Went shopping yesterday

[Geezer]

I went to a large dealer in Newburgh, NY yesterday with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. I was looking at dual sports and my son-in-law was looking for a metric cruiser.

The three bikes I wanted to sit on are the Yamaha WR250R, KTM 500 EXC, and the KTM 690 Enduro R. I like the idea of the EXC500 because it is very light for a street legal dirt bike.

They had a lot of KTMs on the floor, but not the ones I was looking for. I did sit on a 350 EXC and, man, that thing is tall. I had to wheel it out to a clear space on the floor to climb on and once I got on neither of my feet could reach the floor, not even tip toe. I expect the 500 to be the same, and the 690 would be a little closer to the ground. Not sure I would enjoy riding a bike that tall. The springs were stiff enough that even wih my 250+ pounds on it the bike did not crouch down noticeably.

They did not have a WR250R, but I sat on a WR250F. It was also tall, almost as tall as the KTM, but it compressed a couple of inches when I sat on it and I was able to touch down with my toes on both sides.

And, they had a Super Tenere demo bike there. I sat on it and both sizes of Vstrom and definitely liked the feel of the Yamaha better. I wasn't feeling well and decided not to take a test ride but I will go back and try out the Tenere.

 

[FJRay]

I went to a large dealer in Newburgh, NY yesterday with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. I was looking at dual sports and my son-in-law was looking for a metric cruiser.

The three bikes I wanted to sit on are the Yamaha WR250R, KTM 500 EXC, and the KTM 690 Enduro R. I like the idea of the EXC500 because it is very light for a street legal dirt bike.

They had a lot of KTMs on the floor, but not the ones I was looking for. I did sit on a 350 EXC and, man, that thing is tall. I had to wheel it out to a clear space on the floor to climb on and once I got on neither of my feet could reach the floor, not even tip toe. I expect the 500 to be the same, and the 690 would be a little closer to the ground. Not sure I would enjoy riding a bike that tall. The springs were stiff enough that even wih my 250+ pounds on it the bike did not crouch down noticeably.

They did not have a WR250R, but I sat on a WR250F. It was also tall, almost as tall as the KTM, but it compressed a couple of inches when I sat on it and I was able to touch down with my toes on both sides.

And, they had a Super Tenere demo bike there. I sat on it and both sizes of Vstrom and definitely liked the feel of the Yamaha better. I wasn't feeling well and decided not to take a test ride but I will go back and try out the Tenere.

Shopping will get you in trouble every time.

 

[Bungie]

And, they had a Super Tenere demo bike there. I sat on it and both sizes of Vstrom and definitely liked the feel of the Yamaha better. I wasn't feeling well and decided not to take a test ride but I will go back and try out the Tenere.

Yamaha had the Power Tour trailer at a pir8 fest up on Manitoulin Island this past weekend. I managed to get a demo on the Tenere. For *55* minutes! Yea Yamaha! That's the way you do a demo!

Long story short, it's now on my shortlist for when the time comes to replace the FJR. Very capable bike, but my god is it fugly! I liked it a lot.

Otherwise, I've been shopping for a DS for about 3mo now. Everytime I find one, they either don't have the ownership, or the bike is 300 miles away or the seller is VERY flakey.

That being said, I'm going to go see a 2002 KTM LC640 E with all the good aftermarket shit on it this weekend. I've been trying to find a WR250R, but they are few and far between used up here, and, when you do find them, well lets just say for an extra couple of hundred, I can buy a new one with a warranty. I did find a new one listed locally just 2 nights ago for $4400 (cheap up here!) with 8K on it. Called the guy, it's a dealer in Sault Ste. Marie and he doesn't actually have possession of the bike yet. Fer fakes sakes!

Feel better Greg!

 

[Top_Speed1]

Geezer, you wondered down the Hudson to Newburgh huh? Nice ride but it sounds like you didn't do it by bike

Anywho, I hear ya on the majority of the larger cc DB being tall. Good for me but when my friends ride w me they have to tilt or teeter on dead stops to get their "foot" down to the ground.

N yes, shopping will get ya in trouble every time so keep shop'n

 

[UberKul]

The three bikes I wanted to sit on are the Yamaha WR250R, KTM 500 EXC, and the KTM 690 Enduro R. I like the idea of the EXC500 because it is very light for a street legal dirt bike.

They had a lot of KTMs on the floor, but not the ones I was looking for. I did sit on a 350 EXC and, man, that thing is tall. I had to wheel it out to a clear space on the floor to climb on and once I got on neither of my feet could reach the floor, not even tip toe. I expect the 500 to be the same, and the 690 would be a little closer to the ground. Not sure I would enjoy riding a bike that tall. The springs were stiff enough that even wih my 250+ pounds on it the bike did not crouch down noticeably.

They did not have a WR250R, but I sat on a WR250F. It was also tall, almost as tall as the KTM, but it compressed a couple of inches when I sat on it and I was able to touch down with my toes on both sides.

And, they had a Super Tenere demo bike there. I sat on it and both sizes of Vstrom and definitely liked the feel of the Yamaha better. I wasn't feeling well and decided not to take a test ride but I will go back and try out the Tenere.

Just a couple observations and my two cents, like you really wanted it right. :lol:

Unless you are looking at day rides with single track you could probably do without the EXC or similar bikes like the Husky TE's . I've read good things about the Yamaha 250R and Honda is coming out with it's 250 now but, their chunky monkey 250's. :blink: The 690 Enduro is an awesome compromise and does not overlap with the FJR like a Strom or Tenere would. The Suzuki DRZ400 can't be ignored as one of the best values for a true dual sport bike with decent power, suspension, brakes and a slough of aftermarket accessories. Depending on what your friends ride you might want to get something similar. Too much or too little dirt worthiness may have you riding with folks trying to run you into the ground or bore you to death. If I could only have one dual sport bike, banish the thought, it would be the 690R. Maybe the new Husky 650 Terra after a production run.

 

[Bugnatr]

If I could only have one dual sport bike, banish the thought, it would be the 690R. Maybe the new Husky 650 Terra after a production run.

You tall guys get all the cool dual sports :

Agree the DRZ400 should be on the list

 

[Geezer]

Shopping will get you in trouble every time.

I am very careful with my money, so it will be a while before I actually buy something, but the fire has been lit.

 

[Geezer]

Yamaha had the Power Tour trailer at a pir8 fest up on Manitoulin Island this past weekend. I managed to get a demo on the Tenere. For *55* minutes! Yea Yamaha! That's the way you do a demo!

Long story short, it's now on my shortlist for when the time comes to replace the FJR. Very capable bike, but my god is it fugly! I liked it a lot.

Otherwise, I've been shopping for a DS for about 3mo now. Everytime I find one, they either don't have the ownership, or the bike is 300 miles away or the seller is VERY flakey.

That being said, I'm going to go see a 2002 KTM LC640 E with all the good aftermarket shit on it this weekend. I've been trying to find a WR250R, but they are few and far between used up here, and, when you do find them, well lets just say for an extra couple of hundred, I can buy a new one with a warranty. I did find a new one listed locally just 2 nights ago for $4400 (cheap up here!) with 8K on it. Called the guy, it's a dealer in Sault Ste. Marie and he doesn't actually have possession of the bike yet. Fer fakes sakes!

Feel better Greg!

I read you report on the Super Ten demo and I really wanted to take this one out out for a spin, but I was not up to it that day. My son-in-law knows the owner's son and they were going to let him take out a Stryker, and me on the Super Ten without an escort. I'm really just looking for a street legal trail bike and not looking to replace my FJR.

 

[Geezer]

Geezer, you wondered down the Hudson to Newburgh huh? Nice ride but it sounds like you didn't do it by bike

Anywho, I hear ya on the majority of the larger cc DB being tall. Good for me but when my friends ride w me they have to tilt or teeter on dead stops to get their "foot" down to the ground.

N yes, shopping will get ya in trouble every time so keep shop'n

Yep, we took the car. I guessed that those tall bikes are OK once you get rolling, but I don't think that's what I'm really looking for.

 

[Geezer]

Just a couple observations and my two cents, like you really wanted it right. :lol:

Unless you are looking at day rides with single track you could probably do without the EXC or similar bikes like the Husky TE's . I've read good things about the Yamaha 250R and Honda is coming out with it's 250 now but, their chunky monkey 250's. :blink: The 690 Enduro is an awesome compromise and does not overlap with the FJR like a Strom or Tenere would. The Suzuki DRZ400 can't be ignored as one of the best values for a true dual sport bike with decent power, suspension, brakes and a slough of aftermarket accessories. Depending on what your friends ride you might want to get something similar. Too much or too little dirt worthiness may have you riding with folks trying to run you into the ground or bore you to death. If I could only have one dual sport bike, banish the thought, it would be the 690R. Maybe the new Husky 650 Terra after a production run.

The weight of the WR250R compared to the KTM EXC500 is what got me thinking about the KTM, but now that I sat on an EXC I know they are more serious than what I am looking for. The 690R may be right. It's hard enough finding a KTM dealer around here, never mind Husky.

The DRZ400 is a possibility.

 

[Bungie]

It's hard enough finding a KTM dealer around here, never mind Husky.

Their are a couple of plated Husky TE's for sale around here at really good prices. The problem is, their are NO dealers around here!

 

[sportsguy]

I just brought home a 690 enduro r two weeks ago - a...mazing!

I won't go through all the details, but after riding the ...

BMW 1200GS

BMW F800GS

KTM 990 Adventure

Triumph Tiger 800 XC ...and the...

Suzuki DR650

...it was the one test ride on the KTM 690 Enduro R that set my heart aflutter. Power, style, adjustable suspension, FI, "the look" and great aftermarket support sealed the deal for me.

I have 260 miles on it now, with over 100 offroad - and its been a revalation for every mile! I LOVE my KTM 690 Enduro.

Given I wanted a fuel injected engine, bikes like the KLR and DRZ wouldn't make the cut (I've ridden both over the years and they're fine, but...ummm... the 690 puts out 67 hp...so yeah... me likey!)

That said, the 690 is...in a word...spendy. Not only do you need a decent inseam to tackle a 690, but your wallet needs some decent inseam of its own to handle the largish request KTM will make of you. (For reference, my inseam is 30 inches and I can get the balls of my feel down no issues on my '12 model.)

 

[beemerdons]

If I could only have one dual sport bike, banish the thought, it would be the 690R. Maybe the new Husky 650 Terra after a production run.

You tall guys get all the cool dual sports :

Agree the DRZ400 should be on the list

+1, Gunny; I fully agree with Brad and Doug, the Suzuki DRZ400 is the best bang for your buck and your feet can touch the damn ground. My buddy Tucson Joe took his DRZ400 on the FJR Forum Copper Canyon trip last November and on the 2nd day I was wishing I was also riding a DRZ400. Very light, inexpensive and always reliable!

The KTM returned to Estados Unidos broken down in the bed of a pickup! I do love the KTM 690R, but whenever we do a Sonoran desert ride: KTM's always break down!

 

[huron52]

You know Greg... If I had known you were interested in sitting on and taking a WR250R out for a spin you could have done it in Castlegar. I had my WR there. Only if I had known

 

[beemerdons]

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2001-SUZUKI-DRZ400-105025290 Damn You Greg, you have me thinking I need another lighter weight dual sport bike; keep your thoughts to yourself, Geezer!

 

[Geezer]

You know Greg... If I had known you were interested in sitting on and taking a WR250R out for a spin you could have done it in Castlegar. I had my WR there. Only if I had known

You are just trying to make me envious. However, it won't work because I know you never get to go anywhere, so you couldn't have been in Castlegar.

 

[Geezer]

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2001-SUZUKI-DRZ400-105025290 Damn You Greg, you have me thinking I need another lighter weight dual sport bike; keep your thoughts to yourself, Geezer!

That DRZ is actually a nice looking bike. From what I can find in my area the price as about the same as the new WR250R. I guess I need to get a close look at both of these as well as the KTM Enduro.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I think I will look at a DRZ400 when I relocate southward in a couple...based on what people keep saying....

So maybe in my part of the garage...

An FJR, a DRZ400, and an FZ6.

 

[airboss]

An FZ6???????????????????

Oh c'mom Mark I've ridden with you.

Ya know you really want it. :lol:

Sorry Greg hijack over.