dual sport????

[Dan Oaks]

Actually, I have no desire to ride any bike for hours on end at 70 or 80 mph. For me, half the fun is not just getting there and back. I enjoy exploring back country, which includes off the beaten path paved and unpaved roads, as well as fire access road and trails, etc. Our group enjoys farting around on these roads at 10 to 50 mph or whatever might be appropriate, and the occasional almost trials like adventure along the way. A trailer and the smaller Dual Sports bikes are the ticket for this kind of stuff. Actually, for much of it the old Honda Trail 90 (except for the trail adventures) is probably more appropriate than the 650's, although we've never used it, and we do use the 650's. When we take the 650's, there's always a running commentary of how the smaller bikes would actually be more fun. That's why we're all adding smaller bikes to our stables. As an example, several of us, from CA, OR, OH, and FL, will meet somewhere in Colorado (trailer in) the first two weeks in August, then take off for some back country, exploring ghost towns, gold and silver mines, abandoned ranches, and other places not generally known to the public, along with the wonderful unpaved passes over and through the Rockies. Very little real rough riding, but just enjoyable putzing for 8 to 12 hours a day. Lots of discussion. And a little trout fishing. And an occasional stupid old fart trick. We don't haul ass. We don't camp. And we eat well. We'll do the same in Oregon (dunes and mountains), Florida ( wildlife and Keys), and California (Sierra Nevada's and desert) and maybe even Big Bend before the year is out. Next year we'll hit Northern Idaho and Montana (where at least the cows are sane) along with our "domestic" rides. You must understand that we are a group of old shits, and some of us have more metal than bones from our earlier days of rough riding and racing. We have nothing more to prove; everyone knows we're dumb fuck has been's, and we're all comfortable with it. We rode rough and nasty when the bikes and clown suits didn't make it easy. Now we make and market motorcycle parts so we can write off all these bikes and forays. This is our definition of Dual Sport riding. Everyone has their own. Otherwise there would only be one Dual Sport Bike and it would probably be a large ugly green abortion that does everything, but nothing well. Don't get me wrong. I like my 650's, but they aren't what I consider fun bikes. They're pretty much utilitarian, and by reading the posts on this list you'll find that while much of the talk is about offroad, the majority of the riding done here is on the road. That's why the large tanks, expensive luggage, clown suits, and modifications. That's also indicated by the fact that there is more discussion about better street bikes than real dirt bikes. Nothing wrong with any of it. But my motto is: The open road beckons . . . trailer it to some good place to ride. What's your definition of Dual Sporting? Go ahead . . . flame my ass! -- bierdo leoa wrote:

> Dan - > I refer to the NX as a "cult bike". That is, very few available and a > strong following within a small group of people. > > The NX in any size, be it the 650, 125, or 250, is an opportunity to own a > piece of europe here in the states IMO. Same for the Transalp, imported at > the same time as the NXs. All done during an experiment that Honda decided > failed, therefore they pulled the bikes from the US market. All that > remains today of this effort in the US is the Dominator (650) motor in a > modified XR600 chassis called the XR650L model. > > Have you personally spent any time on the NX? "Serious Technical Riding" > would not be what I call its forte, regardless of the size of the rider. It > is a STREET BIKE with dirt influences in its styling, pure and simple, from > my experience with the bike. > > An XR200 with a Baja Designs kit would make more sense for this application > (smaller rider/technical riding), or better yet a Yamaha TT-R125 big wheel. > > The little Sero (XT225) is a somewhat capable bike, unfortunately its small > stature gets offset with its heavy weight, easily flooded airbox, and > too-soft suspension. It works OK for a full size adult that does not want a > 35 inch seat height of the modern dirt bike, but serious it isn't. > > The XT350 with its 8 inches of travel instead of 11 or 12 is a decent > smaller bike for the full size adult after some slight suspension mods like > heavier fork springs and a better shock. Its downside is no magic button, > an emerging requirement these days for many older riders new and re-entry. > > In the little time I spent on the Sherpa it impressed me. The motor felt > like it had some grunt, the throttle response was good for a small diameter > CV carb, the ergos were good even with the lower seat height, the airbox > design seems less flood-prone, the suspension had some decent dampening and > was not eager to bottom. I liked it. > > Back to your point on bikes other than the Kaw 650, I second that! The bike > does NOTHING well, it just does EVERYTHING!!! I have a White Power shock on > order for mine right now to balance out the rear end with the > heavier-springed front. After 500 miles in Copper Canyon with 60 pounds on > the back the imbalance became very appearent, not to mention the wear I put > on the shock. It is shot! With the front end sitting higher with the > springs and the rear end sagging from load and the weak spring, the thing > would not make the turn in a switchback. It just wanted to go straight. > Offroad your DR650 is a much better bike, no contest. Swap out the front > sprocket for a 16, put on a taller windscreen, and fill the big bags for > camping, and set the cruise on 80 and see who makes it 6-700 miles that day > and who doesn't though... I'd take the KLR for that. > > Leo in Houston > The list - > '98 KLR Cameleon bike (lots of stuff for it) > '99 KTM 300 EXC > '01 Montesa Cota 315R > '94 R100GS > '78 R100RS >

[k650dsn@aol.com]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Dan Oaks wrote:

> That's why the large tanks, expensive luggage, clown suits,

and

> modifications....

I like that clown suit comment.....

> But my motto is: The open road beckons . . . trailer it to some good

place to

> ride.

Spoken like a true Harley rider... you do own a Harley, right? Gino

[leoa]

DUDE!!! No flaming here, no way no how! I guess the only thing I'll ad at this point is thanks for sharing your definition of "serious". I just sold a WR400 converted to street legal. That to me is serious. All in our perception I guess. Your rides sound like lots of fun actually. Serious amount of fun for sure and serious amount of time on the bikes with friends. All that said, for a junior bike I'd still pick the super sherpa over the NX or XT225. The NX has lots of bodywork that is hard to replace, does not flow air well as slow speed, and has oddball tire sizes. Enough about this bike. The leader of our Copper Canyon ride is 60 by the way. The guy riding the NX250 is 70. Nothing to prove in this group either. We are all out to have fun and survive the one river crossing. The one river on the trip from The Bear to Batopilas will drown an XT225 based on its airbox placement, end of story. I've had to revive one trailside before - they don't like crossings.

----- Original Message ----- From: "Dan Oaks" To: "leoa" Cc: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2001 10:25 AM Subject: Dual Sporting is to me. NKLR (was NX250?) > Actually, I have no desire to ride any bike for hours on end at 70 or 80 mph. > For me, half the fun is not just getting there and back. I enjoy exploring back > country, which includes off the beaten path paved and unpaved roads, as well as > fire access road and trails, etc. Our group enjoys farting around on these > roads at 10 to 50 mph or whatever might be appropriate, and the occasional > almost trials like adventure along the way. A trailer and the smaller Dual > Sports bikes are the ticket for this kind of stuff. Actually, for much of it > the old Honda Trail 90 (except for the trail adventures) is probably more > appropriate than the 650's, although we've never used it, and we do use the > 650's. When we take the 650's, there's always a running commentary of how the > smaller bikes would actually be more fun. That's why we're all adding smaller > bikes to our stables. > > As an example, several of us, from CA, OR, OH, and FL, will meet somewhere in > Colorado (trailer in) the first two weeks in August, then take off for some > back country, exploring ghost towns, gold and silver mines, abandoned ranches, > and other places not generally known to the public, along with the wonderful > unpaved passes over and through the Rockies. Very little real rough riding, but > just enjoyable putzing for 8 to 12 hours a day. Lots of discussion. And a > little trout fishing. And an occasional stupid old fart trick. We don't haul > ass. We don't camp. And we eat well. > > We'll do the same in Oregon (dunes and mountains), Florida ( wildlife and > Keys), and California (Sierra Nevada's and desert) and maybe even Big Bend > before the year is out. Next year we'll hit Northern Idaho and Montana (where > at least the cows are sane) along with our "domestic" rides. > > You must understand that we are a group of old shits, and some of us have more > metal than bones from our earlier days of rough riding and racing. We have > nothing more to prove; everyone knows we're dumb fuck has been's, and we're all > comfortable with it. We rode rough and nasty when the bikes and clown suits > didn't make it easy. Now we make and market motorcycle parts so we can write > off all these bikes and forays. > > This is our definition of Dual Sport riding. Everyone has their own. Otherwise > there would only be one Dual Sport Bike and it would probably be a large ugly > green abortion that does everything, but nothing well. Don't get me wrong. I > like my 650's, but they aren't what I consider fun bikes. They're pretty much > utilitarian, and by reading the posts on this list you'll find that while much > of the talk is about offroad, the majority of the riding done here is on the > road. That's why the large tanks, expensive luggage, clown suits, and > modifications. That's also indicated by the fact that there is more discussion > about better street bikes than real dirt bikes. Nothing wrong with any of it. > > But my motto is: The open road beckons . . . trailer it to some good place to > ride. > > What's your definition of Dual Sporting? Go ahead . . . flame my ass! > > -- > bierdo > > leoa wrote: > > > Dan - > > I refer to the NX as a "cult bike". That is, very few available and a > > strong following within a small group of people. > > > > The NX in any size, be it the 650, 125, or 250, is an opportunity to own a > > piece of europe here in the states IMO. Same for the Transalp, imported at > > the same time as the NXs. All done during an experiment that Honda decided > > failed, therefore they pulled the bikes from the US market. All that > > remains today of this effort in the US is the Dominator (650) motor in a > > modified XR600 chassis called the XR650L model. > > > > Have you personally spent any time on the NX? "Serious Technical Riding" > > would not be what I call its forte, regardless of the size of the rider. It > > is a STREET BIKE with dirt influences in its styling, pure and simple, from > > my experience with the bike. > > > > An XR200 with a Baja Designs kit would make more sense for this application > > (smaller rider/technical riding), or better yet a Yamaha TT-R125 big wheel. > > > > The little Sero (XT225) is a somewhat capable bike, unfortunately its small > > stature gets offset with its heavy weight, easily flooded airbox, and > > too-soft suspension. It works OK for a full size adult that does not want a > > 35 inch seat height of the modern dirt bike, but serious it isn't. > > > > The XT350 with its 8 inches of travel instead of 11 or 12 is a decent > > smaller bike for the full size adult after some slight suspension mods like > > heavier fork springs and a better shock. Its downside is no magic button, > > an emerging requirement these days for many older riders new and re-entry. > > > > In the little time I spent on the Sherpa it impressed me. The motor felt > > like it had some grunt, the throttle response was good for a small diameter > > CV carb, the ergos were good even with the lower seat height, the airbox > > design seems less flood-prone, the suspension had some decent dampening and > > was not eager to bottom. I liked it. > > > > Back to your point on bikes other than the Kaw 650, I second that! The bike > > does NOTHING well, it just does EVERYTHING!!! I have a White Power shock on > > order for mine right now to balance out the rear end with the > > heavier-springed front. After 500 miles in Copper Canyon with 60 pounds on > > the back the imbalance became very appearent, not to mention the wear I put > > on the shock. It is shot! With the front end sitting higher with the > > springs and the rear end sagging from load and the weak spring, the thing > > would not make the turn in a switchback. It just wanted to go straight. > > Offroad your DR650 is a much better bike, no contest. Swap out the front > > sprocket for a 16, put on a taller windscreen, and fill the big bags for > > camping, and set the cruise on 80 and see who makes it 6-700 miles that day > > and who doesn't though... I'd take the KLR for that. > > > > Leo in Houston > > The list - > > '98 KLR Cameleon bike (lots of stuff for it) > > '99 KTM 300 EXC > > '01 Montesa Cota 315R > > '94 R100GS > > '78 R100RS > > >

[Dan Oaks]

k650dsn@... wrote:

> --- In DSN_klr650@y..., Dan Oaks wrote: > > That's why the large tanks, expensive luggage, clown suits, > and > > modifications.... > > I like that clown suit comment..... > > > But my motto is: The open road beckons . . . trailer it to some good > place to > > ride. > > Spoken like a true Harley rider... you do own a Harley, right? > > Gino

No, Gino. I'm just not a street rider, or a tourer. Don't own a street bike of any kind. I actually like to drive my Tahoe on the road. If there were such a thing as a trials dual sport bike, I'd have one. I simply want the street legal so that I can "go anywhere" as necessary, not as a rule. As my father-in-law always said: "I wouldn't have a Harley in my ass if I had room for a sawmill!" 8^) -- Dan (BIERDO) Oaks, President Formtech Services, Inc. '01 XT225 '01 KLR650 '99 DR650 '82 XL250R '78 TC90 '91 Yammy 4 stroke golf cart 2 bad dogs and a sled Mfr. of Printing Equipment & Supplies formtech@... bierdo@... http://www.formtechservices.com Mfr. of 4x4 POLY Motorcycle Parts bierdo@... http://www.dirtly.com 2970 Robins Nest Ct. Saint Cloud, FL 34772-8182 USA 800 522-6257 407 957-7887 (fax)

[Dan Oaks]

leoa wrote:

> DUDE!!! > > No flaming here, no way no how! I guess the only thing I'll ad at this > point is thanks for sharing your definition of "serious". I just sold a > WR400 converted to street legal. That to me is serious. All in our > perception I guess. > > Your rides sound like lots of fun actually. Serious amount of fun for sure > and serious amount of time on the bikes with friends. > > All that said, for a junior bike I'd still pick the super sherpa over the NX > or XT225. The NX has lots of bodywork that is hard to replace, does not > flow air well as slow speed, and has oddball tire sizes. Enough about this > bike. > > The leader of our Copper Canyon ride is 60 by the way. The guy riding the > NX250 is 70. Nothing to prove in this group either. We are all out to have > fun and survive the one river crossing. The one river on the trip from The > Bear to Batopilas will drown an XT225 based on its airbox placement, end of > story. I've had to revive one trailside before - they don't like crossings. > >

The Super Sherpa looked like a nice bike, but since I couldn't test ride one, and I wasn't terribly impressed with the KLR, I opted for a brand I'd never owned. I'm happy with it even though it is not perfect. The worst of it is the annoying 20 minute warm up time. It's as cold natured as my first wife. As I said, I would prefer any bike in the 200-300 range over the 650 for "fun" riding. If for nothing else for the fact that with my screwed up back, I just can't get the goddamned 650's up when I drop them. I'd like for our group to participate in your Copper Canyon ride some day. Yes, I have occasionally had to give my bikes upside down artificial respiration after they received a cold water enema. All in a day's work. The "flame me" comment was rhetorical. Although I don't mind getting flamed. It indicates that someone out there is thinking. Wish sometimes I could get some of our politicians to flame me. 8^) -- Dan (BIERDO) Oaks, President Formtech Services, Inc. '01 XT225 '01 KLR650 '99 DR650 '82 XL250R '78 TC90 '91 Yammy 4 stroke golf cart 2 bad dogs and a sled Mfr. of Printing Equipment & Supplies formtech@... bierdo@... http://www.formtechservices.com Mfr. of 4x4 POLY Motorcycle Parts bierdo@... http://www.dirtly.com 2970 Robins Nest Ct. Saint Cloud, FL 34772-8182 USA 800 522-6257 407 957-7887 (fax)

[rob]

Dan Oaks wrote:

> k650dsn@... wrote: > > > --- In DSN_klr650@y..., Dan Oaks wrote: > > > That's why the large tanks, expensive luggage, clown suits, > > and > > > modifications.... > > > > I like that clown suit comment..... > > > > > But my motto is: The open road beckons . . . trailer it to some good > > place to > > > ride. > > > > Spoken like a true Harley rider... you do own a Harley, right? > > > > Gino > > No, Gino. I'm just not a street rider, or a tourer. Don't own a street bike > of any kind. I actually like to drive my Tahoe on the road. If there were > such a thing as a trials dual sport bike, I'd have one. I simply want the > street legal so that I can "go anywhere" as necessary, not as a rule. > > > As my father-in-law always said: "I wouldn't have a Harley in my ass if I > had room for a sawmill!" >

I don't understand, but I laughed anyway. It's like the retort: "You're talkin' like like a man with a paper asshole".

> > 8^) > > -- > Dan (BIERDO) Oaks, President > Formtech Services, Inc. > > '01 XT225 > '01 KLR650 > '99 DR650 > '82 XL250R > '78 TC90 > '91 Yammy 4 stroke golf cart > 2 bad dogs and a sled > > Mfr. of Printing Equipment & Supplies > formtech@... > bierdo@... > http://www.formtechservices.com > > Mfr. of 4x4 POLY Motorcycle Parts > bierdo@... > http://www.dirtly.com > > 2970 Robins Nest Ct. > Saint Cloud, FL 34772-8182 USA > 800 522-6257 > 407 957-7887 (fax) > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Support Dual Sport News by subscribing at: > http://www.dualsportnews.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Dan Oaks]

I like yours better'n mine! -- bierdo Walter Lesnowich wrote:

> > What's your definition of Dual Sporting? Go ahead . . . flame my ass! > > > > -- > > bierdo > > > > A blonde woman and a brunette woman with > my ass. I'm not into flames. That's too kinky. > > Walt > A14 "War Horse"

[Dan Oaks]

He used the same quote, but always finished it up with, "Ya wanna read the funnies?" Glad you don't understand it either. I always thought I was missing something! -- bierdo Rob wrote: I don't understand, but I laughed anyway. It's like the retort: "You're talkin' like like a man with a paper asshole".

> Dan Oaks wrote: > > > > > As my father-in-law always said: "I wouldn't have a Harley in my ass if I > > had room for a sawmill!" > > >

[Claes Borovac]

In sweden I think they are referred to as "Adventure tourers" if it makes sense? Adventure alone to me sounds like it was a light sporty bike sort of. Tourer immediately kills that and brings you on the right track. Claes, a swede in Dublin -----Original Message----- From: Andrus Chesley [mailto:achesley@...] Sent: 17 May 2001 18:38 To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_klr650] Re: Dual Sport???? Andy Chesley Jennings, La. KLR & R11RA

----- Original Message ----- > Things lke the BWM and Africa Twin probably DO sell well in Europe because they really do match the average D/P riders offroad/onroad > ratio and lean towards being a better road bike... and no doubt their weight helps them a bit. I would think that we would have to start giving the name Adventure Bike and not Dual Sport to some of these machines. There's nothing sporty about an R11GSA in powder sand and dust about 4 inches deep. Loose gravel, wow! I had put my poor GS1100 on some places that I had to lay it on a head and spin it around back to where we had come from. The same year I traded it for a R11RA ( to keep me off these bad roads ) and also got a DR350 for the back roads. When I brought the DR to where I had been white knuckling the GS, it was like playing and enjoying it. 100% difference. The next year I brought my KLR ( totally stock ) to the same roads. Wasn't as nimble as the DR350 but was such a treat on highway sections. I would ponder the thought at KLR's , BMW's, Triumph Tigers, Quota's, and perhaps Aprilia's coming Capo Nord would be in the adventure bike class. Start with the DR650 going the other way towards the Dual Sport line. Being as I have to run about 480 or so miles to get to decent challenging roads from deep in Cajun Country, I tend to favor the Adventure bike. Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com Support Dual Sport News by subscribing at: http://www.dualsportnews.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]