Dual Sport Suggestions

[adoliver]

So I'm looking to get a bike by the end of August and the dual-sport idea has gotten me intrigued. I have taken some fun, long trips (600+mi each) in the 1979 XS1100 I used to have and having the flexibility of dirt roads would be nice. For my needs it would mostly be a street bike used for commuting which would get taken out once or twice a month for extended drives. I have not yet ridden dirt (I don't count snaking my XS down the 400ft gravel road to my aunt's house) if that makes a difference in your suggestions. My guess is something like 70-30 street to dirt riding is where I want to get to. I would prefer that I don't have to pin the throttle to go 80mph on the freeway, but I might be flexible there so long as I don't have to pin it to go 65mph.

Those are my main criteria, here's the icing on the cake:
Getting a standard street bike which gets ~60mpg really appeals to me, so a dual-sport that gets 50+ when I commute would be really nice. A bike that is easily maintained by an amateur wrencher. I really prefer doing as much work myself as I can possibly manage.

Well, there ya have it. I'm not very familiar yet with my options or the benefit/cost of choosing a dual sport. Thanks for any help.

 

[CockyRooster]

The KTM adventure sounds like it's up your alley.

 

[luckett]

What's your budget?

 

[adoliver]

Well, not that much really. More than ~$2400 and I won't be getting it this year. I'm planning on buying used, not new.

 

[luckett]

from left to right, better on street to better on dirt, heavy to light
KLR650, DR650, XR650L

All easy to work on and pretty much bullet proof old school tech.

I know of an XRL for sale in your price range. I'll point him your way.

 

[adoliver]

from left to right, better on street to better on dirt, heavy to light
KLR650, DR650, XR650L

All easy to work on and pretty much bullet proof old school tech.

I know of an XRL for sale in your price range. I'll point him your way.

I forgot to mention, I'm pretty big. 6'1" 230lbs. In case that makes a difference.
So what makes the KLR650 vs say the XR650L better on street than the other? What criteria do you use?
I really like the idea of the rugged tech. That's what I liked about that XS1100 engine it felt like I could have kept that thing running on wire and scrap metal if needed. I was sadly a week from discovering whatever the previous owner had neglected in its maintenance. I was about to do a full bottom end job and had set up the time and space in a friend's garage right before it died.

On a side note, what's the smallest you suggest if I decide to get a dedicated dirt bike. 45mph max (I assume) Just something to toss around and get a feel for practicing skills.

 

[CockyRooster]

I love my XR650L, and it's based on the Baja winning XR600. In dual sport form it's still pretty adequate in the dirt (just a little heavier with softer suspension/less power for longevity.) You can scan through my Baja thread for a testimonial. The KLR is very underpowered, heavy, and is best suited in the dirt for only some mellow fire roads.

The XRL is also very tall - something that anyone under 5'10" usually has a problem with so it should suit your height well. It's only downside is the gas tank is small and owners usually switch those out in short order.

An XR400 is a good little dirt bike for ya.

 

[luckett]

So what makes the KLR650 vs say the XR650L better on street than the other? What criteria do you use?

KLR has a more comfortable seat and a bit more wind protection. They all have about the same hp, 35ish. KLR~450lbs, DR~400lbs, XRL~350lbs

On a side note, what's the smallest you suggest if I decide to get a dedicated dirt bike. 45mph max (I assume) Just something to toss around and get a feel for practicing skills.

For a beginner bike, a crf230f would be fine. Buy one for $2K and sell it for the same when you're ready to upgrade.

 

[adoliver]

So I've been poking around a bit looking at the difference between the xrl and xrr since you said a friend had the xrl. As far as I can tell the engines are basically the same stock, but I keep seeing people talk about getting 50hp out of an xrr. So I'm guess there's aftermarket modifications for this and my question is do you know if they can be done on the xrl as well? I'll be adding another 230lb just by myself and I'm concerned the 35hp pushing round 500lbs might not have sufficient "get up and go"

Also, is there any reason besides a starter to prefer the xrl if I can find a xrr plated in my price range?

 

[adoliver]

KLR has a more comfortable seat and a bit more wind protection. They all have about the same hp, 35ish. KLR~450lbs, DR~400lbs, XRL~350lbs

I'm more concerned with performance than wind protection. I rode my xs1100 without a fairing at 80+ for hours without it bothering me much.

 

[CockyRooster]

So I've been poking around a bit looking at the difference between the xrl and xrr since you said a friend had the xrl. As far as I can tell the engines are basically the same stock, but I keep seeing people talk about getting 50hp out of an xrr. So I'm guess there's aftermarket modifications for this and my question is do you know if they can be done on the xrl as well? I'll be adding another 230lb just by myself and I'm concerned the 35hp pushing round 500lbs might not have sufficient "get up and go"

Also, is there any reason besides a starter to prefer the xrl if I can find a xrr plated in my price range?

I knew this question would arise as soon as the XRL was mentioned:laughing

This forum will be your friend:thumbup Do a search and you will find many threads comparing the pros/cons of the two models.

The XR600R and XR650L are pretty much the same animal. The XR650R is from a different planet.

 

[luckett]

As far as I can tell the engines are basically the same stock, but I keep seeing people talk about getting 50hp out of an xrr.

Completely different bikes.

I'm more concerned with performance than wind protection. I rode my xs1100 without a fairing at 80+ for hours without it bothering me much.

All three are low powered bikes that can be ridden sufficiently fast in the twisties and dirt if your skills are good. If you want a powerful engine, these three are the wrong bikes and you'll need to crack your wallet open a little more.

 

[Motorrad]

:thumbup I am a supporter of the KLR-650! I have been on motocross bikes, and now own both a KLR and a BMW GS-1150. I dare not take the Beemer too far off the beaten path because it is such a beast. The KLR is a happy medium. Although the stock suspension sucks and it definitely needs another gear when on the freeway. The bike (if properly setup and maintained) is bulletproof and can handle its own off on the dirt. Plus it is watercooled which is a huge advantage if you plan on taking it to Death Valley in the summer

 

[adoliver]

If you want a powerful engine, these three are the wrong bikes and you'll need to crack your wallet open a little more.

hmm, I think I'll need to ride one and see how it feels. I may have to save my dual-sport dreams for later. I know I can get fast enough street bikes for my taste and money so that may have to be the way I go. I love the idea, but I'd hate to curse my bike every time I opened the throttle.

 

[adoliver]

Completely different bikes.

So I take it that compression ratio is making all the difference in the world. Didn't think 1.7 difference would be so much. Has anyone ever just stuck a xr650 engine into the xr650L frame to get the best of both worlds? besides the heavier XR650L frame of course.


XR650L:

Displacement: 644.00 ccm (39.30 cubic inches)
Engine type: Single cylinder
Stroke: 4
Compression: 8.3:1
Bore x stroke: 100.0 x 82.0 mm (3.9 x 3.2 inches)
Fuel system: Carburettor. 42.5mm diaphragm-type CV carburetor
Fuel control: SOHC
Ignition: Solid-state CD with electronic advance
Starter: Electric
Cooling system: Air
Gearbox: 5-speed
Transmission type
final drive: Chain

XR650R:

Displacement: 649.00 ccm (39.60 cubic inches)
Engine type: Single cylinder
Stroke: 4
Compression: 10.0:1
Bore x stroke: 100.0 x 82.6 mm (3.9 x 3.3 inches)
Fuel system: Carburettor. Keihin 40mm piston-valve
Fuel control: SOHC
Ignition: Solid-state CD with electronic advance
Lubrication system: Dry sump
Cooling system: Liquid
Gearbox: 5-speed
Transmission type
final drive: Chain

 

[ScorpioVI]

:thumbup I am a supporter of the KLR-650! I have been on motocross bikes, and now own both a KLR and a BMW GS-1150. I dare not take the Beemer too far off the beaten path because it is such a beast. The KLR is a happy medium. Although the stock suspension sucks and it definitely needs another gear when on the freeway. The bike (if properly setup and maintained) is bulletproof and can handle its own off on the dirt. Plus it is watercooled which is a huge advantage if you plan on taking it to Death Valley in the summer

What he said. I was actually surprised at how "adequate" the KLR was with just 35ish horsepower since my other back is an 85ish horsepower supersport. If I didn't have knobbies on the KLR I swear I could be just as fast with it on the twisties as my F4i.

Definitely a +1 on the crappy suspension and the need for a 6th gear on the freeway though.

 

[luckett]

The XRR chassis is better than the XRL.

Go to an XRR forum and tell them you want to use an XRR as commuter and see what they have to say.

 

[slackmeyer]

They will probably point out that it gets 25-30 mpg, eats tires, and doesn't come factory street legal.

Actually, maybe they wouldn't mention those things. Anyway, I know many people love them, but it doesn't seem like what the OP is looking for.

 

[brprider]

KLR has a more comfortable seat and a bit more wind protection. They all have about the same hp, 35ish. KLR~450lbs, DR~400lbs, XRL~350lbs.

with oil and gas or dry?

xr650r 280lbs dry

 

[brprider]

:thumbup I am a supporter of the KLR-650! I have been on motocross bikes, and now own both a KLR and a BMW GS-1150. I dare not take the Beemer too far off the beaten path because it is such a beast. The KLR is a happy medium. Although the stock suspension sucks and it definitely needs another gear when on the freeway. The bike (if properly setup and maintained) is bulletproof and can handle its own off on the dirt. Plus it is watercooled which is a huge advantage if you plan on taking it to Death Valley in the summer

klr650 6th gear 80mph on the hiway:ride:teeth

xr650r I love my bike but not on the hiway! valves every 1000 miles are you ready for that oil 500 miles

get klr it will do every thing you need and you will be :teeth