Which budget DS Bike?

[ADVNCW]

Originally Posted by robert110411

My garage already has a KX 125, V-Strom 1000, Electra-Glide and my kid's CR 125 and V-Star Custom.

What I'm looking for is to get rid if the pure dirt bikes and replace them with something that can be used for Trail Rides, D/s Rides and a few of the easier enduros.

I'm in Pennsylvania and would be riding in PA, NJ, NY and maybe north.

Of these, which would you choose and why:

CRF250L
KLX250S
WR250R
DR650
XR650L
DRZ400

5' 10" 200 pounds and a C rider. Not opposed to making modifications (bars, skid plate, pipe, FI Re-map ect.ect) but I'd really rather not spend thousands on suspension and engine upgrades. Once it get's into KTM or Husky territory I may as well just completely empty the college funds and corvette fund and go all the way.

WR250R was my recent choice .

There are volumes of information as to why here. These two great guys' webpages offer plenty of information and inspiration-
http://www.rickramsey.net/WR250Rmods.htm http://www.bigdogadventures.com/WR250R.htm

What as I see as WR250R positives are the dualsport and adv travel characteristics of the WRR. The bike is smooth, dead reliable (except the fuel pump) and low-maintenance. I prefer to spend more of my free time riding instead of wrenching- I did ride 7k miles this past season, mostly dirt road and singletrack, four adventure trips across WA from May to Nov - on a Japanese dead-reliable dualsport- CRF230L! I got the WRR to have a smooth ride capable of long days on highway-speeds, specifically for the CDR next year!.

The dirt-riding is individual. Most of it depends on the rider, I have lived that on my little red bike leaving others behind that are much more acclaimed motos. I have in the past ridden eastern woods clay-mud and Piedmont sand, seems like different requirements. Small bikes have the rep and by my experience are great for the tight woods. Low end torque beats HP in the real tight and tricky steep stuff- have lived that.WRR lacks the low-end in the torque v HP relationship. It will be interesting next summer to try my WR250R on the climbs that I rode on my CRF230L where a WRR did not make it. The powerband will require a different riding approach, will be fun to see how I do with it.

Lots of good reasons to pick a WR250R!

[jon_l]

Originally Posted by Kommando

If you're not hauling big luggage ever, KLX250S. It's a bit lighter than the WRR.

Technically this is true, but .3 lbs isn't noticeable nor statistically significant.

WRR = 298 http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/pr...5/1/specs.aspx

KLX250S - 297.7 lbs http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/pro...id=698&scid=14

I have ridden both, and both are good bikes, but I chose the blue one.

[robert110411]

Originally Posted by Off the grid

On a KTM, Husky or Euro bike? 200 bucks for springs.

On a Japanese bike? 1k for re-valve, Race Tech Gold service, Ohlins or similar.

Suspension that comes stock on Japanese bikes are a disposable item.

Have any of you guys ridden Enduros in the snotty, tight, sugar-sand and wet NorthEast? No?

I have.

An XRL and DR650 is WAY too heavy for that terrain, no matter what mods you do.

A DRZ is passable with a lot of mods, but still suffers from being top-heavy and having shitty suspension like all other Japanese Bikes.

Regarding the 250s.....a 300lb, 250 4-stroke is not going to have the balls to blow through a foot of Jersey Sugar sand or climb the rocky, rooty off-camber climbs of PA.

There is a reason why so many guys in the NorthEast ride KTMs.

OP, attend an enduro or DS ride BEFORE buying and ask around THERE. DONT ask here, on ADV. Ask people who RIDE THE TERRAIN.

I've already ridden those areas on various different bikes, including the KX. In fact I had already considered ridding some of the closed course, start-control formats on the KX as well.

I would go for the smaller Husky or KTM two strokes but I'm also looking for something that requires little care and can be ridden on the street.

I'm looking hard at dumping both dirt bikes and getting TWO new D/S. That's why the price point is kind of an issue. If it was just one I'd go Husky.

Most of my ridding is about spending time with my kid to make up for all the time I missed because of this shitty job. Not so much about being fast. I was fast 25 years ago.

[Off the grid]

Originally Posted by robert110411

I've already ridden those areas on various different bikes, including the KX. In fact I had already considered ridding some of the closed course, start-control formats on the KX as well.

I would go for the smaller Husky or KTM two strokes but I'm also looking for something that requires little care and can be ridden on the street.

I'm looking hard at dumping both dirt bikes and getting TWO new D/S. That's why the price point is kind of an issue. If it was just one I'd go Husky.

Most of my ridding is about spending time with my kid to make up for all the time I missed because of this shitty job. Not so much about being fast. I was fast 25 years ago.

I hear ya about going fast. I ride a hair above granny speed. But I'd rather spend 1k more up front and get a KTM that needs the exact same maintenance as a Japanese bike but is 100x the bike, much lighter, more power on demand, 100x the suspension, etc etc.

Again, don't take my word for it. You ride the NorthEast. What do you see people riding? Because every ride I went on when I lived in the Northeast was 50-70% KTM.....for a reason.

Japanese bikes are good, but they need to be built to a price point, and the the things they skimp on are critical parts like brakes, suspension, wheels, components like bars/pegs, etc. Most people dump thousands into their Japanese bikes to upgrade performance.

Additionally, there isn't a bike made that you can just ride and put away. Any bike will need attention....air filter change, chain lube, basic checks, etc. A KTM or Husky will need more valve checks, yes, but the same amt of oil changes if ridden in the same terrain. I don't believe for a second that Japanese bikes are built better or more reliable than Euro bikes. In fact, my direct experience is the exact opposite. Your mileage may vary.

Pretty small price to pay.

[150ron]

im almost your height at 5'9'', i weigh less then you tho at around 150, i had a 250 dual sport, switched to a DRZ400, and will probably never go back to a 250 again, the DRZ has more power on the bottom and will get up in the higher 90's with stock gearing, its a great bike, not to mention theres tons of used ones for sale on cl, so a good deal is easy to find, good luck.

[TexaNate]

I wouldn't overlook the Honda CRF250L. Honda didn't have to splurge for engine development (the motor is lifted from a CBR250R) and it's made in Thailand so the bang for buck is very, very good. Having ridden it next to my WR250R, I prefer the ergonomics of my WR, and it makes far more power with the power programmer and modded exhaust. However, the CRF250L is definitely a more tranquil trail ride.

[bobnoxious67]

I'm with OtG...find a good condition used KTM RFS in the displacement of your choice.

Of the choices you list, I would be flipping a coin to decide between a WRR and DRZ...but only if Huskies and KTM's didn't exist