Good dualsport bike?

[Twilight]

Been looking into getting a new dual sport since WA pulled the plates on all KTM's in WA state (thanks **** tards, also thanks for closing down riding spots and increasing taxes)

With the price of gas where im at now at 3.30 a gallon and at the cheapest 3.20. Im looking at maybe these bikes;

WR250R
TW200
XT225
KLX250
DRZ400

So, if anyone out there has one of these or knows someone with one of these, I would like to hear what you think. No more R1 for me, the last speeding ticket was the last straw (130mph in a 55... haha)

[oldskool83]

i think the best for the money is a drz400, its been aroud 10 years proven its test of time and the most real dirtbikeish type.

if you could find an old XL350 thats be fun, if not also husquvarasa are street legal and really nice!

[VenomRS4]

The 200-250 class is tough because highway travel is limited. The WR250r is a great 250...the fuel injection is awesome...but I think even that is going to be lacking useable power. Everyone i have talked to said it will go fast, but you gotta ride it like you hate it to do so. Also, I would buy a newer machine...2000 and up for reliability, parts availability, and performance reasons. So I say DRZ400 also. There are also the 650s....being the Kawi KLR and Honda XR but they are BIG bikes and kinda soft...especially if you want to do trail riding. Great for street commuting though and they are somewhat capable.

My verdict: DRZ400!

[Leadfoot71]

I bought an '09 Suzuki DR650 in June of '09. Brand new it was $5,400 and currently has 6,500 miles on it. I average between 55-62mpg and has been 100% trouble-free since day one.

There is zero vibration in it until about 80mph. Even then it's pretty modest. You really can't carry too much on it though. There are some aftermarket racks, ect available though. I have a lot of gravel roads in my area and that it where it really shines. The things absolutely loves gravel! The stock Bridgestone Trailwings suck off-road. First gear is also a bit too tall for serious off-road stuff. IMO, this is the best off-roader of the big three 650 dual sports. (Kawi, Honda, Suzuki).

It's 80lbs lighter than the Kawi 650 (and several hundred cheaper too). The Kawi does have a larger fuel tank and better rack. Because of the weight, I wouldn't want to take it off-road though. The Honda 650 was just way too tall for me, and it the most expensive of the three.

The DRZ 400 would probably be my choice for a street/dirt bike, but for a comuter bike, I'd go with the DR650. As a bonus, it's cheaper than the DRZ by almost a grand.

[VenomRS4]

Forgot about the DR650! I didnt realize they were so cheap either. I'll be in the market for a dual sport soon...i'll have to keep that in mind.

[hrspwr]

I loved my old XL600R but as mentioned it was a big heavy beast in the woods. If it were me I would shy away from any 250cc machine for street use.
The 400 seems to be the right blend of trail/road. I guess it would come down to an honest assessment of how much time off road the bike will see and what type of terrain it will be ridden in ie open country / woods / log roads etc.

[Chazz of Blades]

1997 Suzuki Dx200. I loved it.

[willrideanythin]

The DRZ is the most bang for the buck. The WRs are very nice too. The rest are entry level and show it in power/MPGs. The WR and DRZ still get great MPG.

[plcrides]

i hear ya twilight,i sold my honda 600f4i after getting pulled over 8 times in 14 months lost my licence once went to jail.oh man it was a pain.i bought a honda crf450x and put a baja design street legal kit on it.and rode it everywhere.i added a bigger tank that looked just like the stock one.it had a kick start and an electric start ,it was awesome sitting at a red light on this big thumper and people staring at me.haha.i went well over a hundred miles on a tank.

[jeffatc250r]

Cr-500 is the only way i fly nowadays
30 mpg and plenty of snot to keep you entertained on the street, and more than enough to keep you on your toes when offroad!

[RAZRBAKK]

This thread may be old, but I figured I'd throw a little input.

I think the WR250 would be a better choice than the DRZ, simply because the 250 has a 6th gear. It would make all the difference in highway travel, and in the end, they go about the same speed. The 250 will have less vibration at highway speed than the DRZ, and I think it would be a lot more comfortable.

[brd812]

I've got a DR 650 w/10k on it and I love it. Beware thou its not a dirt bike. The supension is soffft, great on-off road bike. I will handle any dirt road with no problem, but trail riding is a work.... its heavy as a chevy in the tight woods but it works. Highway speeds aren't a issue and city travel is no issue, plus the my supertrapp sounds great. If you want 70% hwy bike I'd give the DR serious consideration. low maintance, great mileage, and low price w/ decent resale cuz of the cc's and most that have them don't abuse them.

[sugarhead]

If you want a real dual sport,for the best jap 1 a drz 400,atk is a good bike husky and aprilias are race bikes in street guise.I know because I have one:D Oh hell yeah its got some rip to it:DDepends on how much jing ya wanna spend.

[Chazz of Blades]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKx2MQ1zd10&NR=1