Thinking about a second bike

Butterthebean

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Call me a namby pamby…. but I'm new to off road riding and reluctant to go out and risk my nice, expensive S10. I've done it a few times and always ended up feeling like I was in over my head and the constant fear of crashing loomed. I know the bike is made for it, but it's already my favorite bike of all time and the last thing I want to do is watch it explode because of my lack of skill. Even though I know it will handle the terrain, and I also know it will handle a drop because I've already done it a couple of times. Still.... it worries me to think of it going careening down some hill side end over end when I've barely made 2 payments. On the other hand.... I think I would be able to ride some trails worry free (and have more fun in the process) if I wasn't worried about my S10. So I'm having thoughts of getting some cheap dual sport bike to take out just on the trails. I'd love a KLR 650 or a DRZ400... mainly because they have similar ergonomics.

Is this a waste of money?
 

MCGMB

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No it's not a waste of money, in fact I've done similar in the past.

Along with the idea of saving the S10 from off-road damage, getting a lighter dual sport bike will help your riding skills in many ways -- learn to slide either wheel without freaking out, not rely on HP so much, etc.

My only comment about bike choice is to add a WR250R as an option. The KLR is certainly a fine bike in its own right, but it terms of weight, suspension, and off-road capability it's nowhere near the other two.

I've owned both DRZ and WRR and they're great at what they do. The Suzuki is a little torquier, but the Yamaha has a 6th gear which makes it a bit more flexible.
 
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Madhatter

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a second bike , I chose a dirt bike the crf450x , not street legal on purpose (already have a street bike the tenere ) found a brand new 2017 paid 6300.00 plus all the fees . added it to my insurance to protect it from theft damage etc. (not required by honda ) rained almost every weekend since , have 15 miles on it since December when I bought it . it sure looks pretty in the garage …. and woohoo it looks like a dry weekend ahead so I will get to ride it for the second time. as far as dual sports if your going to do mostly off road the ktm husky lines are great if reliability is more important then the Asian bikes is the better choice.... lots of off road parks around for the db , lots of gravel roads for the dual sports . check out texas adventure rider or two wheeled Texans for more info on dual sport stuff. temple is not that far from buda , so howdy neighbor.
 

dannyv

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Sounds like a fine plan to me. I'm considering similar, I'm thinking something small enough to put on a hitch rack, skip the trailer sometimes. Also, might could be wife would enjoy a small displacement dual sport, more then her maxi scooter.
 

Madhatter

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im still trying to sort out the honda carb , jetting sucked as stock , rejetted is better but needs some tweeking , if I get it right should be great fun.
 

U.P.rider

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I have a couple other bikes but there street bikes, I purchased the S10 so I can go off the pavement. I have not yet had any riding time on her but I am really hoping that it will fill that missing off road component. I have had a DT 250 and YZ250 so there is some expectation of wanting competent off roader. If it doesn’t pan out I will get a WR 250 or probably a WR 450 in place of the FZ1 most likely. This riding season has a lot promise in store for me and this waist deep can go at any time in my mind!


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Sierra1

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….I'm thinking something small enough to put on a hitch rack, skip the trailer sometimes. Also, might could be wife would enjoy a small displacement dual sport, more then her maxi scooter.
My recommendation for both situations is the TW 200. It'll go anywhere; note the tires. My wife likes being able to place both feet flat on the ground. My son with the FJR laughs every time he ride the TW. Said it feels like a bicycle. It'll also do 65-70mph, and get 60+ mpg.
 

Madhatter

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u.p.rider, your super ten is a great choice , it is a great street bike , its a great ADV bike , its great on gravel roads , so you can explore lots of cool places ( depending on tire choice ) , but its not a dirt bike or even an enduro , there are some who can do things with it I can only dream about , but that's not me , it will get you to your camp ground , it will get great gas milage . you picked a great bike to enjoy.... all geared up is pushing 600 lbs , remember gravity always wins.
 

magic

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It's not a waste of money if you ride it. I have several bikes in the garage. The S10s are capable off road bikes although somewhat limited by their size and weight. I am looking real hard at the new Honda CRF450L but it's still winter here. The DRZ400 is a good choice too. I would look at a DR650 rather than the KLR. It's quite a bit lighter and there are lots of accessories available. Last year I put more miles on my DR650 than my S10.
 

Butterthebean

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butter the bean, just re-read your post, crashing your tenere is a waste of money....
Exactly what I’m thinking. It’s a great bike but my skill level won’t let me take it just anywhere. I’m looking hard at the DRZ400 as I want a bike that’s street legal but also powerful enough to carry my fat ass to the trails.
 

Butterthebean

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My recommendation for both situations is the TW 200. It'll go anywhere; note the tires. My wife likes being able to place both feet flat on the ground. My son with the FJR laughs every time he ride the TW. Said it feels like a bicycle. It'll also do 65-70mph, and get 60+ mpg.
A TW200 would be an awesome bike but I’m afraid I’d look dorky as hell with my big butt on one of those.

Considering a Supermoto (drz400sm) with knobby tires on it. Same idea but not so small.
 

Madhatter

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drz is great , dr650 is great, I miss my dr650 ( I am a fan Magic of the dr650, as for crashing the tenere its not a dirt bike cost new over 15000.00 and if your under it even more, now having said that , I too ride it off pavement ,gravel roads , two tracks and even single track as long as its less than a 1) . Butterthebean, drz400 is more set up for dirt , 21x18 tires etc. the dr650 21x17 , check the aftermarket and see what you might do with it , might help you decide ( check out procycle , lots of stuff for both bikes ). I even thought about the drz or a dr again, but for my own reasons I chose the crf. whats that movie quote by eastwood " a man has to know his limitations" im not great off road and im not great off road with the tenere for sure.... as for a supermoto they also come with a dirt set of tires. check out the Suzuki website. I too are of the fat ass clan.
 

U.P.rider

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u.p.rider, your super ten is a great choice , it is a great street bike , its a great ADV bike , its great on gravel roads , so you can explore lots of cool places ( depending on tire choice ) , but its not a dirt bike or even an enduro , there are some who can do things with it I can only dream about , but that's not me , it will get you to your camp ground , it will get great gas milage . you picked a great bike to enjoy.... all geared up is pushing 600 lbs , remember gravity always wins.
It may end up that the S10 is all I need to get my dirt fix, the WR idea may just fade as I get some time on the pegs in the dirt. I really enjoy riding/ exploring new places so there will be many pavement miles as well. Tires will be a key choice from what I can see.
 
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Madhatter

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U.P.rider, im sitting here looking at my 2017 CRF450X and wondering why the heck I bought it (at least I got it cheap ) since I was a 12 year old I have wanted a dirt bike , well I got one now. I am not going to race it , just trail ride it , and hope it helps me be better on street . I guess that's why I bought it.... as I grow older and age becomes a factor I don't want to at the end of my life and say " I wish I would have ", there is plenty of that in all of our lives. my super ten was and is a great choice for a bike , and still have lots of life left even though it is getting up in years , kinda like me. so no regrets about it , and when I put the proper tires on it this spring im going to find some long gravel roads going somewhere. you picked a great bike and if you can afford a second bike a dual sport or DB is a cool thing , if I can get this honda paid off soon I may look to buy a street legal dual sport just because I want one . or not.... CRF450L could be next.
 

Madhatter

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and while at work today I think ive decided no dual sport , maybe a new big ADV , bmw, ktm, triumph, ducati, Yamaha needs to step up if they want my money, heck all the tenere owners money will eventually go some where else …..
 

Don T

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If you want a second bike for playing in the dirt and gain some off road experience, do yourself a favor and choose a light model - Forget about the KLR (you already have a touring bike). A DR 650 or 400 will be much better, but if you can afford it, go even lighter.
A 250-450 pure enduro bike will make life so much easier for you. If you get a KTM 350 Freeride it will almost be like cheating - that bike will make you feel like a pro in no time.
 

Madhatter

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im riding my 2nd bike tomorrow , all dirt all day..... well practice in the dirt all day... temperature in the mid 70s , dry , hanging out with a great friend , its what it is about ....
 

Butterthebean

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If you want a second bike for playing in the dirt and gain some off road experience, do yourself a favor and choose a light model - Forget about the KLR (you already have a touring bike). A DR 650 or 400 will be much better, but if you can afford it, go even lighter.
A 250-450 pure enduro bike will make life so much easier for you. If you get a KTM 350 Freeride it will almost be like cheating - that bike will make you feel like a pro in no time.
That KTM 350 looks awesome. I really want a street legal bike though so that I don't have to trailer it to the nearby trails.
 
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