The "other" side of dual purpose

[warewolf]

will never be as capable or fun as a sports 600 or 750 on the road.

From where I sit, I pass way too many sprotsbikes on my trail bikes for that statement to be credible. The DR-Z250 was the biggest giggle to ride on the road.

Christmas-time we went away on the Triumph (with Ohlins/RaceTech suspension) and I thought the bump-trolls had been hard at work. Out on the Adventure again today, where did all the bumps go?

I would be willing to bet your DR-Z400 trailie has a much broader, more usable spread of power than a GSX400 sprotsbike. There's no point comparing the 400 to a 750.

[Big Dave]

Vibration rattles the shit out of you...................I take it back...........I think I just described a Harley.

That's a myth too.
The current 96cube balanced engine is one of the smoothest twins there is.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Have a read through the Scrambler thread on ADVrider.com

I shall. Cheers

My biggest problem is the fact that my inseam is 28 inches.... so anything (roadbike, but particularly trailbike or any serious offroader is WAAAAAAAYYYY to tall for my comfort zone.) Basically on the road bikes I just learned to get over it, and I am considerably impressed that Ricky Carmichael (not a bad MX-er in his day) is my height: five ft 4 inches.... so basically it comes down to will, and skill......as so many things do.

[bart]

I would be willing to bet your DR-Z400 trailie has a much broader, more usable spread of power than a GSX400 sprotsbike. There's no point comparing the 400 to a 750.

Single pot V four pot. I dunno......

OK, maybe I've been a bit harsh. The only Harley's I've riden were late 80's/early 90 models.

I'll also rephrase the rest. I'm a lot quicker and more comfortable on a sportsbike on the road, than any other type. In saying that, I've riden sports bikes on gravel also......and that sucked.

[marks]

so basically it comes down to will, and skill......as so many things do.

I was loading my wr450 onto our trailer the other day after going for a trail ride. A 5' ish 20 something year old rode up on her wr250/450 and had to dismount before stopping as she couldn't get either foot on the ground no matter what she did. I asked her how she manged low speed loss of balances where you would normally dab to save yourself and she said, very matter of factly that "you just throw yourself clear as the bike goes over - but she loved the wr so much it was worth it". AND she was good looking...

It was love at first sight and I would have asked for her to marry me except she was the same age as my son and my wife might object...

I'll never complain about the wr seat height again

[bart]

From where I sit, I pass way too many sprotsbikes on my trail bikes for that statement to be credible.

Not all sprots bike riders know what they're doing. A good rider on an almost dirt bike will be quicker than an inexperienced wannabe Rossi any day.

When riding road bikes, I was always amazed at how inexperienced a lot of Fireblade and R1 riders were.

I think a few hours off road riding should be compulsory to gain a bike licence. It's amazing how much a bit of off road skill helps road riding.

[Ixion]

I was loading my wr450 onto our trailer the other day after going for a trail ride. A 5' ish 20 something year old rode up on her wr250/450 and had to dismount before stopping as she couldn't get either foot on the ground no matter what she did. I asked her how she manged low speed loss of balances where you would normally dab to save yourself and she said, very matter of factly that "you just throw yourself clear as the bike goes over - but she loved the wr so much it was worth it". AND she was good looking...

It was love at first sight and I would have asked for her to marry me except she was the same age as my son and my wife might object...

I'll never complain about the wr seat height again

Now *that's* the true biker attitude! . Respect.

[Big Dave]

There's a scale.

At one end is Ben Townley's bike and its ergonomics - at the other end is Casey Stoner's and the type of conditions his machine deals with.

You work out where on the scale the type of riding/road you want to do is - and find the bike that is closest to that point in the scale.

Somewhere between muddy bog sh@ hole and swept smooth race track.

For my own bike I went for the one that I find covers the largest spread of the scale.
Other machines that have similar spread - but cover different ranges - V-strom, Capanord, Pre-07 Tiger, Big Katooms.

[marks]

....You work out where on the scale the type of riding/road you want to do is - and find the bike that is closest to that point in the scale.

If only it were that simple....

how many times have you brought a bike and discovered that what you thought you want is not really what you need...

the emotions really screw up the buying process...

logic says buy a dr650 - emotions say ....boring - buy a xt660x ... back says ow that hurts too much picking that fat bitch up.

logic says buy a dr650 - emotions say ....boring - buy a wr450 ... butt says ow that hurts too much sitting on a 4x2.

I seem to go through this expensive process of getting to the right bike by purchasing the wrong bike over and over.

and despite the sound logic of it (for me) a dr650 still seems too boring...(fecking belly buttons)

[Big Dave]

and despite the sound logic of it (for me) a dr650 still seems too boring...(fecking belly buttons)

Suspension tweak, Excel rims, two brothers exhaust, jets and some new plastics. job done.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I was loading my wr450 onto our trailer the other day after going for a trail ride. A 5' ish 20 something year old rode up on her wr250/450 and had to dismount before stopping as she couldn't get either foot on the ground no matter what she did. I asked her how she manged low speed loss of balances where you would normally dab to save yourself and she said, very matter of factly that "you just throw yourself clear as the bike goes over - but she loved the wr so much it was worth it". AND she was good looking...

It was love at first sight and I would have asked for her to marry me except she was the same age as my son and my wife might object...

I'll never complain about the wr seat height again

that is hardcore! you got her phone number, right? so I can, uh, research the proper choice?

[Gizzit]

Suspension tweak, Excel rims, two brothers exhaust, jets and some new plastics. job done.

Is a DR able to be made good enough to ride any distance on ?
I appreciate the tweaks you mentioned, but to me it's the seat on the DR that puts me off, and the small tank (which I believe can be replaced ... but the look gets spoiled doesn't it ?).
Cheap as chips for a new one though ..... However, the new KLR is still looking like my favourite .... for an adventure/touring/commuting "do-everything-on-it" bike.

[NordieBoy]

Is a DR able to be made good enough to ride any distance on ?
I appreciate the tweaks you mentioned, but to me it's the seat on the DR that puts me off, and the small tank (which I believe can be replaced ... but the look gets spoiled doesn't it ?).

More than "good enough".
A Corbin seat and an IMS tank and you're set for distance work.

It stops looking like a big dirt bike and more like an adventure bike.

[Transalper]

Is a DR able to be made good enough to ride any distance on ?
I appreciate the tweaks you mentioned, but to me it's the seat on the DR that puts me off, and the small tank (which I believe can be replaced ... but the look gets spoiled doesn't it ?).
Cheap as chips for a new one though ..... However, the new KLR is still looking like my favourite .... for an adventure/touring/commuting "do-everything-on-it" bike.

10,000km in almost 3 months, 3 days in there were 1000km days, 1 of those days was sealed roads only. Many of the other runs were around 500 to 700km days and some with luggage.

I'd say yes, the DR with small seat mod, small screen and IMS tank is fine as a distance bike... for J and I anyway, we both use DR650s.
No I do not think the mods spoil the looks.

KLR could be my second choice from what I've seen and heard over the last year, i'd like to try one sometime when I start moving focus away from adventures at the trail end of the spectrum. Transalps are tryed and trusted too.

[Gizzit]

More than "good enough".
A Corbin seat and an IMS tank and you're set for distance work.

It stops looking like a big dirt bike and more like an adventure bike.

That is impressive !!
If you don't mind me asking, what have you done to the basic bike ... and what does it cost to get a basic DR650SE to that stage. (PM me if its a long list .. if you'd rather)

DR's are a very reasonably price new, but I have just had my reservations about the range, and comfort. I want to be able to tour, and sometimes two up with gear. Thats why I have been looking at the 08 KLR650.
Cheers.