Quote:
Originally Posted by Skutch
Examples of some dual sport bikes:
Kawasaki KLR650
Kawasaki Versys
Suzuki DR650SE
Suzuki DR400Z
Suzuki Vstrom 650
Honda XR650L
Honda CRF230L
These are the mainstream DS bikes. They are basically dirtbikes that are legal for street use...turn signals, brake lights, electric starters (great feature). Some are more street-oriented while some are more dirt-oriented. More street oriented (KLR, DR650, Versys) would mean larger fuel tanks for longer distance touring, street tires, luggage racks, windscreens, less suspension travel. XRs and DRZs are more suited for offroad riding (longer suspension, smaller tanks, knobbier tires, no windscreens) and not very comfortable for long highway miles, but for buzzing around town and daytrips into the countryside they're fine. Parts are cheap and readily available for all the mainstream japanese bikes.
They are relatively low tech (with the exception of some of the european makes such as BMW, KTM), but dead reliable and easy to work on. Some engines are water-cooled, some air-cooled. There are large aftermarket options available for most of the japanese bikes (luggage racks, hand warmers, windscreens, engine guards, more comfortable seats, etc). Some have very tall seat heights (XR650L), some low (DR650). Being able to touch the ground flatfoot is a reassuring feature to some, especially riders just starting out. Some people like the feel and handling of a lightweight bike over a heavier one.
I have an XR650L, and wouldn't take it on long distance trips anymore. After 100 miles or so on the street, I've had enough. The seat is uncomfortable and the buzzy engine noise and vibration is tiring. I recently rented a Honda Goldwing (a dedicated touring bike) and spent a day on it, and I really appreciated the extra storage space, comfortable seat and riding position, giant windscreen (there is no windblast hitting you) and smooth, quiet engine.
I would agree with the others and try to test ride the bikes first. Some dealers allow test rides, some don't. Where I live the city dealerships don't allow test rides, but the ones in more rural areas did. There is a subjective feel to each bike that will help with your decision.
I would pass on the new Yamaha VMAX as a first bike as well. It's a land-based fighter jet... |
Thanks for the reply and information. It's very valuable, especially the portion about which bikes are more street oriented, as those are likely to be the ones I'd be pursuing.
I was talking to a buddy at work who had a dual-sport bike and he had only good things to say about it. He mentioned reliability, as well as the fact that they are easy to work on. Beyond that, he said they can take a few dings and are great to zip around town on. He sold his a year or so ago, and is now looking to buy another one; which says a lot given that he's had two very nice bikes aside from the dual-sport.
After talking to him, I'm starting to think this type of bike would be ideal for me. Since I've started looking at bikes, I haven't been as excited about a specific type until being exposed to the dual-sport class. They genuinely seem like a lot of fun, and while they do seem a bit non-traditional in regards to the type of bike I might have expected to be pursuing, they're very alluring to me.
My friend mentioned getting tires that are more suited for the road if/when I do get a dual-sport. Apparently there are tires available with different road/dirt percentages, and if one intends to ride primarily on the street, it may be wise to get a more suitable tire.
I like that the dual-sport type bikes have the ability to go off road a bit if the situation should arise. I'm admittedly going to be doing most of the riding in an urban environment, but if I get out into the more rural areas and there are some trails, I imagine it would be good fun to take it off road a bit as well.
I'm not going to close any doors in regards to what type of bike I'm not getting yet, but the dual-sports do seem very appealing to me. Finding one used seems like it might be a tall order, as they don't seem to be as common in the used listings and my buddy said they go fast when listed because of this, but I'll keep my eye out.
In regards to the cruisers, the Honda Magna 750 VF
Jinn shared looks and sounds like a great bike, and at a nice price. Cruisers seem like great bikes, and if I don't get one initially, I think it's fair to say I would certainly pursue one at some point in my life; providing I stick with motorcycling.
