I am looking to buy a brand new dual purpose motocycle. Any suggestions?

Question

I would like to purchase a new on-off road motorcycle. Price is not much of a concern, since they are pretty closly priced, but performance and reliability are concerns. BMW's might be a little out of the price range, but I would like some imput on any model by and company. I dont care if its how the headlight is shaped to how much gas the tank holds. My only request is that all input is for models still in production.
Thanks.

Answer 1

Hands down, the Kawasaki KLR 650. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_KLR650



People swear by these. Look at bikez.com for the ratings on different years. I'd stay away from the new 2008 one since they're doing a major redesign-could be great, could be not...wait a while to see how the new design does.



But if you get anything else it'll be compared to the standard set by the KLR.



Also, read http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Touring-Everything-Need-Know/dp/0760320357/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-0150747-0591640?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190533511&sr=8-1

The guy who wrote that uses a KLR and it has been around the world a number of times.



Good luck, let us know how you make out!

Answer 2

There are several ranges of dual-sport bikes on the market today, from the 250cc bikes that are mostly for off-road and just barely adequate for highway use, to the big BMW R 1200 GS that is considered one of the best long-distance touring bikes in the world, but (in my opinion) a little heavy for serious off-road work.



You need to decide how and where you are going to do most of your riding... If you want a street legal dirt bike, the Kawasaki KLX 250 or the KLR 650 are very popular. If you are looking for a mid-sized street bike that you can ride on a few back country trails, then bikes like the Suzuki V-Stroms or the BMW F-650-GS are quite nice. I believe BMW is also marketing an 800cc twin that is set up for light off-road use.



Of course, the ultimite dual sport motorcycle is still the BMW R-1200-GS, and if you get into the dealer's showroom at the right time of year, it may not be all that expensive... At least not any more $$$ than a new Harley-Davidson.



Whatever dual-sport bike you decide to buy, regular maintenance is the key to durability and reliability. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's recommended service schedule and inspect your bike for loose bolts and fittings on a regular basis.



Oh... Also, when you are shelling out the big bucks for a new motorcycle, don't forget to save a few dollars for a good quality helmet and appropriate riding clothes.



Ride Safe!

Answer 3

It's hard to answer this question without knowing what you are mainly going to be using this bike for and what size you may want.. Tom B does a pretty good job at summing it up though. I will add a couple of things though, The Suzuki DRZ 400 is the same bike that is raced off road, they just put the necessary equip on it to make it street legal. The 650 bikes are heavy and not easily managed by novice riders off road. The new KLR 650 is liquid cooled this year, I will be watching the reports on this bike, it has my interest. If price is no object and you are looking for a great off road bike that you can ride occasionally on the road, look at the KTM. They are very dependable and fast.

Note: you realy can't get the best of two worlds without spending the money to have two sets of tires and the time to change them out every time you go from dirt to street.

Answer 4

Different models of dual purpose bikes are better for either street riding or off road-dirt riding.

The 2 models that are better on the street than the dirt are the Kawasaki KLR650 and the Suzuki DR650, but the Kawasaki is top heavy with its oversize gas tank when its full.

The 2 models that are better off road-dirt riding are the Suzuki DRZ400S and the Honda XL650, you can run both of these bikes in the dirt as hard as any motocross bike, but both are terrible as a long distance street bike.

The Kawasaki KLR 650 can be used as a long distance touring bike, but its no good as an off road bike.

You have to figure out how you wanta use the bike, how far your planning to travel and what percentage of your riding time that the bike will be used on and off road.

Answer 5

Wow thats ambitious at 18! Right on! Too many kids have BS in their minds and they wake up near 30. Buying a house can be a good investment it can even make you wealthy I'm assuming your not rolling in cash that you can buy a house without financing. The best thing to do is save up till you can put a down payment on a 2+ family, and get a mortgage. Live in half of the property and rent the other half to someone else. Use that rent to pay your mortgage. The Beauty of this is that the renters pretty much pay your mortgage payments for you (the rent they pay). So you would pretty much own it and live there without having a huge drain on your finances. The market sucks, which means prices are good for buyers. and in a few years when the market rises, the value of your home will rise, plus you'll have pretty much paid up your mortgage with the renters money. Sell it and have a big wopping cash chunK! or keep reinvestign and own half a town by the time you are 40!

Answer 6

Look into a great dirt bike.

try a Honda 250 also.

It depends upon what kind of riding you prefer.

You are not looking for a pocket rocket from what I can guess.

Maybe a Honda 150 will do?

there are so many great bikes it's incredible.

Harley, Yamaha, Suzuki and on and on.

the Honda 150 is fast, and not to large for back roads or just plain dirt bike rideing.

they hold up also.

Answer 7

A dual purpose really does not excel either place. Ask yourself how much you will ride it either place. You may want to get a motorcycle designed for the place you will ride it the most.

Kawasaki is probably the best dual purpose. If money really is not an issue you may want to look at getting 2 used motorcycles.

Answer 8

08 Kawasaki Versys

Answer 9

The KLR650 has been redesigned this year with a lot of attention to correcting old problems without throwing out a trusted and proven design.

When I get the bucks I'll buy one.

Answer 10

If it were my money, I'd be buying the Suzuki DL 650 or DL 1000 VSTrom. They are both more than adequate for any need you may have.

Check them out at www.suzuki.com

Answer 11

I will tell cheap and EXTREMELEY FAST! BEST QUALITY! although might not be the bike your looking for, but if you are like the kinda of guy who loves doing jumps wiv ya mates and then riding on the road is the MOTOVERT RX! BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!

Answer 12

Suzuki DRZ400M

Answer 13

depending on your riding experience if u are a veteran rider go for the honda 650R it's light and fast if u are just starting to ride i suggest 200 to 250cc's bikes

Answer 14

Kawasaki Versys is a good dual sport. not too visually appealing but its a good bike.

Answer 15

Hyosung is the best deal going if you don't care about brand.