Well I think I'm going to be looking for a supermoto/dual sport bike soon. I want something that gets good gas mileage (as all of them do), thats reliable, could be fun to toss around in the dirt every once and a while, and has enough guts for short freeway trips.
I'm thinking of having two sets of rims. 1 with street tires the other with dirt.

My question is which to get? So far I have my attention torn between the Husqvarna 450 and the Suzuki DRZ400. My only problem is I have no real knowledge of either bike, and no real knowledge of husky's reputation as a manufacturer. Any input is appreciated, and if you have any knowledge/experience with another bike let me know.

Safe riding .

 

BMW will rock your face off. R 1200 GS adventure

 

KTM? BMW F650/F800?

 

BMW?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukAhlxl4hmM

 

Kawasaki KLR 650

 

The KLR's a gret choice... the GS bikes are pretty much heavy pigs that don't qualify as dual sport.

I have a DRZ400SM and I love it. I've done 2+ hour freeway trips on it at 70/75mph, it's well under 300 pounds (especially on a little diet), and tons of fun.

 

OP... you wanat some opinions and facts?


Fact - a properly setup Motard is fast as hell
Fact - a properly setup Motard is uncomfortable as hell
Fact - a properly setup Motard is not as cheap as you think
Opinion/Fact - a properly setup Motard is Frigeen fun as a hell to ride

/thread

 

Maybe I should have mentioned no BMW's because....well its out of my price range .

I'm looking for a middle class supermoto, I've had a few friends with xr650's kl650's and I dont really like them.
Something in the 400-500 cc range is more of what I'm looking for. I wanna start riding supermoto, it looks like a ton of fun, but also keep a spare set of dirt rubbers so I can get into some desert riding again. Not too often though, maybe once every couple months.

Whats the top speed of that DRZ400 asteele? I only ask because I'm wondering if it gets a little too buzzy for the freeway.

 

The Husky 450/510 SMR are race ready bikes. The 610 is the one that is oriented more for the street.

You can't go wrong with a DRZ400SM, they're pretty reliable and stout bikes (A cop department is using them in here), that while they may not be as fast or agile as their euro counterparts (Aprilia, KTM, Husky, Husaberg, etc) they are much more easier on the maintenance, and are intended to be ridden trouble free on the streets and for commuting.

Not that you can't commute or ride street with the euro bikes, but most of them (specially the more race oriented versions) will require a much more strict and frequent maintenance (oil changes, etc).

The XR650 is heavier, but also more comfy and has more oommph for highway trips. But you could always play a little with the sprockets on whichever bike you end up buying.

Also, you could consider racing in the "Sportsman" series. It is basically a dualsport with 21" up front and 18/19 in the rear, with 80-20 or 90-10 tires (80% on-road, 20% offroad), racing just like a supermoto. It's cheaper because you don't need to buy extra rims, hubs or tires.

 

I like the look and feel of the husqvarna 450. I went to a local dealer a few weeks ago to check out the aprilia sxv 450 and the huskys and felt most comfortable on the husky. I also like the fact that its fuel injected.

As for the aprilia sxv450 the dealer was warning me to stay away, he said there were a lot of problems. Mainly oil leaking into the seperately lubricated tranny case and frying the motor.

I'm leaning towards the husky right now. My father owned a drz 400 a few years ago (not an SM though) and absolutely hated it. Whats husqvarna's reputation like as of now? My uncle has owned quite a few and he absolutely loved them but that was 20 years ago.