Hey guys!
As per the title, I want a dual sport for nothing more than to ride through the pasture and some back dirt roads. No “sweet jumps”, no wheelies, no racing(all the fun I know). Just a bike that has a headlight that I can enjoy riding in the country where the trees don’t have cell phones distracting them. Just for good measure I will be taking an MSF course prior to my purchase as I have never ridden before.
I’m 5’8” 190lbs. Would a 250cc be plenty good? Again I’m not going to be ripping the throttle and doing crazy stuff. It’ll be my walk in the park so to speak.
Honda? Suzuki? Kawasaki? Yamaha? I have no clue who makes the preferred dually. For the type of riding I plan to do I’m sure they will all suffice. Also, I feel like buying used isn’t smart because of all the typical abuse these type of bikes see...
I am a huge Honda fan, mainly because of their quality and everything they have proven with wining for decades in almost every car and motorcylcle competition that is out there. It also the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.
I have owned multiple honda dirtbikes and also some other brand in the beginning but mainly honda.
I currently own a 2010 CRF 450X enduro, the difference between the X and the CRF450R is that the X is a little bit tuned more for torque and reliabilty, it has a quick acces air filter and electric start with headlights and a side stand. This was the last carburater Honda mx dirtbike.
I use it for trail riding, enduros and a lot of sand riding. I opt to also ride mx tracks again with it next year.
This is bike is however based on an full race bred mx bike so it has the best suspension, frame, power etc... but also the maintenance that comes with it, although it isnt that bad and depends on usage.
I think that with the usage you mention the crf 250l will do great, especialy if youre a beginner. The power band is pretty preditcable and broad, is requires only regular maintenace as far as i heard and the suspension etc.. is sufficient for what you are going to do with it.
Honda also made an xr 400, some see these as the best offroad bikes honda has ever made with the right power/wheight/reliability specs and also electric start if i am not mistaking.
Buying tips:
The current crf450x i own is in new condition even after 10 years, that is because the previous and thus first owner had his own motorcycle shop.
However i've also had horrible bikes, the thing that really makes the difference on these bikes is that its all m6 m8 m10 bolts and almost all the threads are in alluminum, most of the torque specs are 20 till 40 nm and a lot of people strip them easily.
I always opt to buy a bike that looks as original as possible with oem pipe, wheels, decals, seatcover etc.. for me it tells a lot about the bike, how it was used, where money was spend on, and if you want to mod it you can start from a clean slate.
Original looking bikes also have the best resale value.
I am 6,2 and have no problems with length but i do not think 5,8 will be an problem either. For most hondas you can also get aftermarket lowering links which reduces the height a litte, sometimes you can also shave the seat a litte, but as i said i dont think it is needed.
