I'm guessing you're looking for something more off road orientated than your S10. If you're serious about a TW200, check out PROCYCLE. They have some accessories listed on their website. They also have everything you could want for a DR650. I have a pretty well setup DR650 myself. It's a decent dual sport bike, but not really a hardcore off road machine. Like the KLR, it's just too heavy. I'm looking at bikes like the Honda CRF450L and some KTMs. The DRZ400 might be a good choice too. It really depends on where you want to ride it.
Bike to compliment a S10?
- Thread starter RogerRZ
- Start date
RogerRZ
Well-Known Member
I have access to forest roads/trails (over 100 miles) directly out of my backyard, no pavement at all. Of course, other spots need me to do a bit of pavement, but no more than a few miles. This is why streetability isn't high on the consideration list. My S10 can take care of that (as well as anything else that bikes over 450lbs can--except for a few KTMs).
One thing I should add, my riding area is flat, and not very rocky. Mud? Oh yes. On a rainy day, everything gets slicker than a bunch of snakes in a barrel of snot.
If CRF250Ls weren't so darned soft and heavy, I'd be looking that way. Tons of cheap ones out there.
One thing I should add, my riding area is flat, and not very rocky. Mud? Oh yes. On a rainy day, everything gets slicker than a bunch of snakes in a barrel of snot.
If CRF250Ls weren't so darned soft and heavy, I'd be looking that way. Tons of cheap ones out there.
Bart
Active Member
Agreed, but the latest ones feel much lighter although total weight is very similar.
Clawdog60
Well-Known Member
Drz400 a bit heavy and tall but best bang for the buck
RogerRZ
Well-Known Member
How the weight is carried makes a difference. That's the reason our anvil-like S10s are kind of manageable in tight stuff. The weight is kinda low. There is not much of a subjective difference in feel between a Wee and an S10 off road.
I've said it often. A used, farlked Wee is a killer bargain. I would never choose a new Wee at the same price as a gently used S10.
Clawdog60
Well-Known Member
Too heavy
Bart
Active Member
I've not used a Wee off road so cannot comment, but just picking up the latest Wee off its side stand it feels an awful lot easier than a S10. I also would not buy a new Wee either, but the current one has been out a couple of years now so prices are coming down.
RogerRZ
Well-Known Member
I'd rather work with my head than my back. This is why I added a half inch pad to the bottom of my S10's side stand. On level ground, it could likely use another half inch, but I think that would be pushing it.
gmtech
Active Member
WR250r. had one before my first tenere! why would you want two heavy bikes you already have one. get one on the opposite side of the weight scale.
RogerRZ
Well-Known Member
This is the reason for my short list not having anything much over 300lbs.
RogerRZ
Well-Known Member
Fire?
WJBertrand
Ventura Highway
I was thinking something around 400cc for off road, and then for on-road, a new Gold Wing. So I think there are at least two complementary bikes to go with the Super Tenere.
RogerRZ
Well-Known Member
On this Summer's BBG1500, I wasn't as capable as the bike was. That said, if I were to go with a two bike solution, and start from scratch, I'd probably go with something like a Husky 701 and a 1250RT. Maybe an FJR. The new Wings are nice too...
2daMax
Active Member
Not sure if it is available in your region but I have a 2nd small bike, Yamaha FZ150i. I can easily hit 600km per 12 Liter tank. Light weight (125kg), 5 speed, naked sports, double stand. The only thing it is lacking is the power but that is expected. It can do some off road as well due to the softy suspension.
This make and model has been used to travel the world by Anita Yusof, proven reliability.
https://www.giviexplorer.com/travel/anita-yusof/
This make and model has been used to travel the world by Anita Yusof, proven reliability.
https://www.giviexplorer.com/travel/anita-yusof/
B
ballisticexchris
Guest
Honda XR400
RogerRZ
Well-Known Member
If it had electric start, I'd be all over it like white on snow. My kickstart knee has to be finessed to even kick my old 400/4.
My local classifieds have about 50 low mileage, low priced CRF250Ls. Are they that bad that everyone wants to turf them? Or are there just that many out there? There's got to be something...
B
ballisticexchris
Guest
I'm with you Roger!! I forget that I'm not the only one who needs electric start. The CRF250 is a great bike as far as reliability. But very heavy and underpowered.
Hey Roger what part of New Brunswick are you from, I live just out side Saint John. I am going through the same process as you are and not for the first time. Sold last year a 2009 Suzuki DRZ 400 as I wasn't using it much but now am regretting it. The DrZ 400 is a great bike to compliment the S10. It's not the lightest out there but stepping off the s10 on to the DRZ is night and day and feels light. MY drz was stock worked excellent off road, decent on the back roads but was never happy with it on side streets at 40 Km to 50 KM as I always felt it was reving to high or I was lugging it. That being said I am again looking at DRZ's as they are one of the best bangs for the buck. I owned a 98 KDX 220 that was licensed for the road and it was one of those bikes I should never sold but at the time I got tired of carring mix oil around with me and bought a 2001 WR250F which was plated for the street. I have been looking at newer WR250 R which may be a good choice but have not had a chance to ride on yet and worry I may want more power when on the street and they are still very expensive around here used. I have also owned over the years a DR 650, Klr 650 and a XR 650. The Xr 650 was a decent bike off road but to be honest out of the three big bores the DR 650 was my favorite motor and why it is also on my list. The Dr 650 would be the perfect bike if it was 50 lbs lighter. At 6'2" 200lb I can handle the bigger bikes but once you have riden the smaller ones it's hard to go back. FYI there is a 2005 KDX 220 on Kijiji now that looks like its in good shape. If you have any questions on any of these bikes send me a message.
Eville Rich
Well-Known Member
My wife has a CRF250L (I have a WR250R). I'd say that the WR has a little higher build quality, but it's minor. The CRF has slightly better low-end torque, but doesn't rev as high as the WR. I've noticed that this has an effect when with knobbies (both bikes run D606 rear, MT-21 front) when at highway speeds (55 to 65 true mph). That said I also changed my sprockets on the WR, so that might have an effect, too.
The biggest knock on the CRF is the rear shock. It's not adjustable or rebuildable. Undersprung even for her and especially when carrying gear. She's about 60 lbs lighter than me. I'm not sure, but the new rally version may have a different rear shock. We ended up getting Racetech to redo the front suspension when a seal started leaking. I got her a very nice Racetech rear shock w/ external adjuster. Both tuned for her weight. Made a huge difference on handling and performance. Went from "I'm not liking this off-road" to "when are we doing another trip."
On the WR, I did get the rear shock rebuilt and had a new spring installed (see Go Race in Virginia - great company, full disclosure -went to high school with the owner). But the rear on the WR is adjustable and wasn't nearly the issue as with the CRF. I could have been fine with it in stock form, but did like the improvement.
Overall, the CRF is a fine 250 dual sport, but the suspension can be an issue depending on the Rider and intended use. Both our CRF and WR have had a lot of other farkles, but that's pretty normal. HDB handguards, risers and new handlebars and heated grips for comfort. 12V powerlet plugs. Plus pannier and tail racks for carrying gear and Rotopax spare tanks. We're keeping them for a while. Both are solid and have been very reliable.
Eville Rich
The biggest knock on the CRF is the rear shock. It's not adjustable or rebuildable. Undersprung even for her and especially when carrying gear. She's about 60 lbs lighter than me. I'm not sure, but the new rally version may have a different rear shock. We ended up getting Racetech to redo the front suspension when a seal started leaking. I got her a very nice Racetech rear shock w/ external adjuster. Both tuned for her weight. Made a huge difference on handling and performance. Went from "I'm not liking this off-road" to "when are we doing another trip."
On the WR, I did get the rear shock rebuilt and had a new spring installed (see Go Race in Virginia - great company, full disclosure -went to high school with the owner). But the rear on the WR is adjustable and wasn't nearly the issue as with the CRF. I could have been fine with it in stock form, but did like the improvement.
Overall, the CRF is a fine 250 dual sport, but the suspension can be an issue depending on the Rider and intended use. Both our CRF and WR have had a lot of other farkles, but that's pretty normal. HDB handguards, risers and new handlebars and heated grips for comfort. 12V powerlet plugs. Plus pannier and tail racks for carrying gear and Rotopax spare tanks. We're keeping them for a while. Both are solid and have been very reliable.
Eville Rich