dirtbike/dual sport advice!

[Jc12]

Hey guys, sorry to post off topic but i like the viewership of the main 3rd gen forum I have been looking at getting a dual sport bike and have only roughly a 1000 budget for the bike. Keep in mind these are canadian prices but what are your opinions.. i know one is chinese and people have their opinions but i have also heard several good reviews. It will be used mostly for short city trips then logging roads and light trail use when not on the road. Thanks!

1991 Honda XR250L

2006 250 enduro

 

[nevada]

i would avoid chinese stuff...
and, yikes, those are decent prices there?

i recently got a 2004 ktm450 for $2200...


and, im not exactly sure what question you're asking?
that honda will probably do what you're asking, but if it were me, id be looking for something a bit newer.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

i would take a 20 yr old japanese bike over new chinese one any day! i ride a drz400, converted to SM but the thing is bullet proof. ive seen them go for around 2000 too and you get MUCH more capability with the 400. you may want to save up a little and look for bigger bikes, i think you would be sick of a 250 dual sport in no time (gut-LESS), granted, whats available in your area will come into play also.

 

[Jc12]

Ya sorry I wa a little vague haha. Just wanted to hear some opinions. I just of course love the price range of the Chinese stuff and how it's newer but you get what you pay for. The 1991 Honda is actually a really good deal since it has registration papers but it does need some work to be legal obviously. I was looking at a 250 since I'll also be learning on it do my plan would be to use it for a year and upgrade to a newer/bigger bike. That's also why I considered the Chinese models.

 

[nevada]

Ya sorry I wa a little vague haha. Just wanted to hear some opinions. I just of course love the price range of the Chinese stuff and how it's newer but you get what you pay for. The 1991 Honda is actually a really good deal since it has registration papers but it does need some work to be legal obviously. I was looking at a 250 since I'll also be learning on it do my plan would be to use it for a year and upgrade to a newer/bigger bike. That's also why I considered the Chinese models.

i think then, the chinese bike might be an OK choice.


also, a 250 to start on is a GREAT idea. dont let anyone talk you out of it.
its smart, and the safe thing to do.
and, like you said, you can ride it for a year or so, and then sell it and upgrade.

 

[dirtbike250x]

I would say the Honda over the other bike. For one, replacement parts for the honda will be much more easy to find and always available, no matter how old, and the reliablity is there. Having a 250 for city riding is ideal. I've riden the wr250 dual sport and it has plenty to have fun and the handling is much better than a big bike. I say it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow. Having a city speed limit there really is no need for anything more. 250's are great to learn and plenty of fun to ride forever.

 

[Jc12]

Ya I was thinking Honda For the reliability but I did find this add while on google for the same bike. Lists a few more details than the Craigslist ad did. I would need to get it for under 1000 as i need to buy gear as well and I'm confident I can get the Chinese one for under 900. It only has 1000 km on it and as they some how do, will sell very soon..

 

[ndcent]

The Suzuki DR350 was considered THE dual sport for many years. I bet you could find one for cheap and fill that leaning gap an have a little more power.

That said I've ridden dual sport for almost 20 years and my current choice is a CRF250X. Nice and light and for the woods, it doesn't see any real street. I've had an XR400 and a couple XR250's over the years. Nothing better than electric start when you're upside down in a ravine!

If the dual of dual sport for you is 60% street I would not look at a 250cc.

 

[BucknutBob]

I wouldn't touch a Chinese bike--they have NO track record to point to, while the Japanese brands have decades of experience and tremendous reputations for rooting out any problems as soon as possible. For the record, the Honda XL was the street-legal variant, while the XR was the off-road enduro racer. I agree with ndcent on the size--a 350 is a great compromise between highway power and offroad maneuverability, and Suzuki and Yamaha had very good ones (I can't remember if Honda made a 350 or not). Best of luck in your search!