Need Your Thoughts

[2LZ]

It's wide open, gang....and I'm looking across the spectrum of bikes to buy.

As previously stated, I live in Canyonland but the roads are lousy, and gravel roads or poorly patched old pavement is a constant, so "pure street" is out of the question. It's rare I hit an open highway and if i do, it's two lane (HWY88). Most of my speed is between 30 and as high as 75 for short bursts. I generally cruise at 40-50.

As you know, my DL650 V-Strom will be purchased by my neighbor.....and I do have the opportunity to get my hands on a DL1000 V-Strom, but I'm not sure. The 650 really was at the size limit I was looking for, even though the 1000 is basically the same bike, just bigger holes. That said, I'd like something a little less massive for some of the dirt and gravel that gets my butt puckered on the V-Strom. Generally speaking though, if I know we'll be traveling on these roads, I'll take Q.....but Q lacks on the open road.

I'd opt for a much larger China Bike but the only one legal here is the RX4. Not that it's a bad bike, but I'd need to buy the RX4 brand new, and I don't really want a loan. I just financed the tractor!

If you were me, and had about 4000.00 in your pocket, what bikes would you look at?

[DualSportDude]

I’m thinking used KLR or KTM Duke, if I had 4k for a nice Dualsport.

[Darkrider]

Just a wild haired idea here but have you considered doing a dual sport conversion on something like an XS650? Not very difficult to do as it is mostly just putting taller rear shocks on and some dual sport tires to have a basic desert sled type bike.

[wheelbender6]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

As previously stated, I live in Canyonland but the roads are lousy, and gravel roads or poorly patched old pavement is a constant, so "pure street" is out of the question.

Sounds like the Houston streets that I commute on.

[braindead0]

Keep an eye on classifieds... I'd look for a DR650, DRZ400, DR200 if that's big enough.. TW200 maybe... KLR, XLR..pretty much any mid size D/S should do the job for you.

[Oddball Matt]

Triumph Tiger. Not a looker but damn does that 955i triple got them torques.

[wheelbender6]

DR 650 is a simple but capable bike. Single carb and valves can be adjusted much easier than high zoot street bikes. However, the seat is high and little cargo capacity in stock trim.

[GlennR]

It sort of sounds like you might want to just upgrade the Q to something similar with a bit more power.

[CaptainCanuck]

Drz400

[Its_not_a_honda]

The Yamaha tw200 would be a great bike except for the 75 mph. It is screaming at 70 mph. That is about max. You can buy racks, lights, and front tires to make it a mini adventure bike. If I were to come off a 650 though, I would probably have to go back to at least a 650 or larger. If it wasn't for the seat height, I would have a DR650. The wife just can't get on anything above 31 inches. If I'm riding, she is on the back 98% of the time. The DR650 has a huge aftermarket of farkles to pick from also. My 2 cents.

[Emerikol]

As the owner of both a China bike and a DR650, for what you're explaining your need is, I would absolutely recommend picking up a DR400 (if you can find one) or a DR650 (you can practically trip over the 650's). In stock form, as mentioned previously, the maintenance is a snap. I have to take my 6 gallon Acerbis fuel tank off for all my maintenance, but that's because the wings hang down so low. Even still, it's not like it's a real struggle, just an extra step. My DR has a touch over 10,000 miles on it, and I haven't had a single problem out of it. I re-geared it be more street friendly, and upgraded the suspension, exhaust, carb, and seat. I also added some saddle bags and top case. It has more than enough storage for three or four days out in the wild, and the larger fuel tank will get you stranded a very long way from help. The fact that it's air/oil cooled is a pretty huge bonus, too. Tons simpler and easier to patch back together than any of the liquid cooled bikes. For simple running around town where I don't need to carry anything more than a few envelopes and a credit card, the Hawk is my go-to. But it really struggles on the highway stretches (and feels very squirrelly at those speeds), and just doesn't have the guts to take me and all my camping gear out into the great unknown (and by great unknown, I mean the closest state park campsite with power and water). The DR line is also like Jeeps and AR-15's. Endless options limited only by the depth of your pockets, and an unbelievable aftermarket line. Add into that mix that you can get parts for a DR anywhere in the world, and you can rest assured that it will never leave you hanging. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about either bike.

[Hunnicutt]

My advice: save up a few more pennies and order the RX4 (which is my dream bike). You're short $1,405. That means you already have 74% of the total price of an RX4. :-)

[JerryHawk250]

RE3-SG400 San Gabriel 400 with a set of Dual Sport tires.

[Emerikol]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

RE3-SG400 San Gabriel 400 with a set of Dual Sport tires.

I'd like to pick up a San Gabriel, but not to turn it into a Scrambler. I think they look really good right out of the box in factory finish. I sold the Hondas and the Suzuki GS, so I even have a little room in the stable now...

[2LZ]

Thanks for the input everyone! Keep 'em comin'!

Just some added info. Like I stated in other threads, I love the 650 V-Strom! It handles awesomely (for an older bike), has a ton of grunt for a 650 and can hit 100 mph fast enough when I need to quickly get my ya-ya's out. It also has better suspension than your standard street bike, which helps suck up our potholes and lousy roads.....BUT......it's the Tupperware and overall girth of the thing that gets sketchy on the rougher stuff. I know that it's me on that though. Many people take these bikes everywhere.

Regarding girth, the Strom is basically the same weight as the KLR650 (Curb weight 460 vs 470) but it just seems heavier because the Strom is top-heavy, especially when its six gallon fuel tank it topped off. People complain about a tank being too small? I have the opposite problem. It's up high...and when full, it's definitely noticeable. The bike is really set up for "adventure" and putting on serious miles, but I don't do that anymore. I usually give it 4 gallons to keep the weight down.

The DR650, on the other hand comes in at 100 pounds lighter at 357 wet.....and has no Tupperware to speak of. That's the infuriating part. If my bike wasn't covered in plastic, I would have only had to replace a mirror and blinker, instead of needing actual body work. I want to steer clear of that from now on. Of course, like a dummy, I took off the crash bars to save weight (they were amazingly heavy) and also, they were freaking ugly. I didn't plan on crashing.....but then I let a rookie ride it. Stupid me! I'll put the crash bars back on when I sell it to him.

Also, I'm shying away from liquid cooling but it's not a deal breaker. Tearing the Strom down when I first got it to give it a very intensive servicing, it was just one more thing to deal with, and one more liquid to spill.....but again, it's not a deal breaker.

Keep the input coming guys! You're spending my money! ;-)