Hello motorcycle folks,

I am interested in getting a Dual Sport bike for my first street bike. I used to ride off-road when I was younger, and was a pretty good rider. I sold all my dirt bikes years ago and want to get back into riding as well as be able to go on road.

I have been looking around a little and am considering the Honda 650L however I am interested the BMW F650 for the EFI and other technologies. I have searched around a bit and it seems that BMW is the only manufacturer offering EFI on a dual sport bike. Is anyone else putting out an EFI D/S now or in the near future??

 

Why not an old KTM that's not FI?

 

More street or off-road?

If you just want something that will do street well and off-pavement up to a fire road or something like that (I've seen them taken through stuff MUCH worse though) then you should VERY seriously consider a Suzuki DL-650 (take pass on the 1000 unless you plan to run nothing but interstate).

They are great and I've tried everything I could do to figure out how to buy one to accompany my other bike in the garage. Unfortunatly, with having just bought this house it ain't gonna happen for awhile.

I've ridden a 1000 and loved it. Used to own a SV-650 (bike the driveline is derived from) and loved it. I can only imagine that pretty much means I'll love the DL-650. Most reviews state as much as well.

 

All I see is the DR650, is the DL an older model?

The bike will definitely be seeing the highway, and local roads but will be on a trail EVERY chance I get. I'm sure a 650 will be plenty powerfull enough for my purposes, I just want to make sure I get the right one...

 

If you will be doing a lot of TRUE off-roading (I've seen a LOT of pics of the DL650 and DL1000 doing so but I wouldn't do it unless you are well experianced) then I'd steer clear of the V-Strom.

Here is some info that I dug up for you.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com...0.htm

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/DL650.html

 

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.

I would like to be able to get into some pretty rough off road situations. I live in northwestern NJ and have friends that live in the Poconos in PA. As "cool" as it may be to have an EFI machine I think I will end up going with something a bit rougher like the 650L or DR650. Like I said I do plan on doing road/hwy riding, but not much more than 30-45 minutes away (to the mountains in PA)

I just wish they would start putting EFI on those kind of bikes.

 

i had a DRZ-400 as my first bike, it was a good starting bike, enough power to power wheelie in 1st gear, topped out at around 108mph i thought it was a good starter bike...

 

KTM motard!

 

xr450r!