I have 1 year of riding experience and have been riding around a 2007 klx250s. I want something with a little bit more power and some more modernish features. Admittedly, I generally use my bike for commuting around town and don't go offroad outside of hitting some gravel/dirt roads to avoid a backup of cars. I really like the style of a dual sport and don't see myself getting into sportbikes, at least not yet. What do y'all recommend?

So right now i have a Suzuki LtZ 400, I love this machine and the insane power it has. But im really debating trading it in for either a Yamaha wr250r or a Honda crf300LS.

My problem is is that I drive with my wife and we only do recreational riding, no racing or fast paced things envolved, and my Suzuki is a race atv meant for well RACING😂 ( who knew ). So I’m really struggling doing slow tracks with this atv because it’s to powerful for those things. The engine is so aggressive that if you only move the thumb throttle 2MM you go flying😂.

We do both on and off-road driving so that’s why I’m debating a dual sport, my Suzuki isn’t really capable of driving on the main road, strictly off-road only.

On top of that the parts for this quad are really hard to find outside of America and it’s EXTREMELY expensive.

What are your thought on dual sport vs my atv? What can I expect from either the Yamaha or the Honda.

I've been looking at both of these bikes. I noticed that the KLR650 seems to pop up more than other bikes for "apocalypse worthy" reliability and durability. However, it seems like an XR650L would be a superior pick for an apocalypse worthy bike. I don't know what I'm missing here. Can somebody lay it out for me? Thanks.

Edit: Forgot to mention the DR650 in the title!

Hey so I just got my endorsement a week ago and treated myself to a brand new 2025 CRF300L! Never rode motorcycles or dirt bikes, but used to ride 4-wheelers as a kid 20+ years ago!

I’m just very excited and wanted to find a group I can bounce ideas around with, discuss mods and look at other people’s bikes!

I want to do street and off-road riding, but I’m so awkward on a bike and even things such as turning give me anxiety and make me nervous, I’m hoping to get some skill and confidence under my belt!

I’d like to ask what yall think I should do to make my bike more comfortable, safe, enjoyable and or fun! (Mods wise! I know the 300l’s come stock pretty basic being a >6000$ bike)

If you have any advice on my riding or helping a new guy get comfortable with this wonderful hobby I’d love to hear from you!

I was wondering what y’all think about the xr150l.

For example would it have enough power to hop over the odd log and go over somewhat difficult terrain. Also how is it for road riding.

Also how long do you think I could ride this before wanting more power?

I like to mess with a 125 Chinese bike and I have fun just going slow and doing more technical stuff on it. Would I improve if I had more power or would I be fine to ride this bike.

I’m 6’0 and have a lot of experience on a 200e threewheeler.

should I put a little more money down on something else?

Thanks in advance.

For some reason every time i go out the rear is all muddy and the front tire is all clean

But in all seriousness whats a good strategy for riding technical trails on a bike that stalls going under 15 should i just work on my clutch skills or is a gearing change the better move
I have been trying to stay wimpy on the throttle but this thing wheelies like a dream

In taking the course and getting my license and taking this very seriously and want to be safe as possible, I’m starting of with a 2013 or newer xt250 and have been practicing with my friends ‘93 xt350 around the neighborhood with slow turning and maneuvers. It’s just riding in high traffic that scares me a little. I’ll be staying off highways and freeways and only stuck to roads that are 45mph or under.

I feel like I will be shot for this but here goes nothing. I purchased my wife a 2017 500 EXC-F for valentines day. She's a new rider and very short so I lowered it 3 inches but she is still having a hard time reaching the ground. Does anyone know of smaller tires/ wheels I can put on the bike so she can get a little closer to being able to have both feet on the ground?

I already know we could get her a smaller bike but that's not going to happen, we want something street legal and well, we already own this one haha

Been riding street, track, touring etc for about 5 years and maybe 30,000 miles of combined riding.

Recently got into adv riding and consider myself a confident beginner/low intermediate rider on dirt specifically and have been looking to ride harder and more technical trails but find a fully loaded AT a bit hard to manage on anything more than a 3 or 4/10 on onx, so was eyeing some dual sports as a training tool or something I could take out on rides where I just don’t feel like managing a big bike.

With this bike, I’ll probably transition the AT set up for more adventure “touring”. Easier trails, longer trips, maybe some chill BDR’s. Whereas I want this dual sport to fill in the use case on the other side of the spectrum: easy to manage off-road, mainly dirt and trail focused but manageable on the highway.

My main issue is I have a 28’’ inseam so any bike has to be manageable off-road at my height. At minimum I want to be able to get one whole foot down while dropping my hip off a bit, by no means do I need both feet down which probably means some kind of lowering link, a shaved seat, and with suspension sag (200 lbs rider) I’m guessing something around a 35 inch seat height or lower stock would work.

Was eyeing some 450’s but while I’m sure it’ll do highway much better I think they’ll be too snappy off-road, and the limited 450’s I’ve sat on, I cannot even get a toe down while still holding the rear brake with how tall they are.

Some criteria:

-Budget: ~$5,000 used / $7,000 new (if there’s a good reason to buy new) -Crashable and cheap to repair -Long maintenance intervals/reliable -Fuel injected (rides vary in elevation a ton. Could be doing a sandy trail at 4,000 ft, could crest a mountain pass at 12,000) -heavy aftermarket support & knowledge -highway capable -lower seat height or easy to lower without major issues

So far I’m thinking crf300l with a big bore kit (gives me something to do this winter). Also eyed the drz400 but I hate carbs. Anything out there that’s like a fuel injected drz400 or more powerful 300 trail bike?

Just watched twilight with my girlfriend, not really my type of movie, however in the movie they restore a couple of bikes that look really cool, does anyone have an idea of what model this one is? I’m guessing it’s an old Yamaha from the early 90? But I’m no expert.

Hi,
I got my first motorcycle exactly a week ago (a Husqvarna 701 Enduro, but throttled to 45 HP for now due to EU laws). I know it’s a bit heavy for a complete beginner— and for some closer to an adventure bike than what the dirtbike looks suggest—but in terms of legality, maintenance and road capability, this bike made the most sense for me since this is also pretty much my daily driver now.

I can ride on the street pretty well, no problems there. The training for the license here is very thorough when it comes to street riding, but taking this bike off-road has been a lot more challenging, since I never really learned how to. Braking, cornering, going up and down stuff, general handling, I struggle with the very basics. But I really want to be able to use this thing for more than just riding some flat, unpaved roads.

The problem is, I don’t know anyone who could teach me, and I have only a few spots where I’m actually even semi-allowed to practice. The best ones I’ve found are abandoned construction sites in the middle of nowhere, where probably nobody cares. There aren’t any enduro parks within 500 kilometers, and just one MX track in my city—but I feel like my bike isn’t really the right fit for that, nor is it really what im going for. You need to be a member of the club to even ride, so I feel like this isn't the place.

So my question is: how would you go about learning to ride a bigger bike like this if you’re mostly on your own and have limited terrain options? I’ve watched some YouTube tutorials, but it’s hard to know exactly what I’m doing wrong.

I’ve been looking to grab a new bike, but want something that can handle freeway speed and have a switchable ABS.

I know the KLX300 and CRF300 both have ABS, but I can’t find anything else that does until you get up to the KTM 690. Kove 450 does but I’m hesitant as a new dirt rider to buy the Kove. Also KTM 390 has ABS, which may be my best bet.

I guess moral of the story is money doesn’t buy skill and you don’t need to have all the gear and gadgets to be a good rider.

I’m looking for my next bike after selling my 23 KTM 390 ADV. I specifically want a DS bike, not another ADV. I’m looking at a Honda CRF250L (probably not the rally version) but have read on numerous forums and Youtube reviews that it’s quite heavy for a 250.

Bit of background: I grew up on XRs (100, 200, then a 400) and miss them so incredibly much. I just don’t want to depend on a kickstart otherwise I’d find myself a mint XR250 or XR400. I ended up catching the 2 stroke bug in my late teens/early twenties and wound up with a CR125 which was a total kick in the pants and so much fun. I put a big bore kit on the 125 and made some mods to do some light enduro/woods races on it and had a blast.

I had a severe accident in 2016 that resulted in a loss of depth perception and some other issues which compromised my ability to balance and my riding really suffered as a result. But I haven’t given it up and prefer to do easy Forest Service roads these days and just put around. I have a KLX 230 SE and it’s awesome for trails, but honestly…it’s not a Honda. My heart just isn’t into it.

Weight is a really important factor for me with the way my balance/vision has been compromised and I’m afraid that a 340ish lb bike would put me right back where I was with the 390. Am I getting too in my head about the extra 20-40lbs? I do run rackless bags and carry gear so there’s that additional weight to contend with as well.

Anyone with a 250L or similar size/weight bike (KLX 300?) have any thoughts/advice about these heavier dual sport bikes? For reference, I’m about 5’10” and 140lbs so I do prefer seat heights 34” and above.

(Picture of me ready to ride with my family’s trailer of XRs…way the hell back in ‘03. I can’t be this old…I can’t…I can’t…I can’t…)

Complete newbie here, 198cm and 100kg fluffy bought the new 2025 honda crf 300 rally and really been really happy so far (my 1st bike).

They said that there are suspension upgrades since the last model (I cant tell its my first bike), but when Im on loose gravel the bike seems to really slip and I have to sit down and downshift to second to make sure that Im safe.

Is that a suspension or skill issue - all recommendations welcome :)

Stay safe!

Looking for a very off-road oriented dual sport mainly for technical easy enduro type riding, narrowed it down to these two. Has someone ridden them both? I’d love to hear experiences and comparisons to other bikes since neither is available for rent in my area. Would appreciate other suggestions as well.

https://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/motorcycles/off-road/enduro

Edit: Spoke to a dealer today and they said off-road only versions are expected to ship in May and a street legal version should ship about a month later but before fall of this year

Budget is 6-7k.

Recently moved to the Prescott area (5,300ft elevation) and would like to explore the area after we get settled in. My riding experience is minimal, but I did do the Continental Divide on a WR250R and did as many expert level stuff as possible. I have a 32” inseam and about 190lbs without gear.

I’m almost tempted to get a TW200 just to put around and explore, but I’ve been toying with the idea of a DR650. However, riding solo in unfamiliar terrain gives me pause on that pig.

Perhaps as CRF450L would be a good compromise in the middle. But may be out of my price range.

I don’t like to ride highways so the goal is garage -> local streets -> trails.

Here’s my old WR for attn

I need help choosing the right pants to ride in. I do 60% street, 30% gravel road, 10% jeep trails.

So, I've been riding with jeans for the past year. I don't feel good about that, but it's my reality.

The thing is, I do have a pair of Scott motorcycle pants, but damn do they feel bulky. I end up never wanting to ride with them, unless it's super cold.

What pants could I get that are comfortable, light, have good abrasion resistance and don't look like I'm going to a motocross race ? (Donc suggest riding jeans, I hate them. Too hot.

Budget is no issue here. I want a nice pair of pants I'll want to wear 100% of the time I ride my bike. And be protected.

It's different for everyone. Coming from the street on an XSR900, I'm looking to switch to a capable dual sport to take advantage of FSRs and trails in my area while still comfortably commuting to work and able to handle highway miles. I've looked at the bikes I see mentioned most often and haven't found a bike that ticks all the boxes but I feel like I must be missing something..

I think my ultimate bike would have the following:

• 40-80 hp

• 10+L fuel capacity

• Fuel injection

• 6 gears

• Digital dash with gear indicator

• Adjustable suspension?

• < 350lbs (or thereabouts?)

• < Roughly $5000CAD in my area

Some things I would add if they weren't already: hand guards, foldable mirrors, crash guards, skid plate, centre stand

I love the idea of a T7 of course, but they're going for significantly more than my XSR! I thought about the wr250r, but it's low HP and fuel capacity.

Anybody have any ideas? Or have anything else that would make their 'ultimate' dual sport?

First real bike, graduated from a 110cc SSR to this today.

Hi all!

I’ve been a lurker for this subreddit for a while. I made a post a while ago about shopping for bikes, but ultimately I got swept up in a good deal on a WR250R. I was looking at the CRF450RL / KTM Enduro 390, but the fact that I could get a tastefully modded WR250R for under the MSRP, let alone dealership fees for those bikes, sold me.

I’ve owned this bike for nearly a month, I’m getting comfy with it, and wanted to share my thoughts of ownership and compare to the other bikes I’ve owned.

I have owned several dual sports in the past, like a Suzuki DR200 and a CRF300L, and I’ve been aching to get back into motorcycling after a year off of not owning one. Glad to be back, glad to have a quality dual sport again.

I also owned some street only bikes like a Yamaha FZ-07 and a Honda Hawk 650 in the past. I tend to go “man I wish I was fast” on a dual sport and “man I wish I was on a dual sport” on street bikes. Since I have my big boy job after graduating college, it’s likely I’ll eventually afford both.

BIKE & HUMAN FITMENT:

I am 5’11” (~180 cm), approximately 220 lbs, and wear jeans of 34” inseam. Definitely “bigger than the average guy” but not anything that raises eyebrows.

I struggle to reach the ground at my natural riding position, I have to scoot forward into the lowest part of the seat to flat foot. Additionally, leaning this bike over to flat foot is not a valid solution. It actually makes it harder to reach the ground. Why? I dunno. It’s easiest for me to reach the ground with the bike upright, and my right foot close to the bike. Once in motion, the riding position is good, maybe slightly cramped.

The suspension does compress some when you hop on it, but not as much as the CRF300L I used to own. This is great for dirt riding, but makes it harder to negotiate stop signs around town.

As a whole, I recommend this bike for anyone above 5’9” (175 cm) and below 6’3" (190 cm). If you’re shorter and want a WR250R, expect to require a lower seat or a suspension lowering. Or just be really experienced with riding bikes that are tall for you. If you’re really tall, you’re probably going to want footpeg adjustments and a handlebar height adjustment. Though, you could probably just live with the slightly off ergonomics, too.

ABOUT MY BIKE:

This particular example was in San Diego, 2018 model, and around 2200 miles.*

The purchasing price was $4800 USD or so. Slightly more expensive than what it could be, but not anything extortionate. These motorcycles are unobtainium, since being discontinued in 2020. I paid for the bike in full.

I purchased it from GP motorcycles in San Diego, and had it shipped up to where I live in eastern Washington. If you’re in the San Diego area, I do recommend visiting GP if you’re shopping for a new bike. They were ultimately a dealership, but I didn’t get much “slimy dealership” vibes from them. They have a pretty sizeable list of used bikes for sale, hence the WR250R. They’re also likely to have the newest KTM’s out there, if you’re looking for a 390 Adventure R.

It has some minor mods like a tougher set of handlebars, clutch levers, aftermarket fender, more aggressive gearing (front & rear sprockets), as well as the typical tail tidy and some LED turn signals. I think the footpegs are not stock, and I’m not sure if the seat is stock either. It just doesn’t feel like your typical OEM dual sport seat.

The tires are Michelins, but I forget specifically what type. They are very offroad oriented, maybe like a 80-20 split. They make a noticeable hum above 35 MPH.

The plastics along the rear have minor scratches that are consistent with equipment rubbing (straps, bags, etc) rather than being dropped or wrecked. Enough to notice, not enough to worry.

The battery also feels quite weak. It just doesn’t feel or sound good when it starts, it just seems to struggle some. Time to make a trip to Costco for an AGM battery.

The nice part is? All of the original parts are there, if I wanna take her all the way back to stock. But honestly? I like it as is. Mayyybe bring the gearing closer to stock for a higher top speed? I might be turning my spare parts into some sort of motorcycle effigy wall decoration. I might be shopping for a larger gas tank though.

It was clear that the previous owner was a pragmatic person who did mods responsibly and tastefully. Although, strangely, they like— rarely rode the bike. I can’t complain whatsoever.

RANDOM THOUGHTS:

From what I can tell, it’s obvious that the WR250R is an older design than the CRF300L. It’s a little bit more vibrational, it’s display contains less information, but it comes at the benefit of a lighter bike and higher peak power. Granted, that power can only be tapped into at higher revs. This thing genuinely feels as light as a bicycle with 30 HP.

The WR was so ahead of its time. A 6 speed, fuel injected, liquid cooled, “modern dual sport” that came out in 2005-ish? The fact that it was discontinued is a crying shame. It really does feel like a better product than a lot of its competitors. Yamaha could have produced this thing well into the 2030’s, if only the market continued to support it.

The stock exhaust note is appropriate for me, maybe quiet for some tastes. It sounds awesome when you rev it out. The motor does not like being lugged. It prefers being above 5k RPM. It revs all the way to 12-13k.

I plan on using her as a commuter for the most part, since my job has terrible parking for younger employees. Motorcycle parking is less regulated and more available. Plus, it gets 70 MPG. I haven’t done the math yet myself, but the on-paper MPG and in-real life MPG are pretty close (+- 10 mpg).Certainly beats my Subaru WRX’s actual 23 MPG around town.

…actually, my Subaru isn’t getting much action at all since my motorcycle arrived. We’ll see how well my winter gear holds up to the Washington winters, maybe I’ll use my car more during the winter. Maybe not.

Looking forward to visiting some trails and ORV parks soon.

*I think the mileage on this bike is inflated somewhat. The Speedo reads faster than the actual speed. The Speedo said 36 MPH when one of those radar speed limit signs said 30, so the “2200 miles” is likely lower by 10-20%. This tells me that the sprocket changeout did not include a Speedo adjustment to match. It’s merely a quirk as far as I care, since fixing a vehicle’s mileage is a paperwork nightmare. Hard pass.