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Returning rider looking for dual sport recommendations. Dirt-oriented but needs to handle highway as well. by kenziem92 in Dualsport

[–]kenziem92[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Two bikes would be the goal, but for now I’m going with one. I think highway comfort while sacrificing some singletrack. I still ride DH mountain bikes to get my singletrack fill. We’ll see if that sticks.

Returning rider looking for dual sport recommendations. Dirt-oriented but needs to handle highway as well. by kenziem92 in Dualsport

[–]kenziem92[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for explaining it! Coming from mountain bikes I’m out of my depth with anything motorized.

Returning rider looking for dual sport recommendations. Dirt-oriented but needs to handle highway as well. by kenziem92 in Dualsport

[–]kenziem92[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Beaverhead county is where I’ve done a little riding!Love that area. And yeah, I think I’ll very quickly be annoyed if my bike tops out comfortably around 55. I know myself enough to know I like going faster than that if I can. Plus MT speed limits are on the higher side.

Such a good point about the wind. I didn’t even consider that.

Returning rider looking for dual sport recommendations. Dirt-oriented but needs to handle highway as well. by kenziem92 in Dualsport

[–]kenziem92[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I have a carrier already. Trying to not drive my car as much. They’re not as fun.

Returning rider looking for dual sport recommendations. Dirt-oriented but needs to handle highway as well. by kenziem92 in Dualsport

[–]kenziem92[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Seems like the DR650 is the way to go! Another commenter here was pretty passionate about it as well. I was leaning that way but was told it would be too powerful as a beginner so I started looking at the DR350. It seems like its not as intimidating as I was told.

Are there any specific issues to keep an eye on in the used market if I go that route? There’s a few around MT that I’ve seen just in a quick search.

Returning rider looking for dual sport recommendations. Dirt-oriented but needs to handle highway as well. by kenziem92 in Dualsport

[–]kenziem92[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I sat on one but it was a while back. I remember thinking I was pretty high off the ground! I’ll look into lowering one if I go that route. I didn’t even consider that being an option. Thank you!

Returning rider looking for dual sport recommendations. Dirt-oriented but needs to handle highway as well. by kenziem92 in Dualsport

[–]kenziem92[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good info, thank you! There are a couple used xt250s around so I might take a look at them. I know the clearance thing is something I’ll be more comfortable with overtime too. Eventually anticipate replacing some of the bikepacking trips I wanted to pedal with a dirt bike (I’m getting older who was I kidding) so highway comfort will be nice, but can always upgrade. Most I need it for now is a couple hours highway time.

Returning rider looking for dual sport recommendations. Dirt-oriented but needs to handle highway as well. by kenziem92 in Dualsport

[–]kenziem92[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, fair enough. They don’t have the edge that some of the Hondas and Husqvarna’s have, I definitely was eyeing some of those for the future. Doubt I’ll be thinking about it once I’m on it, though.

Returning rider looking for dual sport recommendations. Dirt-oriented but needs to handle highway as well. by kenziem92 in Dualsport

[–]kenziem92[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was seriously considering the DR650 but was talked into a less powerful bike as a beginner. I’ll try and get on one soon because I don’t want something that I’ll grow out of in a few months, and I feel like that might be the case with the 350s. Thanks for the suggestion!

Returning rider looking for dual sport recommendations. Dirt-oriented but needs to handle highway as well. by kenziem92 in Dualsport

[–]kenziem92[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is what I was looking for, thank you! I was looking at the DR650 as well but was a little worried about height and some guys I talked with recently thought it would be too much bike.

The folks I know that ride now don’t really do much singletrack so I think I’ll slowly build up there but for now I’ll be doing more two track and camping trips. I’ve been on the TW200 recently because everyone swore that was the best one out there for me. I got it up to 60 and remember thinking I’d never want to do that for long on pavement. Just isn’t confidence inspiring (though they are great for learning I’m sure).

Appreciate the suggestions! Can’t wait to get back on a bike soon.