I am looking for a dual sport bike too. I have my eye on a Yamaha XT 250. This would be my first bike and I already have my motorcycle license. Does this seem like a good beginners bike? I would use it mainly to hop to work which is 7 miles one way, and I would also like to take it on some trails. Does anyone have an opinion about this? Also looking to stay under $4500. Thanks.

 

The XT is a fine bike. $4500 buys a lot of used bike, heck a NEW KLR650 is $5300. You might want to look at the KLX250, Suzuki DRZ400s.
The XT will actually serve well as a "learning" bike, but expect to outgrow it (as a rider) pretty quick.

 

I bought a used Suzuki DR-Z400S with 531 miles last week for $3600. Plan on riding to work and back. At roughly 50 mpg that bike will pay for itself in less than 2 years!

 

Wow that is a really nice bike! What year is it? That would be perfect for me. I found a 2000 Suzuki DRZ 400 for $2160. Not sure how many miles it has, and it is not the cleanest bike around but it is cheap. I think I will purchase used and save some money. Now I just have to find the one for me.

 

It's a 2006 S model completely stock except for the Dunlop D606 tires.

 

Cool, seems like you got a really good deal. I can't seem to find anything like that for under $4800. Just gotta keep looking.

 

I wish this thread would die. I keep thinking about my old DR350 and drooling over the new 400. My folks would if I ever got on a motorcycle again.

 

I hear ya. I looked for a while before I found this one. Comparable bikes were going for $4000-$5000 all day long.

 

My wife rides an 06 DRZ400S. With a few mods they are a great bike. I have never seen a bike wake up as much with a performance pipe and re-jet as the DRZ. I put a Muzzy full system on her's.

Here is a pic from our Honeymoon last year and one of the KTM with the Supermoto wheels on.

 

Very nice. I eyed a KTM for a bit but it was just too expensive!

 

PT - How do those Dunlop tires ride on road? Would those tires work out for daily driving or would more of a street tire work better?

 

They're working just fine so far. Haven't been on wet pavement with them yet, but in the dry they seem to do okay. A street tire would be much better on road, but when you hit the trails they pretty much suck.

 

Yeah that is what I thought. I guess when I finally do buy one I will just have to see what works better for the type of riding that I would do.

 

Well I got my KLR a month or so back. Did a bunch of minor mechanical stuuf and a quick facelift. Building it up over the winter to start travelling next spring.

Before;

After;

New fairing, heat gunned the plastic, 3M reflective maple leaf from a sign shop.

For such a top heavy, poorly suspended, marginally powered machine I can't believe the smiles per mile for a bike worth barely 1/3 of my KTM!

 

Here's a current pic of mine. Benn riding to work everyday and saving a bundle of cash of fuel.