which make 'big' dual purpose bike?

[D.J. Rogers]

Hey, I'm on a budget, and I wanted a bike that could do as many things as possible and do them all reasonably well. The KLR isn't the best dirt bike in the group, but it can handle it's own in most situations. Some would argue that the F650 Beemer is a better road bike. I've never ridden one, so I don't know about that (for about $3000 more it should!), but I'm pretty sure the KLR kicks it's ass in the dirt. One thing most 650 DS bikes can't do as well as the KLR is tour. Before I bought my KLR, I wondered how well it would handle long days on the highway, esp. being a 650 thumper. I wanted to be able to take short tours of a few days or so without taxing myself or the bike. Friday I'm off on a 3 week trip that will see me going around 7000km or so, and I have no reservations of the KLR's ability to handle it. I ride it to work, I ride it in the dirt, and I'm riding it on a vacation. Not many bikes (at this price) can do all that and still keep you happy. Cheers, D GBG eh14