Best Street/Dirt Bike for a Guy like me...

[Triple Threat]

I'm looking for bike #4 in my current stable (and not I won't be changing my name to Quadruple Threat), so far I have specific bikes for specific duties, a liter sport bike, a full-on touring bike and a Hypermotard type bike. The next bike (Bike #4) has to perform the following specific duties:

1. Make it up to Alice's from SJ without issue (be able to maintain a decent hwy speeds).

2. Good at "dirt trail" riding "jeep track" riding and okay to play at Pismo Beach (not sure this is all possible). The plan is to load the bike into the back of a RV and hall it from here to there. It will also serve as grocery getter (by way of a back pack) when the RV is parked and such while RVing.

I plan on doing simple rides, no jumping, just checking out this dirt road trail or that jeep trail. I would like the bike to be able to climb well if I decide to tackle more up hill stuff. Worth nothing the bike will tires that are more dirt than street.

So far the bike that has risen to the top is the currently 400cc DRZ S bike. A 400cc should work for what I'd like to do.


Other considerations:

KTM 350
A friends says it's a beast of a dirt bike but no so good on the streets, so I'm shying away from this bike for now.

XL/XR 650
Another different friend says this thing is a pig on the dirt and not good for tail riding and says the DRZ is a much lighter and better dirt bike for my intended use.

KTM 690
My issue with this bike is it may be to close of a bike to the Dorsoduro I have now, not to say a 690 wouldn't kick the shit out of my Dorso in the dirt, but I thought a smaller lighter bike might be better suited, but still I'm open.

Then someone online said get a Honda 250 and stated it was better on the hwy than a DRZ 400, can that be true? But if it is, I'm sure it would also be a better dirt bike than the DRZ 400 S. Right, yes/no?

A far as price point I don't really have one, which ever bike fits my needs the best is the bike I'll attempt to purchase. I know KTM's are awesome but don't know which one would fit my needs the best. The plan is to buy a newish used bike (2010 or newer).

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Triple

PS. If you're one those people that has no idea what you're talking about and just want to suggest a bike that you've always wanted, there will be no need for you to post up here.

 

[Yakoo752]

I'm looking for the same thing Michael. I am looking for a reliable and sensible trail bike that I can tow to destination but still be street legal. I want to be able to ride fire roads into fishing destinations (street legal requirement) but still be light enough to pull over logs and nimble enough to go through decent rock piles. Anything with more cc's is too heavy and everything with less cc's doesn't like to go faster the 65 regularly.

I'm leaning towards a Husky TE449

fwiw I like the 310R more but it's not happy on the highway... ever

oh and the price tag sucks for both of them and you have to maintain them like dirt bikes - it's not about miles, it's about engine hours.

 

[ThumperX]

You need to channel Woodschick but the bike you describe sounds like a compromise and probably won't do any of the things you are asking it to do well.

You need to figure out what is the primary thing you want from that bike. A bike that is good on trails will suck on the street for all the reasons that it is good on the trails.

A bike that is good on the street will suck on the trails for the very same reasons it is good on the street.

Have you ridden much dirt? It isn't street riding and it will physically kick your butt. Every extra ounce on your bike will feel like a pound as you maneuver that thing through sand or over rocks.

 

[angelsndevils]

Sounds like your friend has never actually rode a xr650r. Lol. It's a great trail bike. Probably not going to find a plated one as new as you suggested but you can find older ones that are more reliable than a brand new bike from other manufacturers. I got mine for $2300 and in 3 years the only thing I've had to buy to keep it going was a voltage rectifier for $25. I ride it 3 hrs round trip, mostly hwy, to my dad's house all the time no problem. Haven't had it to the dunes but it had no problems in the soft sand on the beach.

 

[Triple Threat]

Not disagreeing with anything you've posted, for starters I rode lots when I was a teenager, not sure if that helps or not. I plan on doing plain jane riding which I mentioned, jeep trails, dirt trails just rumpling through, nothing fast paced, nothing dynamic, no jumping just riding along enjoying the scenery.

I'm confident I can find a bike that can get me from San Jose to Alice's and be a "decent" street bike. If I wanted a dirt bike that would rip shit up, than that would be a different story.

Sounds like your friend has never actually rode a xr650r. Lol. It's a great trail bike. Probably not going to find a plated one as new as you suggested but you can find older ones that are more reliable than a brand new bike from other manufacturers. I got mine for $2300 and in 3 years the only thing I've had to buy to keep it going was a voltage rectifier for $25. I ride it 3 hrs round trip, mostly hwy, to my dad's house all the time no problem. Haven't had it to the dunes but it had no problems in the soft sand on the beach.

The friend I mentioned has a 650 and so does he's brother and he's best friend, so he knows the bike well. He rides better than anyone I know, he's also rides a blue/white R1 and is known for dragging knee in the parking lot at 4 corners (you may of seen him).

What's interesting but not surprising is I'm already seeing a predictable pattern of you won't find a bike that can do both and one 650 owner saying it's way to heavy and another saying it's not to heavy. Now it's a arty

Triple

 

[CurveSurfer]

DRZ400 or DR650.

KTMs are overkill for this.

Hondas would be okay but taller than the DR and heavier than the DRZ...and the XR650R is kickstart only. Few things more satisfying as kick starting a big single, but few things are more frustrating or irritating either.

I owned a DRZ400S and an XR650R. The latter isn't a good beginner trail bike, it's a desert racing platform.

I'd get the DR650, it will be a better street bike and do fine for what you're asking.

Edit: that new honda 250 dual sport would be better in the dirt than either the DR or DRZ, but worse on the highway. But you don't really need a great dirt bike.

 

[Rob]

Personally, I'd opt for a properly set up XR650L or DR650. I'd then get some sumo wheels to swap over.

 

[ratlab]

my neighbor has a husky terra 650-i have ridden it at carnegie a little bit and liked it a lot-400 lbs wet though.has a bmw based motor, but i think they are discontinued now.really good on the street-i rode it to carnegie-handles well.

 

[Wack]

Based upon your "load it on the RV" comment you might consider a WR250R. Will cruise at 65 due to it's 6 speeds, weighs 298 full of gas, 26,000 mile valve adjustment and 60 MPG. A little gutless compared to the bigger bikes but much more agile. Downhill on a twisty, goatie road on the stock Death Wings the speed it carries will shock you.

 

[Triple Threat]

That's the second time the 250 came up, appreciate that. Didn't know it is a 6 speed either. Wait what's a death wing?

Thanks!

Triple

 

[Gary856]

Edit: that new honda 250 dual sport would be better in the dirt than either the DR or DRZ, but worse on the highway. But you don't really need a great dirt bike.

One of the bike magazines (forget which) recently did a 250 dual-sport comparison - Honda came out on top over Yamaha and Kawasaki. After that they jumped on a DRZ400S and said it was immediate obvious that the DRZ400S was way more capable than any of the 250s. I assume that's for a more experienced dirt rider, where as a 250 would still be better for a dirt newbie.

On the freeway, my DRZ400sm could cruise at 70-80 but I didn't enjoy it much; feeling the bike working that hard and not going that fast tired me out. The S has shorter gearing which has got to be a pain on the freeway.

 

[Gary856]

Wait what's a death wing?

Bridgestone Trail Wing which is OEM tires for a number of dual-sport bikes. Many say it's terrible in the dirt, thus the death wing nickname.

 

[CurveSurfer]

that they jumped on a DRZ400S and said it was immediate obvious that the DRZ400S was way more capable than any of the 250s. I assume that's for a more experienced dirt rider, where as a 250 would still be better for a dirt newbie.

On the freeway, my DRZ400sm could cruise at 70-80 but I didn't enjoy it much; feeling the bike working that hard and not going that fast tired me out. The S has shorter gearing which has got to be a pain on the freeway.

Good point.

My experience on a DRZ on the freeway was the same: it can do it, but it's not really fun.

The 650s are much more relaxed. I have friends who ride DR650s hundreds of miles on freeways then have a blast exploring unpaved roads and mild trails not suited for street bikes.

 

[Triple Threat]

The most I would ask of this bike on the freeway is approximately 30 minutes in each direction, but figure 70mph would be an expectable cruising speed. Not sure why the DRZ doesn't come with a 6 speed transmission, that would address a major issue for this bike

Found out a few valuable details:
1. A DRZ 400 weighs about 20lbs more than a WR250R
2. A 650s weighs about 20 lbs more than a 400 DRZ
3. A DRZ 400 has 48 hp vs the 250's 25 hp.

All worth considering.

Triple

 

[Wack]

A couple of 250 site links below. The Big Dog site is fairly amusing and gives some insight into how some riders are using the WR250R as an ADV bike skewed towards the dirt end of the spectrum. The 690 Enduro pretty much smokes any of the singles. Just slightly heavier than a DRZ400 with almost double the HP, a 6 speed tranny and WP suspension. Might be too tall for you.

http://www.rickramsey.net/WR250RvsCRF250L.htm

http://www.bigdogadventures.com/WR250R.htm

 

[ScottRNelson]

A KTM 690 Enduro is going to be better in the dirt than any of the Japanese 650s, and quite a bit lighter than the Dorsoduro. Plus it has quite a bit more suspension travel. It would be my first choice if cost weren't a concern.

Next on the list would be the Honda XR650L, or an R model if you want a better dirt bike, but don't mine kicking the thing and can find one that has been plated. The Honda has more suspension than a KLR or DR and is perfectly happy cruising long distances at freeway speeds. Plus they're simple and reliable. Mine weighs right around 350 pounds with a couple of gallons of gas in the tank. There are straightforward ways of getting more power if you want it, but with just rejetting and a pipe it has power that I'm happy with (unlike the KLRs that I've ridden).

I agree that a DR-Z400S is going to feel better off road due to less weight, but they're weaker on the street.

You should be able to enjoy any of the three I've mentioned.

 

[WWWobble]

Given that a DP bike by definition is compromised, I think one has to determine which is most important, dirt riding or street riding. If you are only going to spend 20% of your time on the freeway, and 80% on small secondary roads or trails, then I'd bias a choice toward a smaller, lighter machine.

I began years ago with a Yamaha XT-350 purchased in LA then ridden up here. As I rode more dirt, I liked the bike less. I rode a friends 2 stroke motocross 250 - an eye opener to me, and that ride cost me a new truck and a "real" dirt bike. Other friends went the other way, liking street better, and are mostly on large ADV machines now.

I guess you really don't know until you give it a try, but I suspect a WR-250 would work well for what you're describing.

WWWobble

 

[Archimedes]

350-EXC or 500-EXC, two sets of wheels, /thread.

 

[Triple Threat]

Great information and I do appreciate it. With this being bike #4 it does allow me more leeway and focus, considering all aspects, the 250 seems to be rising to the top. The gentleman that stated I should get two sets of wheels for so the bike would be better on the streets, for example, couldn't read my entire post, which means some of the important details were lost and a knee jerk bike was tossed out based on who knows what (okay now I'll get off). Now I understand why I think post like these have just as much good information as bad.

Again thanks, lots of good information to consider.

Triple

 

[Gary856]

3. A DRZ 400 has 48 hp vs the 250's 25 hp.

I've seen one source lists the DRZ 400 at 48 hp but I don't believe that; it certainly doesn't feel anywhere close to that. Most reviews/tests I've read put the stock S/SM HP number in the low 30s; the E model may have a few more. A built motor can into the 50 HP range but by then you may as well get a KTM 690 with even more power (low 60s), better suspension/brakes and 6 speed.

The real problem with having multiple street bikes plus DS and dirt bikes is there's not enough time to ride them all.