Teach me 600Ccish Dualsport?

I am stuck in the midwest right now waiting for a plane so reply away.

OK the motorcycle bug has hit me hard. I bought a older panhead last month to build into a nice cut down bobber. Cheap, its in parts and I am waiting on getting the title finalized and everything delivered before I start in on it.

I bought a terrible cosmetic and dropped but running 99 royal enfield from a friend so that he could pay rent, next time he stays over he is going out to stay with us on the truck.

So effectively I bought two motorcycles that need massive amounts of work. So I cannot ride. So been cruising eBay while on a work trip much to the detriment of my savings account and have decided I need a Dual sport, something to get back into the swing of things before I hope back on a cutdown bobber or vintage drum brake bike.

SO other then the G650GS BMW which looks to be the best choice in the used market what else should I be looking at. Would like to be around 3500-4K used which I can do in the older single thumper if possible.

I can spend more say 5K if there is something that is the go to bike that has a following and I can resell decently.

I road the G650gs bmw...found it to be slow, rough, and lots of vibrations.

of course....

it could be the trip out was on the R1200R which is an incredibly smooth and torquey ride

DRZ-400 would be my choice. Good following, good little multipurpose bike. I think a few GRMers own them.

To me the 650 isn't a dual sport. It and the KLR650/DR650 and the like are more adventure bikes.

But what do I know? I'm currently wrapped up in a hairbrained scheme to get a plated XR600R into my garage as a dualsport.

They make a DRZ-400SM now. MMM might be able to swing one if I an find it locally.

Its raining now at the airport and I have been pushed back again. Effectively I will have traveled and been in a airport 22 hours over the last 60 or so. .

BMWs are really nice. And really expensive. And they have clunky gearboxes. But at least they cost less than KTMs. You can buy a brand new KLR for what you're willing to spend.

Seriously, you need to ask yourself what kind of riding you want to do with a dual sport. What percentage will be on pavement, on gravel, on single track? How long do you plan to be in the saddle? Some of the so-called dual sports have some of the worst seats ever created and aren't comfortable for rides of any distance. Dual-sport means different things to different people.

For a cheap dual sport, I think it's hard to beat a DR650 (yes, I have a cheap one). Just be aware that there were considerable changes in the '96 MY and certain parts like seats don't interchange across that boundary.

ddavidv has a good point about the seat but TBH the only dual sport seat I've ever encountered that was actually any good was on my R1150GSA, all others are too narrow and mainly designed for riding standing up.

Oh, and they will vibrate, balancer shafts or not.

If it has to be a 650, get a pre-08 KLR, 96+ DR650, or any XR650L.

If not, look at XT250's, KLR250's, DRZ400's, etc. Pretty much every dual sport can be had cheap and has a cult following unless its orange or german.

KLR650s were pretty much the same between 85ish and 05ish so spares are plentiful. They've got a huge following too so lots of support. Check out advrider for more bike ideas.

Ok what about this. ~4000 with some negotiation. 03 Dakar lots of miles but its got some interesting mounts and single owner.

http://www.sdbmwmc.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_26&products_id=5602

more interestingly they have this at 5500$ or so. 09 with ABS 12K miles its a buyback but I fit on it much better then the Dakar.

http://www.sdbmwmc.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_26&products_id=5650

You should also consider the Suzuki VStrom (DL650). Its a great all around bike that are very affordable compared to the BMW's. Lots of support on repairs & upgrades at http://www.stromtrooper.com.

I am looking at a Wee Strom (650) when I have a job again. I sold a DRZ400s to a friend and he put over 27k miles on it in less than a year in so cal. Lots of support, easy to ride. Look for a Corbin Seat for more comfort if funds allow. The Honda XL650R is also a great bike and has not changed much in years so parts are plenty.