Wilsons Sandbox

Posted: **Sun Jan 01, 2012 10:52 pm**

So, I'm having trouble learning dirt on my KLR. I'd like to find about a 250 dual sport to learn on. I had a KLR250 and liked it, though it didn't seem to have much low end power, even for a 250. I sold it when I bought the 650. Any recommendations for a lighter sport bike I can learn the dirt on?

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2012 1:55 am**

Not in any particular order . Kawasaki KLX-250 Yamaha WR-250 Yamaha XT-225 Suzuki DRZ400 Yamaha XT-250 Honda XR250L Honda CRF230L Kawasaki 250 Super Sherpa Husqvarna TE-250 Husqvarna TE-310 Husqvarna TE-449 KTM 450 EXC I left a couple out. I also grouped them by Japan vs everyone else. The Huskys and KTMs are little more than street legal enduro bikes but if all you are doing is using roads to get to your favorite off-road riding area, they may be the better choices. If you are looking for used, the first 4 on the list are most easily found. From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of jwflower53 Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2012 8:28 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR: Best smaller DS bike? So, I'm having trouble learning dirt on my KLR. I'd like to find about a 250 dual sport to learn on. I had a KLR250 and liked it, though it didn't seem to have much low end power, even for a 250. I sold it when I bought the 650. Any recommendations for a lighter sport bike I can learn the dirt on?

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:28 am**

The KLR 650 is a tough bike to learn more challenging dirt on. It will do a lot of things within reason but does have its limitations in tough terrain especially if you are inseam challenged. Marks advice on alternatives are good. I have been considering the KLX 250 myself...or the DRZ 400. Even the DR 650 should be an easier ride in tougher terrain. I have no idea why the cycle mags are pushing the huge adventure bikes such as the BMW R1200 GS, the Tenere and the Tiger. There is no way I would want to ride those in dirt unless it is a very well manicured dirt road. I guess they are paying the magazines a lot of dinero to write good reviews. I think Kawasaki would be smart to drop the Verys engine into KLR's to compete with the other bigger adventure bikes like the 800 BMW GS's. Then, make a 400 KLX. If they were smart. The Versys engine has double the power but is only 4 pounds heavier than a KLR according to a friend who is putting that engine into a KLR. Or make an 800 long stroke single. Yeehah! Criswell Sent from my iPad

On Jan 1, 2012, at 7:28 PM, "jwflower53" wrote: > So, I'm having trouble learning dirt on my KLR. I'd like to find about a 250 dual sport to learn on. I had a KLR250 and liked it, though it didn't seem to have much low end power, even for a 250. I sold it when I bought the 650. Any recommendations for a lighter sport bike I can learn the dirt on? > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2012 10:54 am**

Nobody has mentioned one of my favorites, the DR350SE, not the best dirt bike in the world, but way more than good enough, plus it's a bike you could ride everyday, or ride to Copper Canyon. I almost hate to bring it up, because they don't make 'em anymore, and any renewed interest only stands to put pressure on a dwindling supply.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "jwflower53" wrote: > > So, I'm having trouble learning dirt on my KLR. I'd like to find about a 250 dual sport to learn on. I had a KLR250 and liked it, though it didn't seem to have much low end power, even for a 250. I sold it when I bought the 650. Any recommendations for a lighter sport bike I can learn the dirt on? >

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:09 am**

I have heard the DR 350 is actually better than the DRZ 400 if you bore it to...what is it...a little over 400 and modufy the suspension. Doesn't it have a 6 speed? Can't you lower it easily? Criswell

On Jan 2, 2012, at 10:54 AM, Jud wrote: > Nobody has mentioned one of my favorites, the DR350SE, not the best dirt bike in the world, but way more than good enough, plus it's a bike you could ride everyday, or ride to Copper Canyon. I almost hate to bring it up, because they don't make 'em anymore, and any renewed interest only stands to put pressure on a dwindling supply. > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "jwflower53" wrote: > > > > So, I'm having trouble learning dirt on my KLR. I'd like to find about a 250 dual sport to learn on. I had a KLR250 and liked it, though it didn't seem to have much low end power, even for a 250. I sold it when I bought the 650. Any recommendations for a lighter sport bike I can learn the dirt on? > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2012 5:57 pm**

>>Does anyone know of a killer deal on an electric knife?

Garage sales! Or borrow from some one that has one. Don M

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 10:11 am**

For 3 years I tried to get my 2007 KLR650 to fill my dirt bike needs, but gave up. It was just too big and heavy. While my buddies were having fun on their 250s, I was white knuckled, and working much to hard to enjoy myself. So, I bought a 1990 TW200. It was a blast in the dirt and mud. It was the easist bike to ride off road I ever owned. light weight, low seat hight, fat knobby tires, It was like a big mini bike. If you don't mind its lack of power and just want a fun dual sport, any newbee/novice rider can handle, this is the bike I would get. However, I found myself wanting something more powerful, more rugged, (and more manly). So, last spring I sold it and bought a new leftover. 2009 KLX250s. Its power, ruggedness, and suspension make it a much more serious dirt bike than the TW200. Although, because of the taller seat, not quite as easy to ride for the novice. Craig From: Mike Frey To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, January 2, 2012 2:55 AM Subject: RE: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR: Best smaller DS bike? Not in any particular order . Kawasaki KLX-250 Yamaha WR-250 Yamaha XT-225 Suzuki DRZ400 Yamaha XT-250 Honda XR250L Honda CRF230L Kawasaki 250 Super Sherpa Husqvarna TE-250 Husqvarna TE-310 Husqvarna TE-449 KTM 450 EXC I left a couple out. I also grouped them by Japan vs everyone else. The Huskys and KTMs are little more than street legal enduro bikes but if all you are doing is using roads to get to your favorite off-road riding area, they may be the better choices. If you are looking for used, the first 4 on the list are most easily found. From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of jwflower53 Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2012 8:28 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR: Best smaller DS bike? So, I'm having trouble learning dirt on my KLR. I'd like to find about a 250 dual sport to learn on. I had a KLR250 and liked it, though it didn't seem to have much low end power, even for a 250. I sold it when I bought the 650. Any recommendations for a lighter sport bike I can learn the dirt on? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 10:29 am**

One thing I will give the KLR 650 is that it keeps up just fine on the freeway. Even with my 13 tooth front sprocket, it will run with anybody. I'm not so sure about smaller bikes. I would give money for less weight on a KLR, but how to achieve that? Titanium frame? Aluminum swingarm? I would also give money for another gear, or two! This thing needs a really tall sixth gear for the freeway. With my sprocket, I'm over 6000 RPM lots of the time. Not a real problem, but it does use more oil and it can get hot in the summer. I would even be OK with a really tall fifth gear, if that was available. More power? Don't need it. It's got plenty of power. Remember, it's a DIRT BIKE (OK, a really heavy dirt bike). Robert Wichert P.Eng. LEED AP +1 916 966 9060 FAX +1 916 966 9068 ===============================================

On 1/3/2012 8:11 AM, Craig Kahler wrote: > > For 3 years I tried to get my 2007 KLR650 to fill my dirt bike needs, > but gave up. It was just too big and heavy. While my buddies were > having fun on their 250s, I was white knuckled, and working much to > hard to enjoy myself. > So, I bought a 1990 TW200. It was a blast in the dirt and mud. It was > the easist bike to ride off road I ever owned. light weight, low seat > hight, fat knobby tires, It was like a big mini bike. If you don't > mind its lack of power and just want a fun dual sport, any > newbee/novice rider can handle, this is the bike I would get. > However, I found myself wanting something more powerful, more rugged, > (and more manly). > So, last spring I sold it and bought a new leftover. 2009 KLX250s. Its > power, ruggedness, and suspension make it a much more serious dirt > bike than the TW200. Although, because of the taller seat, not quite > as easy to ride for the novice. > > Craig > > From: Mike Frey > > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Monday, January 2, 2012 2:55 AM > Subject: RE: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR: Best smaller DS bike? > > > Not in any particular order . > > Kawasaki KLX-250 > Yamaha WR-250 > Yamaha XT-225 > Suzuki DRZ400 > Yamaha XT-250 > Honda XR250L > Honda CRF230L > Kawasaki 250 Super Sherpa > > Husqvarna TE-250 > Husqvarna TE-310 > Husqvarna TE-449 > KTM 450 EXC > > I left a couple out. I also grouped them by Japan vs everyone else. The > Huskys and KTMs are little more than street legal enduro bikes but > if all > you are doing is using roads to get to your favorite off-road riding area, > they may be the better choices. > > If you are looking for used, the first 4 on the list are most easily > found. > > From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > ] On > Behalf Of jwflower53 > Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2012 8:28 PM > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR: Best smaller DS bike? > > > So, I'm having trouble learning dirt on my KLR. I'd like to find about > a 250 > dual sport to learn on. I had a KLR250 and liked it, though it didn't seem > to have much low end power, even for a 250. I sold it when I bought > the 650. > Any recommendations for a lighter sport bike I can learn the dirt on? > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 2:50 pm**

My Dual Sport wish list has a couple bikes on it that don't exist - at least, in the USA: Kawasaki KLX-450 Yamaha WR-450 Yamaha makes a street legal version WR-450 for Australia; sure wish they'd bring it here! Back to the original topic, to learn off road riding safely (as a beginner), anything over 250 is like the newly minted street squids who buy 600cc (or bigger) sport bikes. I'm at the point in my life that my bikes are all more capable than I am. I can take the KLR into some rough off road sections, but it's a handful and no fun picking it up when it takes a dirt nap! Mike

On 1/3/2012 11:11 AM, Craig Kahler wrote: > > For 3 years I tried to get my 2007 KLR650 to fill my dirt bike needs, > but gave up. It was just too big and heavy. While my buddies were > having fun on their 250s, I was white knuckled, and working much to > hard to enjoy myself. > So, I bought a 1990 TW200. It was a blast in the dirt and mud. It was > the easist bike to ride off road I ever owned. light weight, low seat > hight, fat knobby tires, It was like a big mini bike. If you don't > mind its lack of power and just want a fun dual sport, any > newbee/novice rider can handle, this is the bike I would get. > However, I found myself wanting something more powerful, more rugged, > (and more manly). > So, last spring I sold it and bought a new leftover. 2009 KLX250s. Its > power, ruggedness, and suspension make it a much more serious dirt > bike than the TW200. Although, because of the taller seat, not quite > as easy to ride for the novice. > > Craig > > From: Mike Frey > > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Monday, January 2, 2012 2:55 AM > Subject: RE: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR: Best smaller DS bike? > > > Not in any particular order . > > Kawasaki KLX-250 > Yamaha WR-250 > Yamaha XT-225 > Suzuki DRZ400 > Yamaha XT-250 > Honda XR250L > Honda CRF230L > Kawasaki 250 Super Sherpa > > Husqvarna TE-250 > Husqvarna TE-310 > Husqvarna TE-449 > KTM 450 EXC > > I left a couple out. I also grouped them by Japan vs everyone else. The > Huskys and KTMs are little more than street legal enduro bikes but > if all > you are doing is using roads to get to your favorite off-road riding area, > they may be the better choices. > > If you are looking for used, the first 4 on the list are most easily > found. > > From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > ] On > Behalf Of jwflower53 > Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2012 8:28 PM > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR: Best smaller DS bike? > > > So, I'm having trouble learning dirt on my KLR. I'd like to find about > a 250 > dual sport to learn on. I had a KLR250 and liked it, though it didn't seem > to have much low end power, even for a 250. I sold it when I bought > the 650. > Any recommendations for a lighter sport bike I can learn the dirt on? > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > >

Wilsons Sandbox

shaping seat foam question

nklr: best smaller ds bike?

nklr: best smaller ds bike?

nklr: best smaller ds bike?

nklr: best smaller ds bike?

nklr: best smaller ds bike?

shaping seat foam question

nklr: best smaller ds bike?

nklr: best smaller ds bike?

nklr: best smaller ds bike?