Motorcycle ????????

[islandermyk]

ever see the atrocity that Roland Sands (Performance Machine) made out of a Desmosedici?

people could do what ever they want when they got the money...


... but good luck to him trying to sell that piece of shit, lmao!

[J]

I am biased to be sure, but a BMW GS is always a good choice for on/off road.

This would be my best recommendation. The new ones are a bit pricey though.

The Triumph Tiger is another great choice.

[Bailey Guns]

My opinions (I've owned/own both):

The KLR650 is, like most have said, the F150 of the dual sport world. It does everything OK but does nothing great. If the BMW is too tall for you the KLR will NOT work. Big fuel tank means you can ride a LONG way between stops.

BMW F650GS. I have a 2001 now with about 24k on the odo. Much shorter than the KLR, lighter than the KLR, similar performance power-wise but more nimble. Also, you'll get a little more bike for the money. I have one now (I sold the KLR to buy this one) and I like it WAY better than the KLR. I can actually reach the ground. Also, mine gets 75mpg driving from Bailey to work in Denver. It also has anti-lock brakes that you can turn on/off which is great for switching from street to dirt. Good size tank, too....about 5 gallons.

VStrom is probably closer to the KLR in terms of height. Nice bike...just too tall for me.

[xring]

My opinions (I've owned/own both):

The KLR650 is, like most have said, the F150 of the dual sport world. It does everything OK but does nothing great. If the BMW is too tall for you the KLR will NOT work. Big fuel tank means you can ride a LONG way between stops.

BMW F650GS. I have a 2001 now with about 24k on the odo. Much shorter than the KLR, lighter than the KLR, similar performance power-wise but more nimble. Also, you'll get a little more bike for the money. I have one now (I sold the KLR to buy this one) and I like it WAY better than the KLR. I can actually reach the ground. Also, mine gets 75mpg driving from Bailey to work in Denver. It also has anti-lock brakes that you can turn on/off which is great for switching from street to dirt. Good size tank, too....about 5 gallons.

VStrom is probably closer to the KLR in terms of height. Nice bike...just too tall for me.

Hes dead on about the height. The KLR feels like a unicycle.

[JohnTRourke]

This would be my best recommendation. The new ones are a bit pricey though.

The Triumph Tiger is another great choice.

I put 60,000 miles in 3 years on a BMW. It never stranded me. Ever.

My buddy with a triumph got stranded every few months. (electrical, engine, whatever, you name it) in maybe 20,000 miles over 3 years.

i wouldn't buy a triumph with your money.

[centrarchidae]

SV650 nekkid.

It doesn't do anything extremely well, but it does most things as well as (or a little better) than the KLR. Especially on the highway and especially if you're not six-foot-seven.

[hollohas]

Suzuki Vstrom. I have the 650 version and take it everywhere. Fire roads , jeep roads and highway. Love it. Very dependable and they are not expensive.

This. If you don't want to drop the coin on the BMW the Vstrom is a great dual-purpose. The Vstrom is a bit shorter for us folks who arent too tall. The 650 is plenty capable (and a little lighter which is nice off road) but if you will spend most of your time on the street get the 1000.

Bailey, just saw your post. I thought the Vstrom low seat was shorter than the GS short seat. Have they changed it?

[argonstrom]

Dude - you need a 50cc Vespa.

That would be awesome!!!

[BlasterBob]

Ian, since you are a dad with a bunch of youngsters and living on a gravel road, I'd sure recommend you stick with the choice of the Jeep over a two wheeler. Just my worthless opinion!

[xring]

Ian, since you are a dad with a bunch of youngsters and living on a gravel road, I'd sure recommend you stick with the choice of the Jeep over a two wheeler. Just my worthless opinion!

I got rid of my katana 1100 when my friend got macked, A guy fell asleep at the wheel and hit him and his girlfriend head on coming back from thompson canyon on 287, It was a brand new harley his second just picked it up. He broke his back and his girlfriend suffered a head injury. Complete personality loss, she started from scratch. Heres the thing he was always super careful super cautious super competant, where i was running that katana way to fast. He always said "im just in it for the cruise" I just didnt have the heart to ride anymore after i saw how their entire life changed. That was my last bike. Jeeps are nice. So are vw buggys! And a pup fits in a buggy!