Dual Sport or ADV

TRD270

Emptying Pockets Again
Supporting Member
Location
SaSaSandy
A 690 and AFC singletrack don't go together though, it can be done but it won't be easy. That's smaller bike territory for sure.

I made the mistake of riding my DR650 up AFC on the singletrack once, ended up dragging my bike back up the mountain after blowing a corner. Took about an hour, took everything I had and was absolutely exhausted, ending my day early.
Last time I rode was on my WR450. I honestly don’t have a lot of desire to ride on the road with all these distracted a-holes. Want just enough street ability to ride from trail to trail. Maybe from my house to mineral fork, or up over guardsman’s to get to the AF trails from Midway. I don't recall whose 300 I rode for a bit back in the day, I want to say it was @rholbrook ‘s. But I’ve long desired one since I sold my 450, and now I have the time to ride again.
 

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
I can attest to all the @'s. I currently have a 1090, 890 and 390. Before that I had a KTM 690 and before that a DR650. The 1090 is awesome for more highway miles and eats dirt road great. It sucks on anything like rough 2 track and worse. The 890 as Russ said is a great do all. As Stratton points out, the 690 will do 65 all day with just an upgraded seat and iIt will also easily do AF single track. @cruiseroutfit even rode his up mineral fork. If I could only have one bike to do it all, it would be a KTM 690 or 701. The DR650 is all the things Stratton says, but it's still a good value for the money they cost. My dad has a pristine KLR650 (2008) for sale right now if you are interested in it. I will say, I had my DR650 when he bought the KLR and I was really happy I didn't have a KLR every time we swapped bikes. However on my 1090, I have to push to keep up with my 70 year old dad riding Payson or Hobble Creek canyon pavement on that KLR. He can ride that thing through the twisties.
The 390 is a good bike but it is small. Short in height and wheelbase. I would not recommend one for a full sized adult male. It's a great bike for my wife though.

Correction: the 690 rode me up Mineral Fork. :D

I've also ridden it on most of the Sovereign Trails, Dead Cow Wash / Tubes, Tenmile Wash, etc. None were glamorous displays of rider prowess but I generally laid it down less than others.

I looooove the 690 but I really want a 300cc bike for trails like Mineral Fork. Honestly it was just dumb to rally that thing up there with a crappy rear tire, stock gears and the worst trail conditions I've seen in the half dozen times I've ridden it.
 

Gravy

Ant Anstead of Dirtbikes
Supporting Member
Yeah they do. I've done almost every single trail up AFC on my 690R. Electric start, amazing slipper hydraulic clutch stock, great suspension, silky smooth power, 335lbs wet.
KTMRallySept18-Cudby-338~2.jpg
I rode mine up over Chicken Rock in Cherry Creek if you know that terrain.

🤪Although there are much better bikes for that nonsense than a big dual sport.

If anyone want to go for a rip we are meeting at Delle on the north side of the freeway tonight at 5:15pm.
I can even bring you a bike to give it a go.
 

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Yeah they do. I've done almost every single trail up AFC on my 690R. Electric start, amazing slipper hydraulic clutch stock, great suspension, silky smooth power, 335lbs wet.
View attachment 173435
I rode mine up over Chicken Rock in Cherry Creek if you know that terrain.

🤪Although there are much better bikes for that nonsense than a big dual sport.

If anyone want to go for a rip we are meeting at Delle on the north side of the freeway tonight at 5:15pm.
I can even bring you a bike to give it a go.

Yeah, and you can take a dually Dodge up Pritchett canyon... doesn't mean it's the perfect fit for everyone and that you should recommend others do it.
 

Gravy

Ant Anstead of Dirtbikes
Supporting Member
An GS1200 or a Harley Pan America is a dually. A 690r is more like an awesome full bodied scrambler with coilovers and an LS7 swap. A DR650 is like a k5 with a smog era 305 and a quadrajet.
Purpose built buggy might be more fun on Pritchett.
No it's not the perfect fit for everyone and most people don't ride as much off-road as me, but Cruiseroutfit is the perfect example of a guy who doesn't ride tons and can still have a great time on a dual sport.
And it'll probably take more work but it'll go 85% of the places the buggy will go at 75% of the speed.
That's the 690r.
I wouldn't race it. I'd race my 300. But that's not the point of a dual sport. I would not ride my 300 on the road at all.
But I will continue to advise and definitely recommend a 690r as a dual sport. I put 5500 miles of dirt on mine and over 2000 on road. It's an excellent choice as a capable dual sport.
You can quote me on this: it's the most capable dual sport that is still able to do interstate+ speeds without strain.
If you don't need interstate speed, there are more dirt oriented bikes that can hold a license plate.

Here a pic from a multi day trip to little grand canyon I did with my friend on a 500exc and a BIG tank WR450.
Fully kitted- my 690 was within 30 lbs of the WR. That's the difference in body weight between he and I.
MVIMG_20181026_151142.jpg
The 500 was the Goldilocks. Not as good on road as me but we did some hard stuff and with 80lbs of gear between bike and backpack and it WAS the ticket.
 

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
An GS1200 or a Harley Pan America is a dually. A 690r is more like an awesome full bodied scrambler with coilovers and an LS7 swap. A DR650 is like a k5 with a smog era 305 and a quadrajet.
Purpose built buggy might be more fun on Pritchett.
No it's not the perfect fit for everyone and most people don't ride as much off-road as me, but Cruiseroutfit is the perfect example of a guy who doesn't ride tons and can still have a great time on a dual sport.
And it'll probably take more work but it'll go 85% of the places the buggy will go at 75% of the speed.
That's the 690r.
I wouldn't race it. I'd race my 300. But that's not the point of a dual sport. I would not ride my 300 on the road at all.
But I will continue to advise and definitely recommend a 690r as a dual sport. I put 5500 miles of dirt on mine and over 2000 on road. It's an excellent choice as a capable dual sport.
You can quote me on this: it's the most capable dual sport that is still able to do interstate+ speeds without strain.
If you don't need interstate speed, there are more dirt oriented bikes that can hold a license plate.

Here a pic from a multi day trip to little grand canyon I did with my friend on a 500exc and a BIG tank WR450.
Fully kitted- my 690 was within 30 lbs of the WR. That's the difference in body weight between he and I.
View attachment 173440
The 500 was the Goldilocks. Not as good on road as me but we did some hard stuff and with 80lbs of gear between bike and backpack and it WAS the ticket.

This thread isn't about you and your riding abilities. You have plenty of experience racing and you're talking to average joe riders that aren't nearly as skilled.There is a huge difference in ability on technical trails with a big bike.

I don't care if you disagree, but recommending a 690 as a good choice for AFC singletrack is absurd.
 

Gravy

Ant Anstead of Dirtbikes
Supporting Member
Agreed to disagree.

When in this conversation of dual sports (and a recommendation based on the OP's riding skill) I definitely would.
I think the majority of under <650cc dual sports would be a lot of fun on a lot of AF canyon. Not everyone needs nor wants to do the hard stuff.
If we're talking dirt bikes NO not even close to the best: almost any single cylinder bike under 280lbs is a better choice.
And I've continued to support your assertion (with examples of my own) that there are better bikes for that.

Let's put this disagreement aside.
 

02SE

Well-Known Member
Location
Millcreek, UT
I should've stated that I've ridden since I was 6. Dirtbikes, UJM's, dual sports, sportbikes. I've ridden the big GS, the KTM 1290's, etc. The big ADV's are more than I want on some more technical trail. I am looking for a street legal dirtbike, that's hopefully more comfy than the KTM 550 MXC I had. Plus whether I can't admit it or not, I'm getting older, and likely have lost some of my ability. As I haven't ridden dirt much in recent years. With that in mind, it doesn't need to be a full-on Motocross bike with lights, such as a CR450.

I'm reading everyone's posts, and appreciate the input.
 

Rot Box

Diesel and Dust
Supporting Member
Location
Smithfield Utah
So fwiw I had a 2020 Husqvarna FE501s (much like the KTM 500 EXC). Factory street legal… I would avoid the newer bikes that come kitted like that because of the emissions crap they’re plagued with. Low on performance and I had reliability issues. Better off converting the off-road model if you want a street legal dirtbike imho

Oh and don’t forget the Seat Concepts money well spent!
 
Last edited:

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
So fwiw I had a 2020 Husqvarna FE501s (much like the KTM 500 EXC). Factory street legal… I would avoid the newer bikes that come kitted like that because of the emissions crap they’re plagued with. Low on performance and I had reliability issues. Better off converting the off-road model if you want a street legal dirtbike imho

Oh and don’t forget the Seat Concepts money well spent!

Always wanted a KTM 500 EXC, seems like the perfect balance of singletrack slayer and just enough road worthy ability. It would also be the perfect Baja bike with a decent sized tank, IMO.
 

J-mobzz

Well-Known Member
IMG_3277.jpeg

FullSizeRender-18.jpeg

A DRZ 400 is old reliable and capable, so was @glockman ttr225 and we had a wr250 and a wr450 in this group too. All of them made that ride from Moab to Pleasant Grove with a mix of asphalt, dirt roads, single track without any issue. Like @Rot Box said, it’s super easy to get a license plate on a dirtbike here in Utah.
 

rholbrook

Well-Known Member
Location
Kaysville, Ut
Always wanted a KTM 500 EXC, seems like the perfect balance of singletrack slayer and just enough road worthy ability. It would also be the perfect Baja bike with a decent sized tank, IMO.
The only thing keeping me from getting a single cylinder big bore KTM/HUSQVARNA/GASGAS is the distance between oil changes. Most of my rides are 1200-1500 miles. I don't want to have to change the oil one night after I get done riding my ass off and can hardly go eat diner and shower before I go to bed. I know KOVE was mentioned above, I thought about that one too. There are more and more guys getting the 500 and 501 because they are still big enough to do some hwy but way lighter than any twin cylinder Adv Bike. This is where the Japanese big bore bikes come into play. As @jeeper has reminded us so many times, a Yamaha only needs two oil changes in its entire lifespan, once after you change the break-in oil at 5 years of service and the second time is when you sell it so you can tell the new owner that it has a fresh oil and filter.

My neighbor had a KLR while owning a GS1200. He took the KLR from Kaysville to Hanksville and back. He had a headwind on the way back and couldn't get out of 4th gear on it to do safe highway speeds. He had to tighten the bolts on his exhaust pipe twice and a blinker and his skid plate. He came home and sold it immediately. He put some semi-offroad tires on his GS.

Last night Harrison and I rode Lewis Peak, I was thinking I should have ridden my 890 until we dropped down the side into N Ogden Divide. There are a few spots that would have kicked my ass. We saw a Ninja 250 off trail on that side once. Some kid thought it was a good idea. There are trails that a bigger 890 would be fun on and then there are some you would die trying to get through. I truly think you need a 450/500 for one bike and a bigger twin cyl bike for another. That gets you to needing $25K to do it. Who's wife will let them spend that kind of money on something so selfish. :D Right now, I am working on my wife as to why I need two 300s, an 890 and a new 500. She reminded me last night that I had two 300s, an 890, a Pro R and an Expedition. I also have grandkids that need bikes too. I have a 50 and a 110 as well. I am either going to have to get rid of the wife or get a bigger garage. If I get rid of the wife, I loose half of my toys and then can't afford the bigger garage. Adv Bike riding and off-road riding are two different animals. A street legal dirtbike will only get you so many riding experiences just like an Adv Bike will only take you certain places. Yes you can ride a 690 more places than a 890 but a 300/450 will take you places a 690 can't.

This brings me to why I try to teach my kids that you can marry more money then you can make in a life time. I just got back from S California where my oldest son's best friend did just that. He friend just married a beautiful girl who's parents own a ton of real-estate in Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and Long Beach and other areas. The new father in law called him in to meet with him and Carter thought it was to sign a pre-nup. He was asked if he was an honest man, Carter replied yes and then his soon to be new FIL laid out the real-estate portfolio in front of him and told Carter that he needed to quit his current job to run the family business and that a pre-nup was not needed. The new FIL is dying of cancer and at the wedding looked nearly dead. Carter told him that he loved his current job, company and co-workers and told him that he would have to think about it. The FIL said that he really respected that and he would have to minimally help his wife and daughter oversee it. Carter brokers land deals for a couple of big developers in S California now so he has the experience so it is a nice fit anyway. BUT, again, you can marry more money in a minute then you can make in a lifetime. I married wrong and I want my kids use me as an example. I tried telling my daughter that but she never listened. She married the son of a seminary teacher. I am just thankful that he will work pretty much harder than anyone. He has done well for himself. He put in his time, got an education, worked hard and is now getting the benefits of his hard work.

The conclusion...Marry money and if not, don't get married so you can have lots of toys or be happy with one motorcycle that does everything half assed if you do get married. When I want to go riding and my wife thinks I shouldn't, I just tell her that something is going to get ridden tonight and she can decide what or who. She tells me not to let the door hit me in the ass on my way out.
 

02SE

Well-Known Member
Location
Millcreek, UT
The only thing keeping me from getting a single cylinder big bore KTM/HUSQVARNA/GASGAS is the distance between oil changes. Most of my rides are 1200-1500 miles. I don't want to have to change the oil one night after I get done riding my ass off and can hardly go eat diner and shower before I go to bed. I know KOVE was mentioned above, I thought about that one too. There are more and more guys getting the 500 and 501 because they are still big enough to do some hwy but way lighter than any twin cylinder Adv Bike. This is where the Japanese big bore bikes come into play. As @jeeper has reminded us so many times, a Yamaha only needs two oil changes in its entire lifespan, once after you change the break-in oil at 5 years of service and the second time is when you sell it so you can tell the new owner that it has a fresh oil and filter.

My neighbor had a KLR while owning a GS1200. He took the KLR from Kaysville to Hanksville and back. He had a headwind on the way back and couldn't get out of 4th gear on it to do safe highway speeds. He had to tighten the bolts on his exhaust pipe twice and a blinker and his skid plate. He came home and sold it immediately. He put some semi-offroad tires on his GS.

Last night Harrison and I rode Lewis Peak, I was thinking I should have ridden my 890 until we dropped down the side into N Ogden Divide. There are a few spots that would have kicked my ass. We saw a Ninja 250 off trail on that side once. Some kid thought it was a good idea. There are trails that a bigger 890 would be fun on and then there are some you would die trying to get through. I truly think you need a 450/500 for one bike and a bigger twin cyl bike for another. That gets you to needing $25K to do it. Who's wife will let them spend that kind of money on something so selfish. :D Right now, I am working on my wife as to why I need two 300s, an 890 and a new 500. She reminded me last night that I had two 300s, an 890, a Pro R and an Expedition. I also have grandkids that need bikes too. I have a 50 and a 110 as well. I am either going to have to get rid of the wife or get a bigger garage. If I get rid of the wife, I loose half of my toys and then can't afford the bigger garage. Adv Bike riding and off-road riding are two different animals. A street legal dirtbike will only get you so many riding experiences just like an Adv Bike will only take you certain places. Yes you can ride a 690 more places than a 890 but a 300/450 will take you places a 690 can't.

This brings me to why I try to teach my kids that you can marry more money then you can make in a life time. I just got back from S California where my oldest son's best friend did just that. He friend just married a beautiful girl who's parents own a ton of real-estate in Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and Long Beach and other areas. The new father in law called him in to meet with him and Carter thought it was to sign a pre-nup. He was asked if he was an honest man, Carter replied yes and then his soon to be new FIL laid out the real-estate portfolio in front of him and told Carter that he needed to quit his current job to run the family business and that a pre-nup was not needed. The new FIL is dying of cancer and at the wedding looked nearly dead. Carter told him that he loved his current job, company and co-workers and told him that he would have to think about it. The FIL said that he really respected that and he would have to minimally help his wife and daughter oversee it. Carter brokers land deals for a couple of big developers in S California now so he has the experience so it is a nice fit anyway. BUT, again, you can marry more money in a minute then you can make in a lifetime. I married wrong and I want my kids use me as an example. I tried telling my daughter that but she never listened. She married the son of a seminary teacher. I am just thankful that he will work pretty much harder than anyone. He has done well for himself. He put in his time, got an education, worked hard and is now getting the benefits of his hard work.

The conclusion...Marry money and if not, don't get married so you can have lots of toys or be happy with one motorcycle that does everything half assed if you do get married. When I want to go riding and my wife thinks I shouldn't, I just tell her that something is going to get ridden tonight and she can decide what or who. She tells me not to let the door hit me in the ass on my way out.

Post of the year right here.






If there are any rich, attractive women on here, who are attracted to guys young at heart, did I mention I'm single? :D
 

rholbrook

Well-Known Member
Location
Kaysville, Ut
Post of the year right here.






If there are any rich, attractive women on here, who are attracted to guys young at heart, did I mention I'm single? :D
I am not trying to hi-jack this post with marriage advice but the story in California gets better. The brides parents have enough money that she got married in the Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano in itself is expensive but there are member timelines that must be met. Carter was baptized the end of January and there is a waiting timeline for marriage in the Catholic Church and a year waiting to get married at the Basilica and it was overseen by not one, not two, but three Fathers. One of which came from out of the country to help with the marriage. It was a beautiful Mass and Ceremony combined. Anyway, my son was one of the ushers, Jaxon is 6'-3" handsome with perfect white teeth. The best friend of the brides mother happened to be seated across from us at the rehearsal diner the night before and took a liking to Jaxon, so much that at the wedding diner the next day she made the comment that she had asked Jaxon if he was into Cougars. I am sure that in order to be the best friend of the brides mother, you have to have money. This women is literally my age which is 59 and she is wanting my son. When she said this to my wife and I, I went looking for Jaxon to remind him that you can marry more in a minute then you can make in a life time. He laughed and confirmed what she told us. He also said that one of his friends had gone up to her and asked her if she was interested in being a cougar for his friend. She laughed it off and told him she would be interested if it was Jaxon.

I have attached a picture of her that she asked to get taken with Jaxon.imagejpeg_0.jpg
 

02SE

Well-Known Member
Location
Millcreek, UT
I am not trying to hi-jack this post with marriage advice but the story in California gets better. The brides parents have enough money that she got married in the Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano in itself is expensive but there are member timelines that must be met. Carter was baptized the end of January and there is a waiting timeline for marriage in the Catholic Church and a year waiting to get married at the Basilica and it was overseen by not one, not two, but three Fathers. One of which came from out of the country to help with the marriage. It was a beautiful Mass and Ceremony combined. Anyway, my son was one of the ushers, Jaxon is 6'-3" handsome with perfect white teeth. The best friend of the brides mother happened to be seated across from us at the rehearsal diner the night before and took a liking to Jaxon, so much that at the wedding diner the next day she made the comment that she had asked Jaxon if he was into Cougars. I am sure that in order to be the best friend of the brides mother, you have to have money. This women is literally my age which is 59 and she is wanting my son. When she said this to my wife and I, I went looking for Jaxon to remind him that you can marry more in a minute then you can make in a life time. He laughed and confirmed what she told us. He also said that one of his friends had gone up to her and asked her if she was interested in being a cougar for his friend. She laughed it off and told him she would be interested if it was Jaxon.

I have attached a picture of her that she asked to get taken with Jaxon.View attachment 173468

Four years difference in age between her and I, is enough that she could claim Cougar status...


In my mind I'm 25...
 
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