Do any of you own or know someone with an NX650 Dual Sport? They were only available in the US in 88-89 but sold all over the world as the Honda Dominator for years and years. It preceeded the Honda XR650L which I like but at 37" at the seat, its much too big.

 

I think they're really cool bikes. Kind of like a Transalp, but only one cylinder. If you're looking into riding trails, I'd say a DR650 would be better. Like an XR650L, but with lower seat height. The NX650 is more of a KLR650, more street focused.

 

What's your intended purpose? Loads of info on these over on ADVRider. Very cool bike, but I'll take a 250 over the 650.

 

Weekend trips to the mountains, camping, some trails. No heavy offroad or jumps.

I'm on ADV now

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jasper_db1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Weekend trips to the mountains, camping, some trails. No heavy offroad or jumps.

I'm on ADV now </TD></TR></TABLE>

Sounds like the perfect bike for you!

I'm working on a 'budget' home brewed adventure bike right now: my brother's 74 CB360 with CL (Scrambler) exhaust and some dual sport tires. Later down the road I definitely want to get something with some better suspension like a Yamaha XT550 or XT600.

 

Trail riding is such a huge blast... being in so cal, try and make a trip into mexico

 

Yep, sounds like it'll be a good fit. I've seen a few really nice examples in the past month or two for ~$2500, to give you an idea. One slightly less nice example was going for $1800 I believe.

 

The ugly NX650 with the bedliner'd bodywork in Sacramento on ADV is what I have my eye on until I googled Transalp and my whole world got turned upside down

 

Too bad you guys never got the newer body style Dominator...



I wanted to get one, but couldn't sell my bike fast enough to get it. It's basically a XR650L with fairings and bubble for long trips.

For what you want to do, a 650 thumper sounds perfect. It's more comfortable on the long run and able to carry more luggage.

Why not look into a KLR650, though? It seems like they are much more popular there in the US, so finding parts for them would be easier and cheaper.

 

I'm a Honda dude - just don't tell my Yamaha that.

The new body looks great! The more I look, the more I want.

 

Yeah, Transalps run a pretty penny, they aren't very common. The KLR is very popular: big gas tank, relatively smooth, decent seat, cheap. It does have a high seat height. There was one on the local craigslist, an 2001, for only $2k. If I hadn't gone one my cross country trip, I would have had the money and I would have snatched it up.

 

Only big problem with KLR vs. NX: KLR = water cooled, NX = air cooled. Drop that KLR once badly and you'll be buying a nice new expensive radiator.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Stinkycheezmonky &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Only big problem with KLR vs. NX: KLR = water cooled, NX = air cooled. Drop that KLR once badly and you'll be buying a nice new expensive radiator.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, there's that argument. The Transalp is watercooled btw. Plenty of people have ridden the KLR around the world, that is indicative of how durable it is IMO. If you do a lot of trail riding, then yeah, the radiator is at risk. But looking at what Jasper has planned, I'd say this is a non-issue.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Stinkycheezmonky &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Only big problem with KLR vs. NX: KLR = water cooled, NX = air cooled. Drop that KLR once badly and you'll be buying a nice new expensive radiator.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Comapny in Utah that fixed mangled radiators for a flat rate of 80 bucks. they do awsome work, and you should see some of the stuff they have fixed.

 

have any of you rode one of these in the snow? for some reason i have always wanted to buy one and ride it on the streets in the winter.

 

with studs, you are fine... with out them, it aint fun

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pepsi in a can &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Comapny in Utah that fixed mangled radiators for a flat rate of 80 bucks. they do awsome work, and you should see some of the stuff they have fixed.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Can't stay away, I see

Don't you have other forums to troll?

 

I assumed they'd be pretty durable, and would have thought nothing of it had a riding buddy not dropped his within 5 minutes of purchasing it...and then had to replace the friggin' thing. Your call though, and there are plenty of KLRs out there trailing it up.

 

my lil bro just got a transalp a couple of weeks ago and we have all had a blast on it. we cleaned the carbs, changed oil, and all the usual maintenance. the transalp would def be my choice for the riding you plan on doing.

 

You guys are awesome

I've been doing a lot of reading over on ADV as well as CivicWagonRUS's 2008 thread and realize that it's the ride itself is the adventure and that the bike is just the tool.

With the YZF600R nearing completion, I think I finally have a direction and goal for her

I'll keep my eyes open and an spot clear for Transalp or Dominator if I ever find the right deal though

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jasper_db1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> realize that it's the ride itself is the adventure and that the bike is just the tool.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Indeed it is. There is a local group of riders here in Venezuela that they travel all over the place in 125's and chinese scooters. They seem to enjoy their trips much more than the dudes in fully decked BMW's.

I still support the KLR650. I really like it, it's like the swiss-army knife of bikes. It can do a little bit of everything, and there are many laying around, so parts can be easy to source.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pepsi in a can &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Comapny in Utah that fixed mangled radiators for a flat rate of 80 bucks. they do awsome work, and you should see some of the stuff they have fixed.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I know what place you are talking about, because I had the radiator for my SV fixed there. Just to let you know, it ended up being more than just 80 bucks. It ended up leaking a couple months after I put it on. It may have been shitty welding, or a rock may have punched a hole in one of the welds. Its hard to tell which.

In hindsight, I wish I had just bought a new one, which is probably what I will end up doing anyways. I'm not too satisfied with my ghetto rigged JB Weld job.