Do not put off living the life you dream of. Next year may never come. If we are always waiting for something to change...
Retirement, the kids to leave home, the weather or the economy, that's not living. That's waiting!
Waiting will only leaves us with unrealized dreams and empty wishes.
This is what happened the last time a quad rider pissed Dave off:
Formerly MRA #211 - High Precision Racing
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self- preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property, and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."
--Thomas Jefferson
Just bought a new 2011 KTM Enduro R with a supermoto wheel set to swap out..... It is one of the coolest bikes I've ever owned....slipper clutch, massive power, will go 120mph, and ride off road like a raped ape.
2011 KTM 690 Enduro (w/ SuMo Setup)
2008 Honda CBR600RR Graffiti
2002 DRZ400E
Build your own Beta
http://www.americanbeta.com
If you have everything set right its a one kick wonder. True if you drop the XRR starting sometimes can be a pain.
Subframe on XRR is weak, mine has broke one, welded and broke again. I bought a used one off of ebay and I am on that. If this breaks I'll be buying a steal one a guy makes. Might buy it anyways at the end of this summer.
So for camping, not much gear can be hauled. For that I stick to the XR650L, still a very capable machine. I've had guys follow me on various hardcore trails...so not a huge issue really.
Like I posted, Beta...they are said to be some of the BEST handling Enduro bikes. The 450 will hit 110mph still but yeah capable of single track. Well any bike is capable its more the rider but an easier bike is always helpful. I've seen/ridden with guys on KTM's 950's and 990's on Single track...all about rider skill level. I'm looking at Beta for next year (2013) or 2014. It set you back new $10,000 with some nice option on it from the factory.
DR650
XR600R
XR650L
XR650R
KLR650
DRZ400
Or go all out and build a US Highland
http://www.highland.se
They built it, to YOU and your needs, and weight.
The DR350 or 400's and 650's are great bikes and will do most of what you want. However they are more towards dirt roads and trails than highway.
The 640ADV on Advrider is also a great bike and will run down the road at good speeds. I have ridden them and my only gripe is that they are TALL.
It is going to be VERY hard to find something that is highway capable AND a good single track bike.
I have a KTM 450EXC that is a great dirt bike and will run down the road with no issues. WELL maybe not No issues. It is not comfortable on the old Butt after many miles on the highway. Even with a comfort seat. It does not have a cush drive which would be a good thing on the pavement. My XR650L fits the bill much better but is a lot heavier for the technical stuff.
One bike that no one has mentioned would be a KLR650. Good highway bike and good dirt road and trail bike. A bit to large and heavy for real single track however. They are cheap to buy and are very reliable with little maintenance.
So the perfect bike that you want does not exist. LOL: You will need to decide what bias you want to be towards and then get the best bike for that side and suffer somewhat with the other side.
Let us know what you get.
Marc
84 R100RS LE, 14 Ducati MTSGT, 18 Desert Sled, 73 850 Commando, 78 CT90, 14 Ural, 74 Eldorado police, 64 R50/2, 01 DRZ400E, 94 900SS/CR, 77 HD XLCR, 2011 T100, 63 MG Falcone', 75 Ducati 860GT, 2015 Royal Enfield Classic Chrome, 2009 XR1200, 1944 Nimbus, 1989 GB500 https://lomaxcm.smugmug.com/
1998 VFR800 Interceptor - resurrected and custom tail http://vfrworld.com/forums/5th-gener...98-vfr800.html
1999 DR650SE
I'd let highway suffer. So, take highway out of the equation. I'll take secondary roads to Panama.
Disclaimer: If I post a link, assume it's NSFW.
Bike: 2009 FZ-1 "The Hematoma"
Not sure what the big deal with highway....depending on gearing I can do 110mph on the XR650R...LOL I got a set of Super Motard Rims that I can toss on. Again your kicking the bike to start it. Tuned right not an issue, just dropping it, but once you learn a procedure to clear the carb its not too bad.
I've taken my XR650R through Up and Down Capt Jacks, and up Pipeline. Have done all of 717 trail system, did some hard stuff at RMAR as for Single track last year. I have a tradition to have my 6.3 Gallon tank full...LOL
For suspension you will probably need to tune it on any bike you get for ample weight at 250 lbs. I'm just being honest here. I'm slightly more then Honda set the XR650R up as, but only slightly.
KLR650 is a good bike, but its on the big side.
In the latest MCN's here is the wet weights:
BMW G650GS Sertao @ 435.5 lbs
Honda XR650L @ 349 lbs
Suzuki DR650SE @ 368 lbs
Kawasaki KLR650 @ 428 lbs
I think I am around 300 lbs on the XR650R with the 6.3 Gal tank (of course I don't need to fill it up. Note: KLR650 comes with a 6.1 gal tank.
The only real issue is, I don't know squat about dirt bikes. Frankly, I don't know much about street bikes either but I'm happy with my choice there.
Anyway, I'd rather have the lightest bike possible given the choice. But, I also want my cake yadda yadda yadda. I want a singletrack monster that can rip CO-149 in an hour.
Disclaimer: If I post a link, assume it's NSFW.
Bike: 2009 FZ-1 "The Hematoma"
So is that you on ADVRider username 'Bonker'?
Yep. That's my usual username.
It means, "can't get to the top of a hill on my mtb"
Edit: wow. Urban dictionary does not agree with me. Mine is 15 years old though so...
Last edited by CaptGoodvibes; Fri Feb 17th, 2012 at 07:26 PM.
Disclaimer: If I post a link, assume it's NSFW.
Bike: 2009 FZ-1 "The Hematoma"
DRZ + highway = long ride
Just sayin'.
John
KTM Duke 690
This. With lights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx7v6AA47vI
Disclaimer: If I post a link, assume it's NSFW.
Bike: 2009 FZ-1 "The Hematoma"
Oh yea that'll do well as a commuter
Sweet!! Then there's the E version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7IkF...eature=related But it would suck if the battery dies way out in the middle of nowhere.
When life throws you curves, aim for the apex
Current stable: 09 Thruxton \ 09 FZ6S2 Sold List: 97 Ninja500R, 03 SV650K3, 01 Ducati 750Sport, 73 CB350/4, 03 F650GSA, 08 Gixxer600, 03 Gixxer600, 91 VFR750F, 09 KLX250, 06 Thruxton 900, 02 VFR800, 08 Spyder RS, 12 Street TripleR, 09 KLX250S, 16 KTMRC390, 10 F650GS
my Facebook, SpeedShots