My ideal, do-it-all motorcycle...

[DAL357]

doesn't exist, at least not to my knowledge. My IDIAM would be equally capable of off-road (decently maintained dirt roads) work and paved streets (short-to-medium length highway jaunts, I hate riding in the city); about 350-400cc; fuel injected (no more carb bikes for me); and no more than a 30" seat height. Know of anything that fits this criteria?

Of course, at this time it's a moot point due to some financial constraints (relatively recent divorce and numerous unexpected [ain't that life?] vehicle repairs), I can't afford a momocycle now anyway, but in 2-3 years...

I know, just like the ever-elusive one gun for all things, what I'm looking for likely either isn't made anymore (the old Honda XL-350, although not FI'd, is pretty close to what I'm talking about), or just plain isn't available.

If only I was in charge of product development for a motorcycle company...they'd probably be bankrupt inside of two years!

[fullmann]

Less the fuel injection part... Sounds like you want a drz400.

bulletproof reliability, easy to work on, loads of aftermarket support, relatively inexpensive.

Slap a sumo setup on it to make it more street, but with the right tires it'll do great with factory wheels.

[ruthabagah]

Get a vstrom. Pretty good on road, can be made quite capable on trail. I rode mine for 30k miles in 2 years, without any problem, riding some nasty mountain pass, before i crashed and couldn't ride anymore. After the crash, the bike was fine, I wasn't.

[DAL357]

The DRZ400, aside from the mentioned FI deficiency, looks darn near ideal EXCEPT for that insane seat height of almost 37"! Not everyone is 5'10"+. I think that is about what KLR is and I KNOW that bike doesn't even come close to fitting me as I've sat on it. Sure, it wouldn't be bad while riding, but rolling in to a stop would get tiresome; it reminds me of the old joke aboit the Oh-No bird: that's a bird with legs two inches long and balls four inches long that mutters to itself every time it comes in for a landing "Oh, no! Oh, no!"

The V-Strom IS a good all-around bike, I'd just like to have a bit less displacement (imagine that, an American that actually wants less of something!). No doubt I could drop the 32.9" seat height an inch or so to make it nearly perfect.

Yeah, I know, I'm just too picky but, hey, it's my fantasy.

[ColoWyo]

I would say the KTM 450EXC is close. Except for the 30" part.

[gos]

The new Honda CB500X should be close, but maybe a bit tall. Perhaps you can dogbone the suspension a bit, though it should sag quite a bit when riding normally.

[Wulf202]

Offroad means ground clearance. Which translates to seat height. If you motard the drz you are at the same seat height as the vstrom a slight lowering and youre good.

You can look at the 250 ninja geared with tires.

Id never take a less than 600cc bike on the highway.

[gos]

Maybe an old BMW R800R with the adjustable seat might work too, though they're quite heavy.

[colorider]

I have a 650 vstrom. It's a ton of fun on the road and very fun on dirt. I have done some gnarly riding at rampart with it even ! The bike is as capable as the rider. My buddy flogs his like its a damn dirt bike on some dirt roads. it's not really a major off-road bike by design, but it gets the job done if you push it. Did 1300 miles of street and dirt in 4 days last year. Was pretty comfy.

[wctriumph]

Screw it! Buy a good used dual sport and a good used street bike. Nothing wrong with two or more bikes in the garage.

You know what they say about a man and his motorcycle ... You only need one ...













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