Motor Cycle Question

[Special T]

My brother took the class here in the Skagit Valley and was put on by a couple of motorcycle cops.  He had rode a dual sport since we were kids. He didn't think he would get anything out of it but did.

[birdshooter1189]

Lots of good advice so far.  Everyone has their favorite bike and their favorite purpose for it.

I'm 6'5" and 150 lbs.  I own 2 DRZ400S's, a DRZ400E, and a DR200. I like them all.  All street legal.  Have ridden a TW200 and various other similar bikes.  Have done limited riding on a XR650R and a DR650.

My opinions: 

DR200 is similar to TW200(my opinion).  Both are great for slow relaxed riding.  They are quiet and get around 70MPG.  Great for logging roads and off road.  For road riding around home where it is 25-55mph speed limit.  The DR200 can do it, it starts to vibrate a lot around 45 and up.  For 35mph and under it is great but it does accelerate kinda slow so take that into consideration with how you drive.  It has a very low seat height.  This adds lots of confidence if riding rough terrain but can feel small when just cruising roads; paved or gravel.

DRZ400S is much taller, has more power, accelerates better, and gets around 40-50 mpg.  I still don't care for riding it above 45 mph for very long.  With the right sprockets it can cruise at 60 all day long.  It is a little louder than the 200CC bikes with stock exhaust, but not much.  DRZ will take more clutch work for tight trails.  In my opinion it is perfect for logging roads and back roads between 15-45mph.  That is my favorite type of riding.  All 3 of my DRZ's were bought used off craigslist, and all 3 had 2" lowering links installed by the previous owners.  I am tall enough that I plan to take the lowering link out of my main bike soon and return to stock but haven't don't it yet.

For a starter bike, I will agree with others that a 200cc bike is easier to learn on than a 400cc bike.  However the DRZ400 is nothing to be afraid of and if you have a little bit of riding experience you'd have no issues starting with a 400.  You said you are concerned about a TW200 being too short, so the DRZ might be a great option for you.  Try sitting on them both before you buy.

In photo is my brother sitting on a DRZ400S with a 2" lowering link, and suspension sagging a bit from sitting on it.  Beside is my DRZ400S with the same 2" lowering link uncompressed.  My brother is 6'5" and about 215lbs in the photo.

[Bofire]

Nowdays I think the only way to get the endorsement is to take the class, I do not think DOL is testing bikes riders anymore.
Carl

[87Ford]

Nowdays I think the only way to get the endorsement is to take the class, I do not think DOL is testing bikes riders anymore.
Carl

I believe you can either take and pass the class or pass the written and skills tests at an approved training school.  I took the class a couple years ago after letting my endorsement lapse.  Hadn't ridden a motorcycle since my teens when I had what we called an "enduro" back in the day.

The class wasn't difficult, but it was harder and more intense than I expected.  Out of 12 students, only 9 passed and one actually dumped his training bike in the Boeing parking lot that we were riding in. 

[NOCK NOCK]

IMO, stay away from the bigger duals (650's) until you are very comfortable riding. They are big, tall, and heavy.
I would suggest anything Yamaha. I have owned several XT 350's (1 currently) they are bullet proof and keep their value well. My current one is a 1999, purchased in 2012 with 2800 miles on it, $1900, still running strong at 5900 miles, and have only replaced tires.

[Special T]

I personally think the 400-450is the sweet spot for a dual sport. It's a light 250 frame with all the power you can stuff in it for logging roads and trail riding.  It's probably what I'm going to get at some point.

[goldenhtr]

I'm 6'5" and 150 lbs.

DUDE EAT A STEAK or 2or 3 or 4

I like the DRZ-400 as well. Would have been nice to try it with the lowering link.

Could never get rid of my T-DUB thou.

[chester]

The Suzuki is a fine bike if he wants a 400. Kind of slow but probably good for putting. If it's going to be too heavy look at the wr250. Later on when he gets more experience with maintaining and riding look into the mxc/ exc ktms they might be a little much on the maintenance and power side for just starting off. Whiskey throttle on the moto based 450's vs the drz is a lot faster trip to the ground.
If you're solely going to poke around logging roads at slow speed crf 230 or tw would be fine. They just have next to nothing for power on the street. 2c


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[j_h_nimrod]

Lots of good information given here, it really comes down to what you really want to do with the bike when you get it. Lots of comparable bikes, comes down to brand preference, budget, and performance desires. The TW-200, DR-400, EXC-450, WR-250, XR-250, and many others are all solid bikes.

I currently have two bikes; a KTM EXC-450, great trail bike with more power than is safe a lot of times😉 as well as a KLR-250 which is a great trail bike that could use a little more power at times. Both will do highway speeds but neither are an "ideal" dual sport. One of the biggest problems with the KTM is the maintenance schedule, you can run it through an oil change in a long day of riding and the recommended oil runs about $10-15 per change. The KLR 250 is a good all around bike with a good engine and gearing and a solid history, plenty of mods to gain a little performance.

The KLR is for sale or trade if anyone is interested.

[elksnout]

Thanks again for all the information. Not taking the class is not an option for me personally. The 200-250's seem like a logical choice for a new rider. But I wouldn't rule out a bit bigger bike. I enjoy riding my quad but really would like a bike and a new experience.

Elksnout

[davk]

4 years ago I did the same thing.  Took the class, and bought a WR250R.  For 2 years I have been running up and down I5 with it.  If you didnt drink your morning coffee ... dont ride.  Ive almost been hit a number of times and if I was a little dozy I probably wouldnt have reacted in time.  Get gear and wear it.

[Tinmaniac]

XR600. DR650

[cooltimber]

don't wear dark colors,,i wear a very bright lime green helmet.
they are all out to hit you,just keep that in mind.
when the light turns green, LOOK
 watch out for cars turning left into your lane...that's the most cause of deaths.
never ever ride,after drinking.

[jaymark6655]

I second the "your size does not mean you need a bigger bike."  My first bike was a 250 and I am having a hard time convincing myself I need more than that after three years.  I might go bigger, but only because I want to get fuel injected anyway.  I am street only, but my friend I ride with is dual.  For him tires really make a difference, his are a little more toward the dirt side and they don't have the traction needed to make him feel comfortable on pavement.  If he switches to a 50/50 or something more street than his dirt traction would become worse.  Also wear gear, suicidal squirrel jammed my front tire causing me to flip, he was in my lane, so I switched to the other side of the rode, he ran to the right side and into the grass.  Before I could even switch back to my lane he makes mad dash from safety to my tire, didn't even have time to brake.  Slide across the road on my forehead and left shoulder, just a burn on my knee from my pants shifting, no road damage.

[Kittman]

Thanks again for all the information. Not taking the class is not an option for me personally. The 200-250's seem like a logical choice for a new rider. But I wouldn't rule out a bit bigger bike. I enjoy riding my quad but really would like a bike and a new experience.

Elksnout

I contemplated all the two wheeled mechanical mules out there and what I ended up with is the KLR 650 due to my size, weight, and all the gear I intended to haul.  Other factors included freeway/highway capability and fuel capacity range.  Not perfect but there are things that can be done to almost any duel sport to meet your needs with a little imagination.  Hope you get the one you desire.