planning on changing gears next year
 

After I get some debts paid off, I think I might make the move to dual sport riding.

I want something semi highway capable, but more dirt bike-ish than street bike-ish.

After much research, my all time favorite bike is the Husqvarna TE610, or the new-this-year TE630.

I will be buying the bike new.

Here's the kicker. The nearest Husky dealer is over 300 miles away. While I don't mind a road trip, or doing my own wrenching when it is maintenance time, what happens if I need warranty work?

Now, there is a local KTM dealer. While I like their 530EXC, I'm not so thrilled that it's about $2000 more than the Husky, and has much higher maintenance intervals. It's basically a race bike with turn signals.

I'm also open to other dual sport suggestions. Here's what I'd like:

I want enough power that highway riding isn't miserable.

I want a bike that is more dirt oriented than street oriented. I'm not into the big bulky adventure bikes like the KLR650, etc. I don't really do long road trips on my bike, but a 300 mile day once in a while isn't out of the question.

I want fuel injection.

I want a 6-speed transmission.

I want water cooling.

The Husky seems to be right up my alley. I'm just concerned about not having a dealership nearby. I do all of my own maintenance. I have yet to let a dealer work on any bike of mine. But, if I end up needing a warranty fix, I don't want to be screwed or have to make a 350+ mile trip to get work done.

The TE630 is tits..... :drool:

Love my Husky. They are super easy to work on but you need someone that can get you parts. Another option to consider is the DRZ400S. You could also look at the LC4-based KTMs like the 690. If you get the Husky be sure to baby it on breakin, the engine will last 4x as long guaranteed.

The KTM prices are pretty outrageous, IMO.

I just don't know if the DRZ would be enough bike on the highway. I'm also concerned about the shock of having so little power compared my 10. I mean, I don't expect ridiculous literbike power, but I'd like it to have some extra passing power when needed, etc.

stock the DRZ sucks on the hwy... I image the DR650 would be better... but who knows...

with my 3x3 mod (cutting open the air box to 3x3) jetting, and a full system... it's not bad on the freeway as far as power goes... I can cruse at 80 easy... BUT where it sucks is the drz is light! so at that speed it becomes unstable.... unless i have my bags loaded on it.

but I use it as an excuse to stay off the freeways... I found some pretty interesting back roads on the way back down from Smilies in AR in Feb... just wished I'd gotten the jetting right in the first place then...

I'm starting to think the added cost of a KTM might be worth it, considering the stronger dealership network, and the ability to buy one locally.

The KTM I'd probably go with is the 690 Enduro, rather than the high maintenance 530EXC.

Just move closer to the Husky dealership :lol:

Ebbs could you just leave some crap in the bags?

ask the peeps at cafehusky.com if they have any ideas.

I could... but i don't like always worry'n about my shit... on base and in my apartment complex... no worries... but around town is another story... :read::td:

Don't they lock?

I mean don't you leave shit in there anyway? Mine are nearly full all the time.

If that's the case, just put some weights in it. I am sure you could find some weights cheap at wally world. It wouldn't take up a whole lot of space, but would give you stability. I don't think anyone would snag them and if they did, you wouldn't really lose much.

Rocks are heavy and free.

When did ktm develop a strong dealer network?

Well, "strong" might be too generous. But they certainly have a larger presence compared to Husky, at least in my area.

I went ahead and posted up on Cafe Husky, thanks for that advice.

I'm also wondering if I should just get a DRZ. They're bullet proof and all over the place.

You talk about the DRZ being too light. It has a dry weight of 317 lbs. The Husky TE630 has a dry weight of 348 lbs. The KTM 690 Enduro has a dry weight of 305.4 lbs.

They're all pretty close. The Husky is easy to lighten by swapping out the chunky stock exhaust.

I'm more concerned about power-to-weight of the DRZ not being so highway friendly. The Husky and KTM have a good +20 hp on the DRZ. But damn if the DRZ isn't just an inexpensive, bomb proof, easy to get support for, do-it-all bike.

I'd just hate to get one and not be happy with it.

no... what's the point? if they locked a quick swipe of a knife would have them open...

really it's not a huge deal... as long as it's not a windy day (though it's almost always windy on the coast) I can ride at 75 on the freeway no issues... other than when I have to pass Semi's. but you get used to it.

I like the back roads though... it's slower... but really makes me feel like I'm "out there" further from what I know... gives a bit more adventure to it.

:lol: yeah... though they'd also shift like crazy on a motorcycle

Yeah... I hear ya. the DRZ is defiantly the pig of the group... especially when you add the (almost required) 4 gal tank I figure I'm sitting at 430 or so full... more than my 600RR(IIRC)... but still not as planted

the power to weight is nothing to brag about on the DRZ... even with the mods I have... I'm probably sitting at 42-43hp... you could get a 470cc kit but then you eat into the reliability...

from a performance standpoint... you'd be MUCH happier with the KTM or the Husky... though they're still gonna be a big let down from the ZX10.

I didn't look into the Husky because there really wasn't any place near me that sold them... and the KTM was just way to expensive, and maintenance schedule was WAY to high.

I got the DRZ because it's stupid easy to work on (though I did fuck up the jetting, but that's the first time I'd ever fucked with a carb) the maintenance schedule isn't nearly as demanding and parts are cheaper (though despite what the manual says every DRZ owner I talk to says change the oil every 1K) and there's a good size aftermarket.

I've put just over 6k on my bike since October... and only had two issues... 1 with in a week after buying it, I had no power... ended up being a piece of plastic from the 4 gal IMS tank got in the fuel line. and
2.just after jetting it... i had no power... I apparently didn't get something seated right.... fixed now though.

oh... I'm not sure what the KTM and Husky get for gas mileage... but I got 50mpg riding about 50/50 (aggressive/relaxed)... highest was 55... more relaxed... and lowest was 43... all freeway pretty much a WOT run...

now with the jetting, I'm getting 55mpg at 50/50... highest has been 57... and lowest 50.... about 3/4 freeway the rest aggressive back roads.

ebbs, try bricks

Try being 100lbs and riding a 264lb dual sport a semi blows by. Thats not too fun either.

I guess my train of thought about the DRZ is why go through the time and money trying to get more power out of it when the Husky/KTM has it out of the box? The Husky is only $2000 more than the DRZ and is much more bike than a DRZ will be with $2000 in mods. I'm also not a big modder, either. My bikes say mostly stock.

As far as KTM maintenance goes, I don't think the 690 is all that bad. It's those EXC models that require constant wrenching.

Ebbs. Ok. Didn't realize they were soft bags.

I guess the KTM warranty is only something like 90 days, and the Husky warranty is only 6 months. I didn't realize they were so short. I guess the warranty thing isn't much of an issue, then.

The December, 2009 issue of Motorcycle Consumer News tested the 250 Dual-Sports from Honda, Kawasaki, and Yamaha. The Yamaha WR250R won hands down. It's fuel injected and liquid cooled. Don't let the 250cc's turn you off. It went 89MPH, and had the best suspension, gearbox, brakes, and power. It also has full-size ergonomics and a one-year warranty.

yeah... well the DRZ will go over the TON... however... i'm pretty much wide open at 85 if I wanna accelerate... it'll take 5 miles for me to reach the TON


I imagine while the 250 may do just under 90... it's probably screaming at 65

I have to have highway friendliness. I might have to ride 100 miles to get to some decent dirt.

I've ridden the DRZ in stock form from Biloxi to Omaha on freeways... it wasn't horrible... I actually enjoyed it more than the touring I did on my sport bikes... but I had it loaded down with my military duffel, and my saddle bags... could still cruse at about 80 indicated but the combo of the weather being as cold as it was (-6 on one bank sign) and fighting the wind the whole way... I can't ride nearly as far.


I'm gonna try the same trip up to my brothers for the wedding... just to see if I can make it in one go... like I can with a car... the DRZ (with my air hawk seat pad) is MUCH more comfortable than any other bike I've ridden... but fighting the wind at speed tires ya out.


I think 100 miles might be tough on a unloaded bike at the speeds of NE and IA's freeways... they were by far the scariest parts of my trip in Dec because I couldn't keep up with traffic... and doing 70 (actual) on that bike when some truck blasts past you at 85+ is NOT FUN...

Update:

After exchanging some emails/phone calls with the local KTM dealer, Husqvarna manufacturer in NJ, a reputable Husqvarna dealer, and a local BMW dealer, here's the plan:


1. Pay off ZX-10R, and a good chunk of some other debt.

2. Haggle a price on a new Husqvarna TE630 with the dealer and leave a $500 deposit for it.

3. Once the 10 & other debt is paid off, sell the 10, get a loan for the Husky (I should only need $3000 or so). ZX-10R money will go toward the Husky.

4. Contact dealer, who will then ship the crated Husky to the local BMW dealer (it's cheaper to ship it there than to my house).

5. BMW dealer offered to assemble it for me, but I'll probably do that myself.

This is a fairly long term plan. I'm looking at getting the new bike next spring. All parties involved are aware of that.

Once I leave the $500 deposit, I'm locked in. Right now, things might change. But, that's my plan!

Nice... good luck!

Here's a Husky for you: http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/1676206726.html. Fly out, keep the Ninja, test the Husky on dirt and backroads, and ride it or send it home.

Someone is coming to look at my bike tonight.

Nice. Good luck.

Thanks. I don't know if it's an indicator of the price or not. I just put the ad up this morning.