New and bikeless

[Farp]

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I've gone through Death Valley a couple of times and I think for that kind of terrain the KLX250 would have the edge over the CRF230L. But the KLX weighs 298 pounds wet as compared to 267 for the CRF and the KLX has a 35 inch seat height compared to 31.9 inches for the CRF. When you pitch sideways after hitting a root or boulder that 35 inch seat height makes it more difficult to plant a foot. My experience with these bikes is that the KLX is better on the street and FSRs but the Honda is a smaller, lighter bike with a ton of low end grunt and is better on gnarly trails. It just depends where you want to ride.

John

 

[bchunter]

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So, why the suspense ??????? What are you riding? :clap:

 

[northernexplorer]

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I've been drooling over bikes all week. I went and looked at the dr at k-start and it definitely fits the bill. Problem is its a bit more than I want to spend. Im going to look at a used klr this weekend hopefully. I would prefer the dr but there seems to be a shortage of used ones. Im thinking something a couple years old will be better as it'll likely spend some a large percentage of its first offroad excursions lying on its side.

On a side note, has anyone around terrace been up the kalum fsr lately? I was thinking of taking a drive up to redsand and maybe going for a paddle but I heard thereis stillsnow on the road?

 

[bchunter]

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northernexplorer wrote:

I would prefer the dr but there seems to be a shortage of used ones. 

That is because no one want to sell them once they ride them :mb::mb::tup:

For DR's just keep in mind that from 1996 to present they are basically the same bike. You might be able to find a cheaper "older" bike that is the same as a "newer" bike. Also, paint and decals can change the look of a bike to make it more modern. Don't let km's on the clock deter you either, as these bikes are known to go 100,000 + km's. Mine has 38,0000 and it runs amazing.

I just got a gas tank for my 96 DR that is off of an 08 DR and it is the exact same thing. That is another reason why I like the DR, it is simple and hasn't changed in years, therefore parts are readily available. Sure it is not a fancy bike, but the thump of the doc brings a smile to my face.

Again, to each their own. I admit that I have little experience with other bikes. I have never ridden a KLR (only sat on one) and have never ridden a KTM or a BMW. All I can provide is my DR experience.

 

[Chuck]

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Hey Northernexplorer,

I was up to Red Sands on Monday on a borrowed KLX250. My KLR650 is still not on the road! No snow to speak of. The road was mostly dry. Lots of major potholes from about 1km to 6km from the Kitsumkalum Tempo. No worries if you're on 2 wheels, but slow going in a car. Friends towed ATVs to the gravel pit and it was slow going with the ATVs bouncing in the trailers!

Awesome, easy ride out to Red Sands. Enjoy.

 

[northernexplorer]

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Hunter, that's exactly what I'm thinking. Want to sell yours?

Thanks for the redsand update Chuck. Wish it were 2 wheels but my taco is still a blast.

 

[bchunter]

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I was up the Kalum Rd the other week with some quads and I believe we went to the gravel pit that you are talking about. Man, was that ever the worst road that I have driven on. I have never seen pot holes like that. One of the quads just about decided it did not want to be on the trailer anymore :shock:

That gravel pit was a fun place to play, but I thought it would be alot more entertaining on the DR then on a quad. I get kinda bored after awhile on a quad.

So where is the "red sands" place you guys are talking about?

As for the DR relocating from my garage to yours, I think I would have a hard time finding another, so I think I will keep the doc for now

 

[northernexplorer]

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Well it was worth a try. I'm sure i'll find a decent used one somewhere.



That road has been bad since logging has stopped. Not maintained by the forest service anymore. That would have been a neat ride to do the loop from tempo to the nass highway but the bridge is out I believe.

Redsand is the lake and campsite just before Kalum lake. Its about 27km from tempo.

 

[tractor]

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I just got into dualsport after several decades on crotch rockets or fast street bikes with a dirtbike thrown in the mix back in the late 1970's.

I am figuring out that dualsport ,like streetbikes, is best if you have 2 bikes, a liteweight dirt single track, hillclimbing easy to manueverbias one and a street ,FSR biased one. But I went to dualsport because I thought I could slow down and take it easy, be less dangerous to mybody (wrong), and enjoy some new scenery all on one bike.

Weeell, I am quickly finding out after purchasing a KLR that I find myself being pulled to venture up skinny little trails that end up steep and narrow or thru trees , and the KLR becomes a real handfull, like I certainly would not go to far off the beaten track by myself because it is a heavy bike for single track, I have real sore ribs to prove it. But on the highway and FSR, quadtrails it is a very nice relaxing ride, and it can corner on the pavementwith a very good crotchrocket. I find myself wishing I had the extra power to powerslide the rear end on corners, I mean that is fun and comes in handy.

To me it seems like you get a 650 KLR or Honda or suzuki whatever make (ktm and husky look awefully cool) and enjoy thr FSR, logging trails and like dad said" don't climb up a tree that you cannot climb back down". Those skinny little trails are like Tiger Woods mistresses, very appealing but they can sure get you in trouble.

OR, get 2 bikes, just my thoughts so far.

 

[dirtrider]

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depending on your budget for about the $4000-00- $5000.00 range you can get a KLX 250, CRF230, DR650, and KLR650....I been looking at perhaps a KLX250 for a little town dualsport and a 230 as a project woods weapon....

I already have a KTM300, KLX450, and a few others....But as mentioned one bike wont do everything...

I also recently had a XR650r, DR350, and a KTM530. so my quest to find the perfect single bike goes on....

I found for forest service roads and the street the big bikes are the way to go...you can get them through a few short easy single track sections but they are a hand full...but there is nothing like sliding a 650r at 100mph down a gravel road...FYI 100mph is as fast as you can go on gravel...the wind and lack of traction limits you.

My KLX 450 is asclose to a perfect dualsport as I can get...it has enough power for 130 plus down the highway and is no harder than my 300 in the tight trails....Being an A rider I have taken it through some very tough stuff and it was great! aside from a bit of weight I have done alot with it!!....

Now I want a KLX250???? dono why yet??? its just that its a bit smaller and when I go into real tight stuff you really do not neeed that power of anything more than a 230 or 250...

So for a nice bike that will not be too much off road in trails stay with the 250's..if your gonna commute or do any length of road/FSR and keep away from the tight trails get the 650's....If you want a in between bike the DRZ400 is a nice one...

Just be honest with yourself....put the "dreams" aside and based on where you are actually going to ride pick your bike....And you should consider what your ride mates own since if you get a big bike and they like trails the 2 wont mix well..

Or own 5-6 bikes and nearly have your bases covered!!:hb:

 

[DRuZer]

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Another voice for the DRZ400.

At around 300 pounds you will find it way more forgiving than a DR or KLR when the trails call you in ...
Power to weight allows easy drifting in corners, and for me, that was the main reason to upgrade from the DR350. Its a very predictable handling bike, very reliable, very well rounded. A good place to start IMHO.
Bonus - they will amaze you in twisty pavement - no wallowing from flexy forks and swing arms. Stop in half the distance as the KLR.

I got massive range on mine with the aftermarket tank, about 350km. It will easily pull a 16 tooth countershaft, which makes the highway much more bearable - drops the rpm down about the same as a 6th gear would. Some sacrifice in the tight stuff, but its clutch is amazing - easy to control, and very durable. Doubtful you would even have to use it on quad trails. A jet kit and opening the air box (a standard mod - see Thumpertalk.com) shifts the power curve down into lower rpm which helps as well. I got dyno results to prove it!

Most folks end up doing mods on whatever they buy since nothing fits the bill exactly, and as with KLRs and DRs, there's tons of aftermarket stuff available, cheap. For me, the DRZ provided years of DS fun. Eventually I needed a plusher ride, and I'm still trying to find a better all round bike. I now think I've found it, and its TWO bikes!

Anyways, as mentioned above, most all bikes are great, but not for everything. Ride and have fun. The question really is, how do I get more?

Happy trails!

 

[Chuck]

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Red Sands is a campground / lake at the north end of West Kalum Rd. Probably about 28 km from the Tempo. All FSR and much better road than what you saw up to the gravel pit!

 

[North]

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The KLX is a great 250. You can get the foam in the seat shaved to lower the height and put on a bigger rear spocket for more low end. I think it's easier to ride off-road than the DRZ-400. The tank range is 200 km I think. My 22 year old has one.

But of course the DRZ is nicer on the road and a better all around Dual Sport Bike, being a 400. IMO

The best way is to ride them all and get what you like. :tup:

 

[bchunter]

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I have not ridden a DRZ and would love to try them out. I know a couple of guys around here that have them and I will try to bribe them with coffee to take it for a rip. I also have never ridden a KLR. I have sat on them but never rode one. I would like to try that out as well.

As for red sands, anything has got to be better then that first part of the road.

I will be in Terrace for the last week of April and am looking forward to some evening jaunts about and around.