Off Road Street Legal Communter - Which One?

Moto_Geek
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Moto_Geek
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 7:38pm
Now that gas price are going up again.. I'm seriously considering a dual sport or off road street legal bike for small communtes 50% of the time and 50% for use for trail weekend rides.

Do any of you use any of these models to go 5 miles or less from/to work or grocery store?

WR450F
XR650
XR600
CRF450X

Any input of would be great. Guess I'm curious how many of you are looking or already doing something like this.
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ocmxrider01
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ocmxrider01 3/4/2011 9:40am
3/4/2011 9:40am Edited Date/Time 3/4/2011 11:15am


KTM 530EXC California street legal, headlight taillight ect. It's f'n bad dude. It pulls
Moto_Geek
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Moto_Geek 3/4/2011 9:50am
3/4/2011 9:50am
I always forget about pumpkins.. I believe you need headlights and tailights on the bike to be legal even in the day?
Wadded_Up
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Wadded_Up 3/4/2011 9:54am
3/4/2011 9:54am
Drz400S, racing 4 strokes require a lot more maintenance and the DRZ is turn key ready. Think about the DRZ400SM, with Distanza tires it can do some dirt work and it has better forks.......
alphado
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alphado 3/4/2011 10:02am
3/4/2011 10:02am
I had a DRZ400SM, it was fun for about a month. It is way underpowered and the fad wears off pretty quickly.

The Shop

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kaboom645
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kaboom645 3/4/2011 10:14am
3/4/2011 10:14am
KTM makes a street legal 530 dual sport.... The parts guy at my local shop has one, its effin sweet
unknownmxr 3/4/2011 10:15am
3/4/2011 10:15am
Moto_Geek wrote:
Now that gas price are going up again.. I'm seriously considering a dual sport or off road street legal bike for small communtes 50% of the...
Now that gas price are going up again.. I'm seriously considering a dual sport or off road street legal bike for small communtes 50% of the time and 50% for use for trail weekend rides.

Do any of you use any of these models to go 5 miles or less from/to work or grocery store?

WR450F
XR650
XR600
CRF450X

Any input of would be great. Guess I'm curious how many of you are looking or already doing something like this.
None of those are street legal, and they are all too heavy for off-road. My wr250x is 300 pounds. Go with a klx 250(no $500 reprogrammer needed) or wr250r. Do not get the s model. There are no dual sport front tires for 17 inch rims.
Fast Orange
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Fast Orange 3/4/2011 10:20am
3/4/2011 10:20am
Moto_Geek wrote:
I always forget about pumpkins.. I believe you need headlights and tailights on the bike to be legal even in the day?
You really shouldn't exclude them from your choices. Sweet rides come in several different flavors. The 530 is one, the 690 is another, & I believe they have a 450 as well.
MickeyMeanie
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MickeyMeanie 3/4/2011 10:23am
3/4/2011 10:23am
If you are looking in the 650cc range... the KLR650 is an great choice and can be had used for not a lot of $'s... plus a HUGE aftermarket part availability, and what some would consider a cult following.
queen of spodes 3/4/2011 10:23am
3/4/2011 10:23am Edited Date/Time 3/4/2011 10:24am
KTM 640 LC4.. great road bike.. pretty decent on the trails too.
bearded clam
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bearded clam 3/4/2011 10:33am
3/4/2011 10:33am
Moto_Geek wrote:
Now that gas price are going up again.. I'm seriously considering a dual sport or off road street legal bike for small communtes 50% of the...
Now that gas price are going up again.. I'm seriously considering a dual sport or off road street legal bike for small communtes 50% of the time and 50% for use for trail weekend rides.

Do any of you use any of these models to go 5 miles or less from/to work or grocery store?

WR450F
XR650
XR600
CRF450X

Any input of would be great. Guess I'm curious how many of you are looking or already doing something like this.
I have been into duel sporting in the last 5 years. I have owned a XR400, a XR 650r, ridden a drz 400 and a ktm 450exc and I just recently picked up a brand new KTM 530 exc. The KTM is hands down the best one and you can buy em brand new w a plate. You need a bigger displacment then 450cc's if your gonna be out on the road.
The only 2 that are a choice is the XR650r and the KTM 530exc as far as quality and performance for your target. I paid about 10k for my KTM after the jetting kit, baja designs kit and an FMF ti set-up. You can find nice XR 650s w a cali plate for around 4k.
You definatly do not want a XR 650L....they sell those all day long for cheap but they are junk! The CRF450x are under powered for street riding. Also w bikes you mentioned none of them can have cali plate if the bike is newer than 03 and the plate has to already be on there...it is not really possible to plate an 03 XR 650r if its not already plated. All this is for Cali...other states are easier!
redrider400
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redrider400 3/4/2011 10:33am
3/4/2011 10:33am
Get a KTM.
JustMX
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JustMX 3/4/2011 10:34am
3/4/2011 10:34am
MickeyMeanie wrote:
If you are looking in the 650cc range... the KLR650 is an great choice and can be had used for not a lot of $'s... plus...
If you are looking in the 650cc range... the KLR650 is an great choice and can be had used for not a lot of $'s... plus a HUGE aftermarket part availability, and what some would consider a cult following.
X2

A little heavy for tight trail work though.

I ride mine a lot and it will run 70 MPH all day on the interstate and get 55 mpg even on back roads.
peelout
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peelout 3/4/2011 10:36am
3/4/2011 10:36am
my dad bought an 06 CRF450X and he never uses it. i ride it almost every day to and from work (about 5 miles) in the warmer time of the year. love it.
bearded clam
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bearded clam 3/4/2011 10:41am
3/4/2011 10:41am
Moto_Geek wrote:
Now that gas price are going up again.. I'm seriously considering a dual sport or off road street legal bike for small communtes 50% of the...
Now that gas price are going up again.. I'm seriously considering a dual sport or off road street legal bike for small communtes 50% of the time and 50% for use for trail weekend rides.

Do any of you use any of these models to go 5 miles or less from/to work or grocery store?

WR450F
XR650
XR600
CRF450X

Any input of would be great. Guess I'm curious how many of you are looking or already doing something like this.
unknownmxr wrote:
None of those are street legal, and they are all too heavy for off-road. My wr250x is 300 pounds. Go with a klx 250(no $500 reprogrammer...
None of those are street legal, and they are all too heavy for off-road. My wr250x is 300 pounds. Go with a klx 250(no $500 reprogrammer needed) or wr250r. Do not get the s model. There are no dual sport front tires for 17 inch rims.
The crf 450x is not to heavy for off roading...thats the bike that wins the Baja 1000 every year.
I have also found the XR 650r to handle very well especially through the woops.
I have seen everyone of those bike w California plates but they are 03 and older.
I have a buddy that has a 05 crf450x w a california plate but someone pulled some strings.
disbanded
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disbanded 3/4/2011 10:42am
3/4/2011 10:42am
KLR650 is my dual sport bike of choice. It will get you where you need to go.

It can handle the trails, but can also handle a 2 thousand mile trip to anywhere in the world.




Here is some helmet cam video of what it can do offroad. I am wearing the helmet cam on the KLR and following a DR650.

How to ride and load a KLR650
https://youtu.be/zl5Di73l51w

We really get moving around the 1 minute mark.
https://youtu.be/Ig6IXatQzys

DR goes down on this one.
https://youtu.be/JN6MhzrTkJY

One more if you wanna to watch
https://youtu.be/gWENCyajZvc
bearded clam
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bearded clam 3/4/2011 10:44am
3/4/2011 10:44am
Moto_Geek wrote:
Now that gas price are going up again.. I'm seriously considering a dual sport or off road street legal bike for small communtes 50% of the...
Now that gas price are going up again.. I'm seriously considering a dual sport or off road street legal bike for small communtes 50% of the time and 50% for use for trail weekend rides.

Do any of you use any of these models to go 5 miles or less from/to work or grocery store?

WR450F
XR650
XR600
CRF450X

Any input of would be great. Guess I'm curious how many of you are looking or already doing something like this.
You can also get a lot of info off thumper talk

Pit Row

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bearded clam
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bearded clam 3/4/2011 10:46am
3/4/2011 10:46am
can someone post a pic of a brand new KTM 530 exc...I can figure out how?
neverwas 3/4/2011 10:46am
3/4/2011 10:46am
I have owned 3 different dual sport bikes.
2008 KLX450R
2003 WR450
2000 WR450
In AZ it is very easy to make them street legal.
I have buddy with a 2008 KTM and he has all kinds of little problems with it. Vey nice bike if not for the oil migration issues he had. I would really consider a newer KTM as my next Dual sport bike.
My 2003 WR was by far the most reliable,I even had a set of Supermoto wheels for it,the local go-kart track has a Supermoto track and had done many track days, one of the most fun street bikes I ever owned. backing it into a turn on the pavement is quite a thrill.
Chris O'Neal
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Chris O'Neal 3/4/2011 10:54am
3/4/2011 10:54am
I have owned a XR650L, XR600R and a DRZ350. I had so much fun on those bikes! But if I had the money I would buy a big bore KTM over anything.
burnside
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burnside 3/4/2011 10:56am
3/4/2011 10:56am
To you dual sporters.. do you find it helps with your moto at all? I'm just curious, I guess its time on the bike even if its not ragging around the track.
bearded clam
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bearded clam 3/4/2011 11:02am
3/4/2011 11:02am
burnside wrote:
To you dual sporters.. do you find it helps with your moto at all? I'm just curious, I guess its time on the bike even if...
To you dual sporters.. do you find it helps with your moto at all? I'm just curious, I guess its time on the bike even if its not ragging around the track.
absolutly. I can ride to big bear from my house...about 100 miles each way. You have to hit some highways and w out a duelsport you cant do rides like that here in cali. Because I have one I ride a lot more trails I hadnt ridden. Its like Bob Hannah once said...a hard day on the trails is better than a week on the track. W out the duel sport I would be much more limited to where I can ride. I dont think you really gain much on the Highways though.
FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 3/4/2011 11:25am
3/4/2011 11:25am
KTM. Period. You have several legit choices.
YellowZonker 3/4/2011 11:29am
3/4/2011 11:29am
Husky is making some really nice dual sports right now.
Titan1
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Titan1 3/4/2011 11:33am
3/4/2011 11:33am
Moto_Geek wrote:
Now that gas price are going up again.. I'm seriously considering a dual sport or off road street legal bike for small communtes 50% of the...
Now that gas price are going up again.. I'm seriously considering a dual sport or off road street legal bike for small communtes 50% of the time and 50% for use for trail weekend rides.

Do any of you use any of these models to go 5 miles or less from/to work or grocery store?

WR450F
XR650
XR600
CRF450X

Any input of would be great. Guess I'm curious how many of you are looking or already doing something like this.
unknownmxr wrote:
None of those are street legal, and they are all too heavy for off-road. My wr250x is 300 pounds. Go with a klx 250(no $500 reprogrammer...
None of those are street legal, and they are all too heavy for off-road. My wr250x is 300 pounds. Go with a klx 250(no $500 reprogrammer needed) or wr250r. Do not get the s model. There are no dual sport front tires for 17 inch rims.
You think the Wr450 and CRF450X are to heavy for off-road? What kind of pink mini-skirts to you wear? Seriously...
FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 3/4/2011 11:42am
3/4/2011 11:42am
It really depends, too, on what your state requires to plate a bike. Some states are a lot more lenient.
burnside
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burnside 3/4/2011 11:43am
3/4/2011 11:43am
burnside wrote:
To you dual sporters.. do you find it helps with your moto at all? I'm just curious, I guess its time on the bike even if...
To you dual sporters.. do you find it helps with your moto at all? I'm just curious, I guess its time on the bike even if its not ragging around the track.
bearded clam wrote:
absolutly. I can ride to big bear from my house...about 100 miles each way. You have to hit some highways and w out a duelsport you...
absolutly. I can ride to big bear from my house...about 100 miles each way. You have to hit some highways and w out a duelsport you cant do rides like that here in cali. Because I have one I ride a lot more trails I hadnt ridden. Its like Bob Hannah once said...a hard day on the trails is better than a week on the track. W out the duel sport I would be much more limited to where I can ride. I dont think you really gain much on the Highways though.
Sounds like an awesome day out! The closest thing I've done to that was going to the Philippines, you can rent out XR200s for about $10 a day and their roads are like enduro courses anyway haha. Really need to get my road licence this year!
FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 3/4/2011 11:44am
3/4/2011 11:44am
bearded clam wrote:
can someone post a pic of a brand new KTM 530 exc...I can figure out how?
Dirtysmile56
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Dirtysmile56 3/4/2011 11:50am
3/4/2011 11:50am
I'm not much of a KTM guy but have a bunch of pumpkin lover buddies here in Central Oregon and I have to say that they look pretty sweet, are set up right from the crate and ride circles around any 650. That 520 is the one I would choose, but for $10k I'd probably opt for an early to mid 2000 Subaru WRX . The problem with any of this logic is that any money you saved on fuel just went up in flames, to the tune of about three years + of fuel savings to justify the toy purchase Smile

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