Newb Checking in! (with questions)

[DonG]

I just recently found adventure bikes (after years of wrenching on cars and karts and bikes before that) and I think I want to take the plunge, but I have a few questions.

First off, HELLLLOOOOOOO every one! I had an old 100CC four stroke dirt bike as a teenager that I used to tear the field up behind my house, and I had a 500CC street bike I rode for a few years after that. So I am not a total newb to motorcycles, I just took a little break from bikes. I autoxed several different cars for the last few years, and currently have a shifter kart that I am trying to unload for a new hobby. I have always been into street bikes (Sportbikes and Naked bikes), so I have no real reference for Adventure bikes.

I have no idea what kind of bikes to look for. I want something I can ride to the trails, have fun on the trails then ride home. Currently I have a trailer I could modify to handle a bike, but I would rather not. Also, I would like to keep it under 6K or so, something that I wont want to kill myself if I FUBAR it on the trailes. I would like something that I can ride on the road for a few hours with out issues, since it looks like some of the better trails are a little ways out (I am in cass County, south of KC). So any good bike recommendations would be awesome, plus any tips of what to look for / look out for. I can tell you all about Miata's and Karts and a bunch of other 4 wheel stuff, but I need some help getting back in the saddle.

Also, I have street leathers still, but I am guessing I need slightly different gear for the off road adventures. Any good gear / sources would be appreciated.

And good "getting started" info would be great as well. I just found ADV riders site as well, but I didn't see a newb section there.

I don't really have any brand loyalist or anything like that (Although slapping a set of knobbies and skid plates on a Ducati Monster is real tempting...)

Thanks from a total off-road newb!
Don

Ohh, and if you know of anyone looking for a shifter kart, I have one for sale (Did I mention that) http://mokanmotorsports.com/forums/view ... f=8&t=6128

[Foster]

Motorcycle Closeouts in Smithville for nice gear and decent prices
Cycle Gear off 87th and I-35 for Cheaper gear that is not quite as nice
If you watch Advantage Powersports at the end of the season they have good sales on "last years" style for some of their off road stuff.

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/

I love my DRZ and know for a fact that it bounces of the ground fairly well

My KLR was comfy on the road but NOT a trail bike for me. People do it but it is a big bike. Even the DRZ may be a little big for a trail bike but it is good for a few hours on pavement unlike some of the smaller bikes.

I geared mine -1 on the counter sprocket and can still run highway speeds ok.

Asking this broad question you are going to get a ton of different answers. Get out and sit on some different bikes, even if you can't test ride them, and see what feels good to you. The bike you end up with all comes down to personal preference. I love the drz because when I do screw it up, it is pretty cheap to put back together. Some people hate it though. Test ride bikes if you can and that will help you out.

Hope this helps, good luck finding the perfect bike!

[troy]

The good and bad news is that if you want a motorcycle that you can ride 2 hours of roads to the trails, ride the trails, then ride home, your choices are few--depending on how "manly" you are.

Also keep in mind that the first dualsport bike you get most likely won't be your last. I highly recommend buying a used machine because you can ride it for a year and sell it for most of what you have in it when you decide you want something else.

I think you can focus on these machines:

Suzuki DRZ400S
S is street legal. E is dirt-only, although some folks get them plated. This bike is probably the best compromise out there and has been for years. Bad choice for 350 miles of highways, but a great compromise for 250 miles that include ATV trails and gravel roads and a bit of highway.

Suzuki DR650
More comfortable--especially on the road, but not as dirt-worthy. However, you can easily ride this machine on the tamer ATV trails...and how gnarly you get with it depends on your skill.

Kawasaki KLR650
The Swiss Army Knife of motorcycles. It really is too heavy for most folks to get truly off-road on trails, but tamer ATV trails won't stop you. You can ride this thumper to Alaska and back--it can do the long miles. Again, skill is the main factor. There is a guy in Arkansas who has ridden his KLR in the White Rock Enduro---and I'm not sure I could get through all that stuff on my dirtbike.

Honda XR650L
Great machine. L = street legal, XR650R is a very different machine, but if you can get one that is plated, it's a sweet machine. Note the "R" does not have electric start and can be tough to kick.

KTM 450/530
Very dirt worthy, slightly less street worthy (in my opinion) than the DRZ400. More expensive, too.

Yamaha WR250/450
I don't know much about these bikes, but the folks who own them LOVE them. Fuel injected, efficient, relatively modern technology and lightweight, decent highway gear.

The new KTM 690 looks AWESOME and some guys find it to be very trail worthy while still being able to push 100MPH on the pavement. $$

There are a few other candidates, but they are more exotic and expensive. Husqvarna 510, Beta, BMW 450, etc.

Unless guys know exactly what they want, I usually say "find a used DRZ400S" and ride it. They are a great value and can be easily sold. A season on that machine, and you'll have a much better idea where you want to go and have a blast doing it.

A lot of folks that start the journey this way end up with 2 bikes in a few years--a trail machine that they haul to the trails and a more street-worthy "adventure" machine. It's hard to find the perfect, single, compromise unless you stay fairly narrow in your riding style.

[jsherm01]

Well this could be good timing. I have a 2003 KLX400. Just haven't riden it much lately. It has a set of motard wheels and tires on it now. The dirt wheels with tires are in the garage. Thinking of selling it. Asking $2,500. I'll get some photos and more details up later.

[kendall_smith]

I second the suggestion for a DRZ/KLX 400 (same bike in case you weren't aware). I have a 2005 DRZ 400s that I bought used on craigslist and it seems to be a great compromise. Nick (username Foster above) and I did several hundred miles a couple of weekends ago over 3 days in Arkansas, and with my Seat Concepts seat, it was pretty comfortable everywhere. I have even trail ridden it on singletrack and it seems fairly competent there. There are better, sharper bikes out there but be prepared to raise your budget to get them.

I wish I could help you out by buying your shifter kart (I've always wanted one), but I just don't have room for any more toys right now. (Did I really just say that? I must be getting old! LOL!)

Good luck with your search and keep posting here to keep us up on your adventure.

[troy]

Well this could be good timing. I have a 2003 KLX400. Just haven't riden it much lately. It has a set of motard wheels and tires on it now. The dirt wheels with tires are in the garage. Thinking of selling it. Asking $2,500. I'll get some photos and more details up later.

Don, Jim's a good guy--you'd do good to buy a bike from him. And like Kendall said, know that the Kawasaki KLX400 is actually a Kawasaki-branded Suzuki DRZ400. Kind of strange they did that, but it was a couple of years--something like that.

My brother (KC on here) rode his DRZ400S on every gnarly trail Arkansas, Missouri, and Colorado threw at us. It's heavier on tight trails, but very capable in the right hands.

$2,500 for a DRZ/KLX in good shape is good. Throw in a set of supermotard wheels & tires that can be sold for $500+, and it's a smokin' deal.

[DonG]

Thanks for all the replies guys! Hopefully I I get the kart sold soon, so I can start seriously looking at buying instead of window shopping.

If Get my kart sold in time I may take you up on that offer Jim, Thanks.


Any good trails / parks Ya'll would recommend for beginners? Deep water is not too far from me.

[troy]

Any good trails / parks Ya'll would recommend for beginners? Deep water is not too far from me.

WHERE to ride

[DonG]

So I stopped by freedom cycle on my way home tonight to check out what the DRZ's /KLX's look like in person and how I fit on one. Yeah... I have a 28" inseam. It's a LITTLE tall for me. To put both feet down I was on tip toes and had to lean it over a good bit just to get the ball of my foot on the ground. Is that something that is easily remedied?

Odly enough I fet quite well on a used 650 KLR.

[troy]

That KLR must have had lowering links.

Most guys can't comfortably flat foot on a real dualsport bike. These bikes need the ground clearance.

[ozarksrider]

So my adventure bike experience...

Big bikes: R1100GS comfy, great for roads (dirt and gravel), easy to work on. Guys with more skill than I ride these in really amazing places. Bought mine from a dealer used.

Smaller bike: TE510 comfy in a different way. That is it eats bumpy stuff for breakfast. Bought this on craigslist and order parts for it online.

Even smaller bike: WR250F not the "r". Spent three days on one of these in sand, rock of all sizes, ruts, uphill, downhill, ugly switchbacks, ect. I think this is the ultimate dual sport bike. Keep in mind my sample size of 3. Went everywhere the 450's did. Where we were it didn't seem to matter they weren't plated, but that will be a problem here.

For gear and stuff I like Rider Warehouse, Motorcycle Gear.com (used to be new enough), and Motorcycle Superstore. Watch the classifieds on Advrider. I bought a couple pair of daytona road boots for me and my girlfriend for very little on that site. I got a deal on a jacket last year at Engles, and Letko used to have a Motorcycle Closeouts shop that I bought a set of boots from.

Troy is right, one isn't enough.

[moriver]

Don

A month ago I was about the same point as you. I ended up on a KLR650 2008 model. I wanted one bike that could ride hard pack, gravel, run the highways, make a trip to Colorado and carry some stuff for the trip. The KLR is working great for me I am 5"8 and thought of lowing links but have decided against them for now. If I was going to do some heavy off roading they would be back on my list. I have put 700 miles on in just over 3 weeks and could not be more pleased with the bike. As Troy has said it does everthing but is a superstar at none of it. For an added plus you can get a ton of aftermarket stuff for them also. Good luck, you will enjoy whatever you get I am sure.

Scott

[Bob Morgan]

A stock DRZ with a stock seat is too tall for a 28" inseam.
A Suzuki Gel Seat will get you down a little over an inch which made it just bearable for me at 32"
There are "lowering links" for the DRZ but are reported to really screw up the dynamics of the suspension, and make the handle poorly.

I sold my DRZ and bought Yamaha WR250R which can be lowered pretty well with the stock suspension adjuster. Many riders on the WR site use a "yamalink" to really slam it down and Swear by the set up................. but it's a 250........... but it's fuel Injected.

Without going to a heavier bike like a BMW 650 GS (two models, twin and thumper) the WR is the best "trail bike" and will run 70 mph when asked to. The BMW's will go down the gravel and rough roads but struggle in the "trails" Both BMW's I mentioned are good for shorter legs. The thumper even has a "lowered" version but would be hard to find used. The lower seats are for sale on ebay all the time. I own the BMW thumper too, and switch back and forth depending on what I want to do.

[ozarksrider]

Bob, you didn't talk about the Montesa?

[troy]

Bob,

THANKS for pointing out the Yamaha options. Not sure how I forgot to list those except I'm probably least familiar with them. I added it to my post above.

I've read most all of Big Dog Mark Sampson's reports featuring his little Yama 250.
http://bigdogadventures.com/WR250R.htm

The bike seems very reliable and enjoyable. It might be what I'd ride if I didn't hit the truly NASTY, GNARLY stuff in Arkansas, Chadwick, etc. For that level of abuse, the KTM power and suspension are probably the right choice. However, I did all that stuff on my old DR350, too...just a lot slower and with a little more struggling.

I think my main advice for someone buying their first dualsport is to go for a used bike value. Figure this thing out--what niche your riding fits in...go on some rides, trade bikes with guys who will let you for a few miles. In one riding season, you'll figure out if you want something else...and your used bike will be easy to sell without losing your shirt.

[DonG]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions / info. I will try to keep it all in mind when I go to buy (hopefully sooner rather then later)

THANKS!
Don

[Bob Morgan]

Bob, you didn't talk about the Montesa?

The Montesa would be great bike if you wanted to be able to flat foot it at stop lights........... so long as you can deal with 3.5 inches of travel on the rear and like 5 on the front!

[DonG]

What about a KLR250? I was wanting to try some adventure riding as well. And they are about the only thing I am seeing right now in my price range. I can't find much online about them, which makes me wonder about resell, and aftermarket support. But I am willing to wait for something else, if these things are turds.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/3083602928.html

[Savage]

I wouldn't for that price.

http://wichita.craigslist.org/mcy/3109829511.html

[biggreen]

klr 250 will be fun for a week then you'll get tired of it. buy a klr 650, lower it and practice slow skill riding on and off road. the klr is cheap. they haven't changed the bike for ten thousand years so parts and farcles are limitless. My friend rick bought an 09 and he's only three feet tall or so. we lowered it and he has no problems with it. He's ridden the thing to colorado, utah and other interesting places fully loaded and this is his first bike.