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Just saying hi while I look for the next bike. I like this forum from what I have read and will try to be at the Jan 15th meeting. I'd like to get into some "ride to the dirt, ride in some dirt, ride home" kind of days.

Got a bit old for track days after a few wrecks and my wrists acting up on a sport bike, but not really quite ready for the Ultra Classic or Wing, and so on to the next thing - adventure riding! Just can't yet decide on Vstrom (calm) or KTM (hooligan).

Welcome!

What bike to get...a debate that will go on forever. As an owner of a Vstrom 650 for 2 years I feel qualified to provide some feedback. I loved my Vstrom, and like most all the motorcycles I've owned, it would still be in my garage if space and money were unlimited.

The Vstrom really is a "pig" in soft dirt, sand, deep gravel and such. The #1 problem with the Vstrom is ground clearance, but this is what makes it such a comfortable bike for riding all over town, down the highway, and the gravel roads. The #2 problem with the Vstrom is either weight or suspension--take your pick.

I also rode the heck out of my KLR650 for 2 years, and it would still be in my garage if space and money allowed. Something that the Vstrom 650 and KLR650 have in common is that for their respective niches, you won't find a better value. (Same is true for the Suzuki DRZ400S--you won't beat the value it offers.) The only real reason to upgrade away from either of these bikes is if/when your riding preferences start taking you to gnarlier roads and trails where you need/desire more ground clearance, better suspension, lighter weight, and/or more power to loft front wheels over gullies and downed trees. Some riders never need that.

I keep coming back to the value of these machines--buy one used and you simply can't lose. You can ride one of these for 2 years and if the time comes that you want a "better" bike, you can easily sell it without losing your shirt.

If you are thinking KLR650-class, and you don't mind buying new, maybe consider this new contender from Husqvarna with a surprisingly low price tag available locally via Donnell's.


The KTM 690 would be your true Hooligan option I suppose!

Don't discount the excellent Suzuki DR650 either. A local has a great deal on his used DR650.

For many of us on this forum, our riding started out as more dual-sport (gravel roads) and turned toward more dirt and rock trails. Most of us have tagged dirt bikes so we can ride to/from/between trails, but often trailer to get there.

Our choice of bike changed with the change in riding: toward less weight (and thus fewer creature comforts). A few of us have more than one dual-sport bike for this reason.

I started with a 400 lb F650 (still have it as my street & gravel bike) but found it way too heavy when I took it to Moab. (Yes, that was misguided.) Bought a 310 lb KTM LC4 (precursor to the 690) which served me well for gravel and off-road. Bought a 260 lb RFS and got it tagged. Sold the LC4 as it sat in my garage unridden.

Troy and some others have F800 which is a MUCH better bike than the F650 (early 2000's version). I'm too cheap to upgrade, but my F650 sucks compared to the F800.

So long story short: no one bike is going to do all of this well, so you are looking for an acceptable trade-off between light-weight and comfort. Move toward light-weight for trails, toward comfort for gravel. And expect to buy a replacement/additional bike.

Buy at GS1200A and do it all.

Myself I have been wanting to pull the trigger on a new F800GS but I am to tight to do it. Like Troy I think alot of the Strom and KLR. I have an 08 KLR and just cant let it go. The KLR is a pig but parts are all over for them and the cost of them is nothing. When the bike falls over in the woods I just laugh and go on. I have two bikes in the garage now...I think the next could actually be a WR250 when is comes down to it.

Thanks for the advice!

If it was all trips I would go with the VStrom [baja or south america], and I was going to get the KLR beucase for 2000 who cares if I leave it burning as I hobble off with a broken leg, but I just had a sport bike and love the power and not sure a thumper as my only bike would do it on 435 at 75+mph every day at 6am. Vstrom would tho. Wish kawi still had demo days. Probably would have picked up a klr years ago like I did for a concours and ninja - demo ride - hooked.

Figure I will get the KTM and find it too much (assuming I actually get on a dirt road) otherwise I will just waste it on the commuter route 50 miles a day on nobbies.

A used R1200GS or new triumph's 1200 or 800 would be nice but are really wasted on me (ie little vac). Also if I wreck one of those its bucks, not exactly the ebay parts bin like the Vstrom & KLR have going. KTM, well, probably bucks and rarity too, but a quickie out to Kansas dunes, buzz around, buzz home the next day sounds like a blast. I like working on bikes anyways.

Besides after I hurt myself in the rocks, one of you get it cheap as I move to a hd blue hair sled or wing or something...vstrom.

Has anyone here ever seen a truck with a pull through bike carrier and a popup? I see them selling these for like $600 and its nice way to get the wife to go to Colorado also for a 4 day weekend and some fire roads.

Of course you have to go with the 990.
Jim

There is no perfect dual sport bike, please see my comments in this thread: http://www.rideforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1801

Go buy a used KLR or DRZ to determine if you like trail riding. If you do buy a used KTM 350/450 4 stroke or a KTM 250/300 2 stroke and keep the KLR or DRZ for the roads/gravel. If you don't like the trails then go with a BMW GS or Triumph.

The hitch hauler is great, I use one all the time. Get an aluminum, much easier to load.

Welcome to the Ride Forum community!