riding the dirt roads and trails

[RandyR]

The thread about a member (Charlie) buying a KLR650 got me thinking about riding the dirt roads. I live on the edge of the Chattahoochie National Forest, so besides having lots of twisty 2 lane roads around here, there are even more narrow dirt roads and trails thru the forest. Maybe the 90 degree heat got me thinking about how much cooler the woods are than the asphalt?

 

I almost bought a KLR650 this past week too. But I held back while I looked around and have almost decided that I want something in the 200-250cc class. I don't need a machine capable of sustained highway speeds, the dirt roads start 2 miles from my driveway.

 

The smallest displacement machine I looked at is the one I'm actually leaning towards, a Yamaha TW200. It has a low-low gearing and a big fat rear tire that shouldn't get stuck anywhere. On the down side it has a top speed of 65mph and only 16 horsepower.

 

 

Does anyone here ride something like this also? Other options are the 225/230/250cc machines from Honda/Kawasaka/Yamaha.

 

http://randyrick.us/motorcycles/TW200.jpg

[RedRider]

The TW200 is a very fun bike. It will go thru anything and is easy to ride in gnarley stuff. Being street legal is a bonus too. If you can get a good deal, you won't be disappointed with this choice.

 

RR

[Yammer Dan]

Buy a chain with it!! I had a TW 200 swiped out from under my back deck last year. They are easy to carry off!! My fault I left it unchained with a bunch of Meth-Head neighbors. Most of them are gone and I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT!!! Black spots are almost grown over!!!:confused24:

 

They are a lot of fun,

[V7Goose]

I just ride the dirt roads with QuickSilver - does the job just fine.

 

 

 

But it IS a PIA to wash after!

Goose

[GaThumper]

The TW200 is a cool bike, but it is pretty heavy for it's power and the big tires have some advantages and some disadvantages. It's probably a cool bike to put around the forest service roads on. A lot of people LOVE them!

 

However, a friend recently had one and he was really disappointed in it on the street. And you can't help but end up on the street a lot when dual sporting. He sold it and bought a Kawasaki Super Sherpa from me and he loves the Sherpa. For riders under 200# the Sherpa is one of the best dual sports out there. It's an electric start 250cc air cooled bike with a six speed transmission and dual disc brakes. It has a bit of grunt as well as more power when you wind it up (as opposed to the water cooled KLR 250, you have to keep it revved up to make power).

 

They were not available in the US from 2003-2008, but came back out this year. Not much difference in them. Here's a 2001.

 

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2002models/2002-Kawasaki-KL250SuperSherpaa.jpg

 

and here's a 2009...

 

http://www.bertsmegamall.com/motorcycles/kawasaki/2009/09_SuperSherpa_lrg.jpg

 

My favorite dirt oriented dual sport right now is my DR350SE. '98 and '99 have the best suspension and the last year it was made was '99.

 

http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/suzuki-history/1999/1999_DR350SE_white_640.jpg

 

If I was going to replace the DR350 tomorrow, I would look hard at a 2009 DRZ400. Slightly heavier, only a 5-speed transmission, water cooled (I don't like having the radiator to possibly damage in a fall) but I do like the white color available for the first time since the '99 DR350.

 

(I would also seriously consider the 2009 DR650, since it's not a lot heavier than the DRZ400 and it's air cooled and has screw type valves. See it farther down.)

 

http://motoaus.com/images/stories/suzuki2009/white-drz400s-2009.jpg

 

It all depends on two things.

 

What kind of riding you want to slant the bike for, since all dual sports are a compromise bike, do you want more serious off roab ability or better street ability?

 

And the rider, are you really young and strong? I've seen strong young men toss the 400# KLR650s around and I've seen lesser (or older) men struggle with the 250s.

 

If you want to cruise the forest service roads and some mile off road and get there and back in comfort on the pavement, a 650 is the way to go. If you want to get deep in the hills and mud and creek crossing, then I would definately consider a lighter bike.

 

One other big issue for some is the seat height. Depends on your inseam. If you are under 30" inseam, some of these bikes will be really tall. The Sherpa, XT225/250, DR250, and DR650 are a little shorter. The KTM, Husky, KLX, WR, and KLR are taller, but the KLR can easily be lowered.

 

If you want a 250# full on dirt bike that is also street legal, then KTM or Husky is the bike for you. The seat won't be comfortable and you will be doing a lot of maintenance.

 

KTM 530

 

http://ktm530.wr450.com/2008KTM530exc.jpg

 

Husqvarna TE510

 

http://www.motorbikestoday.com/news/Images/husky_te510c_lge.jpg

 

If you want a really good 300# dual sport that doesn't require a lot of maintenance look at the Kawasaki Sherpa 250, Yamaha XT225 (and newer XT250), Yamaha WR250x, and Kawasaki KLX250. (The DRZ400 weighs a bit over 300#)

 

Kawasaki KLX250

 

http://www.backroadstouring.org/kansas/assets/KLX250S_07_R.jpg

 

Yamaha WR250R

 

http://dirtbike.off-road.com/dirtbike/data/articlestandard/dirtbike/282008/528392/08_WR250R_RS2_SO_AL.jpg

 

Yamah XT250X

 

http://www.motorcyclists-online.com/moto-essais-articles/images/illus/2008YamahaXT250_USA_02.jpg

 

 

And the heavy weights, The 350# DR650, and the 400# KLR650 (pre 2008)

 

http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/powersportsdlr/images/NewVehicles/2009_4_DS_DR650SE_wht.jpg

 

http://www.edgeperformance.ca/kawasakioffroad-2007/images/kawasaki-KLR650_a_jpg.jpg

 

The 2008 and 2009 KLR are around 450# and have a lot more expensive plastic to damage in the dirt, but I do still see them on all the big dual sport rides and rallys.

 

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/images/2009/klx650.jpg

 

And you can get even bigger with the BMW 1150/1200 GS and the KTM 950, but that's just too much bike for me in the woods.

 

Let me know if you have any questions. It's just my opinion, but I've LOVE dual sport riding and have owned 5-6 bikes in the past 3 years trying to find the right one for me. I'll be glad to help.

 

James

Edited July 20, 2009 by GaThumper

[RandyR]

James,

 

Thanks for the lengthy reply and good information for me to consider.

 

I'm leaning towards a bike to ride in the woods, as opposed to riding great distances on the highway. I have read a couple stories of guys doing multi-thousand mile trips on their TW200's, but I doubt I'll get more than 100 miles from home on it. Probably not true dual-sporting.

 

I like the reliability of the Hondas, but their price seems a bit much. Guess one gets what they pay for?

 

I did briefly look at the Kawasaki Sherpa, and saw a couple references to them on other forums as being a very good value. I have a lead on a new-oldstock 2007 XT225 Yama that I'm thinking about. I'll take another look at the Sherpa 250 before I decide.

 

I don't think I want more than a 250cc. Light weight is good, but riding comfort is a consideration. Riding the Forest Service roads is mostly what I envision, with maybe a little trail riding to get to some secluded trout fishing spots.

 

oh yes. I'm a 30inch inseam'r, and I'd prefer to be able to get both my feet on the ground if I have to.

[GaThumper]

The XT225 is a great small dual sport. It had the six speed like the Sherpa and is a simple air cooled bullet proof design like the Sherpa and Suzuki DR350/650. Personally I prefer the air cooled singles, less to go wrong.

 

You can't go wrong with either the XT225 or the Sherpa. You may also be really happy with the TW200, but it could go either way. It's a really unique design, and you will probably either love it or hate it.

 

I have seen the guys who take them on long trips, but they are in the minority. I've only seen one TW on one of my dual sport rides, and he did fine. (He did say he was looking for a Super Sherpa though!)

 

I've not been around the XT225, but I've ridden a LOT of miles with the Super Sherpas and they will go anywhere and do anything. They are small and light enough to take on the most severe off road sections, and then hit the twisties and just rail.

 

The XT has a drum rear brake, Sherpa has a disc. XT is SOHC and Sherpa is DOHC. The seat on the Sherpa is really comfortable, I have not sat on an XT. All in all I think you would be happy with either one!

 

James

[RandyR]

I bought a Suzuki DR200 today. A very clean 2006 with 1900 miles on it. A local fellow had it on the Atlanta Craig's List. And he gave me a good price on it after I took it for a short spin. Not a lot of power, but ok for putting around in the local woods I expect.

 

I'll go back for it with my trailer in the morning.

 

http://randyrick.us/motorcycles/Suzuki/SuzukiDR200.jpg

[GaThumper]

I saw that one last night on CL myself. I'm always searching for DR350s for my friends!

 

The DR200 should be a fun little bike. It's a bit lighter than the 250s so it should be really nice to play in the woods. And I'm sure it will be fine to run 45-55 on the surface streets between the trails. I haven't sat on one myself, so don't know much more about them. I have seen some good reviews from owners.

 

You are going to have a blast on the FS roads over there. Maybe I can get over there to play with you sometime. I wish I lived as close as you do! I'm going one day this week to scout the DS ride for the Georgia CMA rally that I'm leading, but it will leave out of Toccoa and run up around Clayton, the opposite direction from you.

 

Have Fun!

James

 

P.S. I'll bet the DR is jetted way too lean, like most of the new dual sports and can benefit from adjusting the air/fuel screw and/or changing the jets. I'll see what I can dig up for you.

 

DR200 Thread on AdvRider [ame=http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229927]the DR200 thread - ADVrider[/ame]

Edited July 21, 2009 by GaThumper