choices for off road bike

[galxy5]

I am looking at adding an offroad bike to the stable and since I have not had one in a long time I was wondering what others are riding and why ,,

I am looking at KTM 950 ,, mainly because of durability and there is a local dealer ,,

so what you guys have to say about this???

 

[FJRocket]

I thought about dual sport, not strictly MX. I just like to ride trails and hills and such. No racing, although a hare scramble from the back of the pack sounds good.

I started with looking at the big bikes, then I was talking to a couple guys that rode to Alaska. They said that on the highway, the big DP's were fabulous, but on poor roads and off roads the bikes were WORK. Then when you fall down go boom, you'd better have an able bodied buddy to help you get it off you.

So then I went down to 650cc and below. Then I thought, heck, I haven't ridden off road for 25 years, so I'd better start easy.

I went from a KLR 650 to a DRZ (and a KTM), but finally settled on a WR250F. I'm considering it a cheap and capable re-trainer. Then maybe next year move back up to a 450 or a 650.

When I dumped the 250 a bunch of times trying to keep up with Smitty141 on some MO dirt, I was glad that the bike only weighed about 230 pounds or so. And even though my bike wasn't set up or running right, I was amazed at what the little 250 could do. Dirt bikes have come a long way over the years.

I've heard that if you have a KTM, you'b better like to work on bikes and have a shop handy. I hear they are attention mongers. One of the reasons I got a Yamaha. Cheap, reliable, easy to find parts.

It all depends on what you want to do with the bike. I want to ride this bike 90% trail, 10% street. I have the FJR for the road. If you are just going to ride an occasional unimproved road, then a bigger DP may be just the ticket.

 

[mbottoms]

If it were me, I would go with a WR450.

It's only about 30 pounds heavier than the WR250 and you won't grow out of it.

While this is a great off-road bike, it may be a little on the small side when it comes to pavement. Although, you see a lot of them on the SuperMoto Circuit.

As far as KTM bikes requiring excessive upkeep, that has not been my experience.

Most, if not all of my off-road buddies ride orange and love it.

We all compete in the Texas State Champ. Enduro Circuit and do all of our own repair/modifications.

Honestly, at this level, all of the bikes go thru lots of maintenance between each race, but it has been my experience to say that Orange requires no more than any of the other colors.

I would recommend blue or orange if the size fits.

Mark

 

[FJRottie]

Myself and friends have found Yammy's good, KTM good, and KLR's or DR's good.

All bikes have their own little things here and there but haven't heard tremendous bad talk about any of those.

Every kind of every brand of everything has a few bad seeds in it.

Never used Honda off-road so can't say.

Depending on where you are and availability of parts/price may be it.

If you are an average wrench you will be fine.

I would go orange or blue as well.

 

[Toecutter]

I am looking at KTM 950 ,, mainly because of durability and there is a local dealer ,,so what you guys have to say about this???

If I could have two bikes, the other one would be a KTM 950. But alas, there can be only one!

 

[vagabond]

I recently, acquired a suzuki dl 1000 or vstrom. I love it. However, my intentions are primarily, dirt roads. The bike is for too heavy for serious motocross type riding. But, man is this bike alot of fun! Good luck!

 

[motorgod]

I think you first need to determine what type of off-road riding you are going to do. If you are looking at enduro you need a different bike than if you are looking at moto-cross (some will cross over) or if you are looking at cow-trailing you need a different kind of bike. If you are looking at dual-sport then thats a different kind of bike.

There are a myriad of bikes out there that will fit every type of riding. Some are good cross-over bikes while others are pretty narrow focused. Is weight not an issue, ergonimics, parts, up-keep, 2-stroke vs. 4-stroke...you will also get a wide variety of opinions and die-hards out there.

Bottom line is, all manufacturers are putting out pretty great bikes. It really is the rider otherwise you would not have Ricky Charmichael winning on any team he rode for. Look for a good dealer and parts...then go ride. :clap: :clap: :clap:

 

[markjenn]

The KTM950 is a neat bike, but it's really pitched towards adventure touring and mixed long-distance all-surface riding, not dedicated dirt riding. If you're skilled and brave, you can ride it in serious dirt (e.g., the Dakar guys) but for most of us mortals, it's WAY too big, heavy, expensive, and fragile to tackle serious dirt. It really competes more with the BMW GS, Triumph Tigers, V-Stroms, etc. which are big/heavy street bikes that have been massaged a bit to handle fire roads and the like. The KTM is by far the most dirt capable, but it is still a very big/heavy bike that can cost you thousands in damage if you have even a minor dirt wreck.

If you just want a dirt playbike to fool around, it's hard to beat the tried-and-true DRZ400S. Or the new KLX250S is getting good press. Both are cheap.

If you want something a little more pavement-oriented, then the KLR650 is not a bad way to go. But even it is a little heavy for serious dirt.

If you are willing to trailer to the dirt, then a whole bunch of great bikes open up that are much better in the dirt. MX bikes, enduros, etc. But I personally love the flexibility of a dual-sport so I'm not confined to an area when I dirt ride.

KTM's are great bikes (I own one), but I'd never consider them terribly durable or reliable. They are quirky and have expensive maintenance. They're thoroughbreds and oriented towards racing. The Japanese bikes are lower maintenance and easier to live with. If you want one of these big dual-sports, don't overlook the Stroms. They're cheap, reliable, and can be equipped to handle the same mission as the other big dual-sports.

Back to the 950, while many have had great service, the bike has had a high incidence of weird problems, particularly with the cooling and oiling systems. If you have your heart set on this bike, keep in mind that there's a fuel-injected version coming out that should do away with the carbs which have been troublesome. Unfortunately, the FI version is delayed for a year in the US so we won't see it for another 16-months or so. The carb'ed bikes are going to really take a resale hit when the FI version appears.

Don't get me wrong, the KTM950 is one of the coolest bikes on the planet. But it's not a pure dirt bike and it not a bike to buy into lightly.

- Mark

 

[galxy5]

hey guys thanks for the info,,

I have decided to go with the KTM 650 ,, I live in Virginia and want to do some mountian fire trail riding and off roading in the valleys and lake areas ,, not going to race ,, I got that out of my system riding in the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix for 6 years ,, and I have my FEEJER for road ,,

 

[FJRocket]

If it were me, I would go with a WR450.

I like the way you think. One of these days, for offroading, I hope to move up to a WR450. I think that would be all the dirt bike I would ever need.

Galaxy5, let us know how you like and get along with your KTM 650. Bet your gonna love it!

 

[markjenn]

KTM 650???? No such animal.

- Mark

 

[skyway]

640?

 

[galxy5]

yes ,

640 Adventure

my mistake

so shoot me!!

 

[markjenn]

I own one also so I can't shoot you. To further confuse the issue, KTM calls it a 640 but it's actually a 625cc engine.

You definitely want to tune in to www.advrider.com - there is a lot of LC4 discusisons going on. ktmtalk.com also.

Welcome to the wild and wolly world of KTM ownership. The honeymoon will end at the first oil change.

- Mark

 

[FJRocket]

wolly world? No such animal. HAH!

Next thing you know, we'll have to get together for an FJR Owners Offroad Rally!!

Thumper Talk is another place to go. Perhaps not as much KTM discussion, but lots going on there in the Thumper realm.

DirtRider.net is another place to check out.

 

[galxy5]

Rocket

thanks for the info

I'd be up for that after I get myIBA SS/BB/50CC/ and attend WFO/EOM

'06 is going to be a busy year for the SS Galxy5

 

[weekend rider]

my choice i ride red in the dirt/trails crf450r

 

[nusman68]

The honeymoon will end at the first oil change.
Hey Mark, what is the deal there? I too have been considering such a machine; then I read the review in Cycle World serval months back...(3) oil filters?! They had their oil changed at a dealer...$300.00?? :dribble: Holy Ducati, Batman!

 

[markjenn]

Dunno about $300 and mine has two filters and a screen, but it is involved and generally a PITA. Here's the gory details if you want them:

https://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/Guide...eoilonanLC4.pdf

- Mark