Motorcycles, recommendations needed urgently

[RedRider_AK]

Hey guys.

I might be moving back to Russia in the coming months, and I'm selling all of my vehicles. I'm going to need transportation when I am in Russia, and so I figure a motorcycle would probably be great, seeing how gas prices are rising. Plus, I just don't like cars

Anyway, since it's RUSSIA after all, what sort of motorcycle would you folks recommend? I'm going to be living in a fairly large city (Lipetsk) but the family also has a dacha (camp/summer cottage/cabin type thing) out in the woods, so I'd like to have some sort of dual-sport bike so I can get into the woods and back, and also go through town pretty good. Highway-speed capability is a MUST, I don't want to be topping out at 55 mph or something like that.

I'm leaning towards a used big-bore enduro type bike, like a Honda 650 or 600. I've heard they're really reliable and good on gas if you don't on the throttle, and that they can go a long time without needing rebuilds.

Oh yeah, and I'm about 5' 11" and 145 lbs. Yeah, a real lightweight. I was kinda thinking maybe a 600 is too big and heavy for me, what other good bikes are out there that won't weigh as much as my Big Bear?!

What are your guys' recommendations? It's probably going to be a used bike as well, so I need some specific things to look out for and specific models to look for that were especially bulletproof or something.

Thanks guys!

[RedRider_AK]

Bump for great justice

[DarkestGKnight]

i would look for some kinda of 500-650 i had a 550 and im 5'3 and 112 pounds and i could handle it im only 17 tho and drove it with no lisence but maybe a enduro is good i love them, i like the tw200 but they only do 60 maybe a big xr.

[badasskfx]

i have an xr650l. stock it gets 52 mpg gas tank is small at 2.5 gallons. the xr650l is as reliable as the red brick. the bike is bullet proof. top end is good for a hair under 100mph. cruise all day at 75 80 no probelm. the part that sux about these type of bikes is they are heavy and not great off road. they will go any where but if you push them to there limits railing corners the front will wash out. ive had mine for 2 years and love it. i rode it more then my gsxr so i sold the gixxer. go to xr's only and check out there stuff for the BRP (big red pig). i got the temp dip stick, rack, foot pegs, skid plate from them and all of it is top notch stuff and fits and works perfect. i hope you enjoy the move!

[badasskfx]

heres the web site i use for the BRP
http://www.4strokes.com/

[Huffa]

i have an xr650l. stock it gets 52 mpg gas tank is small at 2.5 gallons. the xr650l is as reliable as the red brick. the bike is bullet proof. top end is good for a hair under 100mph. cruise all day at 75 80 no probelm. the part that sux about these type of bikes is they are heavy and not great off road. they will go any where but if you push them to there limits railing corners the front will wash out. ive had mine for 2 years and love it. i rode it more then my gsxr so i sold the gixxer. go to xr's only and check out there stuff for the BRP (big red pig). i got the temp dip stick, rack, foot pegs, skid plate from them and all of it is top notch stuff and fits and works perfect. i hope you enjoy the move!

I of course agree 100%, 93-2007 XR 650 L ...... BABY !

They are all the same with different graphics and a a few parts colored different through the years .

White is 93-98 I think and red 99 - present.

Only draw back is they are TALL man! I'm 5'11" too and am glad I'm at least that tall or else I would not be able to touch the ground ! As it is is now I'm not quite flat footed with both feet when stopped but am used to it and it doesn't bother me at all.

There are 2" lowering kits for them in rear but it doesn't bother me enough to do so.

You should be able to find a decent one for between 1800 and 3000 dollars easily and there are tons of them around yet with low miles on.

Engine wise they come carburated lean from factory and have a UGLY Octopus mess of a pollution/smog control device on LS of motor, that crap came off mine immeadiatly and I installed a carb kit and a few other goodies.

I prefer the white over the newer red ones (sorry badasskfx ) by a huge margin, just feel the red doesn't do anything for them at all and each year the tank grahpics get cheaper and cheaper and smaller on them.

Here is my 94 I just got in summer, had a bit over 4000 miles on it and was all stock when I got it, not any more though!

It's really the only bike I'd recommend, DS wise that is. They are electric start too, the older 600's are not, screw that kicken crap for sure, go with a 650, in all honesty my older 600 was faster but the 650 is still plenty fast and looks a lot nicer then the 600's, the 600 was my favorite DS bike though before I got this one.

Take your pic buddy white or red







This is the 08 model, big changes a white headlight ! Looks uglier yet and tank graphics absolutly suck now, they look better on the 1st red one here, come on Honda, get with the program man, who are you hiring in the looks department for these bikes, your wreckin em man

[oldskool83]

dr650se? they are not as tall...i am 5'6" and fit on a dr650 pretty easy but they got a seat sight of 35" and i belive can be lowered to 33" with the stock setup.

[RedRider_AK]

Hey guys! Thanks for the quick replies. From what I've been reading on other sites (I'm a traitor, I know ) the 650's are all too big for me. I've been looking up dealer sites in Russia and you can get streetbikes there DIRT CHEAP (FZR600's, etc etc etc) because they're imported direct from Japan. I guess my plan is to get a streetbike for city use, and then maybe try to find a cheap used KTM in Germany, there should be plenty of those!

Thanks for all the replies guys, you've been a great help!

[oldskool83]

FZR600 is a decent bike...i got one with 34K on it. 60 miles per gallon and 75hp at the rear wheel.