First bike (dual sport): Sprockets forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Nov. 17, 2009 5:48 p.m. Apexcarver UltraDork

I am looking to get a first motorcycle and want to get some input, I think I have an idea, but want to make sure and get some input.

I guess I should start by saying that I want a dual sport-street legal dirt bike, not a cruiser or a sport bike.

I live in the mountains and one of my concerns is that I want to be able to cruise along (even up hills) at 60mph (up to 75 would be nice)(I have mopeds and am tired of pissed off people running me off the road for going too slow). I know that I should probably get a 4-stroke because of the peakiness of a 2 stroker. With the hills I am thinking that I probably want something about 400cc in displacement.

I was looking at buying a friends 2000 honda XR400R for $1600, but he is now hemming and trying to figure out if he really wants to sell it.

My sister in laws father is big in enduro racing and I had her ask his advice for me and he seems to think that I should buy a Roketa 250cc bike new instead. I am VERY leery of this as its a Chinese bike. (dont like my $$ going to china, quality concerns, and parts availability) I am thinking that I am FAR better off getting a used Honda/Suzuki/Kawasaki/etc then touching a Chinese bike with a 10 foot pole. That said, he has been deep into the scene for years and I am just looking at first brush..

Are Chinese bikes as bad as I am thinking (and internet searching on forums seems to back up?)

Is 400cc too much to start out on and will a 250cc bike be able to go up the hills around here (western MD) at 60mph? I would like to do a bit of distance adventure type riding at some point and get the feeling that a 250 just wont cut it.

What would you guys call a good starter bike in this category with a bike buy in price of about $2000?
Nov. 17, 2009 6:01 p.m. suprf1y Reader

The Chinese bikes are getting better all the time. The Roketa is an OK bike, but not in the same league as an XR400, more like a DR200. Any of the 200+cc enduro bikes should be fine on the hills. The bigger the bike, the more comfortable it will be on a long trip, but the XR is not a great road bike. The DRZ 400 is probably the most popular, and some say best all around combination of street and dirt. Because they are so good, there are many on the road, they can be had very reasonably. How big are you? The WR250 is a great bike, but out of your price range. the KLX250s is not quite the bike the WR is, but much less expensive, and very capable. These are fairly big bikes. I can't even touch the ground on a DRZ400, but ride a KLX250. XT225, DR200, TW200 and some of the better Chinese are entry level enduros. KLX250, WR250, etc. are quite a step up. Something like an older DR350 would probably be a good choice, and a DRZ400 would probably do everything you need, but be a lot of bike offroad. Now is an excellent time to buy as prices are way down.
Nov. 17, 2009 7:09 p.m. Apexcarver UltraDork

I am 6'2" 150lbs

As far as the roketa, I have a feeler out on if the closest dealer I can find can get in one that I am interested in (400cc) http://www.roketa.com/product/2628/0/45981.shtml and hopefully get more info on the 250cc possibility. (however the craptastic Roketa web site says the top speed on 250cc is 59mph)

Which way would you go, new Chinese or used Japanese?

I am thinking that 75% or so of my riding is going to be street (especially to start) and I may get more into dirt later.
Nov. 18, 2009 1:32 a.m. BoxheadTim Reader

At this point in time I'd take a used, well-maintained (very important on a dirt bike) Japanese bike over a new Chinese one. They are a known quantity, spares are easy to find and there is enough knowledge out there so you can have a choice between maintaining it yourself and having someone look after it.
Nov. 18, 2009 7:19 a.m. suprf1y Reader

That's good advice.
Nov. 18, 2009 4:42 p.m. TucoRamirez New Reader

I've been street riding 10yrs or so but I'm also looking for an entry level dual sport. My old lady picked up a Yamaha xt225 with low miles for little money. She ran an enduro recently and said she had no probs getting over stuff that caused probs for folks on newer bike. I like it, but I gotta try something else. My bathroom literature is CW's 1992 buyer's guide. It still has little debbie nutty bar crumbs in it. They taste the same. I probably shouldn't eat brown things I find while sitting on the can. The DR350s was highly reccomended and I've got my eye out for one. Local DR400s are overpriced. I'm hoping for more offroad than street riding. For more street riding, the 650cc dual sports, especially the KLR650 seem to be cheap and very well supported.
Nov. 18, 2009 5:23 p.m. alex Dork

Go used Japanese, mainly for the reasons Tim mentioned. Buy as well-maintained and recent as you can afford, keep the maintenance up, and it'll last just about forever. (Old Honda singles seem to make their own oil. I can't explain it.) Anything halfway-modern from the Big Four will be a super tough bike.
Nov. 18, 2009 6:16 p.m. Apexcarver UltraDork

Ok, Chinese is definitely off the list. Talking to the closest dealer today (all the way over in York PA) reading between the lines I basically got the message that I wouldnt have much luck getting parts for it. (and they can only get me a 200cc)

New question, is a 400-650 too much bike for a first timer? (I am thinking that the 45min ride at 65mph or so up and down hills will be stringing a poor 250 out too much) (my riding experience amounts to years spent on mopeds, take it for what you will, dont think it counts too much)
Nov. 18, 2009 6:44 p.m. Bumboclot New Reader

OT, but I'm liking this.
http://www.roketa.com/product/2628/0/48426.shtml
Nov. 18, 2009 6:47 p.m. Apexcarver UltraDork

It seems that half or more of what is on Roketa's website is baloney, dealers cant get them.
Nov. 18, 2009 6:54 p.m. alex Dork

A 400-650 dual sport wouldn't be too much, provided you're comfortable with a good amount of weight up high. (At your height, you shouldn't have too much trouble.) The motors are torquey, and not known for a lot of high end power. Pretty tractable.
Nov. 18, 2009 6:55 p.m. Osterkraut Dork

You'll be fine starting out on a 400cc bike. I'd suggest the DRZ400. Common and decent!