Which dual-sport bike is best?

[twonole]

In a few weeks here, I'll be purchasing my first motorcycle

Just stuck between what to choose. I'm looking at dual-sports and can't decide.

I really like the klr650 and the klx250. I'm just unsure if the klx will haul me around. I'm 6'2 and 280 and whichever bike I choose will be driven around town and on some pretty mild trails around here. Are there any other bikes I should be looking at? I really need some opinions here lol

 

[Cummins_Ranger]

I have a KTM, so im saying go KTM! worth the extra money in my opinion. i have a 530 and its a bitch, it pretty much tells me where im going, but your size is what a 530 was pretty much made for. might have to stiffen the springs a little from factory.

 

[twonole]

I like the KTM, only problem is the only in dealer in the area as far as I can tell is on the other coast of Florida lol and it definitely is would be a stretch price wise. School is expensive lol

 

[Cummins_Ranger]

could always go used, good thing about used sometimes is the previous owner already did the mods to make a stock factory bike run right and not all choked up. unless you like to fiddle with your own bike, took me a few weeks to fine tune my bike, as for suspension that is a completely different ball game for setting up. that takes time and a lot of fine tuning depending what you ride.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I like my '76 Honda XL-350.

It is heavy, doesn't make much power and is hard to find parts for.

 

[JC 97]

Suzuki Dr650 is a good bike.More power than the klr650,both are good bikes.

 

[triumphrider-1]

All mentioned are great bikes for riding. One thing to watch for on the KLR650is it can be a little interesting in soft sands.

 

[Krwlnrx]

I had a drz400. It was hands down one of the best bikes I have ever owned. A lot depends on the type of riding you will be doing. The KLR is a good bike, it has been around forever and a day. DR650 is also another great choice. Those monster orange bikes rock, but req more maintain and are more expensive to operate. Hondas xr line is also hard to beat. My nxt DS will be a XR650R converted to DS.

 

[Hagan]

I have a plated '90 Honda XR600R. I too would like an XR650R plated but even an XR650L is a good bike...and little heavy, slower, and has electric start.

 

[Ozwynn]

If you have no offroad experience then a 600/650 would be a bit big to start out with...... 250-400 would be better to start with. If you have off road experience then 600/650 would be fine.

 

[hoppy]

If you're starting out fresh on a DS bike, I would say that the Honda xr400 or Suzuki drz400 would be a great bike. Honda's 400 has always been reliable, and they've been building that motor for decades! Bulletproof. The drz400 is a great deal, and I see more of those on the street than in the dez, and I see more of the XR's in the dez than on the street but I'm sure that they're both comparable in both places.

 

[twonole]

I'll definitely look at the zuki and the honda. Most riding I've done has been on quads and a Buell Blast 500 that was "stored" at my house while my buddy was at basic lol

I've actually kind of have fallen in love with the KLX250 S. I'm just afraid it won't be able to haul my 280lb ass around lol

 

[dhinch279]

Buell Ulysses

 

[--weezl--]

i personally wouldn't go any smaller than a 400ish for your size... i've got a 1000 and it's too slow for me, though it's also not a dual sport

i weigh 222lbs fwiw

 

[Hagan]

i personally wouldn't go any smaller than a 400ish for your size... i've got a 1000 and it's too slow for me, though it's also not a dual sport

i weigh 222lbs fwiw

1000 what?

I'd go with a 600cc bike or bigger. Trust me, I weigh 180 and an XR250 (I owned 3) were very boring but fun for trails, an XR400 was a small step up but was retarded because it only had 5 gears, and my XR600R is still not satisfying for me.

There is a HUGE difference it power between a dual sport and a sport bike.