What to look for when buying a dual-purpose bike?

**HungusMaximist** · 28th May 2009, 10:04

Got my eyes set on DR650s and XT600s.

So any tips on what to look out for?

Let me know if anybody knows of anybody that's selling...

Cheers

**Taz** · 28th May 2009, 10:14

I owned a 2005 XT600E for a couple of years. Did 40000+ km's on it with no issues. They'll easily do 80-100,000kms if serviced regularly. Cruised at 120-130 all day if required and a top speed of around 150 in ideal conditions. 200-220km range to reserve on standard tank. Alot more difficult to find accessory stuff for than the DR as they never made it to the US of A. Paper element air filter, oil level is tricky to get right and blows excess to airbox if overfilled even slightly - ok once you;re used to it. Steel rims are a little old school but stand up to tyre lever abuse better than alloy. They are a little heavy at 156kg dry. Suspension is at the best very basic like the DR650 also.

My honest opinion...... Get a KTM640.

Here's a nice one for a good price
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-216054434.htm

Here's an interesting machine - This is what the KLR650 should be.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-221045513.htm

**HungusMaximist** · 28th May 2009, 11:37

Remember, my budget is really around the 5-6k mark. Mainly comfortable commuting, pillion passenger now and then. Since I am 6 foot 1, height is not a problem. Tried out a few KLRs, the new ones are way too big and bulky, olders ones were ok.

I can't really do with a any high performance engines that require rebuilds...

**cooneyr** · 28th May 2009, 13:28

Originally Posted by HungusMaximist

....I can't really do with a any high performance engines that require rebuilds...

Get in touch with Clint. I think he has done over 50k km now with nothing other than routine maintenance i.e. valve adjustment and a carb rebuild (pretty simple).

The 640's are not as highly strung as you might think. The are certainly not a racing style motor a la WR,EXC,CRFx etc.

If I was not wanting to carry a pillion I would get a 640 LC4 over a DR650 (and I owned a Dr650 for 3 years). They are a bit more pricy but they are worth it just for the better suspension let alone the performance.

Cheers R

**Paladin** · 28th May 2009, 13:35

Definitely buy the newest DR650SE your money can get you; pref with bashplate, handguards & decent adv tyres like D606's or E-09's. The other very useful mod would be a larger tank! Then you can think, aftermarket bars/risers, exhaust if you like. A Ventura pack rack is real handy, but I have an aftermkt flat rack & its ok too, just not as easy to get gear onto for longer weekend trips; altho the Ventura racks are flimsy as & vibrate loose!

DR's are easy maintenance and parts easy available as are aftermarket bits & bobs! They are much lighter than the KLR and arguably more trailie BUT that depends on your skill level & how big your balls are! Some of the guys on KLR's we ride with have big balls and ride the snot out of em no problem! (KLR's have alot of exposed breakable bits tho!)

The big downside to a DR is its not gonna be the greatest for 2 up for any distance!

Just my 2c worth!

Good hunting!

**HungusMaximist** · 28th May 2009, 16:00

Originally Posted by Paladin

Definitely buy the newest DR650SE your money can get you; pref with bashplate, handguards & decent adv tyres like D606's or E-09's. The other very useful mod would be a larger tank! Then you can think, aftermarket bars/risers, exhaust if you like. A Ventura pack rack is real handy, but I have an aftermkt flat rack & its ok too, just not as easy to get gear onto for longer weekend trips; altho the Ventura racks are flimsy as & vibrate loose!

Don't need fancy mods as I'll be using it mainly for commuting, doing errands, getting on the motorway, and the odd trip now and then. Biggest pro for me on the DR and dual-purpose range is the upright height advantage and the comfy riding position. I am 6 foot 1, so it's pretty much brilliant.

Don't have a clue on adv tyres though, it will mainly be on the road, occasional gravel roads like out west.

As for KTM, I saw a 2001 or 2000 Green Duke ii on Trade Me. No idea on what is though...

**Paladin** · 28th May 2009, 16:21

Originally Posted by HungusMaximist

Don't need fancy mods as I'll be using it mainly for commuting, doing errands, getting on the motorway, and the odd trip now and then. Biggest pro for me on the DR and dual-purpose range is the upright height advantage and the comfy riding position. I am 6 foot 1, so it's pretty much brilliant.

Don't have a clue on adv tyres though, it will mainly be on the road, occasional gravel roads like out west.

As for KTM, I saw a 2001 or 2000 Green Duke ii on Trade Me. No idea on what is though...

For road + gravel roads Mitas E-07 tyres will do you proud on a DR, with the advantage of being able to take some offroad in if you fancy it! The E-07 will handle it unless it gets real messy!

I highly recommend you do the bashplate & handguards on the DR. The sump is particularly thin, trust me I know from a close call before my bashplate was fitted! I didn't hit anything substantial and still somehow gouged underneath leavin a tiny hole that had to be welded! The handguards will help keep wind(and cold!) off your hands even when commuting in addition to protecting your levers in any offs!

**warewolf** · 28th May 2009, 19:16

Originally Posted by Anthrax

Here's an interesting machine - This is what the KLR650 should be.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-221045513.htm

That looks primo. The KLX is much closer to the spec of a KTM LC4 than the KLR & DR.

Originally Posted by cooneyr

Get in touch with Clint. I think he has done over 50k km now

Probably closer to 65K km after their recent jaunt around Aussie. They'll do 120,000km with a top end refresh at half that.

Originally Posted by HungusMaximist

Don't need fancy mods as I'll be using it mainly for commuting, doing errands, getting on the motorway, and the odd trip now and then. Biggest pro for me on the DR and dual-purpose range is the upright height advantage and the comfy riding position.

Ok, for that kind of use, I suggest you also look at the slightly more road-oriented dual-purpose twins, eg Honda Transalp, Kawasaki KLE... that kind of thing. Smoother, more comfortable, just more at home on the tarmac than most of the singles.

**junkmanjoe** · 28th May 2009, 19:41

Hi
dont know your budget mate.
but after i saw the 650 Vstrom go in to big river track on road tires.
id go for one off them.
be great on road, and can go off as well.
thats the second V strom ive seen used off road, and there very capable bike.

or klr650 got better fuel range and possable better seat as factory specs.

dr has 12L tank, good for around 220kms and a harder seat.

happy hunting .

**awayatc** · 28th May 2009, 19:51

make sure you get a big enough range....both KTM and Suzuki have bigger fueltanks....
Bmw are pretty frugal on the juice.....
But you don't want to plan your trips around fuelstops all the time.....

**Padmei** · 28th May 2009, 21:01

Originally Posted by Anthrax

Here's an interesting machine - This is what the KLR650 should be.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-221045513.htm

Um If we wanted a bike like this we would have bought a DR.

**Paladin** · 28th May 2009, 21:16

Originally Posted by junkmanjoe

Hi
dont know your budget mate.
but after i saw the 650 Vstrom go in to big river track on road tires.
id go for one off them.
be great on road, and can go off as well.
thats the second V strom ive seen used off road, and there very capable bike.

or klr650 got better fuel range and possable better seat as factory specs.

dr has 12L tank, good for around 220kms and a harder seat.

happy hunting .

Joe,
he already said his budget was $5-6k, and that he doesn't like KLR's, and DR's have a 13L tank - mine on average hits reserve(at 10L used) at 200kms so thats a 260km range to bone dry, not that you'd risk it that close!! Gotta agree on the seat tho - several out there with more comfy seats for long range rides, altho mine didn't bother me at all on the Invasion ride, even the 190km blat from Murch to Picton, didn't blink mate - my arse must be gettin flabbier and more soft to sit on LOL!

**Woodman** · 28th May 2009, 21:25

Was looking at that klx last night, and I like it a lot, but has no leccy leg and that is a killer on tight going.
paladin is right about the klrs,(pre 08) they have 2 fragile parts when dropped, the left side and the right side, no seriously the radiator shrouds and radiator come in for a lot of abuse if dropped while on the move. Good well balanced bike though with a good power spread, and ok offroad handling.

DR is more robust, with less bits to break but haven,t ridden one yet so do not know how they handle.

**Paladin** · 28th May 2009, 21:30

Originally Posted by Woodman

Was looking at that klx last night, and I like it a lot, but has no leccy leg and that is a killer on tight going.
paladin is right about the klrs,(pre 08) they have 2 fragile parts when dropped, the left side and the right side, no seriously the radiator shrouds and radiator come in for a lot of abuse if dropped while on the move. Good well balanced bike though with a good power spread, and ok offroad handling.

DR is more robust, with less bits to break but haven,t ridden one yet so do not know how they handle.

I think with how well(mostly LOL!) you handle hammerin your KLR around mate, ridin a DR you would feel like you just got on a little trail bike and have a blast ridin the snot out of it for a day - best get a demo out from a dealer LOL!

After the KLR, you might find the DR's tank and seat annoying, but if just doin offroad tracks, I reckon you peronally would have a great day out on a DR: they are pretty nimble when you need em to be but have that torque to grind up stuff like the KLR does! Not sayin its the bike to own for you, but for a day out thrashin about offroad I'd bet you'd have fun on a DR!

**Woodman** · 28th May 2009, 21:44

Originally Posted by Paladin

I think with how well(mostly LOL!) you handle hammerin your KLR around mate, ridin a DR you would feel like you just got on a little trail bike and have a blast ridin the snot out of it for a day - best get a demo out from a dealer LOL!

After the KLR, you might find the DR's tank and seat annoying, but if just doin offroad tracks, I reckon you peronally would have a great day out on a DR: they are pretty nimble when you need em to be but have that torque to grind up stuff like the KLR does! Not sayin its the bike to own for you, but for a day out thrashin about offroad I'd bet you'd have fun on a DR!

Is that an offer for a decent go on yours when we head up north??