Total Motorcycle Community Forums

ok, i'll probably be taking msf course in the spring around boulder, CO; so i'm just starting to think about what bike i might want (safety gear also: thinking fullsize helmet, textile jacket, overpants, hiking boots), so i'm contemplating a dual sport since the primary purpose of this bike is to get me up into the mountains and out into the wilderness, mostly to go hiking

the suzuki dr350 seems to stand out mainly because of its reliability and low CC's

price range is $2k or less

i'm 6' guy, but have very long legs (very short torso), have legs of someone several inches taller, so i think dual sport might not be too tall for me

anyway, i really don't want to buy a "starter" bike and then get another one a couple months later, i'd like something i can keep for awhile; i'm not looking for a lot of speed, but reliability

thanks

good luck finding a decent bike to keep a while for under 2k... are you a good mechanic?

no i have no mechanic experience, but i do intend to learn to work on my bike myself; i'd like to work up to doing nearly all repairs myself eventually

Dual sport would be a fun first bike. You mentioned being taller and needing legroom, that's one reason I have a hard time finding a dual sport that will fit me, I have sort inseam.


Is 2k for gear and bike? If so, you might try to stretch that a bit. Good gear is worth the cost and good bikes might be tough to come by for a low price. So, shop for hat you need to, but be prepared to make adjustments.

The bike you picked seems to do what you want to do with it, road and some trails and such.

no 2k just for the bike, and i might be able to stretch that

no budget for gear, just buy good quality stuff to keep me as safe as possible with a few minor compromises for comfort/usability

uzibear wrote:no 2k just for the bike, and i might be able to stretch that

no budget for gear, just buy good quality stuff to keep me as safe as possible with a few minor compromises for comfort/usability

$2k can easily get you a good reliable bike.

I paid $700 for a nice running KZ650 that hasn't had any problems since I bought it. Less than 2 grand for my 84 interceptor that runs perfect after I cleaned the carbs. You should be able to find a nice DS for around that range.

A dual sport would be a great starter bike. Too many people overlook this type. Great fun to ride.

uzibear wrote:no 2k just for the bike, and i might be able to stretch that

no budget for gear, just buy good quality stuff to keep me as safe as possible with a few minor compromises for comfort/usability

Sounds like a solid plan

Shouldn't be too hard to find, but you might want to look elsewhere than Boulder... Maybe C Springs or Denver? Fort Collins also tends to sell high. College towns overall I guess... Good luck though, check our local craigslists and American Classifieds (Thrifty Nickel).
Wrider

uzibear wrote:no i have no mechanic experience, but i do intend to learn to work on my bike myself; i'd like to work up to doing nearly all repairs myself eventually

Sounds like a good plan and I agree with JCS. Started out on woods and enduro bikes and they are some of the best times you can have on a motorcycle. every hill a possible jump and every dry river bed a possible trail. I especially liked hill climbing, When you were in the zone it was great.