Why aren't there as many dual purpose motorcycles availible in the U.S. as some other contries?

Question

The only street legal dual purpose models currently availible in the U.S. are the Honda XR650L, Suzuki DR650SE, DRZ400S & SM, DR200SE, Yamaha XT225, TW200, Kawasaki KLR650 and KLX250S. There are no more 125's any more and the only 250 left is Kawasaki's KLX250S. There used to be a 125 a 250 and 600 availible from any one of the four Japanese manufacturers back in the '80s, what happened to that? I understand why the 2 strokes are gone and don't care for anything smaller than a 250 but I can't figure out why more 400's aren't availible. Each one of the manufactuers offer all sizes of 4 stroke dirtbikes but they aren't street legal. Why?

Answer 1

I think there aren't as many dual sports in the US because there are more paved roads and fewer dirt paths so people are less likely to take advantage of the off road capabilities. I ride a KLR 650 and love it but can't imagine taking anything smaller than that on the highway for any length of time. Plus, more riders in the US like the flash styling of sportbikes and harleys instead of the more utilitarian dual sports. I agree with you though, I love mine and would like to see more on the road.

Answer 2

In the US, ALL motorcycles are seen as toys and not a form of cheap transport. US has more dirt roads and wilderness than most european countries but there is a major predjudice against something which isnt bigger and 'better'. (take a look at ATV's, got big enough to be classified as automobiles in some countries!)
Even a 250 is going to have problem when soccer moms just HAVE to have a 7litre SUV to get groceries and maybe carry a couple of kids now and again. Blame Bush, he refused to sign Kyoto agreement and the DOT/EPA doesnt seem to care about fuel use/greenhouse gasses

Answer 3

There are also the Buell Ulyssees (or however you spell that) and teh BMW Dakar. But the guy up above is right, most people don't ride off road, so they want corner carvers or highway cruisers. If they want to go off road, they go with a MX bike instead. But I agree, if you are into both, or want all around transportation, a dual sport is the way to go.

Answer 4

I think that it's because in the US people don't usually /need/ both. The roads are generally in good enough condition that you can have just a street bike, and if you live in the country you probably have a car or truck to get where you need to go. So a dirt bike is more for fun than utility.

Answer 5

I think its a combination of a good road system and the VTwin cruiser craze.

Answer 6

The simple answer as to why there aren't more DP bikes now is that they didn't sell well enough to keep importing them.