Dual Sport - need suggestions

[Halcyon]

I grew up on an XR80, and then moved to an XR200, but the parents decided to
sell it when I wasn't looking. I haven't ridden for about four years now,
but I'm thinking of buying a Dual Sport (or possibly a dirt, with kit) bike,
but I'm not sure what's good and what's not.

I'll be using it mostly for trails, the road part is primarily for the
legality of some of the Forest Service roads here in Washington. Right now
I'm looking at a KLR 250 and an XT 350 - both have about the same weight and
seat height - any suggestions or alternatives?

Thanks,

Paul

[Jaydog]

The KLR is great on the road, but only good for 4wd dirt roads, there is
bugger all suspension, its a fat heavy tank, and i fart with more power than
this thing makes. Get a KLX.
Paul

[PATRICK ANDERSON]

I really dont know much about either of those bikes, but there is one
thing I am sure of, displacement=power. I really think a 250 is not
even capable of short jaunts on the freeway. I own a dr350 and I
absolutely hate driving it on the freeway, I just dont think a 250cc
four stroke engine is really powerful enough for a proper dual sport
bike. UNLESS, I was buying it for my girlfriend. I think you would
get bored with it.
PJ

[Leon Rawls]

Look at a Suzuki DR350ES or a XR650L depending on the size of bike you want
both have elec start and are good dirt bikes.

[John]

It is not much of a dollar step to go from (USED) XR 250 to XR 600
They are not that heavy just require a little more attention when honking
down gravel hills.

John XR600 (too much horsepower is just enough)

Leon Rawls wrote in message <374BC9F8...@inetw.net>...

[SSmyers102]

>It is not much of a dollar step to go from (USED) XR 250 to XR 600
>They are not that heavy just

has anyone considered putting the XR650 engine into the 250 frame

would there be much of a weight savings ?

[Keith and Manda]

I've had a '93 XT350 since it was new. Its a great bike, runs
strong, and has never left me stranded. It moves out decently on
the road, with a top speed of about 75 with all my riding gear on
and with the stock gearing on the bike. I've ridden on all the
twisty Colorado trails, in sand dunes, and even in a couple of
enduros. If you get one, I'm sure you'll like it. I've heard
great things about the DR350 SE. It has an electric starter, and
has a better suspension than the XT. However, if you want to
ride really hard and fast, and maybe compete in enduro's, etc,
I'd get a dirt only bike like a KLX or an XR and put a street
legal kit on it. Won't be much good on the street, but would
rock on the dirt.
Good luck with your purchase!
Keith

[Scott Aldrich]

Halcyon (pkw...@pop.nwnexus.com) wrote:
: I grew up on an XR80, and then moved to an XR200, but the parents decided to
: sell it when I wasn't looking. I haven't ridden for about four years now,
: but I'm thinking of buying a Dual Sport (or possibly a dirt, with kit) bike,
: but I'm not sure what's good and what's not.

: I'll be using it mostly for trails, the road part is primarily for the
: legality of some of the Forest Service roads here in Washington. Right now
: I'm looking at a KLR 250 and an XT 350 - both have about the same weight and
: seat height - any suggestions or alternatives?

I bought the '98 Suzuki DR350SE. I have over 2,200 miles on it, mix
between street and dirt. I have ridden MX, fire roads, tight trails,
city streets, twisty canyon roads, daily commute, roads that go from
awesome road racing material to slippery gravel, etc...

This bike has done it all and hasn't let me down once. The weight
is up there for off road riding, but it's doesn't feel unmanageable.
There is high fun factor when you get off some trail riding and ride
into town and all the kids are gawking asking their dads if they can
have one :-) With the "Barney the dinosaur" color scheme, it is an
attention getter.

I first considered the XT350, basing my Yamaha preference on the
bullet-proof DT125 that I have, but my dealer doesn't seem to want to
keep one in stock so I can actually see one. So I went to the
Suzuki/Honda dealer and fell in love with the DR350SE.

Haven't been sorry since.

--
Scott Aldrich / UN*X System Administrator
'74 Yamaha DT125A
'98 Suzuki DR350SE

[Frank Ball]

} I'll be using it mostly for trails, the road part is primarily for the
} legality of some of the Forest Service roads here in Washington. Right now
} I'm looking at a KLR 250 and an XT 350 - both have about the same weight and
} seat height - any suggestions or alternatives?

Both these bikes are ancient. The XT350 hasn't been changed (except the
paint color) since 1985. The KLR is similar. Both have mush for
suspension. I have had a lot of fun with my XT350, but I wouldn't buy a
new one in 1999 (mine is a '88). For a serious dual sport trail bike
I'd buy a KLX300 and make it street legal.

--

Frank Ball fra...@sr.hp.com

[Kevin]

I agree the KLX250 and XT350 are old designs.

I would say go for an XR250 with a Baja Designs kit or an KLX300 with a Baja
kit.

My friend rides an XR250 and really enjoys it.
(I went for the XR400)

Kevin