dual purpose?

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rpettit16 · #1 Unread post by **rpettit16** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 1:14 pm

I'm trying to get into riding and thought it might be a good idea to start on a dual purpose since i have riden dirtbikes in the past and they are relatively cheap. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with them and if so let me know ur opinions. It would also be helpful if someone could recommend a few good beginner bikes, dual purpose or not.

#2 Unread post by **Sev** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 1:16 pm

There are three threads directly above this one that will answer most of your questions.

I've been impressed with the people I've seen riding dual sports, they handle well on the road (I don't off road). Whytegryphon is the first person that springs to mind to talk to specfically, he owns a KLR650 and handles it very well.

Gadjet · #3 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 3:04 pm

The KLR 650 is a beautiful bike with huge aftermarket support.

Like any DP bike though, it does have a high seat height (35"), but aftermarket lowering links are available that will lower this by 1.5 - 2".

There is also a dished Corbin seat available that further reduces the effective seat height, but the trade off with it is reduced movement options when riding off road.

I'd never ridden an off-road bike before I got my KLR, and I've been slowly learning. It lugs well at low rpms, making it fairly easy to handle in mildly rough terrain, but with the large fuel capactiy, it is also fairly top heavy when you have a full tank. Engine is fairly bulletproof, but I would recommend some crash bars to protect the radiator and coolant resevoir in case you have a nasty spill - they are relatively exposed, so serious damage can occur if you hit hard, and repairs/replacements of the rad/res are expensive.

The KLR is very easy to ride and would make a good beginner bike being a 650cc single - lots of low end torque and reasonable acceleration, but not a huge amount of top end - I rarely take it over 75mph, as it is running at about 5200rpm there and it redlines at 6500 (7000? can't remember)

I have no problem running with highway traffic, and being tall and narrow and relatively lightweight (~400lbs wet) it handles very well - easy to maneuver in traffic and quite flickable. It loves hardpack roads and trails, but does tend to wallow in soft mud and sand (or that could just be my lack of off-road experience) and can feel very squirrely on loose gravel.

Large fuel capacity also gives it a very long range, allowing you more fun factor per fill.

#4 Unread post by **Sev** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 4:06 pm

I've followed Whyte before, and he keeps a good pace. It's a great bike to follow, and it keeps up pretty good. At least until I punched it down into the river valley

Gadjet · #5 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 4:14 pm

Sevulturus wrote:I've followed Whyte before, and he keeps a good pace. It's a great bike to follow, and it keeps up pretty good. At least until I punched it down into the river valley

Remember though Sev, that you were on a 599 with street tires and I was running knobbies.

#6 Unread post by **Sev** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 4:33 pm

Hey, you set the pace at about what I like to ride anyways, but the twisties... you cannot ignore the sirene call.

Gadjet · #7 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:30 pm

I'll take you on the stretch from Blackfalds to Joffre next year. you'll love that. lots of twists and turns and changing elevations. you'll almost think you're running Laguna

sapaul · #8 Unread post by **sapaul** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 8:20 am

I do not own a KLR but have ridden one a few times before. I have had some extended stretches around Kyalami racetrack and was very impressed with the tar handling. They also have a rep in SA as being very tough. Although the BMW 650 is much more expensive, the Kawa is rated as bettter value for money in that class.

Gadjet · #9 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 1:19 pm

Paul, I agree with you in that respect. When I was shopping for my new bike this year, I knew I wanted a dualsport 650 and I looked at the KLR, the F650GS and the DL650 V-Strom. I settled on the KLR as it had a large aftermarket support, and the value was far better than either the BMW or Suzuki - I couldn't justify the much higher cost for either of those bikes for the 'extra features' that they had over the KLR - the KLR also came stock with hand protection, which the Wee-Strom did not.

Parts and repair costs on the KLR are also cheaper than the other two.

#10 Unread post by **Sev** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 1:55 pm

Wish I'd checked to see about the aftermarket support for me bike before I bought it...