[BFix] Totally OT: I wanna buy a Motorcycle

[Tom Lang]

Ok Joe, this is a world I've living in for a while, so here's my .02. As you 
said the TW would be such a transition ride, you'd be wondering what the 
trade in value was before the first oil change.  The DRZ 400S is a very cool 
ride and would be a great around town hooligan ride but w/o a second set of 
wheels and tires it would be a squirrel off pavement.The standard version 
would be more  versatile with a little less coolness factor. Both of the 
650's you noted would probably be the most practicle and guys ride them from 
Mexico to Alaska, but their dirtability ends not too far off the gravel. The 
KTM is by far the most dirt oriented with enough engine to have fun on the 
street with. I decided that I couldn't do everything with the same bike so 
my Ducati 1000ds Multistrada serves street duty, and my Gas Gas 200EC for 
dirt.Dont believe what Keith says about two strokes being the past and too 
high maintainance. Pleasure riding they by far the cheapest to maintain 
compared to a comparable four stroke. The top end on a late model hi-po can 
set you  back a grand pretty quick. That and you appreciate the light weight 
and easy starting of a race bred two stroke woods bike (Gas Gas, KTM, 
Husquavarna, ) after a couple of hours in the timber. Here is my vote for a 
dual sport. 
http://www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com/_vti_g5_ver.aspx?IdVer=113&rpstry=167 
But like I said the  DR650 or the KLR650 would be the smart mans rides. 
I've never claimed to be the most practicle guy myself though:^)
Tom Lang
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Lougee" <71broncoman at prodigy.net>
Cc: "bfix" <mail at broncofix.com>; "ebml" <ebml at broncofix.com>
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 9:30 PM
Subject: [BFix] Totally OT: I wanna buy a Motorcycle


> OK, totally Off Topic:  I want to buy a motorcycle!
>
> Years ago, and I'm talking 25+, I used to ride and I'm looking to start 
> again.  I started with a Can-Am 125, went to a Yamaha DT400, then a 
> Husqvarna CR250, then finally a WR430.  Obviously, those are all 2 stroke 
> bikes and the times have changed.  How does a 4 stroke DRZ-400 compare to 
> the 2 stroke WR-430?  Do I need the 650 to compare power wise?
>
> I plan to spend a lot of time riding it on the street (so it has to be 
> street legal), yet still go out and play in the woods, most likely not 
> single-track, but forest service trails, wheeling/logging roads, etc...  I 
> kind of liked the Yamaha TW-200, but with a top speed of 60MPH or so, 
> that's not happening (especially as much as I weigh).  My daily commute is 
> about 30 miles each way, ranging up to 65MPH posted speed limit.
>
> I've looked and pretty much decided on a Dual Sport in the 400-650 cc 
> range.  Weighing 250# I can't see me on anything smaller than that and I 
> just really don't need anything bigger than 650ish.
> So far I've been looking at:
>
> 1.  *Yamaha TW200        probably too small.***
> 2.  *Suzuki DR-Z400S      I like it, but the 650............*
> 3.  *Suzuki DR650SE*
> 4.  *Kawasaki KLR650*
> 5.  *KTM 690 Enduro      most likely more than I want to spend.*
>
> Any recommendations and/or personal experiences fellow listers can relate?
> TIA, Joe
>
>
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