Thoughts on Enduros/Dual Sport Motorcycles

CousinEddie

CousinEddie

Member
I really want to get one when I get my license. What do you guys think of them?

How do Yamahas compare to Hondas to Kawasakis to Suzukis?

Are they as good off road as a trail bike?
 
Unfortunately from what I have heard the WR250R (dual purpose Yamaha) is a puss compared to the WR250F (dirtbike)... the engine is more street specific. However, I've never actually ridden one so I can't back that up.

You can always buy a WR450F and make it street legal (it already comes with most mods needed so I'm sure that would be fairly easy). It could even already be street legal... not sure on that though.

Honestly I'm a massive Yamaha fan, but for the most part it comes down to what your favorite color is... there isn't a whole lot of difference between the bike brands. Obviously they all have there quirks but nothing noticeable for a leisurely rider.

BUT, if you have a lot of $$$$... get a KTM. I was never a KTM fan until recently. My two neighbors have them and there's a KTM dealer here in Breck. Those bikes are fucking unreal right off the dealers floor...no mods needed. As big of a Yamaha fan I am I've gotta say KTM's are probably the best made bikes around.
 
P.S.... if you're really interested and have more questions you can always hit up ThumperTalk.com. It's basically dirtbiking's NS. I have the same username on there. =)
 
The most legit bikes that come stock as onroad/offroad legal are KTMs. Ive been out of the dirt bike loop for a while, but last time I checked they had basically slapped a baja kit on their premier offroad bikes. They are quite spendy however. My dad got the first year of the WR250R and loves it for lightish trail use and riding in general. He also has an older KTM 400 onroad/offroad bike (not sure of the exact model) that he likes a lot.
 
The most legit bikes that come stock as onroad/offroad legal are KTMs. Ive been out of the dirt bike loop for a while, but last time I checked they had basically slapped a baja kit on their premier offroad bikes. They are quite spendy however. My dad got the first year of the WR250R and loves it for lightish trail use and riding in general. He also has an older KTM 400 onroad/offroad bike (not sure of the exact model) that he likes a lot.
 
not an enduro persay, but heres my pig

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Supermoto!
I love sumos. I was very close to making a street legal sumo setup last year, but bought an MX bike instead. I would do this over a dual sport. You can still go off-road, but have way more fun while on road, and they look really sick!
The DRZ400SM and WR250X and great for stock street legal ones. Don't expect to convert something off-road to street legal easily though. It has gotten quite hard recently, and really depends on what state you live in.
 
P.S. invader, are you on SMJ? I spent so much time on there planning my conversion (even though I never went through with it). It is a great forum
 
u should really get a ktm. they are just awesome bikes. if u wanted just and enduro bike tht was not street legal get a ktm 250 xc, it is the best enduro bike on the market. if u want a dual sport i would suggest a ktm 450.
 
when i usually ride dualsport we stick to the open dirt roads around the mountains in PA, the bikes are kinda heavy to be whipping through the woods (plus i have better bikes for ripping through the woods haha) but its manegable.

i ride a drz400, its the blue one in this picture. Ignore my dad, but that is his KTM 690 R, and i can tell you that thing fucking RIPS. Like that 690 has more power than you will ever need, but that is what makes it so fun to ride!!

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if i had to get a bike i had to ride in the woods and on the road, i would get a KTM 525. I rode one back to my sponsors house one time and boy was that thing a riot. roll the throttle on in 3rd gear and it would just break loose on the roads XD.

keep in mind you can make just about any bike you want street legal, i race enduro's which we have to have our bikes registered and insured because we ride on public roads inbetween sections of trail. I've had a 250f and a 350f both "street legal" with just a few changes. but if your doing a lot of pavement riding you'll probably want to change your sprocket for more top speed
 
My dad collected old Indaian Enduros, so i grew up riding them.

I think they're awesome to ride. I live out in the country and they were my transportation everywhere when I was younger. I love them. I'm getting my 250 road legal this year.

They kill it off road too.

The one thing wrong with them is they're SUPER heavy.

If you can find one anywhere near you in ok shape, I really recommend getting one. soooooo fun.

 
fuck all that ktm noise. kawy klr650. easy as hell to work on, parts every where in the world for it. good luck getting a part for your ktm when you're riding through columbia on your way to the southern tip of SA.
 
is that an '06? i have an '03 S that i coverted to SM. i plan to ship my engine out next winter to CO to have it bored to 470
 
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