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Login to post Forums » Sprockets » Looking at getting into an enduro/dirtbike...for city riding

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Nov. 13, 2011 7:24 p.m. SlickDizzy SuperDork

So looking at the vintage supermotard thread lower down the page I started foaming at the mouth. I also realized that I've never had an off-road bike (other than a Kawasaki KM100 for a really brief period of time). I've done the vintage standard/cafe thing with some old Hondas, had a Hawk GT, ZX750, yadda yadda yadda...

Most of my riding is done within a ~15 mile radius, and I have never once had a reason to take a bike on the freeway. So I think a dirt bike or enduro converted to a supermoto/street tracker kinda deal would be ideal. Something that is gravel capable would be awesome, as I happen to live two blocks away from the start of the decommissioned railroad tracks that happen to run the 5 miles direct to my workshop. Milwaukee is a lawless hellhole so I'm not too worried about the legality of such a ride, TBH.

With winter approaching now is definitely time to buy it seems. Any advice on bike size, 2-stroke vs 4-stroke, and brand? There is a real cheap Suzuki RM250 near me, but there's also a KLR650 with some mild issues available. My buddy has a big ass KTM of some kind that is collecting dust in his garage that I could probably get for a song. There's also a cheap Yamaha XT200 in the neighborhood, and the typical gaggle of 70's Honda XL's out there...all the previously listed bikes are below $1000 with many below $500 and a few in the $200 range. Of course I missed out on the $300 Cagiva Elefant like a dumbass but what can ya do.

Basically, I want something like this by the time spring rolls around.
Nov. 13, 2011 7:35 p.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

The KLR will be much better in my opinion (lights, aftermarket, etc) than the RM (Moto only, not light circuits). check out ADVRider for dual sport info.

I would also look for electric start over pure kick start for commuting purposes.

Also, stick with Honda/Yam/Suzuki if you want easy parts access. 175cc and 250cc 70's bikes are cheap and easy.
Nov. 13, 2011 7:36 p.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

I am slowly working on a '70s Yamaha CT3. I vote Yamaha or a Hondaka Combat Wombat.
Nov. 13, 2011 10:14 p.m. 4eyes HalfDork

2T or 4T? Whichever makes your heart thump.

I would stick to the Japanese brands, and stick with dual sport nobbies. They are better on pavement than you would think. And there is a lot of not-pavement in the world.
Nov. 13, 2011 10:46 p.m. EvanB SuperDork

This is what you need
Nov. 14, 2011 5:57 a.m. ddavidv SuperDork

Four stroke for sure. Nobody makes 2 stroke dual sports these days (or at least, none that sell in any quantity).

The KLR is going to be a big bike, not the flickable little thing that it sounds like you're looking for. Love my KLR, but I bought it for longer distances. If I'm just commuting and don't need to drone along at 70, I'd get something far smaller.

The TW200 seems to be an excellent bike for what you describe. The Honda XL's are more off-road oriented. The KTM will be expensive to fix and is probably more like the XL. A lot of the bikes you mention are pure dirt bikes that aren't/can't be plated, which really limits their usefulness. Kawi makes a KLR250 that is like a tiny KLR; I've seen these for sale pretty cheap.
Nov. 14, 2011 6:48 a.m. PHeller Dork

XT500 =. SR500 = One of the most popular cafe racers out there.

Lots of parts available, most of them are very cool.

I dig KLR and all those proper dual sport adventure bikes, but they've got no soul.
Nov. 14, 2011 11:00 a.m. RealMiniDriver Dork

Dammit, Slick. Now you've got me thinking about picking up a beater-bike for the winter.
Nov. 14, 2011 12:36 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

The RM250 is a motocross bike, no street legal options there. From the choices given and for your purposes, the XT200 sounds good to me.
Nov. 14, 2011 1:09 p.m. Xceler8x SuperDork

Keep in mind that an XT200 will max out at about 65mph. If you're thinking of any interstate riding that bike will be hard pressed to keep up with traffic.

Let me preface my statements with the fact that I'm a big puss when it comes to riding in cold weather. I've done it in the city with full gear on an unfaired bike. It was...tolerable.

My suggestions for a dirt cheap, and useful, winter beater bike would be something with a fairing and the ability to power heated gear. I would want it to be cheap and light weight.

A GL500 Silverwing would be perfect. ..but damned ugly. If you're a function over form person this bike would do you. That motor runs forever.

Then again, just about any modern(ish) UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) would do from a CB650 to a Nighthawk 750 from the late 80's to early 90's. The 650 will be lighter while the Nighthawk would be good at just about anything.

Also, with electric gear, you can power it directly from battery terminals if necessary. Just make sure you're alternator is up to the task. Fairing is optional but your hands will appreciate it. If necessary you could go with bark busters.

These might save you from having to buy heavy insulated or electric gloves.
Nov. 14, 2011 3:20 p.m. ddavidv SuperDork

PHeller wrote:

I dig KLR and all those proper dual sport adventure bikes, but they've got no soul.

Maybe not soul, but they've got character. At least KLR's do. It's the motorcycle equivalent of, say, a AWD Astro van: it's not cool, it's purely functional, and part of the joy of ownership is you pretty much ignore it but treat it just nice enough to keep it running. It's the kind of bike that when it falls over, you just sort of laugh, pick it up, and continue on.
Nov. 14, 2011 3:43 p.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

I picked up my CT3 for $100. You can pick up running ones for very little all over the place and they are great bikes. And 2 stroke> 4 stroke.
Nov. 14, 2011 4:12 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

Xceler8x wrote: Keep in mind that an XT200 will max out at about 65mph. If you're thinking of any interstate riding that bike will be hard pressed to keep up with traffic.

But

SlickDizzy wrote: Most of my riding is done within a ~15 mile radius, and I have never once had a reason to take a bike on the freeway.
Nov. 14, 2011 4:41 p.m. SlickDizzy SuperDork

I should also add that I do not intend to ride during the winter other than possibly experimenting with it once or twice, just to see if I can. I just want something to BUILD over the winter.

Unless RealMiniDriver wants to start a winter riding club, then all bets are off...
Nov. 14, 2011 4:58 p.m. The_Jed Reader

Two words...

Super Sherpa!
Nov. 14, 2011 7:47 p.m. Xceler8x SuperDork

stuart in mn wrote:

Xceler8x wrote: Keep in mind that an XT200 will max out at about 65mph. If you're thinking of any interstate riding that bike will be hard pressed to keep up with traffic.

But

SlickDizzy wrote: Most of my riding is done within a ~15 mile radius, and I have never once had a reason to take a bike on the freeway.

Damn it. How'd I miss that? Scored an "F" on reading comp today.

If no interstate riding is required then electric gear isn't needed. My winter commute was all city riding, read sub 40 mph, and I could ride in insulated gear all winter in VA. Just felt like I was the Michelin Man..

In which case any small capacity bike will do. I rode a friend's TW200 around the pits at a Lemons race and it felt great. Lightweight, easy to hoss around, plenty of squirt up to 60 mph.

Why not get this:

and make this:

That would be a gorgeous, and fun, city bike.
Nov. 14, 2011 7:57 p.m. Xceler8x SuperDork

Checked out the CL in your area. I like these:

1996 Kawasaki KLR 650 Low Miles Runs Great! - $875 (Waukesha) - They mention a small crack in the crankcase. I'd check that closely. I have heard of aluminum cases being temp repaired with JB Weld. Others more wise can advise on that.

74 Honda XL250 Classic Enduro Dual Sport - $650 (wi) - I really like the look of this one. I've always been a fan of older enduro's. I mean look at it!
Nov. 14, 2011 8:18 p.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork

That '74 is the last iteration of the XL250 Motosport - first production enduro with a 4V head (at least for Honda). If you're looking at it, have a very good look at the kick start - the ratchet mechanism seems to wear on these and the kick start tends to just "fall through" when that happens. Not sure the parts are still available.
Nov. 14, 2011 9:16 p.m. Curmudgeon SuperDork

Damn, that XL would look good under my fat carcass. I wanted one of the 'silver tank' bikes SO bad when they came out in 1972, wasn't gonna happen on a paperboy's money.

It was so cool for the time: four valve head, upswept exhaust, conical disc brakes, the front fender was all plastic and the rear was plastic over a metal brace, it was designed so the lights and battery could be quickly removed (older Honda SL's had battery ignitions), yada yada.
Nov. 15, 2011 6:24 a.m. problemaddict Reader

I've been commuting on a street-legalized 03 Yamaha TTR-250 for a little over a year now. Its pretty perfect for this job. Especially with a milk crate strapped to the back. Its been dead-nuts reliable. You won't find one for less than a grand tho...

I've only been off road w/ it twice, but its been plenty capable as far as I can tell. Also a good bit of fun in the twisties. THe dual sport tires are suprisingly capable on tarmac, but the bike doesn't feel quite as light-n-flickable as I'd hoped. Still plenty of fun.
Nov. 15, 2011 7:57 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

SlickDizzy,

Go out and sit on a few. That alone will tell you a lot. Then go take the ones you're interested in out for a ride. That will tell you a lot more.

2-stroke vs 4-stroke. 2-stroke is a better wheelie popper, that's for sure. Usually quite a bit easier to kick start than a 4-stroke of the same size. If you're premixing and you travel, you've got to carry a few cans of oil. 4-stroke is a more relaxed, truck like, personality.

A 250 cc engine will zip you along up to about 60-70 mph generically. You'll be buzzing a frantic note doing that, and hills will frequently slow you down to wide open throttle with pickup trucks right on your rear end. But, little bikes are a lot more tossable than their big brethren are. That can be a whole lot of fun. And if you go out offroading, it's a lot easier to pull a little bike out of a dingle than it is a big heavy bike.

Water cool vs air cooling. Water is more efficient, and you can build a stronger tighter engine. They are heavier and the radiator plugs nicely with mud, and leaks when sticks get poked into it. For that reason, I prefer air cooling for offroad.

Myself, I picked up an old Honda XL500, and couldn't be happier. Well, I sorta could, particularly when I found out it's a 6 volt bike. The bike fits like a much smaller machine, has plenty of power to run down the highways, and is a Honda, so it's dead nuts reliable. I'm quite happy with it, so far.
Nov. 15, 2011 8:02 a.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

I personally really want a Yamaha IT400 at some point down the road. Lots of good ole two stroke power.
Nov. 15, 2011 8:30 a.m. Curmudgeon SuperDork

Fox, I gotta disagree with you about 4 stroke vs 2 stroke. At least the new gen 4 strokes like the YZ450. Those things are at least as fast as the ringdings.

The old school thumpers like the Honda XR's have much smoother power than the 2 smokers which is a real benefit in snotty off road situations.

93EX, before you plunk down any $ you need to ride one of those IT's. The piston port two stroke that does not have power valve exhaust (basically variable port timing) is an acquired taste. Not to mention the forks are at best willowy.
Nov. 15, 2011 8:45 a.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

Curmudgeon wrote:

93EX, before you plunk down any $ you need to ride one of those IT's. The piston port two stroke that does not have power valve exhaust (basically variable port timing) is an acquired taste. Not to mention the forks are at best willowy.

My CT3 is a piston port.
Nov. 15, 2011 9:30 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

If it read like I was saying 2-strokes are better, that wasn't my intent. Just a sort of generic 2 vs 4 stroke personality difference. I too generally prefer the personality of the 4-strokers to the 2. That and I don't like the noise and smoke of the 2 strokers.

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