Help me decide on my next dual sport

ss27gogeta · 07-09-2021, 12:06 PM

I'm looking to replace my sporster with a nice dual sport I've tried a couple years to get in to the bike and it's just not for me. I've also had a couple sportbikes there fun but not as fun as a good dual sport to me. I have an xpect and plan on keeping it for the wife to learn on. But I'm wanting a dual sport with more go if it's going to be my primary bike. I'll probably ride the bike 80-90% of the time on the road but I sometimes hit up some woods trails. Which bike do you think would best suite my needs thanks.

Bikes I'm considering

Gpx tse250r

Gpx fse 450r

Kawasaki klx300

Honda xr650l

Suzuki drz 400

Skyd · 07-09-2021, 12:48 PM

I had a DRZ400 and I wish I never sold it, but I spend a fair amount of time in the dirt with it. The XR650 is a tried and true bike but it's a big pig too. I've not been on the KLX personally and I'm not familiar with GPX at all so I can't speak to those.

I know if I get another Jap bike, I'm looking to get a DRZ again.

Badluck · 07-09-2021, 01:04 PM

DR650 is not much more than the DRZ.

However I don't speak with any experience.

ss27gogeta · 07-09-2021, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skyd

I had a DRZ400 and I wish I never sold it, but I spend a fair amount of time in the dirt with it. The XR650 is a tried and true bike but it's a big pig too. I've not been on the KLX personally and I'm not familiar with GPX at all so I can't speak to those.

I know if I get another Jap bike, I'm looking to get a DRZ again.

That's the only thing I really dislike about the xr is the weight I'm really wanting a bike that's 300lbs or less which both the gpx's comein well under. If I got a gpx I'm leaning towards the tse250r 2 stroke I think it be so fun on the street. But the xr has lots of tq and is well known to be super reliable.

herbie · 07-09-2021, 01:28 PM

If you’re wanting brand new then another good option 2021 CRF300L there is a dealer in Arkansas that will sell them for $5734 out the door.

Skyd · 07-09-2021, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss27gogeta

That's the only thing I really dislike about the xr is the weight I'm really wanting a bike that's 300lbs or less which both the gpx's comein well under. If I got a gpx I'm leaning towards the tse250r 2 stroke I think it be so fun on the street. But the xr has lots of tq and is well known to be super reliable.

Ya the DRZ will in right around that weight also....hands down that would be my personal preference. I'm intrigued by the GPX's though. is the 250r oil injection or you have to use premix?

ss27gogeta · 07-09-2021, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skyd

Ya the DRZ will in right around that weight also....hands down that would be my personal preference. I'm intrigued by the GPX's though. is the 250r oil injection or you have to use premix?

It's oil injected.

franque · 07-09-2021, 04:39 PM

The FSEs would be a good option, but they're dual sports like a KTM EXC is a dual sport, so more enduro/race oriented chassis-wise, but with a good, durable and streetable motor that should last a long time. You might want a more comfortable seat made, but I would love to have one of them for similar purposes to what you're intending.

tknj99 · 07-09-2021, 04:58 PM

Beta 390? My friend has one and i took it for a spin down the street.. holy meatballs was it fast! And weighs like 250 or so.. maybe a bit on the pricey end of the spectrum though

ss27gogeta · 07-09-2021, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franque

The FSEs would be a good option, but they're dual sports like a KTM EXC is a dual sport, so more enduro/race oriented chassis-wise, but with a good, durable and streetable motor that should last a long time. You might want a more comfortable seat made, but I would love to have one of them for similar purposes to what you're intending.

I seen on the gpx web sit they offer a seats concept seat so a more comfortable seat can be ubtainted. And that's kinda more what I'm wanting more of a plateable dirtbike type bike. than one built to hold all your camping gear for a trip 3 states over.

ss27gogeta · 07-09-2021, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tknj99

Beta 390? My friend has one and i took it for a spin down the street.. holy meatballs was it fast! And weighs like 250 or so.. maybe a bit on the pricey end of the spectrum though

Beta 390 would be sweet but there is no way I'm paying that kinda money for a dirt bike. Especially since I don't intend on doing anything close to what that suspension is capable of.

Its_not_a_honda · 07-09-2021, 09:54 PM

I have the klx300r. The off road one. Pretty much just like the dual sport without lights. It is a good bike except for one very bad flaw. It stalls. It stalled on me going up a step rock hill followed by a right turn at the top. Stalled causing me to take a really hard hit. I can't ride it now because of the injuries. I had ridden my apollo 250 up that hill many times with no problems. Fast forward. Reading some of the klx forums I discovered others are having stalling problems. It comes from a safety device to cut off the fuel if you drop the bike. However it can't tell if your going up a hill or falling. On the new dual sport I have read of them stalling randomly when letting off the throttle after a fast takeoff. Or simply stopping at a light. Mark the klx off your list.

Thumper · 02-16-2022, 12:19 PM

GPX TSE250R is still on the scene and with some minor improvements. If I had the freedom to spend on yet another motorcycle, I'd go for it. The counterbalanced engine with 6 speed wide ratio tranny and an electric starter making close to 40hp sounds excellent. It is a lightweight bike, easy to flick around, and it is not too loud either. At the moment, it can be had a right now for about $5000. That is a little high for me, but considering what you get...

The power to weight ratio is what attracts me to the 2 stroke engine, and the TSE250R also has fully adjustable suspension and a frame that is modeled after the KTM300 at less than half price, but including exotic alloys to keep it light. I have heard that the engine, based on the Yamaha TW200, has heavy flywheel and is tuned for low end torque. It is not an explosive power plant like you find in motocross 2 strokes, which means deliberate and controllable power delivery in tight situations...This is perfect for moderate off road fun in the trees and rocky trails. Uh, well good enough for someone like me approach geriatric age!

There may be someone on the forum here that owns one of these, but a quick search didn't turn anything up. Lots of youtube material out there though. The scenery in this one is outstanding!

I won't hold my breath, but would like to be the first to begin posting about "mine" here. There must be a way.

07-09-2021, 12:06 PM	#1
ss27gogeta Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Indiana Posts: 176	Help me decide on my next dual sport I'm looking to replace my sporster with a nice dual sport I've tried a couple years to get in to the bike and it's just not for me. I've also had a couple sportbikes there fun but not as fun as a good dual sport to me. I have an xpect and plan on keeping it for the wife to learn on. But I'm wanting a dual sport with more go if it's going to be my primary bike. I'll probably ride the bike 80-90% of the time on the road but I sometimes hit up some woods trails. Which bike do you think would best suite my needs thanks. Bikes I'm considering Gpx tse250r Gpx fse 450r Kawasaki klx300 Honda xr650l Suzuki drz 400 __________________ Current Bikes 2019 Lifan Xpect 2016 Harley Davidson Roadster
	0

07-09-2021, 12:48 PM	#2
Skyd Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 242	I had a DRZ400 and I wish I never sold it, but I spend a fair amount of time in the dirt with it. The XR650 is a tried and true bike but it's a big pig too. I've not been on the KLX personally and I'm not familiar with GPX at all so I can't speak to those. I know if I get another Jap bike, I'm looking to get a DRZ again. __________________ 2020 RPS Hawk 250 - Build thread can be found here: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=28374 "Do Wheelies and Forget your Feelies" "If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?" -unknown
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07-09-2021, 01:28 PM	#5
herbie Join Date: May 2019 Location: Illinois Posts: 864	If you’re wanting brand new then another good option 2021 CRF300L there is a dealer in Arkansas that will sell them for $5734 out the door. __________________ 2022 Venom KPR 200 Red- the fastest color 16t and 46t sprockets, NGK Iridium CPR8EAIX-9, aftermarket full exhaust system. Top speed 81GPS 2023 Venom SS3 KP mini 150– Nibbi carb, Nibbi air filter, aftermarket muffler, decat 2022 Venom Ghost chopper 250 1997 Honda GL1500 Goldwing 1978 Kawasaki KL250 https://youtube.com/@herbiesgarage681
	2

07-09-2021, 04:58 PM	#9
tknj99 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,258	Beta 390? My friend has one and i took it for a spin down the street.. holy meatballs was it fast! And weighs like 250 or so.. maybe a bit on the pricey end of the spectrum though __________________ 2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2018 VStrom 1000 XT Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X
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07-09-2021, 09:54 PM	#12
Its_not_a_honda Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 410	I have the klx300r. The off road one. Pretty much just like the dual sport without lights. It is a good bike except for one very bad flaw. It stalls. It stalled on me going up a step rock hill followed by a right turn at the top. Stalled causing me to take a really hard hit. I can't ride it now because of the injuries. I had ridden my apollo 250 up that hill many times with no problems. Fast forward. Reading some of the klx forums I discovered others are having stalling problems. It comes from a safety device to cut off the fuel if you drop the bike. However it can't tell if your going up a hill or falling. On the new dual sport I have read of them stalling randomly when letting off the throttle after a fast takeoff. Or simply stopping at a light. Mark the klx off your list. __________________ 2020 Kawasaki KLX300R, 2018 Yamaha TW200 If you want more of something, tax it less. If you want less of something, tax it more.
	0

07-09-2021, 01:04 PM	#3
Badluck Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 80	DR650 is not much more than the DRZ. However I don't speak with any experience.
	0

07-09-2021, 04:39 PM	#8
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	The FSEs would be a good option, but they're dual sports like a KTM EXC is a dual sport, so more enduro/race oriented chassis-wise, but with a good, durable and streetable motor that should last a long time. You might want a more comfortable seat made, but I would love to have one of them for similar purposes to what you're intending.
	0

02-16-2022, 12:19 PM	#13
Thumper Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,328	GPX TSE250R is still on the scene and with some minor improvements. If I had the freedom to spend on yet another motorcycle, I'd go for it. The counterbalanced engine with 6 speed wide ratio tranny and an electric starter making close to 40hp sounds excellent. It is a lightweight bike, easy to flick around, and it is not too loud either. At the moment, it can be had a right now for about $5000. That is a little high for me, but considering what you get... The power to weight ratio is what attracts me to the 2 stroke engine, and the TSE250R also has fully adjustable suspension and a frame that is modeled after the KTM300 at less than half price, but including exotic alloys to keep it light. I have heard that the engine, based on the Yamaha TW200, has heavy flywheel and is tuned for low end torque. It is not an explosive power plant like you find in motocross 2 strokes, which means deliberate and controllable power delivery in tight situations...This is perfect for moderate off road fun in the trees and rocky trails. Uh, well good enough for someone like me approach geriatric age! There may be someone on the forum here that owns one of these, but a quick search didn't turn anything up. Lots of youtube material out there though. The scenery in this one is outstanding! I won't hold my breath, but would like to be the first to begin posting about "mine" here. There must be a way.
	0