Dual sport

Dirtclods wrote:
would you buy one?

I've been watching these for about a year and have been reading some of their blogs. One of them just came up for sale in my area on the local classifieds, and I've been tempted to go for a test ride (it has about 300mi on it). I'm half joking half serious that the guy is not happy with it or it is just under powered.

The RX3 appeals for a light, 'adventure' ready bike. It is a cheap purchase, and they are stupid easy to maintain. Side and top cases, and crash bars included. The ease of valve adjustments on the RX3 appeal to me (tappets, just like on my XR400), making at-home maintenance even easier (the KLR is shim over bucket).

Honestly, I'd go get a used KLR650. The aftermarket for the KLR is HUGE, they've had very minor engine changes since the early 90's, they make much more power, have a higher payload, more suspension travel, and have a higher speed.

I owned a '94 KLX650R that I made street legal. Swapped it out for a '96 XR400R (435, ported head, cam, carb, pipe, street legal). My street ride is a VTX1800T. I've logged over 200mi by dirt on day trips, and average over 8k per year on the VTX. Me going to a wheezy 250 would bore me to death.

I know it is a different type of riding, but once you load this thing up with cases full of stuff, 2-lane riding is going to work it hard.

It boils down to what type of riding are you going to do with the bike? If you don't plan on getting into anything more than a gravel road not too far from the house, the RX3 could do it for you. A KLR will take you through rougher terrain, have more comfort on the road, and would be better suited for longer trips.

I lose my mind around the new Africa Twin. It would fit me perfectly (or a KTM 690/950, or BMW 800/1200 GS). I'm going used for the next bike, so I need a little seat time on each to make a decision.