Best highway touring small dual sport?

discoganya · 05-03-2012, 02:09 PM

Of the following small displacement (250 and under) dual sports, which one would you recommend for highway touring?

Yamaha XT225
Yamaha TW200
Yamaha XT250
Yamaha WR250R
Honda CRF230L
Suzuki DR200SE
Kawasaki Super Sherpa
Kawasaki KLR250
Kawasaki KLX250S

I know that "small dual sport" and "highway touring" don't really go hand in hand. Nonetheless, if I need to pick up a small bike that can run well on the freeway, which one would it be?

techno boy · 05-03-2012, 03:15 PM

Wr250r, no contest

strongbad · 05-03-2012, 03:22 PM

Don't know, but if you're considering buying new you could add Honda CRF250L to the list as a contender.

discoganya · 05-03-2012, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongbad

Don't know, but if you're considering buying new you could add Honda CRF250L to the list as a contender.

Curb weight 144kgs = 317lbs? Wow that is heavy!

sanjoh · 05-03-2012, 03:37 PM

Having had/have many of the bikes on your list, hands down it is the DR350SE. Weighs the same or less than many on your list. Why limit yourself by displacement?

discoganya · 05-03-2012, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanjoh

Having had/have many of the bikes on your list, hands down it is the DR350SE. Weighs the same or less than many on your list. Why limit yourself by displacement?

The only problem is that any DR350 is now 10+ years old. I prefer slightly newer ones, say 5-6 years max.

tkent02 · 05-03-2012, 03:48 PM

Man, a low miles DR 350 is a lot more bike than a brand new 200 or 250.
It's not like they advance the technology every year.
No brainer.

Mullet Bullet · 05-03-2012, 03:53 PM

Drz400.

discoganya · 05-03-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mullet Bullet

Drz400.

I have a DR650, not really interested in the 400s. I'm looking for low displacement, low speed, lightweight fun.

NONo443 · 05-03-2012, 05:09 PM

Wr250r.

cyclewizard · 05-27-2012, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NONo443

Wr250r.

I agree best 250 on the market for around 4000.00 used or less.

NJ-Brett · 05-03-2012, 04:29 PM

New klx with a big bore kit?

NJ-Brett · 05-03-2012, 05:24 PM

What kind of hiways?
Around here the limit is 65 mph, so everyone does 72 mph or more.
Only 2 bikes on your list would do that for long, the wr and the klx.

I have a tw200 and with 3 teeth off the back sprocket its happy at about 55 to 60 mph.
It might do 70 if I tucked in and had a tail wind. It would not be happy about it.

I know guys report the wr does fine at higher speeds.
The klx you can get a big bore kit and have lots of torque.
Both are water cooled and have 6 speed transmissions, and good suspension I hear.

Airvent · 05-03-2012, 07:23 PM

DR350. I drove mine 1500 miles 30 hours.

Reposado1800 · 05-03-2012, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airvent

DR350. I drove mine 1500 miles 30 hours.

Riding small displacement bikes for long hours is lots of fun. I did a 12 hour day on my XT225. I felt like a lizard on a rock.

05-03-2012, 02:09 PM	#1
discoganya ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Oddometer: 131	Best highway touring small dual sport? Of the following small displacement (250 and under) dual sports, which one would you recommend for highway touring? Yamaha XT225 Yamaha TW200 Yamaha XT250 Yamaha WR250R Honda CRF230L Suzuki DR200SE Kawasaki Super Sherpa Kawasaki KLR250 Kawasaki KLX250S I know that "small dual sport" and "highway touring" don't really go hand in hand. Nonetheless, if I need to pick up a small bike that can run well on the freeway, which one would it be? __________________

05-03-2012, 03:37 PM	#5
sanjoh Purveyor of Light Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Sandbox, FL Oddometer: 3,667	Having had/have many of the bikes on your list, hands down it is the DR350SE. Weighs the same or less than many on your list. Why limit yourself by displacement? __________________ Model 60 LED 3600 lumens . . LED thread in Vendors Dualsport Fairing w LED...Dirt Ninja Build...TAT 08...

05-03-2012, 03:53 PM	#8
Mullet Bullet Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Burien, Washington, USA Oddometer: 364	Drz400. __________________ 2001 DRZ400S daily grind 1981 XL185 cafe ? Check Out my Day Trips http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=753176

05-03-2012, 07:23 PM	#14
Airvent Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Oxford, Connecticut Oddometer: 331	DR350. I drove mine 1500 miles 30 hours. __________________ 1998 DR350 1985 Nighthawk S 2011 CT to UT and back! 2012 CT - CO

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05-03-2012, 03:15 PM	#2
techno boy Adventurer Joined: Jun 2005 Oddometer: 58	Wr250r, no contest

05-03-2012, 03:22 PM	#3
strongbad Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Arroyo Grande, CA Oddometer: 430	Don't know, but if you're considering buying new you could add Honda CRF250L to the list as a contender.

05-03-2012, 03:48 PM	#7
tkent02 Studly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Littleton, CO Oddometer: 820	Man, a low miles DR 350 is a lot more bike than a brand new 200 or 250. It's not like they advance the technology every year. No brainer.

05-03-2012, 05:09 PM	#10
NONo443 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Arizona Oddometer: 147	Wr250r.

05-03-2012, 04:29 PM	#12
NJ-Brett Brett Joined: Sep 2010 Location: Southern New Jersey Oddometer: 4,722	New klx with a big bore kit?

05-03-2012, 05:24 PM	#13
NJ-Brett Brett Joined: Sep 2010 Location: Southern New Jersey Oddometer: 4,722	What kind of hiways? Around here the limit is 65 mph, so everyone does 72 mph or more. Only 2 bikes on your list would do that for long, the wr and the klx. I have a tw200 and with 3 teeth off the back sprocket its happy at about 55 to 60 mph. It might do 70 if I tucked in and had a tail wind. It would not be happy about it. I know guys report the wr does fine at higher speeds. The klx you can get a big bore kit and have lots of torque. Both are water cooled and have 6 speed transmissions, and good suspension I hear.