I am considering buying a dual sport bike of some kind.  First a little about me and my needs in the bike.  I am a 38 year old guy who loves riding dirt bikes off road, trails, free riding, single track, and motocross.  I have never really been interested in riding on the street other than some dual sport rides that looked like fun.  So basically I was content with riding my CRF250X for trails and my KX250 for Moto and free riding.  If I was to get a dual sport, I wanted a KTM500 with a plate.  I liked the idea of riding down the road, seeing a trail, and bounding off the trail to either climb a tight single track and or fly off of a jump.

Recently my job has announced we are changing locations to a new building about 40 miles away.  I am more easily able to justify the price of a newer bike when I can use it for commuting and saving gas.  I thought this might be a great time to jump at the KTM but it dawned on me that while this may be the crown jewel of dual sport/hard core dirt bikes, it may not be the best commuter.  I fear I would wear the bike out too quickly riding it down the highway every day for 80 plus miles at around 60 mph.  Anyone have any comments, Pros and Cons on this ?

With this revelation, I started considering different bikes.  BMW makes a fairly affordable 650 dual sport bike that looks like a cross between a dirt bike and crotch rocket.  I can get one of these brand new for around $8000.  Not the best bike for actually taking off road but looks like a fun road bike.  They also have an 800 and a 1200 cc version of the same bike but because of my budget, I am keeping the CC under 800. Pros and Cons?

I am also considering another bike they have at the same dealership but this is a used bike.  It is a 2011 Kawasaki KLR650.  It has 800 miles on it and cost is $5000.  Pros and Cons?

Another bike is the DRZ400 or DRZ650.  The 400 seems to be the most dirt capable of all the dual sports with the exceptions of the KTM and the Husky.  I know the 400 has a huge following but not sure how well it will do on the commute.  It may not be any better than the KTM on the highway.  The 650 looks better on the street but not as good on the dirt.  I do not know much more about the 650.  Anyone have opinions on these 2 bike?

XR650L is another bike that I am considering but have never ridden.  What do you guys think of it?

I like the Husaberg and the Husquavarna dual sports but dont have a local dealership to look at them.  I suspect you would have the same problems with long commutes as the KTM.

Another KTM which I have seen on the internet but have not been able to track one down is the KTM 690 Super Enduro.  This bikes looks like it may be the good mix of dirt and street with a modern dirt bike feel.  The problem with it is, I suspect it is not a cheep bike.  The Sales lady at the local KTM dealership had not seen one and was not sure if the bike was available in California.  Anyone have an opinion on this bike?

There are other bikes similar to the bikes I have mentioned that I may have left out . I am also welcome to other ideas that I have not thought about.  I know I rambled a bit .  I look forward to hearing your opinions.

690 Super Enduro is about $11k.  I thought about one before I bought my TE449 Husqvarna.  It's a great offroad bike, but I wouldn't want to commute 40 miles on it.  10-20 at most.  I just did a 170 mile dual sport ride the other day and my rear was so sore I stood on the pegs the last 30 miles home.

I would honestly get a bike that would make you happy offroad and get another cheap commuter bike.  Older Suzuki GS850/1000/1100 bikes can be had for $1500 or less and those bikes last forever.  I took a 82 GS1100E on a 6000 mile road trip a few years ago.  That bike already had 50k miles on it and had never been rebuilt.  Honda Nighthawks are another good long lasting bike.

I tried the bike commute... I gave up and bought a hatchback civic for $700 that gets 40mpg... Almost as good as my xr650l was getting. Cheaper after you factor in tires, chains, maintenance.. And not to mention getting nearly run over more than a dozen times.

Plate your crf250x and get a cheap commuter car. I drive 55mi each way to work, I know how it is.

He's in California where you can lane split.  It's more dangerous, but saves time.

You've actually have done a good job of researching the dual sport topic. All of the bikes you listed fit into dual sporting nicely. I think now it's up for you decide whether you want more of a commuter bike or off road bike. I can tell you about the KTM EXC, it's not a commuter bike. As said before, the expense on your wallet and time for maintenance, will be high. I take it to work once in a while but definetly not every day. It is best used as a dirtbike that can connect trails by pavement.

KTM EXC

Pro- It does very well off road and has a plate.

Con- little bit more maintenance (because it's a race engine) and not well suited for long distance road travel.

Edited by pterry, 15 March 2012 - 12:04 PM.

Thanks for the replies.   The wife gave me go ahead to get a new bike for the commute.  I would hate to squander this opportunity.  I know a small car may be a bit more practical for my purpose but in all honesty, I have been trying to justify a dual sport for my garage for a long time.  After much thought, I opened up my mind to the "Adventure Bike".  These are way more street bike than I had ever considered in the past.  The cold truth of the matter is, I have 2 really good dirt only bikes.  The only thing they don't do is link trails that are connected by pavement.  As far as a commuter with some extra fun and adventure thrown in, they look perfect.  It is just I really was looking forward to the KTM.  I am still considering a DRZ.  They are cheep, decent in the dirt, and I do not think they are near as high strung as "race" only motor.  Still  not as good of a street bike as the "adventure bike".

Keep the reviews and opinions coming.

I own a 09' DR650se, Love it. I have ridden all kinds, but DS bikes all ways come back into my life. The DR is a awsome PIG. low maintenace, great MPG's if you keep it stock.Great on the freeway. and with the aftermarket following it has, you can make it into about anything you want. You can buy them new at a good price. got mine for about $5400.00 before taxes. I have seen them on CL for as low as $1500.00 with low miles. They havent changed much since 96'.

I have put springs, carb mods, 606's, and lots more. It makes me grin all the time. I use it for a commuter and for weekends in the hills. I have done some single track, and it can be tough. I have also loaded it up with camping gear for a 2 day camping trip. With stock gearing it can cruise at 70mph all day.

Dont get me wrong, it will never be a KTM or BMW. but for the cost, i dont think you can go wrong.

If you lived near me I would let you take it for a spin !

Edited by smaas, 15 March 2012 - 07:24 PM.

I keep going back looking at the BMW G650 GS.  It seems to have a very low price for the quality of bike.  The DR or KLR 650 keep looking better and better with there even lower prices.  The one thing that keeps me going back to the BMW is the fact that I have 2 excellent Dirt only bikes.  Do I need another dirt only bike that happens to be street legal?  Would such a bike leave my other bikes useless?

Another bike they had there that looked nice was Yamaha WR250 Dual Sport.  The Salesman said the bike was an excellent bike and geared tall enough that the bike can cruise comfortably at 70 plus miles an hour.  Anyone have any experience with this bike?

I followed a guy on a BMW 650GS on loose fireroads and through sandy washes.  He was moving fast and that bike impressed me.

CRF450X.

I was the proud owner of an XR650L but started to ride a lot of single track. Even took the XRL to race a harescramble and quickly realized that I was in need of a different bike. Looked at the XRR, EXC, ect.

I wrote a list of things I needed in a bike: reliable, race ready, comfortable, powerful, decent on the street, but GREAT off road, affordable and most important... can be plated.

I am now the proudest owner of a CRF450x. A couple must mods for me were a bigger tank and more comfortable seat. I could not be happier with this bike. If you havent ridden one, do yourself a favor and take one for a spin.

I love the CRF450X.  I currently own a CRF250X.  The only problem is with me living in California, I can not plate that bike here.  Right now I have to buy me a new to me truck.  As soon as I do that I will find out how much money I have left and go get me a new Dual Sport...Right now leaning towards the BMW..

If you are willing to call something that weighs in the 400 pound range a dual sport the BMW 650's do have a great warranty and aftermarket. But even my 300 pound LC4 Enduro model is a bear to ride technical offroad. It will hang with real dirt bikes on any kind of trail that allows you to twist the throttle thanks to having serious suspension. But it is a workout when things turn technical. The length and weight murder you in tight stuff.

Which is why I could never see myself riding a BMW, Suzuki or Kawasaki. They are all great dual sports if your idea of dual sports is more highway or dirt road than real trails. But I like offroad riding and once you start pushing 400 pounds things get ugly offroad. Yes, it can be done. My idea of fun isn't just being able to make it. I want to have some real ability under under me. I get no joy out of simply being able to wrestle a pig down a trail.

So out of the big boys, if you take my first choice of the 690R off the table, then my choice would be the XR650L. It is a bit down on power and still pretty porky off the showroom floor. But it is the berst starting point for a highway capable dual sport that won't kick your ass (too badly) on hard trails. Being dirt cheap also gives you some room for making the needed performance and weight loss mods.

I realize that the Dual Sports that I have mentioned are not very good technical off road bike.  From what I understand that they are ok on dirt roads and some smooth 2 track.  Like I mentioned before, I have 2 good dirt bikes that I can take on any hard core trail.  Another factor that has factored into this that was not part of the original formula is my wife has visions of riding on the back of the bike during some of these scenic dirt road adventures.

One of my favorite dual sport Ideas is an XR650R with a plate.  There are a few of them around here but they were not originally supposed to be plated.  I am worried about buying a plated dirt bike and having my plate revoked when I go to transfer it to my name.

the 500 is a great dualsport, I love my 450 but 40 miles is too much for me, and the tire wear is expensive

KLR or DR650 would be a great start point. Both are realitively inexpensive and can get the job done well commuting or exploring dirt roads. Either would give you an opportunity to see if you really want to commute without dumping to much money in.

The KLR650 is a great bike for the paved road, but when it comes to trail riding, you probably wouldn't want to lay it down with those fairings up front :/

Triumph Tiger 800XC would rock for you then if your wife wants to ride with you.  My buddy went up slick rock, mud, and ruts with damn near bald tires today.

If you cant get a 450X than to me the absolute only other option for a bike is an XR650R. That XRR is unstoppable on all categories. I was on my way to buy one but got side tracked on the 450 simply because of harescrambles.

 condor74, on 18 March 2012 - 12:08 PM, said:

definitely the best 650 adventure bike hands down, IMO. I had the XR650L, but I would have gone with the XRR if my wife didn't want to ride with me.

that said, if your wife wants to ride on the back, I have heard the subframes on the XRRs don't hold up.

the XRLs take a beating if you gusset them. I commuted on my XRL for a year. Rode it to AK etc. When I was in AK, I went dirt biking, something you would never be able to do on KLR650 even.

When I sold it there was 38,000mi on it, still ran flawlessly. I only sold it to plate a WR450F.

If Yamaha made a WR450R it would be the best dual sport hands down. The 250 is great though if you don't mind the lack of power. It would get much better MPG than the XR too, and be about 25lb lighter.

Edited by n16ht5, 19 March 2012 - 09:58 AM.

I don't see your height and weight anywhere?  What is it?
BMW 650's are LOW