Dual Sport Advice

[Blksilverado]

Hello all,

I've been thinking about buying a dual sport bike. The only problem is deciding on which one! :confused:

I'm 6'4" 260lbs.

I've looked at the KTM 990, seems to fit well, sat on the KLR650, and it's to dirt bikey for me, Looked and sat on the Vstrom 650 & 1000. I haven't riden any of them yet, and the Suzuki dealer doesn't allow test rides. Are there any of the Dallas dealers that allow test rides? What else should I look at? Any help or opinions are greatly appreaciated.

Thanks,

Tom

[bigTom]

I'm 6'4", 250.

I've got a KLR, it's a little bit smallish for me. I think I'm going to go to a V STrom, probably a 1000. I ride mostly hard trails and established roads, and need to put quite a few miles on pavement getting there. I need a little more street in my off road bike.

[Blksilverado]

I'm thinking I will be mostly paved roads, but wish to also ride gravel roads. I'm not sure if a 650 is enough for carrying my heavy butt with some gear around.

I plan on checking out the Buell Ulyess XT, and then?

Thanks for your input.

Tom

[Ironheadziggy76]

Tom,
I was kind of in the same situation while looking. I'm only 5'11" but I'm "Big Boned" at 275. :p I had it narrowed down to about four bikes, the 650 V-Strom, Triumph Tiger, Buell Uly, and the Kawasaki Versys. While the Uly and the Tiger were a blast to ride, I had to stick to a budget. The Tiger would have netted me a bunch of tickets! The Uly was a blast to ride also, but it didn't have the fuel range I needed. And it is very TALL! When I came to a stop if I didn't scoot off to one side of the seat, both feet would dangle until the bike tipped over enough for me to get a toe down. I was also concerned with the belt drive in gravel although everyone says they are fine. I like the belt drive on my Harley, you never have to touch it in between tire changes. The Versys was also a fun bike but I felt a little cramped on it compaired to the 650 Strom which I ended up buying.

If you go to some of the larger events that offer demo rides you can usually get enough of a ride in to make a decision. You can usually get a demo ride at most dealers for the Buell, they were even offering free goodies just to take a ride lately. I demoed the Wee, and the Tiger in Daytona during Biketoberfest year before last. Triumph is big on testing the bikes, I was over 100 mph a couple of times on some of the deserted back roads around Daytona! Did I mention the Tiger was fast? :D

I have never felt that the Wee was underpowered even with all my gear and my XXL body on it, but that is coming off of a Harley Road King. If you are used to riding a Busa or big inch Ninja you may be disappointed and should consider the 1000. The best thing you can do is try to ride all of them you can.

All that being said, I have always wanted a KTM 640 Adventure or a KLR 650. I may trade for one after my trip to Alaska this summer.

[Blksilverado]

Thanks for your input.... I forgot about the tiger.... When I was doing a rider safety course, the guy showing us proper procedures was riding one. The buell with 4.4 gallons may be a issue, but I think I'll look into the KTM and Tiger.

The V strom is still in the hunt....

Tom

[Trailace]

I would wait to see if BMW makes a 800 GS with a bigger tank. 800 GS Adventure.

The KTM 990 is a nice ride but it eats tires. (rear) If your going that big I would look at the BMW R1200GS

However the 650 V-Strom is a great little dual sport for fire roads.

[Blksilverado]

I would wait to see if BMW makes a 800 GS with a bigger tank. 800 GS Adventure.

The KTM 990 is a nice ride but it eats tires. (rear) If your going that big I would look at the BMW R1200GS

However the 650 V-Strom is a great little dual sport for fire roads.

Thanks for your input.... I plan on looking at the BMW's and Tiger some time this week (there at the same dealership in Plano)

Tom

[Jetfixer]

I have a klr and love it. I originally bought it to commute to work but liked it so much I hardly ever ride my street bike now except on long trips. Where I used to load up the street bike and go, now I often load up the klr with camping gear in the truck and taking off on weekend trips and rallys just to go off fromthe group and ride dirt because it's so much fun. I guess I'm saying it's better to have one that's goon on the dirt and another that's good on the street instead of one that does both but not real good at either one.

[Blksilverado]

I have a klr and love it. I originally bought it to commute to work but liked it so much I hardly ever ride my street bike now except on long trips. Where I used to load up the street bike and go, now I often load up the klr with camping gear in the truck and taking off on weekend trips and rallys just to go off fromthe group and ride dirt because it's so much fun. I guess I'm saying it's better to have one that's goon on the dirt and another that's good on the street instead of one that does both but not real good at either one.

There doesn't seem to be one for both, I love my Ultra on the road, but want to add a dual purpose bike to the garage... I looked at the Buells yesterday, and like the look... Will go back to drive both the XB12XT & XB12X... If it ends up Buell, the XB12X seems to be more in line with what I'm after (streetable with off road capabilities). Thanks for your input, you have a very valid point.

[Trailace]

The GS can do both if you want it to.
http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657869-M.jpg

[bigTom]

I ride my ST 1100 until it gets bad.

After all it's an Arizona STate Highway.

[Blksilverado]

I ride my ST 1100 until it gets bad.

After all it's an Arizona STate Highway.


Nice highway there BigTom... That's exactly the kind of road I want to be able to ride if it happened to show up in front of me.... I looked at the BMW bikes... Very nice, but with a nice price too...

Thanks for all you'alls input...

Tom

[Mr. Guy]

Some thinking of riding gravel might find this helpful:

http://www.openroadjourney.com/articles/110.asp

Guy

[Black and Blue]

Some thinking of riding gravel might find this helpful:

http://www.openroadjourney.com/articles/110.asp

Guy

Thanks Guy for that. That was exactly why we needed something that we can take on the dirt/gravel roads. Our cruisers were just not rigged for gravel, however, after saying that, we know alot of riders with cruisers or touring bikes that can ride those type of roads like the slab roads. They're goooood:)

[Mr. Guy]

The only way to be good is practice, and the willingness to drop the bike a few times while practicing. Almost all my drops have been while stopped and my foot slid on the gravel. Only twice have I had it slide out from under me in turns, but I usually ride fairly slow anyway. If you ride gravel your going to drop it sooner or later. The trick is to not go so fast that you hurt yourself and ride a bike light enough you can pick up, or ride with some one who can help.

By the way like the new avatar.

Guy

[Blksilverado]

Some thinking of riding gravel might find this helpful:

http://www.openroadjourney.com/articles/110.asp

Guy

Thanks for the link... Good information...

Tom

[George]

I rode my ST1100 over Cinnamon Pass in Colorado this summer. As long as the underlay is pretty solid, it'll go about anywhere. Deep sand is her downfall. Ya can't be too concerned about cosmetics, tho. :D

Saw a GS-800 at Julian Pie Company last Sunday. Owner's previous bike was a KLR. He said there's no comparison. 450 lbs wet, and ready to roll. I expect it to be _the_ GS in a couple years, much lighter and more power than the old bike.

[swandog]

where i live the fastest speed allowed on pavement is 110 klmph . on gravel roads my 650 v strom is comfortable and relaxed at 120 klmph . 140 is ok but your busy . 160 klmph {100 mph]is about max i will go on gravel if the road is straight and smooth . loaded with camping gear gravel is a different story , expecialy if weight is up high and the gravel is deep and loose .

[805gregg]

With your size I would go for a VStrom 1000, go on stromtroopers.com and find a member near you, someone will let you ride their bike. Or go to ADVriders and the Beasts forum, lots of VStrom riders there including me.

[Paper]

And don't rule out the KLR.. My 02' has hauled me all over the place, loaded down.. This summer, it'll do it again..

I'm not discounting 805gregg, and we all have our favorite rides, but I never found my big Strom to be the correct bike for what I did.. Of course, what works for one doesn't mean it'll work for all..

Although many here have seen this photo, it shows what a KLR's capable of, and I'm over 6' and on the back side of 250 pounds..

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h276/djpagel/IMGP1394.jpg

And here's Dr. Gregory Fraiser's bike while at Aerostich's Very Boring Rally II last summer.. That's him in the background in the red shirt with suspenders.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h276/djpagel/GregFrasier.jpg

It's been around the world, more than once..:eek:

[motomac]

The GS can do both if you want it to.
http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/657869-M.jpg
That kinda looks like that FS 129 I was in in AZ with the Wing and trailer.

[DBrent]

I went through this same process--which adventure bike to buy--about two years ago. The end result was the purchase of a V-Strom DL650. Being the writer and photographer that I am, I had to write a review, The First 1,000 Miles, and then I wrote a second one, The next 5,000 Miles. On top of that, many reader/riders wrote me to comment, and I posted many of those.

It's not about buying one bike over another, but the process of finding the right bike for the type of riding you want to do. If you want to read the articles and comments start here: http://www.sojournchronicles.com/2008/11/a-season-of-comments-about-the-v-strom-dl650/. There are links to the two PDF articles which you can download and/or print.

See you on the highway ... or in the campground!

Brent

[BCRider]

I went through this same process--which adventure bike to buy--about two years ago. The end result was the purchase of a V-Strom DL650. Being the writer and photographer that I am, I had to write a review, The First 1,000 Miles, and then I wrote a second one, The next 5,000 Miles. On top of that, many reader/riders wrote me to comment, and I posted many of those.

It's not about buying one bike over another, but the process of finding the right bike for the type of riding you want to do. If you want to read the articles and comments start here: http://www.sojournchronicles.com/2008/11/a-season-of-comments-about-the-v-strom-dl650/. There are links to the two PDF articles which you can download and/or print.

See you on the highway ... or in the campground!

Brent

Brent thanks for the links, I enjoyed reading your articles and yes I think you have been assimilated.
For me, I liked the DL 650's motor but just did not feel comfortable on the bike so I ended up going a different direction.
I'm lucky enough at this point in my life to be able to afford more than one bike so I kept my ST for touring and got a KLR for my off road needs. And believe it or not I feel the same way about my KLR as you do about your DL.
With your great skill sets I am looking forward to some great trip reports and photos in the near future! :D


Pete

[Ironheadziggy76]

Great articles Brent! I had the same issue over the 650 vs 1000 until I rode the 650. I love my 650, and I can't wait to hit the road north to AK with John this summer! It's a great bike for me, for now. I would like something a little more dirt oriented in the future.

[DBrent]

I think the key to finding the right bike is being realistic with your riding expectations. I always managed to find myself on a gravel road--not great for the Honda Shadow I was riding. I also wanted to be able to do some fire roads. I'm not interested in single track. So, the V-Strom seems to be the perfect bike for me.

But, .... why do I keep looking at other bikes? Is this being unfaithful? So many bikes and so many choices! :dizzy1:

Brent

[bigTom]

Quote by DBrent
But, .... why do I keep looking at other bikes? Is this being unfaithful? So many bikes and so many choices!

Precisely the reason I keep buying Lottery tickets:)

[BCRider]

Precisely the reason I keep buying Lottery tickets:)

Yup +1