Thinking about getting a Dual Purpose (Enduro)
#1
04-23-2009, 02:35 PM
Thinking about getting a Dual Purpose (Enduro)
Well, I've been out of dirt biking for a little while now, and wanted to get one this year. Then I got to thinking how much easier it would be to be to just get a dual sport instead of trucking a bike to the trails.
Answer seems to be dual purpose. I've never had one, and I'm in the process of figuring out:
1. Whether I should get one
2. What I should get
I've always had (and loved) my hondas. I started with a 50cc trail when I was about 6 or 7, then got an XR80, then rode various others in the 100s, then an XR250.
I've been looking at the XR650L pretty hard. I'm sure i don't want a 230L, as I'm a pretty big boy and would be riding road with it, too.
HOWEVER, yesterday I looked at the Kawasaki KLR650. Hmmm. Not bad. And it's also considerably less expensive then the Honda. Not quite sure how I like the new headlight and such, but overall not bad.
I've been looking for a used one, but people are being crazy with what they're asking for the older ones. A brand ner KLR is about 5k, Honda is closer to 6k+. Suzuki is not far off the Kawa on price (and I heard the Kawas are basically Suzukis now, anyway...) but I don't have much experience with the Suzuki's at all.
Any thoughts or experience with any of these? Any suggestions in general?
Answer seems to be dual purpose. I've never had one, and I'm in the process of figuring out:
1. Whether I should get one
2. What I should get
I've always had (and loved) my hondas. I started with a 50cc trail when I was about 6 or 7, then got an XR80, then rode various others in the 100s, then an XR250.
I've been looking at the XR650L pretty hard. I'm sure i don't want a 230L, as I'm a pretty big boy and would be riding road with it, too.
HOWEVER, yesterday I looked at the Kawasaki KLR650. Hmmm. Not bad. And it's also considerably less expensive then the Honda. Not quite sure how I like the new headlight and such, but overall not bad.
I've been looking for a used one, but people are being crazy with what they're asking for the older ones. A brand ner KLR is about 5k, Honda is closer to 6k+. Suzuki is not far off the Kawa on price (and I heard the Kawas are basically Suzukis now, anyway...) but I don't have much experience with the Suzuki's at all.
Any thoughts or experience with any of these? Any suggestions in general?
#2
04-23-2009, 04:05 PM
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Posts: n/a
Dual purpose and Suzukis
Troutman, I wanted a dual purpose bike for years. Out here in the desert there are a lot of county maintained gravel roads. A dual purpose bike would be great on those types of roads. God knows my TL1000 is the sh.its on dirt roads!!! I will be watching your new thread to see what people say about the dual purpose bikes.
I have owned a few Suzukis and presently own 2 of them. The TL1000S and an S40 Boulevard. Both are reliable and built to their price range. My friend owns a M109R and I have been eyeing that puppy real close. Suzuki makes a very good bike for a good price. I think Hondas are over priced (but well built) as are BMWs and Harleys. So, I would not be afraid to buy another Suzuki if that helps with looking at Suzukis.
There are a lot of KLR650s in this area. They seem to be the dual purpose of marketing choice right now. I, myself, would look at a Suzuki for the price difference.
I have owned a few Suzukis and presently own 2 of them. The TL1000S and an S40 Boulevard. Both are reliable and built to their price range. My friend owns a M109R and I have been eyeing that puppy real close. Suzuki makes a very good bike for a good price. I think Hondas are over priced (but well built) as are BMWs and Harleys. So, I would not be afraid to buy another Suzuki if that helps with looking at Suzukis.
There are a lot of KLR650s in this area. They seem to be the dual purpose of marketing choice right now. I, myself, would look at a Suzuki for the price difference.
#3
04-23-2009, 11:05 PM
Thanks for the input, bud.
I have a friend that has always ridden Kawasakis, and I called him today. He was saying that his other buddy just bought a Kawasaki and said it was made by Suzuki! He said it said so right by the VIN number..
Apparently Kawa is buying a bunch of parts from Suzuki. He seemed to think right along the same lines as you.
He said you won't go wrong with the Suzuki or the Kawasaki. He also said that Hondas are really good bikes, but any more (and especially with dirt bikes) you're paying a little more for the name. I can't say I disagree.
I'd love to hear some more input, though.
I have a friend that has always ridden Kawasakis, and I called him today. He was saying that his other buddy just bought a Kawasaki and said it was made by Suzuki! He said it said so right by the VIN number..
Apparently Kawa is buying a bunch of parts from Suzuki. He seemed to think right along the same lines as you.
He said you won't go wrong with the Suzuki or the Kawasaki. He also said that Hondas are really good bikes, but any more (and especially with dirt bikes) you're paying a little more for the name. I can't say I disagree.
I'd love to hear some more input, though.
#4
04-24-2009, 01:10 AM
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Posts: n/a
Yup..the thought of getting another dirt bike still drives me nutts these days..
After many dirt bikes from the age of 10 , I finished my last 7-8 years in the mud with 2 XR500's ..the honda's are great dirt bikes and used/second hand , not too bad cost wise to buy..
I swar I would not go dirt riding after my 40th and I have not ...
The risk of injury is too big
I think most all of the major brands big off road bikes are dam good and not much really separates them ... Price I suppose is what may drive your choice ...
Now ...one of these suckers for dirt road ridding , that would be a different matter
Woohooo.....what a bloody ripper ..
ok near a million buck new , but pretty nice
After many dirt bikes from the age of 10 , I finished my last 7-8 years in the mud with 2 XR500's ..the honda's are great dirt bikes and used/second hand , not too bad cost wise to buy..
I swar I would not go dirt riding after my 40th and I have not ...
The risk of injury is too big
I think most all of the major brands big off road bikes are dam good and not much really separates them ... Price I suppose is what may drive your choice ...
Now ...one of these suckers for dirt road ridding , that would be a different matter
- Engine - Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve DOHC 90� V-twin
- Bore x Stroke - 98 x 66mm
- Displacement - 996cm
- Compression Ratio - 9:1
- Carburetor - 42mm slanted flat-slide CV-type x 2
- Max. Power Output � 95hp @ 8000rpm
- Max. Torque - 99Nm @ 6000min
- Ignition - Computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance
- Starter - Electric
- Transmission - 5-speed
- Final Drive - 'O'-ring sealed chain
- Dimensions (LxWxH) - 2295 x 880 x 1460mm
- Wheelbase - 1560mm
- Seat Height - 845mm
- Ground Clearance - 195mm
- Fuel Capacity - 25 litres
- Front Suspension - 43mm hydraulic telescopic fork, 175mm axle travel
- Rear Suspension - Pro-Link with spring load-adjustable damper, 155mm axle travel
- Front Brakes - 296mm dual hydraulic discs with Combined 3-piston calipers and sintered metal pads
- Rear Brake - 256mm single hydraulic disc with Combined 3-piston caliper and sintered metal pads
- Dry Weight - 220kg
Woohooo.....what a bloody ripper ..
ok near a million buck new , but pretty nice
Last edited by CBRclassic; 04-24-2009 at 01:13 AM.
#5
04-24-2009, 09:05 AM
Whoa, steve!
That's a killer bike there! Never seen one of those before. Very nice....and big!
Yep, I often think of all the fun I had on trails, whick is why I'm looking around for another one. Had some bad spills, though, too. I know what you mean. Harder on the body in general.
I have off work tomorrow (finally), so I think I'm gonna do some serious looking.
That's a killer bike there! Never seen one of those before. Very nice....and big!
Yep, I often think of all the fun I had on trails, whick is why I'm looking around for another one. Had some bad spills, though, too. I know what you mean. Harder on the body in general.
I have off work tomorrow (finally), so I think I'm gonna do some serious looking.
#6
04-25-2009, 01:24 AM
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Posts: n/a
Looking
Trout, take a look at the BMW F650GS. They might do for a dual purpose bike. Most of the used ones are priced well. New? Nope..
Here is the ad - "2006 BMW F650gs. Red. ABS, heated grips, hand guards. 7500 miles. Just did 6000 mile service. No issues, never down."
Here is the ad - "2006 BMW F650gs. Red. ABS, heated grips, hand guards. 7500 miles. Just did 6000 mile service. No issues, never down."
Last edited by CBRriderNevada; 04-25-2009 at 01:28 AM.
#7
04-25-2009, 11:06 AM
Not really a BMW fan.. Don't know, though.. never owned one. It's out in SF Bay area, too.
That is pretty sweet looking, though!
I was looking around today and found 2 bikes nearby. Only problem is that people are still freakin' crazy with what they want for them!
2007 Kawasaki KLR650 for $4800!! (Brand new 2009 at the dealership ASKING $5200)
1999 Suzuki DR650SE for $2900. It has like 9k miles on it. I know the blue book values are low, but still. It's booked high retail at like $1900, and it's a 10yr old bike. $2k more for brand new... 0miles. ???
The quest continues.
My fiancee wants to get a new car, so I told her:
"You get a new car.... I get a new bike!!"
She's concerned that we'll look like trash since I already have 4 vehicles. She has 1. Not my problem!!
That is pretty sweet looking, though!
I was looking around today and found 2 bikes nearby. Only problem is that people are still freakin' crazy with what they want for them!
2007 Kawasaki KLR650 for $4800!! (Brand new 2009 at the dealership ASKING $5200)
1999 Suzuki DR650SE for $2900. It has like 9k miles on it. I know the blue book values are low, but still. It's booked high retail at like $1900, and it's a 10yr old bike. $2k more for brand new... 0miles. ???
The quest continues.
My fiancee wants to get a new car, so I told her:
"You get a new car.... I get a new bike!!"
She's concerned that we'll look like trash since I already have 4 vehicles. She has 1. Not my problem!!
#8
04-25-2009, 12:03 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Trashy look
Trout my man, if you are going to look trashy, I will lend you my leapard skin thong, designer stilettos, pink penelopy pitstop scarf and you supply the helmet!
I have had 10 motorcycles in the garage at once, 4 cars/trucks and a partridge in a pear tree all at the same time! It just requires another garage to be built!!! My wife used only one car!
That F650GS has a Rotax built engine and they are good products. I have a BMW R1100RS in the garage as we speak. BMW makes a good product. I know what you are saying about used motorcycle prices. Way too high and on Craig's list a lot of people post their opinion of people selling at higher than dealer prices. I would not pay more than mid-way on the Kelley Blue book. Offer that price, show the idiot the reason why (pick the bike a part gently) and show him the Blue book pricing. Tell him he is not a dealer and the high book states "reconditioned without blemishes" as high book price. I have found that reason kicks in and they sell it for mid-price. Try it, what have you got to lose?
Yes, I did get that F650GS from S.F. Craig's List... I like those bikes....
My BMW
I have had 10 motorcycles in the garage at once, 4 cars/trucks and a partridge in a pear tree all at the same time! It just requires another garage to be built!!!
My wife used only one car!That F650GS has a Rotax built engine and they are good products. I have a BMW R1100RS in the garage as we speak. BMW makes a good product. I know what you are saying about used motorcycle prices. Way too high and on Craig's list a lot of people post their opinion of people selling at higher than dealer prices. I would not pay more than mid-way on the Kelley Blue book. Offer that price, show the idiot the reason why (pick the bike a part gently) and show him the Blue book pricing. Tell him he is not a dealer and the high book states "reconditioned without blemishes" as high book price. I have found that reason kicks in and they sell it for mid-price. Try it, what have you got to lose?
Yes, I did get that F650GS from S.F. Craig's List... I like those bikes....
My BMW
Last edited by CBRriderNevada; 04-25-2009 at 12:11 PM.
#9
04-25-2009, 02:02 PM
He he.. She now says as long as they're in a garage...
Maybe I'll get a bunch of those screened in temporary awning things that you put over picnic tables an I'll park my cars and trucks under them! That would look AWESOME!!
(bikes go in the garage, though.. always)
Wait! I can put the bikes in the bedroom with us... and the Jeep or pickup in the garage and the Civic in the driveway! That would be perfect!
I'll supply the helmet, btw, no problem. I have the perfect one in the attic at my old man's house. It's a 70's style open face (one of those huge jetsons style ones). It was my first helmet back in the day. I remember what my dad said about helmets at the time (when I didn't want to wear one). He said "Think of it this way, boy, if you're wearing a helmet you can do crazier shlt"
Good ideas about negotiating. I usually don't have too big a problem negotiating (ie.. nicely telling people that they are being shlthouse crazy), but sometimes people are just starting sooo frickin high you feel shltty saying "I'll give you half that".
I went to a dealer down south today and heard all kinds of BS. Some 18yr old girl down their selling bikes? She had no idea what she was talking about. Actually quoted me OVER MSRP! I'm like WTF, that's like $600 over MSRP! Then she comes back and says I'm right, and offers actual MSRP. I laughed, and walked. I also asked her about the XR650L and she said it would take at least 2 months to get one! So much BS. I can drive 10miles further south and pick one up today. She said the KLRs are getting hard to get, too, which is why they're charging MSRP. Next dealer over has 5 of them. Every color of the rainbow.... and for $700 UNDER MSRP.
I really just wanted to pick up some chain lube, take a ride, and see the 2009's anway..
I should have told her I wanted to trade a 1980 XR80, but I wanted no less than $10,000 for it.
BTW, that's a hell of a nice RS you got there!!
Maybe I'll get a bunch of those screened in temporary awning things that you put over picnic tables an I'll park my cars and trucks under them! That would look AWESOME!!
(bikes go in the garage, though.. always)
Wait! I can put the bikes in the bedroom with us... and the Jeep or pickup in the garage and the Civic in the driveway! That would be perfect!
I'll supply the helmet, btw, no problem. I have the perfect one in the attic at my old man's house. It's a 70's style open face (one of those huge jetsons style ones). It was my first helmet back in the day. I remember what my dad said about helmets at the time (when I didn't want to wear one). He said "Think of it this way, boy, if you're wearing a helmet you can do crazier shlt"
Good ideas about negotiating. I usually don't have too big a problem negotiating (ie.. nicely telling people that they are being shlthouse crazy), but sometimes people are just starting sooo frickin high you feel shltty saying "I'll give you half that".
I went to a dealer down south today and heard all kinds of BS. Some 18yr old girl down their selling bikes? She had no idea what she was talking about. Actually quoted me OVER MSRP! I'm like WTF, that's like $600 over MSRP! Then she comes back and says I'm right, and offers actual MSRP. I laughed, and walked. I also asked her about the XR650L and she said it would take at least 2 months to get one! So much BS. I can drive 10miles further south and pick one up today. She said the KLRs are getting hard to get, too, which is why they're charging MSRP. Next dealer over has 5 of them. Every color of the rainbow.... and for $700 UNDER MSRP.
I really just wanted to pick up some chain lube, take a ride, and see the 2009's anway..
I should have told her I wanted to trade a 1980 XR80, but I wanted no less than $10,000 for it.
BTW, that's a hell of a nice RS you got there!!
#10
04-25-2009, 03:00 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Nice RS
Sir Trout,
Let me tell you about that RS. A guy in Fernley, NV owned it. So, it is on Craig's List for a while and I ask him if he would take less. "No way, I want $5,500!" OK, I wait. He drops the price a couple of times and I ask him if he will take $3,000. "F.O." was his response (I have guns, but he must not know that!). So, I wait and he drops it to a "final price or I keep it" Craig's list price of $5,000. It is a 1994 model. I say to him that if he brings it to work one day I would like to see it. He says he can bring it to my house and show me.
Ah, marketing people know when people are getting desperate (not that I have ever been in marketing, but I did studied it). It is referred to as "The Jones's" because it is like a junkie needing a fix, they NEED to sell it. So, he brings it by. I look it over and say, "I hate when the seat gets a rip in it. Must have been a buddy huh?" Well, after talking with him for an hour, I find out he really, really wants a F800 BMW because it is smaller (he is 5'5" and the RS is too tall for him). So, I say, "Man, when you find a bike that fits, buy it." Well, one half hour later, I have the bike in my garage for $2,500 and it needs $100 worth of seat covering. Took the seats off and had this old guy recovered the seats that day and the old guy at the store was happy for the business.
So, patience sometimes wears on the seller. He/she WANTS to sell it for a reason. That reason "GROWS" into a monster and they get impatient and will sell it cheaper than they think. It is the "Jones's" and it gets to all of us sooner or later! My mom use to call it "you kids are the I wanta kids!"
The gal at the store that you went to is doing what they call "Bench Marking" (she was taught that). See, I Bench Marked the guy at $3,000 for a perfect bike, then he saw the flaws and went down from there (new seats are $500). "Bench Marking" is what sales people do. "We have that XYZ car for $7,000,000 - BUT, I think the boss really wants to get rid of it, so if you were to offer close to that amount, I think I can convince him to deal with you." Right, the car cost $1,500 to produce, I'm sure he will take $6,999,999.99 plus tax, license, dealer prep, doc fees, etc!
So, Bench Mark them, don't be offended when they tell you to "F.O." and then get the bike cheap by working lower from your Bench Mark price. Remember - The Seller WANTS to sell it for a reason and that reason grows into a monster as time passes......
Here is my example. I bought this Sporty for $4000 and put $2,000 into it. I wanted $5,500 for the bike. I sold it for $1,800 and was happy to get that. Why? His tranny blew on me 3 times. It is a stroker and they blow things up!!! Here is the bike. BTW I see it is now listed on Chico, CA Craig's List for $4,000 and I know why. He bought if from me only 8 months ago.....
Let me tell you about that RS. A guy in Fernley, NV owned it. So, it is on Craig's List for a while and I ask him if he would take less. "No way, I want $5,500!" OK, I wait. He drops the price a couple of times and I ask him if he will take $3,000. "F.O." was his response (I have guns, but he must not know that!). So, I wait and he drops it to a "final price or I keep it" Craig's list price of $5,000. It is a 1994 model. I say to him that if he brings it to work one day I would like to see it. He says he can bring it to my house and show me.
Ah, marketing people know when people are getting desperate (not that I have ever been in marketing, but I did studied it). It is referred to as "The Jones's" because it is like a junkie needing a fix, they NEED to sell it. So, he brings it by. I look it over and say, "I hate when the seat gets a rip in it. Must have been a buddy huh?" Well, after talking with him for an hour, I find out he really, really wants a F800 BMW because it is smaller (he is 5'5" and the RS is too tall for him). So, I say, "Man, when you find a bike that fits, buy it." Well, one half hour later, I have the bike in my garage for $2,500 and it needs $100 worth of seat covering. Took the seats off and had this old guy recovered the seats that day and the old guy at the store was happy for the business.
So, patience sometimes wears on the seller. He/she WANTS to sell it for a reason. That reason "GROWS" into a monster and they get impatient and will sell it cheaper than they think. It is the "Jones's" and it gets to all of us sooner or later! My mom use to call it "you kids are the I wanta kids!"
The gal at the store that you went to is doing what they call "Bench Marking" (she was taught that). See, I Bench Marked the guy at $3,000 for a perfect bike, then he saw the flaws and went down from there (new seats are $500). "Bench Marking" is what sales people do. "We have that XYZ car for $7,000,000 - BUT, I think the boss really wants to get rid of it, so if you were to offer close to that amount, I think I can convince him to deal with you." Right, the car cost $1,500 to produce, I'm sure he will take $6,999,999.99 plus tax, license, dealer prep, doc fees, etc!
So, Bench Mark them, don't be offended when they tell you to "F.O." and then get the bike cheap by working lower from your Bench Mark price. Remember - The Seller WANTS to sell it for a reason and that reason grows into a monster as time passes......
Here is my example. I bought this Sporty for $4000 and put $2,000 into it. I wanted $5,500 for the bike. I sold it for $1,800 and was happy to get that. Why? His tranny blew on me 3 times. It is a stroker and they blow things up!!! Here is the bike. BTW I see it is now listed on Chico, CA Craig's List for $4,000 and I know why. He bought if from me only 8 months ago.....