My Perfect Dual Sport bike

[dcarver]

I want the perfect Dual Sport bike,

Light weight

Simple

Capable of 1000 mile street days

Single track capable - logs, streams, whoops, etc.

Reliable

Simple (get the drift here?)

Can run on shit for gas

Lots of oil (to run long distance high speed pavement)

No water (not needed, waste of time)

Two-Stroke (eazy rebuild, no wasted parts, energy)

Trellis frame, 4130

Maybe a twin?

No more than 600cc, 500 or less preferably.

...to be continued

(your ideas?)

 

[Cruzin]

Sounds good let me know when you find it

You forgot comfortable seat for those long days in the saddle

Off to sniff some Pre-Mix today, Poker Run or Bust or Bust at the Poker Run :yahoo:

 

[FredandJeannesRacer]

I would like to find one too.

4 stroke would be ok.

Good gas mileage would be a plus.

 

[FastSpy]

might as well add at least a 200 mile range and off-road tires that won't look like slicks after that 1000 mile pavement ride

also less than 300lbs dry, 10" min front suspension travel and 12" rear

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

I want the perfect Dual Sport bike(your ideas?)

Suzuki DR 650 (late model):

Light weight (not so much -- but not as heavy as some...)

Simple (yep...)

Capable of 1000 mile street days (rode one on a 4K mi./12 day trip -- 2800 off-highway, 1200 pavement)

Single track capable - logs, streams, whoops, etc. (yep...)

Reliable (yep...)

Simple (get the drift here?) (yep...)

Can run on shit for gas (yep...)

Lots of oil (to run long distance high speed pavement) (yep...)

No water (not needed, waste of time) (yep...)

Two-Stroke (eazy rebuild, no wasted parts, energy) (what's a "Two-Stroke"...?)

Trellis frame, 4130 (sorry, nope...)

Maybe a twin? (a light-weight/simple twin...?)

No more than 600cc, 500 or less preferably. (I hear ya...)

Some others:

• Yamaha XT 350 -- no longer made, no 'leccy start
  
• Suzuki DR 350 -- no longer made
  
• Yamaha WR 250R ('08 on) -- my current 'fav.'
  
• Kawasaki KLX 250S (late) -- nice effort
  
• Aprilia RXV 550 (v-twin) -- prolly what you want/need...?
  

...to be continued

 

[gearman]

I know what your saying but you lost me at 'two stroke'. While I like two stroke motors, they're likely to be troublesome at the performance level necessary for your application...especially air cooled. They can be finicky when it comes to octane levels too. I've seen higher output motors that actually required 98~100 octane av gas to run without significant detonation. Other than that, hell yeah...bring it on! I might add that a reasonable seat height would be nice too. I rode dirt for years on bikes with less suspension travel than what is considered "adequate" today and got along just fine. It's not stadium cross for cryng out loud!

 

[CHRIS_D]

That's a big dream you have there D.

However I have found something close. I now own a KTM 690 R. It's 4 stroke, it has around 4K oil changes, weighs in at 350Lbs and still will haul ass. IMO You won't find anything better for its cc to weight ratio!! :yahoo:

 

[CATCH ME IF UCAN]

RELIABILITY is # 1

Four Stroke

The E button

Desert Tank

Baja kit

let's ride

 

[Auburn]

The killer is the 1000 mile day on a single cylinder. That is pretty tough on them at highway speeds.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

I have your bike, except for two items. It is a 4 stroke and is water cooled, but it weighs just 440lbs wet, is a 600cc V twin with carbs, spooked wheels w/ tubes, is very reliable, can run single track trails and gets 60mpg @ highway speeds. I could be ridden 1000 miles in a day, but I would change the seat first. I ride it everyday and I paid just $2500 for it about 5 years ago. What do think it is? Answer will follow.

 

[FJRK]

klr?

 

[Fred W]

klr?

KLR V-twin? Nope.

My guess is a Honda Transalp.

But as far as Don's dream bike I'd suggest an Aprilia SXV, either the 450 or 550.