where the guys & gals with the singles gather.

What I've found from my research there is that a DR-Z 400S with a few of it's brother the E's pieces-parts will make it an amazingly capable on/off-road machine. It's light, powerful and has tons of after-market stuff available for it. Additionally, there are always used ones around and I have fantastic support for my Suzuki's.

Time will tell and the only thing I'm waiting on is the funds. Saving the pennies! :-)

Make sure you stop back and let us know what you decide!

[Phantom]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

What GWH said.

I have an 03 DRZ 400 and my wife has a '96Yamaha XT350.  The XT is a bit dated in the suspension department even the newer models as Yamaha never updated them.

If you really gear the DRZ down for the dirt (14/47 or 14/48) will not want to run over 60 mph for very long periods. Stock (15/44) they will hum along at 70 all day with no problem. As with all dual purpose machines there are compromises. Same goes for tires a good DOT street legal knobby will whine going down the road and wear rapidly but be good off road. A good dual purpose tire (like the Kenda 270) will be decent on pavement but in deep sand or mud they are not as good as the knob.


Here are our two bikes the DRZ has Kenda DOT knobbies and the XT has the Kenda 270.

[rapidrobert]

The question you have to ask your self is do you want a dirt bike that is street legal only to the point to gain access to the forbidden trails or connect legally on those sections of trail divided by 7 miles of paved road????
Them you only need to know 3 letters KTM !!!
If you are looking for a street bike that can be ridden on dirt roads and hard packed trails and you are not going to run full dot knobby tires then the Suzuki drz 400 would be a great choice it is a great trail bike.
Rapidrobert

[winter_rules]

So far I agree with everyone here....especially rapidrobert. You need to figure out if you want a dirt bike that is street legal or a street bike capable of off road use (and what "off road" means to you...dirt/logging roads vs. single track or mx).

[Thefox]

Thanks guys, you have been a lot of help.

I am not in the position to buy now but I like to plan ahead.  I was at the Yamaha-Kawasaki-Suzuki-Honda-Ducati dealer today for the summer open house and sat on a few bikes. 

They didn’t have the DRZ-400S in stock, the last ones just sold but I did get to sit on the DRZ400 and SM models.  It felt good, not to heavy and a good seating position.  The Honda XR650L felt heavy as I expected, it also felt a little taller then I want for what is essentially my first off road bike.  The Yamaha WR250R felt good but being that it is a 250 I have my doubts that it would like the hi-way all that much.  The Kawasaki KLX250S felt almost top heavy and again, it’s just a 250.  I realize that sitting and standing over a bike can be a lot different then riding but at least I got a little experience with a few dual sports.

I guess while I save up I need to figure out what I really want to use this bike for.  As of now I figure I would use it for around town use and riding to the trails (which could be 3 hours on the hi-way) so I would not be running full out trail tires.


Phantom – do you know what kind of gas mileage you get on the road with your bikes?

[Phantom]

Phantom – do you know what kind of gas mileage you get on the road with your bikes?

We get somewhere around 65 mpg on the road and easy dirt use when I'm riding with the wife.
When I'm out with the boys it's around 50 in mostly dirt with the DRZ. That would be a mix of trail, single track and some pavement. Never actually checked it accurately but I can get OVER 100 miles out of a tank.

[Demoncleaner]

Seeing that your looking to buy in the future, would think someone has to finally put out a modern 450 as a dual sport by next year (although many of us thought that for the past few years). Yamaha got close this year with that new 250 derived from their motocross line.  From what I read, puts out almost twice the HP of older 250's, and even Kawasaki KLX250s is nowhere close in power. But, it also costs more than the bigger 400-650cc bikes... minus KTM's /BMW's.

[Thefox]

I was surprised that none of the big 4 have a dual sport based on their new and potent 450 power plants.   

I will probably look for a gently used bike that is a couple of years old when the time comes.  I don’t know if I could beat on a brand new bike but I am tired of working on things all the time.

[Phantom]

Be careful what you wish for... the newer with the newer high power bikes comes increased maintainence to match. Some of the 250 & 450 MX bikes have a piston/top end life expectancy of 30-40 hours.
I'll stick with my old school DRZ, it may be heavier but all I do for maintenence is oil changes. I wouldn't buy one of the newer highstrung bikes until some realworld feedback starts coming from owners as far as maintainence costs goes.
 If you are racing it's one thing... if you just want to ride you don't want to spend all week wrenching so you can ride on the weekend.