Second bike?

[Nitewaif]

I'm up to 4 bikes.  It's stupid. 


I've got the M750 which is the tourer
I've got the M900 which is the poser
I've got the Indiana which is a freak but handles so well
I've got a baby Ninja that I bought because it was cheap and they're fun.
I still want a dual sport/motard. 

[Fresh Pants]

I have two bikes.
The monster and the KTM (supermoto).

Loads of fun, and sometimes it's hard to make a decision of which bike to ride. But when one of them is down for whatever reason (mechanical, etc...) there's always a backup.

[lethe]

Just got the 2nd bike, an '86 Yamaha FZ600 that will be rebuilt over the winter as a track only bike.
I had wanted the second to be a dualsport but this came along for practically nothing.

[KnightofNi]

Just got the 2nd bike, an '86 Yamaha FZ600 that will be rebuilt over the winter as a track only bike.
I had wanted the second to be a dualsport but this came along for practically nothing.

you can throw some knobbies on it and see what happens.

[ryandalling]

Bike for the track, bike for the street, and I probably need a bike for touring... cause the 848 is not very comfy for a passenger. 

[erkishhorde]

Dual sport sounds like it could be fun but then I gotta buy a new set of gear for riding in the dirt (if I ever make my way to the dirt).  How much do dual sports run? I'd kinda wanted the next bike to be new (my first "large" purchase w/ my own money... I still haven't paid my parents back for the monster yet  )

[akmnstr]

Dual sport sounds like it could be fun but then I gotta buy a new set of gear for riding in the dirt (if I ever make my way to the dirt).  How much do dual sports run? I'd kinda wanted the next bike to be new (my first "large" purchase w/ my own money... I still haven't paid my parents back for the monster yet  )

The answer is, it depends?  A BMW 1200GS Adventure is in the price range of a 1098S.  But a Kaw KLR or Suzuki DR650 or DRZ400 will cost you 5K and change.  Since you already have a street bike, a smaller single cylinder bike might be what you need.  A 650 single will take you on adventures on local fire roads or take you all the way to Alaska where you can drop in and see Sarah (not Palin) and me .  There is gear specific for dual sport riding but your road gear would do ya for a while.  I find covering my leathers with mud to be a minor problem, so I prefer textile gear.  Your helmet should be fine.  Road boots will work for you until you get aggressive. 

[erkishhorde]

So... on the dual sport types how's seat height? I've noticed they usually have higher seat heights. Are the suspensions softer so a shorty can still touch the floor?

[Fresh Pants]

So... on the dual sport types how's seat height? I've noticed they usually have higher seat heights. Are the suspensions softer so a shorty can still touch the floor?

Well, I can flat foot my monster, barely.

If my KTM is any indicator (of similar dual sports), the suspension does sag quite a bit but not as much as a dual sport. However, the seat height is at 35.8", my inseam is 30". Umm... At first I was a little apprehensive, but after sitting on it and being able to tip toe both sides, I felt better. But I have to slide off the saddle to get on foot on so I can have the ball of my foot on the ground. You'll get used to it.

[akmnstr]

So... on the dual sport types how's seat height? I've noticed they usually have higher seat heights. Are the suspensions softer so a shorty can still touch the floor?

Again the answer is, it depends.  Bikes like the KTM Adventurer and BMW GS1200 Adventure are tall enough to give you a nose bleed.  BMW has made lowered versions of their 650 singles.  My wife, who is 5'4" has a Suzuki DR650.  It can be lowered easily by following factory instructions and then lowered further by purchasing an aftermarket (or suzuki gel) seat.  You can also purchase lowering links for KLRs.  The Yamaha 250 dual sport comes quite low.  When you read the spec sheets on these bikes you also need to keep in mind that the static sag is greater than for street bikes.  My wife's DR has a seat height of about 32" and she could never ride such a tall street bike.  As you said, it has to do with softer suspensions and longer suspension travel. 

[KnightofNi]

the seat height on my XR is 37"  my inseam in 36" and with the sag i can flat foot it easily. the suspension is really soft too.

you can buy lowering links for it and shorter saddles too.

one of the guys i ride with is about leprachaun height and rides a drz400. he has to mount by stepping on the peg and swinging a leg over (kinda like getting on a horse). at stop lights he tiptoes. i don't think i have ever seen him get off without using the curb 
another guy who is about the same height as him has a drz and lowered it and softneed up the suspension a lot. i rode it and it felt like it sank 6 inches when i sat on it.

[the_Journeyman]

IIRC, a DRZ400S is 33 or 34 inches, a DRZ400SM is 31.5 or something like that.  The Yamaha 250 dualsport/SM looks even taller than the DRZ.  The 650 dualsports are actually a bit lower ~

JM

[KnightofNi]

IIRC, a DRZ400S is 33 or 34 inches, a DRZ400SM is 31.5 or something like that.  The Yamaha 250 dualsport/SM looks even taller than the DRZ.  The 650 dualsports are actually a bit lower ~

JM

hmmm, maybe the ones i have seen were lowered, but the yamahas don't look that high to me.

i thought the 650 and the 400 were the same height. DOH!
time to look up numbers

[AndrewNS]

I've got three. It really doesn't make any sense to keep them all, but I can't bring myself to sell any. Makes for a nice atmosphere out in the shed, though.