Looking for a Dual sport to add to the stable. Help needed

[firffighter]

Well, my Gasser is getting lonely in the garage and needs a stable mate. I have been wanting a DS for a while and thought I would ask around to some of you for some info.

I live 5 min. from Mt. Hood Nat'l Forest and am looking for a bike that I can zip up the country roads and explore old logging roads, 2-track and some old trails. I do not want a road/street oreinted bike and am not interested in an adventure bike. I want something that can handle some short road stints (60 mph max), but is more oreinted to the type or riding listed above.

I am considering KTM 450/520 (used), a new 2009 Beta (RFS engine), maybe a DRZ400 with mods, possibly a Husky TE, or ....?

Any advice?

[stainlesscycle]

i have owned a early drz400y/k (the early one with kicker/dirt suspension - 1999 or 2000?) and a 04 te450... the drz was very capable but heavy, the suspension on that year was amazing for a big heavy bike - i rode it many times at hatfield mccoy trails... the 04 te450 was a bad year.. a friend i ride with has a 2010 te310 that he runs 90% dirt. he does quite well with it...it was terrible until he got it reprogrammed with ibeat.. then it was very very capable offroad. sorry i'm not a lot of help.. i know that for ds it's all about the tires. the closest thing to full on knobby makes a huge difference. them 50/50 tires suck in anything that's not dry.

[Cruiser]

I have a04 ktm 450 exc as my DS bike.. mainly cause I could not find a GG 450 at the time.. once I found it they pop-ed up all over the place. Its a good bike.. a bit big for the tight stuff but it will go anywhere I ask it to.. the road.... it sucks.. I sold my 03 KTM 625 sxc for this one.. had the big LC4 as my rehab bike and I think I was faster in the woods on that bike than the 450.. I just liked it better,, had a better feel. and it could handle the roads better.. in fact.. I could take a passenger down to the diner for a bite 20 miles away on the tight twisty mountain roads and it was fun.. I dont like riding the 450 more than the 8-10 miles to the trail head..
I do have some sumo wheels for it I'll be trying out soon.. maybe with those I may like it better..
good luck.. the 525/530 has better legs on road,, just a fyi..

[CACTUSREID]

my d/s bike is a 07 525 exc,that i've got set up for mainly baja trips ie: big tank,big springs,all the guards,ht oil cooler,steering dampner etc, i use it for dualsporting around here in the summer when it's to hot to ride my gasser. it's a great bomb proof bike,lots of low end grunt, and it tops out at about 160 km with stock gearing! for a full on dirtbike (albeit a 4 stroke that's street legal), I really can't think of a better choice.

[desertgasser300]

I've owned a KLX300r that was a great enduro bike that I also truned into a street legal bike. The new 250's that are set up from the factory as a d/s are popping up every where I go. And they look great to!

[firffighter]

Awesome input. Thank you.

I have been thinking that I dont really want a 450 with street gear because I do plan on hitting the pavement from time to time and I have to ride 10 miles of country hwy to get to the trails near my house.

I think that a 525 KTM or Beta would work pretty good, or a husky 610.

I also think that a good old Japanese DS might be a good fit as well. The reliability of a DRZ or KLX are rock solid. I know they lack performance, but I have the Gasser for that!

I can get a screaming deal on a '09 Beta 525 with the KTM RFS motor. Tempting, but I dont know where Beta is headed in the market.

[PEB]

The Beta is the clear choice from my perspective.

[SpeedyManiac]

Not sure what your price range is, but the new bergs make wicked dualsports. I have my 390 plated and it's a great do-it-all bike. If I still had a Gasser in the stable, I'd go for a Husaberg FE570 for a dualsport.

[HuskyDude]

I've got an older 08 TE510 I use for D/S'n around. It's OK and handle both dirt and payment quite well.
But if I was to do over I would not hesitate on the new Husky TE630.
I really like it.
It might be a little big if you're in the dirt all day but man it sure would handle the longer trips nicely.

[Cruiser]

Either the 525/530 or the husky 610/630.. The husky isnt quite as big as the LC4 but it does have longer legs.. The 450 is just a bit small,, The beta is a great choice if you can find one and the husy 550 or 650 is a great DS bike.. My buddy picked up a DS husaberg 550 for $3K in mint condition.. That thing rips down the slab and the trail.. but it can get away from you in the dirt.. it is a powerhouse..