2006-12-01 12:52:56 · 7 answers · asked by rmr_drop_4_time 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Completely depends on how much dirt riding you'll be doing, and what type of trails.
If you really want a dirt bike that can take an occasional 10 mile scoot on pavement between riding areas, look at the offerings from KTM - or convert a 250cc to 450cc four stroke dirt bike using a Baja Designs http://www.bajadesigns.com/ kit (not legal in all states).
If you want the bike more for exploration - dirt roads but not much single track. Ocassional tough rough sections or sand washes that require some muscle to get the bike through - this type of riding (think Baja) and about 30% street use, then the Honda XR650L, the Suzuki DRZ400L and the Kawasaki KLR650 (not the '07 model) will fit the bill best.
Now, for 'adventure' type riding - take off for weeks at a time carrying your tent and everything else with you. Roads to dirt to rough unmaintained two-track. This is what the BMW GS models are made for. Ducati and KTM also have a complete lineup of models for this type of riding.
The best bike is the one that suits YOUR style of riding best. Decide what you want the bike to do, then pick the bike that does those things best :)
2006-12-01 14:45:29 · answer #1 · answered by ducatisti 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's several different choices depending on just which of these you want to emphasize. Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki all have 200-250 cc dual sports that can get through a lot of tough trails but have trouble keeping up on the highway. Honda's XR650 and Kawasaki's KLR650 both have more weight (not good for off road) but more top speed, with the Honda being more dirt oriented and the Kawasaki less street oriented.
Then there are ones that are more street bikes with some ability to tackle fire roads and other unpaved stuff. The Suzuki V-Strom may be the most affordable of these "adventure bikes," but you can also get some pretty good models from KTM (Adventurer), BMW (GS), and Buell (Ulysses). Most of these adventure bikes are a bit too heavy and powerful for a beginning rider.
2006-12-01 13:29:49 · answer #2 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah that's right. Honda makes the XR 650 which is a "dual sport" It's a big four stroke bike with turn signals, head lights, brakes lights and whatever else it needed to be street legal and nothing more really. It's too big to be anything like a moto-X bike but it will cruise the trails easily.
2006-12-01 13:05:29 · answer #3 · answered by Louis G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Truthfully,your best bet would be to get a motorcycle meant for asphalt only......I have a motorcycle and a dirtbike. Combining the 2 to me is a dangerous cocktail. They handle like **** in the trails and they are poor handlers on the road.Ive rode them,to me their a joke.Consider what you want to do more and get that.They sell "enduros" in many ATV outlets,I dont like them so I wont comment on them.
2006-12-01 13:05:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any 250 is cool for off and on roading!
2006-12-01 14:13:34 · answer #5 · answered by ascloud@sbcglobal.net 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Honda makes a 650 that supposed to be good. I think it was a 650. It a little big for my liking, but, it has the size to run the Freeway. All I know.
Well, I tried to find, but, they may have stopped making it. I think the link is a picture.
2006-12-01 13:01:57 · answer #6 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Suzuki DRZ400S would be a good choice, smaller and lighter than the Honda. Comes in several colors and option packages.
2006-12-01 13:52:36 · answer #7 · answered by prd2boft 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋