kunabusa

I am purchasing a 2008 Suzuki 650 dual sport.............. I was wondering about some rides close o kuna

Gem STate ST

Browse thru this thread http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...76678&page=426 If you want close by I'd look at the posts that were made in the winter months.To get comfortable with the bike go to Swan Falls and take a right and ride along the river.

knobbyfeet

Even better, right before the road to Swan Falls turns sharp right and heads down the hill, TAKE A LEFT INTO THE GRAVEL LOT AT THE TOWER AT TOP OF HILL.

There is a dirt road/ATV trail there that goes about 8-9 miles and I have taught a few people how to ride there, a great place to learn a new off road bike. At the end, it drops down to the river. After dropping down go straight, and it dead ends at a terrain park in the middle of nowhere. Complete with jumps and a bunch of mounds to ride over, a great place to learn your bike and adjust suspension.

dakotajay

Awesome tip! I've been debating on going to D/S instead of a new street bike. Honda XR650L to be exact.

knobbyfeet

They are fun and then you are no longer limited to just pavement or even gravel roads.

dakotajay

Exactly. I've been out of the dirt since 1990 when I had a bad wreck on my YZ250. Do you think the XR650L is too much bike for getting back into it? I'm looking for a light D/S/Adventure type bike. Torquey and not twitchy like the 2-strokes.

Bikerlibre

Hey Guys, you both have excellent choices for bikes to consider.

dakotajay, I noticed you're from Eagle. A few of us ventured out last week just north of Eagle on a fun ride on both pavement and gravel roads. The riding adventures are just outside town with no end in sight to where the roads lead so you'll have a blast should you decide to go with the XR650. I ride a similar KTM.

Hoping to hook up you you guy sometime!

knobbyfeet

Depends,

The Honda and Suzuki 650's were way too heavy for my tastes, and off road habits. They are great on dirt roads, but tough on single tracks and areas that include throwing the bike around. Heavy dual sports suck when you are going down steep inclines, unless you gear em low.

I looked hard at the CRF-450X and DRZ-400 and chose the latter. They are lighter, and great off road. Mine would do 95 mph stock, but I geared it down. I can idle down steep and rocky stuff at 8MPH.

I really wanted the CRF-450X but they want too much for em.

I would recommend riding a few models, but also try to imagine it on narrow trails, steep hills and sand. Lots of "street" dual sports will get you hurt off road because of the top heavy weight. BikerLibre has a sweet Husky that is a 6-soemthing, but doesn't look very heavy. He freakin rips on that thing.

LckyTylr

Whatchu Talkin 'Bout Willus!?!?!?! You sayin' my street bike's not supposed to play in the dirt . . . . . ?


I'll ignore that comment and won't pass it on to KaTy May, but if I were you, I wouldn't repeat that around her.