duel sport?????????

[bg]

KLR, VStrom,GS, etc??????
what's a guy to do.
it would mostly be road riding and only periodic off road.
Keeping the I/S but wanting to sell the vtx.

[Kaiser]

There are a few members on here who frequently post about their beloved KLR's.  So I know those bikes must be pretty good as other Valk riders endorse them.

I've got a buddy who has been riding motorcycles since he popped out of the womb and he swears by the VStrom.  He tried to get me to buy one - but I'm not a fan of the dual sports.  Also, I ride with a guy that has a VStrom 650.  He really likes it.  Of course, when he really wants to get down the road, he rides his ZX-14. 

The only thing I've heard about the BMW is maintenance.  Supposedly those bikes can be pretty pricey to maintain.  But, the upside is that if you maintain them - they last forever.

Good luck with the choice - and regardless of what you pick - post pictures!

[Mongo]

I have had a couple as back up bikes to my I/S, and did mostly road riding with them. Both were a lot of fun. It's kinda of like riding a big scooter compare to the weight of the Valk. Easy to park and move thru city traffic.  I picked my V-Strom this spring and it's a great bike, and now with the red and black V-Strom the Pick-up, SUV, main bike and the back-up all Match

1989 Honda Transalp  600


2006 V-strom 650

[croaker]

You say it would be mostly road with occasional off.  But what type of road?  Would you be riding backroads mostly, or major highway or Interstate.  That criteria is what seperates the dual sport bikes.  In practice, almost any long legged/higher ground clearance bike under 600lbs can be ridden offroad if offroad means a dry gravel or fireroad.  So unless you want to go off on a single track or goat trail (and how many of us do?), it becomes a matter of how well the bike fits you the other 80-90% of the time.  The Vstrom 650 is a proven allrounder.  I would add the Kawasaki Versys to this list.  The BMW GS is just another animal all together.  Mostly due to price and complexity.  Sure, I'd take a GS on a Baja backroad run.  But to be honest, I'd feel more confident on a simpler, reliable platform.  Just my opinion.  Nothing more.

*oh, and maybe the Triumph Scrambler would appeal to you. 

[solo1]

I just bought a 2006 Vstrom 1000.  It's a great bike. Long suspension travel, lots of raw power (90 hp) Comfortable to ride. Would I take it off road, NO!  It's weighs 525 pounds, too heavy. However, it would easily handle any speed and power needs that you might want.  Quarter mile times in the high 11's, low 12's.   The Wee Strom 650 (70) hp)and about 475 pounds would be a better choice for OFF road..  Besides, new Vstrom 1000's aren't available, the 650 is more popular.

I also owned a KLR awhile back. It also has long suspension, comfortable, but asking it to keep up with interstate traffic is a bit much IMHO. It'll do it but.... It is better suited for country roads and off road as it's much lighter, around 375 pounds, I think.

The 650 Vstrom would be the best for what you want.  It's reasonably priced too. I don't know about the Kaw Versey.  The BMW is heavy and very pricey.  I've never owned one as I could never get past the sitcker shock.

[fudgie]

Dirt bike? 

[asfltdncr]

Just got my new Cycle World and in it is an article on a Yamaha 1200 that has been sold in Europe and is coming over here.Haven't read the article but it looks to rival the GS.About time some of these bikes make it over here instead of the dirt bikes with lites.Exciting to watch us progress into the 70's once again with the Enduros and their comfortable seating and respectable performance.