The next motorcycle

[AestheticsInMotion]

I want something that can tackle dirt, gravel, and multi-day offroad shenanigans. The VFR is not that.

I just chatted with the usual adventure friend about potentially buying entry level ADVs or duel sports and riding the BDRs (backcountry discovery routes) through Washington and Oregon this August and he agreed, so.....

I need a bike.

1. I've got a ≈$6k budget.
2. I would prefer to buy new.
3. I'm new to dirt.
4. I'm 6ft tall and about 235lbs.
5. More lighter and offroady the better

Current forerunners in no particular order are-

Honda's new CRF300L Rally.

• $6000 without ABS

• lightest of the three

• 10.2" of travel front and back

• 35.2" seat height

• limited payload capacity

KTM's 390 Adventure.

• $6700 - most expensive option

• most powerful of the three

• best electronics suite and available accessories (quickshifter!)

• less than 7" suspension travel front & back

• ugly. Very ugly

• 33.6" seat height
  

Royal Enfield Himalayan.

• $4500 brand new - cheapest on the list

• drop-dead gorgeous

• built-in luggage racks front and back

• heaviest on the list by a wide margin at 440lbs

• pretty short at 31.5"

I may have talked myself into the Honda, as it's the closest to what I originally wanted—a Wr250r—while being a bit less awful on highways. Seems like it would be the best platform to learn how to ride offroad. I would need to pack pretty light, but that's probably for the best anyways.

The KTM is also appealing, but given I'm planning on keeping the VFR I'm not sure if I care as much about team orange's superior on-road performance over the Crf300, especially at a pretty big price jump. The fancy screen, switchable traction control, and available quick-shifter all sound great but I don't really need any of that. At almost $7k some of the middleweight options start looking pretty good too.

I need to sit on a Himalayan. I'm hoping it's way too low and cramped so I can just cross it off the list, otherwise... I'm never going to make up my damn mind. It would be a perfect choice for my vertically challenged friend and I'm planning on bringing him to the dealer soon to check one out. That way I could still enjoy looking at it at least!

I know a used klr650 would get the job done, but I don't want to mess with someone else's project or get a bike that big. I've already got one chunky bike!

[CarsOfFortLangley]

@aestheticsinmotion

[Mr. FiSTer]

@aestheticsinmotion
What about the KLX300?

[Mr. FiSTer]

@carsoffortlangley
They are HEAVY for doing dual sport things

[CarsOfFortLangley]

@mr-fister Still. Worth approx 10,000 'gram points.

[Mr. FiSTer]

@carsoffortlangley
It'd be a great commuter but it's no dual sport.

[Exage03040]

@aestheticsinmotion

Just do what all the cool kids do and get a used CB500X and throw knobbies on it.

I'd add a Versys-X 300 to your list if you are thinking of smaller.

[jminer]

@aestheticsinmotion not gonna lie, my wife and I had a similar conversation about buying a more dirt-oriented bike. My CB500x is fine for roads and gravel, but without a good deal of mods it is not great on the more aggressive stuff.

[AestheticsInMotion]

@carsoffortlangley I know. Might not be great for the real tough stuff, but sure would be nice on dirt roads and cruising around town in style.

[AestheticsInMotion]

@exage03040 said in The next motorcycle:

@aestheticsinmotion

Just do what all the cool kids do and get a used CB500X and throw knobbies on it.

I'd add a Versys-X 300 to your list if you are thinking of smaller.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't really see anything the Versys-x 300 has to offer that would make me pick it over the other choices.

I know the CB500 is a Good Bike, but I just have zero interest in it. It's... Kinda bland

[AestheticsInMotion]

@jminer said in The next motorcycle:

@aestheticsinmotion not gonna lie, my wife and I had a similar conversation about buying a more dirt-oriented bike. My CB500x is fine for roads and gravel, but without a good deal of mods it is not great on the more aggressive stuff.

I would love a 450-650cc Africa Twin

[CarsOfFortLangley]

@aestheticsinmotion Honestly, for just "bike overlanding" like forestry roads and stuff as well as heading to a brewery or something, I'd buy that in a heart beat.

Just sayin.

[DipodomysDeserti]

@aestheticsinmotion You’ve been riding around Seattle on old tires, so you should be pretty accustomed to dirt riding by now ;). Just remember to lay off the front brake.

I’d go big

[beefchips]

@aestheticsinmotion said in The next motorcycle:

multi-day offroad shenanigans

Make sure you budget for racks/luggage too, and also consider range. In my prep for this weekend, I realized that even my huge KLR gas tank won't get you between gas stations on some sections of BDR. Bought myself a jerry can this morning

[benjrblant]

@aestheticsinmotion said in The next motorcycle:

@jminer said in The next motorcycle:

@aestheticsinmotion not gonna lie, my wife and I had a similar conversation about buying a more dirt-oriented bike. My CB500x is fine for roads and gravel, but without a good deal of mods it is not great on the more aggressive stuff.

I would love a 450-650cc Africa Twin

this is the sweet spot in my mind. I miss my old f650gs. was kicking around the idea of getting a dual sport and considering all the same things you just mentioned above, until my partner broke her hand. i'm sure that whichever bike you end up will be awesome and i'll be insanely jealous of it.

could work out a custody swap with the 850 if you need more longroof in your life. q=

[Mr. FiSTer]

For dual sportin' you'll probably want the bike with the best suspension. And if you're doing BDR stuff, aftermarket support is something to look at. I DD a DR650 on knobbies, it does everything I need it to plus I can hang with the dirt bike boys on the trails.

[Mr. FiSTer]

@beefchips
Which BDRs have you done? Doesn't the KLR have a 5+ gallon tank?

[AestheticsInMotion]

@beefchips said in The next motorcycle:

@aestheticsinmotion said in The next motorcycle:

multi-day offroad shenanigans

Make sure you budget for racks/luggage too, and also consider range. In my prep for this weekend, I realized that even my huge KLR gas tank won't get you between gas stations on some sections of BDR. Bought myself a jerry can this morning

I'm so jealous. I even have Thursday-Sunday off, but nothing to ride

[AestheticsInMotion]

@dipodomysdeserti said in The next motorcycle:

@aestheticsinmotion You’ve been riding around Seattle on old tires, so you should be pretty accustomed to dirt riding by now ;). Just remember to lay off the front brake.

I’d go big

Ha! Fair point.

I know it's a bit weird looking, but I like the big Harley. A bit outside of my price bracket since I need a truck pretty soon here too

[AestheticsInMotion]

@carsoffortlangley said in The next motorcycle:

@aestheticsinmotion Honestly, for just "bike overlanding" like forestry roads and stuff as well as heading to a brewery or something, I'd buy that in a heart beat.

Just sayin.

After we do the PNW offroad oppo meet, I'll start pushing for a moto one. We'll peer-pressure you into it

[beefchips]

@mr-fister No official BDRs as yet! I get a 4 day weekend so I'm prepping to ride one a few days from now.

The tank is 4.7 IIRC, I get a little more than 200 miles before I have go to the reserve.

[AestheticsInMotion]

could work out a custody swap with the 850 if you need more longroof in your life. q=

You know I need more longroof

[LooseonExit]

@aestheticsinmotion
Just dive in and get a DR-Z400S or DR650S. Dumb simple backwoods throw it down a mountain ride it back up light it on fire ride it naked through bear country fix it with a hammer run it on piss thumper tomfoolery.

[AestheticsInMotion]

@looseonexit said in The next motorcycle:

@aestheticsinmotion
Just dive in and get a DR-Z400S or DR650S. Dumb simple backwoods throw it down a mountain ride it back up light it on fire ride it naked through bear country fix it with a hammer run it on piss thumper tomfoolery.

Carburetors and 5 speed transmissions

[StreetsofPerth]

@aestheticsinmotion It could be happening:

www.visordown.com/news/new-bikes/honda-transalp-primed-world-premiere-bow-eicma-2021

However, the article talks about it being an 850. I'm pretty sure the last one was a 650.

Have you thought about going a bit larger and looking at the Ténéré? I've no idea what they cost; probably quite a bit more.