I need your help

[Razor]

I want to purchase a dual sport this spring. I am looking to spend $3,000-$5,000 on a 2000 or newer bike. Could be a DR650 or a XR650L or a KLR650 or ??? Knowing what you know which would you purchase? Are there any things (year model or ??) to look out for when purchasing?

Thanks for your help.

 

[ktmken]

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Thereare quite a few things to consider when asking that question. Are you going to be riding more dirt than pavement, or more pavement than dirt. Do you want to do your own wrenching on your bike or are you going to be letting a dealer do all your work.

If you want to do one track trails and a little bit of on road riding, something like a SuzukiDRZ 400 is an excellent choice. If you want to stay more ontwo track trails and be able to do some longer highway trips a KLR 650 would be a good choice.

My opinion

KTMKen

 

[joker650]

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What type of riding are u planning, and what are ur skills?



The DR, XR and KLR's are all prety heavy bikes.

I have a 99 DR650 and I love it:clap:

I use it single track and highway and everywhere in between. It's heavy in the bush and fast enough on the street. The seat is fairly hard but only verry long pavement streches give me numb-but.

 

[TLGREEN]

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The KLR650 was my 1st dualsport bike & was pretty much bulletproof. It's a great starter bike for off road yet it's pretty comfy on-road. The XR650 is a bit more work but waaaayyyy faster. Depends what you want. The KLR has the biggest tank for long hauls so If you are touring, this will be a factor.

Try them all!!!:tup:

 

[Razor]

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Thanks for your replies. I have owned many bikes over the years but not in the last 10. I have done a fare amount of riding both on and off road and have good skills though a little rusty. I live in Whistler and will be riding the back roads and trails between here and the Interior, plus the odd highway trip to the city and our place on Hornby Island. I am handy with a wrench but would rather take it to a shop.

 

[skidmark43]

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"BugsinTeeth" has his DRZ listed for sale here. good bike & likely in your price range...

A DRZ was my first dualsport (been a street weenie for 20 years) and I was very very happy with it's forgiving nature and capabilities as my skills improved.

Mark

 

[Pirate]

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Judging by the amount of road riding that you plan on doing, I would definately stick with a 650, either DR or KLR. However, as joker mentioned, the 650's are a handful in the trails because of their weight. From what I've seen over the past few years, manyriders give up with the 650's after a couple of off road expieriences, instead of persisting and developing the necessary skills.........Either way, if your not too sure, try and test ride as many as you can.