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Here's mine, my first bike an 08 Kawasaki KLR 650. I bought it so I could ride on and off road and it's a blast. Took this today out in the woods off an old logging road.
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Any Dual Purpose Motorcycle Riders?
- Thread starter jill jackson
- Start date
Not lately.... However, back in the seventies, I had one of these:
As to dual purpose, I actually did flog the rather hefty piece of iron through an enduro once, after putting some real knobbies on. Thing had torque to spare and was utterly waterproof.
Later, I put street-ier tires on it and used it as a (rather low-geared) roadster for quite a while.
You couldn't break those Honda 350 engines with a hammer.
As to dual purpose, I actually did flog the rather hefty piece of iron through an enduro once, after putting some real knobbies on. Thing had torque to spare and was utterly waterproof.
Later, I put street-ier tires on it and used it as a (rather low-geared) roadster for quite a while.
You couldn't break those Honda 350 engines with a hammer.
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2007
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- 2,179
My first street bike back in 1973 was an RT 360 Yamaha like this one
it was a good street bike and worked alright on logging roads and powerlines but when we got into serious hillclimbing and making our own trails,it was a bit heavy.I dropped down to a 250cc bike and that was a lot easier bike for serious trail riding and still worked ok on the street.It's been a while since I did much riding though.I'm at a point where I'd really like to find an old Harley or Indian,something with a solid frame and suicide shift to restore and at least ride once in a while.
it was a good street bike and worked alright on logging roads and powerlines but when we got into serious hillclimbing and making our own trails,it was a bit heavy.I dropped down to a 250cc bike and that was a lot easier bike for serious trail riding and still worked ok on the street.It's been a while since I did much riding though.I'm at a point where I'd really like to find an old Harley or Indian,something with a solid frame and suicide shift to restore and at least ride once in a while.
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2000
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- 454
I have a Yamaha 225XT and a vintage 1975 Enduro. I do more off-road so I like a lighter bike. My buddy has a green KLR650, much better on road, the extra power and weight is nice.
HolyRoller
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2007
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- 669
I currently drive a KLR 250. I've outgrown it, but I can't afford to buy anything bigger...
Not going with the 650. I'm tired of the height. Plus, I've had the KLR 250 for a few years now, and I've never taken it off the road...
Not going with the 650. I'm tired of the height. Plus, I've had the KLR 250 for a few years now, and I've never taken it off the road...
Ilikesharpstuff
Basic Member
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- Jan 19, 2009
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- 850
I ride an '86 Yamaha XT 600. Here's an example pic
Except I have about the knobbiest tires you can buy that are still DOT approved for street riding. I love the low end power this beast has.
Except I have about the knobbiest tires you can buy that are still DOT approved for street riding. I love the low end power this beast has.
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2006
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- 19,374
Not lately.... However, back in the seventies, I had one of these:
As to dual purpose, I actually did flog the rather hefty piece of iron through an enduro once, after putting some real knobbies on. Thing had torque to spare and was utterly waterproof.
Later, I put street-ier tires on it and used it as a (rather low-geared) roadster for quite a while.
You couldn't break those Honda 350 engines with a hammer.
Thats a clean lookin old SL Honda :thumbup:
Seeing that pic really brought me back to my youth. I love the old Hondas
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2006
- Messages
- 19,374
I ride a 2008 Suzuki V-Strom 650 DualSport.
Granted, mine is a little more street than some of the others. But that works better for me as it is my daily driver. And I have taken it off road a bit and it works very well!
That doesn't look anything like the dual purpose bikes I'm use to seeing...
Damn, I'm startin to feel really old
Unlike most Dual-Sports mine is geared more for street than off-road. It sits very high and has better shocks and movement than a street bike, but will still do 120 mph.
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- Oct 29, 2005
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- 18,769
Here's mine, my first bike an 08 Kawasaki KLR 650. I bought it so I could ride on and off road and it's a blast. Took this today out in the woods off an old logging road.
Where is the .22 magnum rifle rack and pelican case to store spare spydies?
Where is the .22 magnum rifle rack and pelican case to store spare spydies?
No .22 rack, but I've got yer Pelicans:
My KLR with my dad's Suzuki DRZ400 in the background.
I'm an avid dual-sport/dual-purpose/enduro/street-legal-dirt-bike rider. I've had my '05 KLR650 for a year and a half now, racked up 27K miles so far on it, and am immensely enjoying my time with this bike. It's my only mode of transportation 9 months of the year, so the big Pelican cases (rack system by Caribou Cases) work well for groceries as well as longer camping trips I'm prone to taking.
It's served me well even if I haven't treated her the most kindly all the time:
Good choice on the KLR. They're a good, reliable motorcycle, and as long as you're not looking for race performance on or off-road, you'll have a blast.
Travis
How does your dad like the suzuki? I've been looking at this bike for a while as it seems to be the closest thing to a true dirtbike while still being streetable.
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2001
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- 1,062
Both my dad and myself really like the DRZ. I've been so impressed with its on-road capabilities, and of course, it being so much lighter than the KLR, the offroad aspect of things is excellent as well.
He has it set up right now for a long-distance trip that's set to take off in 2 weeks. We'll be heading up to Inuvik, Northwest Territories, and it's slated to be approx. 5000 miles round trip. Many have doubted the DRZ as the right tool for the job, but I'm simply amazed at how it can carry the load (full self-reliant camping/eating setup) and still do long days (500 miles or so) in relative comfort.
One thing I will mention about the DRZ: many who are into hardcore offroading prefer the KTMs over the Suzuki mainly due to the suspension. If you're looking for something that you can go at near race speeds and have the suspension take most of the beating, look at a KTM 530EXC or something of the like. If you're more about the offroad exploration, but still want a good performing bike, then the DRZ is a very good way to go. Low maintenance, decent power, and tons of aftermarket support.
Get one. You'll really enjoy it. If not, let me know, I'll consider buying it for myself!
Travis
I actually went through several off-road bikes back then, including one of these little guys:
That's a DKW (Das Klien Wunder) enduro model with the 125cc Sachs engine.
Had a leading-link front fork, and was actually a great little bike. The only problem with the Sachs engine was that it had 6 gears and (reputedly) at least 12 neutrals.
Usually, the neutrals would appear when you were trying to climb a hill. There were quite a lot of Sachs-engined racers around back then, circa 1975 or so.
That's a DKW (Das Klien Wunder) enduro model with the 125cc Sachs engine.
Had a leading-link front fork, and was actually a great little bike. The only problem with the Sachs engine was that it had 6 gears and (reputedly) at least 12 neutrals.
Usually, the neutrals would appear when you were trying to climb a hill. There were quite a lot of Sachs-engined racers around back then, circa 1975 or so.
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2000
- Messages
- 454
Travis:
How does the DRZ keep up with your KLR on road at higher speeds?
That DRZ is on my list now. Before I had my heart set on a Honda or KTM, until someone suggested the DRZ400. I also was about to buy the Triumph Scrambler, but realized it's not an off-road bike at all... I just really like the looks. Must have something to do with my dad having a Honda 350 scrambler back in the '70s.
-Brian
Just fine. I think if you look at factory specs, the DRZ is within 2 or 3 horsepower of the KLR. This, coupled with the fact that it's around 100lbs lighter than the KLR, means that it can keep up without much problem at all. On our last big trip (prerun to the big one coming in a couple weeks), I got a bit of seat time on the DRZ, and was quite impressed with how easily it accelerated between 60 and 80mph.
The items that the KLR has over the DRZ are out-of-the-box comfort and range, along with the ability to haul more luggage. Other than that, the DRZ is an exceptional dualsport bike: dare I say, one of the truer definitions of a dual-sport on the market these days.
Travis