Author Topic: How many dual sporters here? (Read 4924 times)

Swamp Rat · « **on:** February 21, 2007, 06:07:49 AM »

And what I mean by that is how many of you street ride and also ride track or trail too?

I saw that cw4gunner also has a Drz like I do and got me to thinkin bout how we like many aspects of the sport not just one or the other.

Red01 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2007, 09:30:02 AM »

I've got an old Yamaha 250 Trials and a little Chinese copy of a Honda 50 for the grandkids to ride when they come over. Mostly just ride them on my property and the wooded lots in the neighborhood. I've been thinking of a real dual sport that could be riden to/from the trail.

kevinfromrex · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2007, 09:40:25 AM »

Ive got a Honda Atv, a Honda CT-70 replica and a CRF250R. I love dirt riding either on 2 wheels or 4. Thats how it all began and my sheer love for the dirt will probably never end. Broke my foot off my right leg in late 04, I think Ive been riding harder the last 3 years than the 33 years before that!

CWO4GUNNER · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2007, 12:18:15 PM »

The technology has certainly improved since 1968. Although I own an Ozark 250 ATV, the dirt bike is still a much better ride over a long distance on the trail. Dirt bike riding is the only motorcycle sport where the front and rear wheels are repeatedly spinning at different speeds making it much more difficult to stay on board until you become accustom to it so that when on very rare occasion street riding your wheels slip, instead of highsiding to the pavement your dirt bike skills kick in and compansate with body enlish and avoid the crash.

oremike · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2007, 04:26:14 PM »

I have a DR650 bought to go places my Bandit is too much bike for. I bought it a couple months ago, started riding it on crappy twisty paved back roads and was thinking of doing the 17 wheel converstion.... and then I discovered gravel roads, Oh my, way hoopie fun steering with the back tire, so off comes the tail trunk, and the search for DOT knobies begins.

pmackie · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2007, 02:21:05 AM »

Currently no dual sport, but I think about it some times. Lots of great gravel roads here in the Canadian Rockies...

Garage currently has:
87 CR250R - mine
81 KDX 175 - oldest son
02 TTR125L - youngest son
94 XR80 - just hanging around
03 KDX110 - youngest daughter
(not counting the Bandit and my 55 F100 Panel)

Likely will sell the XR and KDX as their too small, and get a TTR230 or CRF230 trail bike for youngest son and cascade the TTR to my daughter.

Dirt Bikes are great. Here in Cranbrook the bush is 1/2 block from the house and you can ride as far as your gas will take you.

Swamp Rat · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2007, 09:03:47 AM »

I mis wrote the subject header. I didn't litterally mean "dual sport". I meant other forms of motorcycling such as trail riding or MX or even trials.

I wood go with the Honda 230 as it is lighter and better suspended. I think they both have electric start. Wished I lived near you I'm wanting a used 110 or a 90 for my youngest daughter. I'll more than likely get the 230 for my 2 oldest daughters. The boy is currently riding a TTR 125 that I'm putting a 150 kit in this summer unlees he finishes the year with straight A's then I promissed him the new Honda CR150f. I think my money is safe so far.

Red01 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2007, 09:52:27 AM »

Well, if you have a Bandit and a dirt-only bike, that's dual-sporting, isn't it?
You're just using separate machines to do the street & trail thing.

Swamp Rat · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2007, 04:14:35 PM »

That's what I was thinking too!

CWO4GUNNER · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2007, 06:21:54 PM »

I hate having to load up dirt bikes into a truck for a short trip to county lands so I bought a duel-sport DRZ400s 85% dirt and 15% street bike. I am so tempted to sell it now and move of to the 50 state legal KTM 450EXC, probubly the ultimate off road duel sport motorcycle.
Definition: Dual-Sport refers to a street-legal motorcycle that is designed primarily to be used in off-road situations.
Dual-purpose refers to a motorcycle designed primarily to be used on-road with the capability of be used off-road in limited situations.

Swamp Rat · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2007, 07:13:55 PM »

I'm well aware as to the meaning of dualsport I was simply using a play on words that was taken too litterally.

I agree with you about the new KTM. March Dirt Rider has a write up on it. If I were to go the dualsport route the 450 or the 525 KTM's would top my list of prospective buys. But for now, at my current level of riding skill [none or just butt ass slow], the old Drz 400e suites my needs.

Red01 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2007, 09:58:51 AM »

The KTM's are top notch, and I've always had a soft spot for them since the days when they were called Pentons. I also find myself attracted to the Aprilia 450/550 twins.

OTOH, the beauty of the DRZ and other Japanese d/s bikes is their lower maintenance requirements. I'm not looking for something to go racing with, I'm just looking for something to go trail riding on and ride it from the campground to the store or an occasional commute. I'd be plenty happy with a bike that I can ride more and wrench less. Even if it's heavier and slower.

oremike · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2007, 12:34:41 PM »

I guess I'm confused, I bought my DR to ride where I didn't want to ride my Bandit. thats off pavement, ok it's not a true dirt only bike, but I'm planing to race it in some dual sport events/ enduros. It may not be the best woods bike but it's a great desert bike and we got both out here. Ride what makes you smile.
Mike M.

CWO4GUNNER · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2007, 12:53:07 PM »

Dont get me wrong I like my DRZ and think it's a good trail bike. But I dident realize when I bought it how much better a machine I could have gotten in a KTM or CFR450x. When I rode my neighbors CRF450x I was blown away and how much better a rider I could be, its that good. Granted not nearly as plush as the DRZ but that comes with adjustment and a soft seat. Believe me I tried being partial to my DRZ, just do yourself a favor and don't test ride CRF450x off road because it will make you very sad as the nimble handling and performance is nothing short incredible, compared to my DRZ is like comparing a Ford Crown Victoria to a Z28 "literally".

pmackie · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2007, 02:35:26 PM »

Hey Gunner, I agree, but it keeps going. In my opinion, a 2-stroke like the CR250R is even better. Lighter, great snap, etc., but not street legal, (neither is the CRF450X).

The KTM's and CRFs are closer to a real race bikes, and have the maintenance schedules to match. The DRZ is pretty easy to ride hard and put away wet. I keep thinking of one, as in this area, I could go for an all day ride in the Rockies or Purcells and still stop at a cafe for lunch or coffee. My CR250R is great, but isn't as casual as I am sometimes.