Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I having been riding for many years and have a large touring bike.

I have been thinking of a second used bike for utility use. It muse be:

1. Easy to just get on and go (kick start a must)
2. Utility extra's (add on baskets or cases for low $$$)
3. High gas mileage
4. Friendly to work on (not made like a disposal lighter)
5. Able to run on gravel or dirt but just for riding.

Does such a bike or scooter exist? Even if no longer in produciton but still many still in use would be fine.

Please resond with your make and model suggestion along with why you think/know its a great utility bike.

Thanks

KLR 650.

Is the lack of a kick start true with all older models as well?

This bike would be covered but kept outside so the kick start is a must in my mind.


Also what I'm thinking of is in some movies that are filmed in 3rd world countries you see single piston bikes with plenty of cargo or storage room and run off a kick start rather than a straight battery. I don't want a bike made and serviced only in India but something in that spirit that can be used in the US.

Suzuki DR650?

Yamaha TW200 is the bike for you.

None of those have kickstarts unfortunately but are great suggestions.
Personally I prefer to the DR650 to the KLR650 after riding both on the street and in some light dirt.
You also might want to look at the WR450F.

Do you want it to be Interstate capable? Or just city streets?

I also agree with Wrider, the kawasaki KLR650 has a serious oil use problem using 1 qt of oil in 500 miles, plus its heavy and more of a street bike instead of a dirt bike. The Yamaha TW200 is really S-----L-----O-----W, but it has good suspension that can handle someone over 200 lbs, I like the Suzuki DR200 better.
I would suggest the Honda Ruckus, it has a kick start, the tires can handle off road, very simple, but reliable engine, e-a-s-y to work on, yea, its 50 cc but it has a top speed of 45-50 mph, almost as fast at the TW200