I'm very interested in starting to learn to ride. I grew up on dirt bikes but I haven't rode in over 15 years (I was 15 then). I am looking at dual sports. I want something to commute on but also easy to ride and maybe do some light trail riding. My commute is literally 4 miles to work and the max speed is 45. I have been researching for days and the general consensus on the interwebz is that a Suzuki DR-Z400S is pretty much the perfect tool for the job. I was also looking at the Kawi KLR650. Both are similar in price. My only concern is seat height. I'm 5'10" with about a 32" inseam and weight about 180lbs. Would either of these be a good fit? I know I can't be sure until I sit on one but I'm currently deployed to the sandbox.
Of course, an MSF course is in the plans (mandatory for us). I'm a cautious guy now that I'm over 30. I don't want a big bike. I have little interest in speed. I just want fun. I'd love to get home, change, pack a lunch and go find some 2 track to explore. What does the GRM braintrust say?
The KLR is a pretty tall bike from what I've heard, but I think with a 32" inseam you should be just fine. But from what you have said you wanted, a dual sport is what you want. I think they would make a good starter bike as well. My buddy just bought a dual sport for his first bike
I have a DRZ 400S. Excellent bike, but tall. Lowering kits are available for about $100.
DRZ 400 is a tall bike. The KLR is not a great choice for trail riding, especially if you haven't been on a bike for some time.
Yeah, I've heard that the KLR is a heavy beast on the trail. Hell, the DRZ is no lightweight either. I've heard nothing but good things about these two though. They both seem pretty bulletproof and beginner friendly plus there is a decent aftermarket.
Woody, how does your DRZ do at highway speeds? Being in Tampa, I have no choice but to hit the highways to get to the trails. Also, can it handle a passenger alright? I'd love to take the girlfriend with me sometime.
Dual sports seem hard to find used in Florida. Literbikes? They are everywhere.
I really want to get into adventure riding. I love that kind of thing. I grew up in Idaho; riding trails and 2 tracks. I want to get back to that.
Also, I'm pretty mechanically inclined but know absolutely squat about bikes. Looking at all the mods and fixes the DRZ guys do is like looking at a foreign language haha.
Ninja edit: I've literally spend the past 3 12 hour days at work perusing Thumpertalk.com and advrider.com. If I got a DRZ, I already have a list of mods that I'd do.
Where do you live in Tampa that you HAVE to hit the highway? Granted its been 10 years or so since I've tried but i used to get around town faster on the back roads when I was a courier down there and that was in a neon, a dual sport would likely be much quicker.
Shame you're not closer, I'm considering downsizing from my KLR to a smaller DS to carry on the back of my camper.
In reply to Spinout007:
I'm in South Tampa. I have to go north to go either east or west. It's a short jaunt but traffic can get stupid sometimes. I wish there was back roads down here haha
I wouldn't recommend a KLR to a total noob but you said you rode dirt bikes when you were a kid. That's the only experience I had, and after a couple days with the KLR it wasn't a problem having the extra weight. The ability to do 70 on the highway was also a big plus, along with the endless list of farkles. I've since moved on because I found I was wanting to ride much longer distances, and the KLR was just too full of vibration for sustained hours in the saddle for my old bones. Absolutely great bike, though, for what you're talking about.
The Suzuki is the other obvious and excellent choice. I considered both at length before going with the KLR simply because they were more available and less expensive. Truly a toss-up between the two.
I have a 32" inseam and had no trouble riding the KLR at normal height, though you can buy lowering links. Off road you'll want the extra ground clearance. You will be on tippy-toes at the stop lights, but you get used to it.
For Florida and the sand you ought to look at the Yam TW200 also. Neat little bike if you don't have to travel any distance at highway speeds.
Not speaking from experience, but my boss hauled ass on a dual sport for months happily commuting. Now let me put it out there that I think he's nuts. Blew a radiator and a motorcycle engine in the same week. He hadn't fixed radiator in the many months since and ended up riding his newer bike in blizzard conditions. Crossing the Missouri river, that was 50 mph side winds.
Anyway, he was comfortable enough for a 45 minute (each way) commute on a dual sport, if thats your idea of the right bike for you, go for it.
You rode a dirt bike. Are you really a starter?
In reply to ddavidv:
I started out looking at all the dual sports but narrowed it down the the KLR650, DR-Z400 (S or SM, not sure yet) and maybe the Yamaha WR250R. The Kawi and Suzuki seem to be very close in price (both used and new) but the Yam is quite a bit more. I like the size of the KLR for farkles and comfort but it does weigh over 400lbs. The DRZ seems to be right in the middle as far as power and size/weight. The WR250R has FI and 6 speeds but is more expensive.
I did see the TW200 too. It looks like a really fun dirt-biased dual sport but I don't think it would work for me due to riding 80/20 pavement/offroad.
I have about 6 months to research before I get back. I know I can't really make a decision until I actually sit on one but I can narrow it down a bit haha.
Is there any more bikes I should consider? I have been fascinated by the Ural Patrol T but at $12k its more of a fantasy...
In reply to N Sperlo:
I haven't been on any sort of motorcycle since I was 15 (I'm 31 now) and that was on my 1979 XR80. I literally have ZERO road experience. To be honest, I'm a bit intimidated about riding a bike on the road. I guess it's just because I don't know what to expect. I do plan on taking a MSF beginner course and going on some mentoring rides. I'm excited but cautious haha
stanger_missle wrote:
I want something to commute on but also easy to ride and maybe do some light trail riding.
I'm a cautious guy now that I'm over 30. I don't want a big bike. I have little interest in speed. I just want fun. I'd love to get home, change, pack a lunch and go find some 2 track to explore.
I'm going to toss out that to me you're not describing the typical dual sport. You're describing more the classic UJM. You could take the likes of a Honda Ascot out onto riding trails quite readily.
Many a dual sport has a rather low top speed, buzzy ride, squashy suspension and high seat. All in the name of being better able to handle trail riding.
A more street oriented bike, still capable of riding on a dirt road or two-track will typically sit lower, have longer legs, and be more roadway comfortable.
If you're thinking 250, don't discount the 06/07 KLX 250s. It's not as powerful as the Yamaha, but it's lighter, and nowhere near the price. Chances are that most of the used ones have already received the usual mods (pipe, jetting, etc.), and make plenty of power. The chassis and suspension in those years is far better than most dual sports.
Fox makes some good points. I thought I needed a KLR for the off-pavement riding I do, but most of it I could ride on pretty much anything that had decent tires. Sold my KLR for a Wee Strom as a result.
They are currently too rich for my blood, but when I can afford a 2nd bike it will be a Triumph Bonneville/Scrambler. 
I met a guy this summer who was an honest-to-god world famous motocrosser in the 60s and 70s. These days, in addition to a DRZ400S, he has a KLR 250 and couldn't say enough good things about the little bike.
stanger_missle wrote:
In reply to N Sperlo:
I haven't been on any sort of motorcycle since I was 15 (I'm 31 now) and that was on my 1979 XR80. I literally have ZERO road experience. To be honest, I'm a bit intimidated about riding a bike on the road. I guess it's just because I don't know what to expect. I do plan on taking a MSF beginner course and going on some mentoring rides. I'm excited but cautious haha
Very similar to my enabling thread. I'm experienced on a 100cc dirt bike, but I've been riding recently. I said I was nervous about two wheels, but what I meant was the other drivers.
In reply to Woody and Zomby Woof:
The KLX250 looks to be exactly what I am looking for. Sure, there isn't nearly as much aftermarket as the DR-Z400S but it seems to be a popular little dual sport. From what I've read, it can do 60MPH or so and gets good gas mileage too. The only rub is the small fuel tank and it's seat height is nearly that of the DRZ-400S and KLX650R. I guess that's just the nature of the dual sport beast.
Check to see if they sell a lowering kit for it. They're cheap and easy to install.
Lowering kits for the DRZ:
Adjustable:
In reply to stanger_missle:
I just sold my KLX. I'm 5'7" with a 30" inseam. I lowered mine 1", but that's only because I was doing a lot of technical single track, and didn't want to get caught losing my balance on some off camber. At your size the KLX will be fine. The rear suspension will be perfect for your weight, and you'll want to put a spacer in the front to stiffen the fork up a bit. I commuted (55 miles one way) with mine a bunch of times, used it as my main transport in the summer, and my practice bike for hare scrambles. The bike is pretty much a street legal version of the KLX 300 race bike, so anything that works on it, also works on the 250. The 09+ bikes are lower, and look nicer, but are not as capable in the suspension department as the 06/07 bikes. There was no KLX in 08. I took a few unnecessary bits off mine and it weighed in a 275.
about 15 years ago I had a 87 XL250R - the street legal version of the XR250.
It was an absolute blast.
I also had a CBR900RR at the same time that I am pretty sure gained more horse-power with a slip-on and jet kit then the XL ever could muster. But the XL brought just as many smiles and more tickets.
The only problem with dual sports is that anything you do to improve the street manners upsets the ability in dirt and the the same thing with trying to make it more capable in the dirt hurts it on the street. Although the type of off road ridding in Ohio is probably a little different then Florida.
I just bought a CRF450R that is street legal and plan to keep it as off road capable as possible as it is not my only bike. If it were my only bike I would be looking for a more street friendly adventurer tourer like the Vee Strom.
I really like the KLR650 but I think the KLX250S would work too. I also like the DR-Z400S. I have seen those lowering links. I guess that is something I could change after I found a bike. So many choices haha.
The WR250R seems like an awesome bike but is way more than other bikes in it's class. I guess it just comes down to what I can find and what fits me.
Rusnak_322 wrote:
If it were my only bike I would be looking for a more street friendly adventurer tourer like the Vee Strom.
I was kind of thinking this as well. Is the VStrom not off-roady enough for your needs? They are very nice bikes. I would think that they would handle Florida terrain well enough.
