How tireing would a 650 dualsport be to ride?

[ScottRNelson]

Get a 650 dual sport because you can do more with it. If you decide that you want a more street-oriented motorcycle, they're easy enough to sell.

I usually feel like I've had enough riding after about 100 miles on my XR650L. Mostly because it needs a firmer seat. It's way better on twisty roads, even with dual sport tires on it, than I expected it to be when I bought it. You can truly do pretty much any type of riding that you want on a big dual sport.

 

[Banjoboy]

I'm going back and forth between a 650 dualsport or an sv650, and I can't decide. I like the idea of a dualsport because i would take it down to california city and baja, but I just don't know if I would want to get off after an hour of riding..

Are single-cylinder engines really vibratory? how long would it take before your hands got tired?

edit: crap, spelled tiring wrong..

Can't speak for the others but I had me a KLR 650, and it was quite luxurious on the street, even at freeway speeds. Trouble is, it wuz a pig in the dirt. An SV w/ dual sport tires would prolly be a better dirt bike!

 

[Kestrel]

DR650 is probably the best compromise of the two. Much better in the dirt than the KLR, but not nearly so much as the XR650L, which is still a pig. I had an SV650. Sold it to pick up an XR250L, which believe it or not actually vibrates less than my SV did.

SV650 is actually a wonderful street bike, however. One of the best, IMO. That said, for commuting (<55mph), this XR250L is a blast.

 

[louemc]

I'm going back and forth between a 650 dualsport or an sv650, and I can't decide. I like the idea of a dualsport because i would take it down to california city and baja, but I just don't know if I would want to get off after an hour of riding..

Are single-cylinder engines really vibratory? how long would it take before your hands got tired?

edit: crap, spelled tiring wrong..

These questions are meaningless. There is no answer to how long would it take before your hands got tired.

Different people are different.

When You learn how to ride...you will be different from how you were on day one.

 

[Kestrel]

When You learn how to ride...you will be different from how you were on day one.

Ain't that the truth. Those early days were really something else... I was such a safety nazi... Now I loft wheelies as often as possible, with full gear mind you.

OP: Single cylinder bike will wheelie infinitely easier than the SV. And furthermore, the SV doesn't like to do so due to oil starvation issues. If your future is one wheeled, I'd highly recommend a 650 thumper.

These are important issues that must be addressed!

 

[ScottRNelson]

DR650 is probably the best compromise of the two. Much better in the dirt than the KLR, but not nearly so much as the XR650L, which is still a pig.

I don't understand what people have against the XR650L on the street. I rode mine 30 miles in to Silicon Valley today, mostly on the freeway, and it did just fine. It's definitely better than most KLR's on the dirt. I love how it handles twisty roads, even with dual sport tires on it. It's a great do-everything bike.

As for the pig comment, the official nickname of the XR is the Big Red Pig, so I can't really argue there.

 

[Graystroke]

As many of the respondants have mentioned.....it depends on if you intend to do any "offroad" riding. Even then.....what kind and how much. To the other question about vibration......as others have stated, that depends on the individual bike......and YOU as an individual.

One thing I can say is a dual sport bike is a fantastic bike! I've not owned on in quite a while, but I used to have Yamaha XT650 and a Honda XL650......both were great bikes. Great for just getting around......they're narrow and tall......which is great for vision and getting through traffic. The off road oriented suspension is great for having to deal with crap roads, potholes...etc......PLUS.....on a twisty road (such as Kings Canyon)......NONE of my buddies could keep up with me in the twisties.....and that was on the standard dual sport tires. LOTS of fun, simple bikes.

Lastly......the bikes I owned were early 90s models......I'm SURE today's bike are much better too!

 

[ScorpioVI]

This bike... ain't for sissies. You want comfort, drive a car, or a Goldwing.

 

[ScottRNelson]

Lastly......the bikes I owned were early 90s models......I'm SURE today's bike are much better too!

Unless it's an XR650L, which is still the same bike as the one you could get in 1993. Why mess with perfection, right?

 

[wingnutthehutt]

I have a KLR650. It's the most versatile and fun bike I've ever owned. I've been in the saddle for eight hours at a stretch and the only thing that gets sore is my bum.

Same bike, same week.

 

[Kestrel]

A NEW GAME.

A NEW ERA.

 

[wingnutthehutt]

A NEW GAME.

A NEW ERA.

I was trying to create something new. A two up era.

 

[V4]

i had both the xr650l and xr650r and both were fine on the freeway...

often did sf to woodside thing weekly, sf to lake berryessa via highway 1/128...

neither are the 'best' bikes for the job but it was more fun than some other road biased motorcycles i've had...

i always feel like i grew another hair on my chest each time i rode a thumper for long distance...

 

[Kestrel]

Honestly though dude, the DR650 is probably the best compromise for the job. Pretty darn good in mild dirt and forest service stuff, as well as about the best road going thumper you can get. (Excluding the KLR because it is even fatter, and we've got to draw the line somewhere.. No offense, KLR dude!).

 

[wingnutthehutt]

I am so offended!

(KLRs are pigs. The nice thing is there are a gazillion protective parts available for them.)

 

[two wheel tramp]

i had both the xr650l and xr650r and both were fine on the freeway...

often did sf to woodside thing weekly, sf to lake berryessa via highway 1/128...

neither are the 'best' bikes for the job but it was more fun than some other road biased motorcycles i've had...

i always feel like i grew another hair on my chest each time i rode a thumper for long distance...

Bepor I like Dualsports but now I am scared that if I ride one I'll have a big man pelt over my :boobies and that just wouldn't be right.

 

[Roadstergal]

I just don't know if I would want to get off after an hour of riding..

Well, just take some lube with you... oh, wait.

As a new rider, you'll probably want to take a break after an hour of riding no matter what the dizam bike is. Get the cheap DR650 or XR650L. Save your pennies for a multi-hour couchmobile in another year or so if you decide that's what you really want.

 

[Z3n]

http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=369065

That was the second ride of the KTM. The first one was 1450 miles from Bellingham, WA, to Santa Barbara, CA.

I did the same trip on a DRZ400SM last year, except last year it was Seattle to Santa Barbara, and I did it in 2 days. (This year was 4 days).

Touring on a single is my preferred way to travel.

 

[Junkie]

I did several 250 mile days on my KLX650 and probably close to a dozen on my 625SMC, including a couple 400+ mile days... if I'm remembering right.

It depends a lot on what single. LC4s pre-690 vibrate a LOT - the KLX was smooth as glass next to the KTM.

 

[Albal0ney]

are you kidding me? 650 dualsport is the fucking shit..ktm 690, end of story.

Like Scorpio said, if you want comfort, drive a car.

Supermoto is the ultimate city hooligan machine, so light and comfy in city streets. It's not a dirt bike, but it will take bumps and crappy roads a LOT better than a sportbike. My bike really doesn't give a shit about pot holes even in SF.

And if you ask me, freeway riding is not really that comfy on any machine. Just drive a car or take the bus when you wanna be comfy. I came from riding a 998 over 100 miles a day on weekends, and the 690 feels like a fucking lazy boy. I don't think I'd like a goldwing, not because it's not a cool bike, just too damn comfortable! It's a motorcycle, come on, show some spirit.