Looking for advice on Dual Sports

As much as I like my Maxim, I'm adding to the stable. I'm looking for advice on dual sports. I've been doing some research and, for monetary reasons, am leaning slightly towards a 2008 KLR. This being said, having no previous experience with them, I feel like I'd be short-changing myself by not getting opinions from a broader, fare more experienced collective.

It would be my 2-wheeled foray onto dirt; I know I want to do it, but I don't want to / cant afford to take too significant of a position into it.

Any suggestions / thoughts / etc...?

 

uhhm, I dont know if the klr is fuel injected, I know they re-did the bike, if it is... it may be somewhat harder to work on, if not, they're super easy one lungers to fix. rebuilding the carbs? easy.

When I bought my Husqvana, my mechanical skills were almost non existant, and it was easy to go through that carbs and do anything on them.

they are super fun... I'm looking to sell my xj700 in the summer and buy a cheap chinese dual sport... to modify the hang out of, maybe motard

 

I'm eying the 08 b/c that's the first year that the KLR was majorly revamped. I'm not sure if it's fuel injected or not, but I'd prefer carbs; as you said, easier to work on. How much do you know about the cheap Chinese bikes? I've heard that they can be nightmares in terms of breakdowns and finding parts (though I stress it's only what I've heard!) Good luck and thanks for the reply.

 

08 KLR's are not fuel injected.
A really good place to find information about dual sports and adventure riding (too much sometimes) is advrider.com.

If this is going to be your first experience into dual sporting, then I think the KLR is a good choice. If money is the issue, you could always look at used BMW G650GS's, or Suzuki V-Strom 650's, they have a similar look to the new bodystyle KLR, but have more power, and are generally better bikes.

 

Lots of farkles available for a KLR. Good friend bought a KLR and upgraded to a KTM 640 Adventure. His opinion is that the KTM is awesome.

For me, to make an entry into the dual-sport arena, a KLR or a Suzuki DR650 would be good choices. KLR if more street is the norm for you and DR if more dirt is the goal.

Lots of arguments in cyberland on KLR vs DR650.

+1 on www.advrider.com

 

Another +1 on advrider.com. Great site, fantastic photos. One thing I did read on there; if you'll be doing a majority of the riding off-road, you may want to go smaller (read: lighter) than a 650. If you need to take the highway to get there, a 650 makes more sense. But you probably won't be needing that kind of power on the dirt during your initiation, and the lighter weight would undoubtedly help.

That said, there's a reason the KLR is so popular. And a reason it went so long without a major revamp. 2008 looks good, but if you're ok with dated styling, and find a good deal, a pre-2008 KLR could be a great steal.

 

Another +1 on AdvRider, and on the idea of going lighter. I have a Yam XT600E and it is about the same weight as a Suz DR650 - not something I would want to take into the bush. Probably would want to limit your search to a 250cc engine if most of the riding will be off-road. That being said, the KLR 650 has tremendous aftermarket support to make it into whatever kind of ride you want (and you WILL need to update it) and the updated (08) fairing helps. Also look at the Suz DR650 (simpler, lighter, good support) but get a different seat.

 

I personaly like the suzuki DRZ400 I think for my next bike if i dont get a crotch rocket i am gonna get a DRZ400SM