DAMN Riders - No rules, Just ride!

My WR died Saturday, shortly after start. It is for sale and I am in the market for a new dualsport. Something like the WR in size and capability, but with electric start, a real lighting system, and quiet. I've been idly watching the market to see what's available, but anyone have suggestions on what I should be looking at? I'm thinking used market, preferably sub $5000 given how much it would be used.


Thanks,

Patrick

It took me a few years, but I like the DRZ400 (KLX400). I went through several bikes and I like the DRZ the best. DRZ has great aftermarket support and can be modded for anything. Fairly cheap, reliable and plentiful.
KTM and Husaberg and GG have some killer DS rides, but $$$.

IMO my WR250R is the best of the jap dual sport bikes. It has the HUGE advantage of a well spaced 6 speed that allows 70MPH on the highway and crawling speeds in the rough and after tuning the suspension is excellent!

It is very slightly less powerful than the DRZ 400 but I have never had trouble keeping up with them and the lighter weight is a plus to an OFG and makes it quicker in the woods. They are reliable as a stone and very low maintenance (except for those annoying valve adjustments you have to do every 26K miles ).

I haven't gotten around to fixing up my stolen and then recovered WR250R yet and will probably put it up for sale after I do - BUT in some ways I like it better than my KTM525 - because it is kind of fun to run a less powerful bike wide open all the time than to try to keep from killing myself by twisting the throttle too much on the monster 525

Those two are what I suspected would show up as suggestions. My dad is leaving his DRZ400 at my house for the summer, so I should get some good experience on it. What experience I already have on it has shown it to be a lot heavier and underpowered compared to my WR, but it definitely succeeds on the "proper electrical system" front.

The WR250R also comes across as a good contender, especially since wassisname has put some godawful amount of miles on his riding around Alaska. Didn't he also ride it cross country and/or TO Alaska?


~Patrick

phoo wrote:Those two are what I suspected would show up as suggestions. My dad is leaving his DRZ400 at my house for the summer, so I should get some good experience on it. What experience I already have on it has shown it to be a lot heavier and underpowered compared to my WR, but it definitely succeeds on the "proper electrical system" front.

The WR250R also comes across as a good contender, especially since wassisname has put some godawful amount of miles on his riding around Alaska. Didn't he also ride it cross country and/or TO Alaska?


~Patrick

wassisname = skierd - And he is still riding that bike today!!!

Yes, I believe I was referring to skierd.

And this thing is in craigslist, but seems to be listed at almost twice the proper price, figuring in the upgrades --

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/4517104853.html

Aside from the ludicrous price, I think that's exactly what I'm looking for, given that for "real" woods riding I would ride my KTM and that thing would be used for street hooliganisms plus diving into the woods for superstupidity.


Thanks,

~Patrick

Oh, but I am thinking something that could be used for portions of the TAT/TWVT/TSET/Trans<geographic area> Trail. So quiet and reliable are key, with considerations for carrying capacity and offroad capability.


Thanks,

~Patrick

DRZs are good bikes from what I've seen but IMO the WR250R meats or beats them in every way except low end torque in that they are lighter, have a MUCH better gear range and every thing else is at least equal or a little better.

I might come off my 06 450 exc. 104hrs