bizwank posted:

So, I'm trying to narrow down choices for my first bike; so far I seem to prefer the naked/adv look, and I'd like something pretty reliable and easy to get parts/service for, preferably with ABS. My goal is to eventually do some motocamping so there may be a need to wander off pavement a bit, but most likely the majority of my riding will be in-city and I'd like to be able to take a passenger at times (which would be a total of ~300lbs) so it should have enough hp to manage that easily. I've seen all the advice to just get a cheap 125/250 to start with, and I've taken that to heart, but if I can avoid having to replace my first bike within a year after buying it to get the bike I really want/need that would be nice. I'm taking the MSF in a few weeks and am planning to take into consideration how well I do/how confident I am on the bikes there to help shape this decision as well.

Gorson posted:

Yeah it was a cool little supermoto based on the KLX250S but they're kinda rare and the only ones I see are completely trashed. Put a Bill Blue 351 kit in it and it can compete with the WR250R/X at a much lower price.

The XT225/250 isn't really a apples/apples comparison with the WR250R, the WR here always goes for a premium, which is going to be even higher this year ($5k+).

Slavvy posted:

E: just expanding a little: they are one of those bikes built to the idea that just won't die: a bike to entice car people. So like always they built a bike with lots of cargo, a slow revving quiet engine, and all the icky mechanical parts safely hidden. Unfortunately they didn't entice any car drivers because like always, the bike has none of the stuff that makes bikes fun while still being exposed and braincell demanding to operate.

Martytoof posted:

<smaller bike post>

BabelFish posted:

Are you thinking smaller, say 200-500cc?

I'd test ride the Yamaha TW200 first.
If you want something more traditional dual sport shaped, or hate the TW's carb and rear drum brake, look at a Kawasaki KLX300.
If that Kawasaki's seat height is unbearably tall, then look at a Yamaha XT250.
If those end up being too small, I'd look at the Honda CRF450XL or the Suzuki DR400

Slavvy posted:

That sounds terrifying and/or faulty

Slavvy posted:

The mt07 is the only good parallel twin currently being produced, fight me. Nothing else comes close, it's basically an honorary v-twin. Admittedly I haven't ridden an rs660 but it's safe to assume that a great engine that works is better than a brilliant engine that's waiting for parts to arrive from Italy.

Spiggy posted:

Sadly north Dallas. The NT looks like my sort of ugly and matches my use case. I forgot to mention it was the Tenere 700 that I rode; the Super Tenere is definitely too much for a second bike.

E: thanks for the follow-ups Lungboy/FBS. I really want a tracer 7 but it's one of the models that never made it to the US for some reason. The Tiger was on my radar but I seem to remember that Triumph maintenance fees are higher than Japanese brands which I'm skewing to.

Mirconium posted:

Or comedy option: NC750X since I've realized all I want to do on bikes is ride 300 miles a day with a week's worth of laundry in the luggage. But drat it I still have my pretenses to sportiness.

HenryJLittlefinger posted:

I’m talking about a DCT/automatic NC750, so throttle blipping isn’t really a thing.

TheBacon posted:

MSPain posted:

i've been riding at least a little just about every day and i'm getting to the point where I'm a little sick of city riding. i'd like to take some trips farther afield. here in seattle that pretty much means going on I5 for a significant distance, and my darling little tu250x isn't quite up to the task. going south through seattle there are several spots where you need to merge or exit from the left side of the highway and it generally feels a little unsafe maxing out at ~75mph with a long runway and a tail wind. I want to go to portland or canada, both of which will take about 4 hours of highway riding.

the closest dealer to me is triumph. would it be really stupid to get a bonneville or a thruxton? i have also had my eye on the royal enfield 650s they sell.

also i really want this old bmw https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/751932659188195
it's so dreamy

Steakandchips posted:

Yes, the Prius of motorcycles is good on fuel, who'd have thought!

Lungboy posted:

The new Hornet 750 is a hell of a lot of bike for the money. Styling is generic as gently caress, but if you can look past that it seems a bargain.

TotalLossBrain posted:

I need a recommendation for reliable, single cylinder mc/Enduro/maybe dual sport bikes 250-450cc.
I've been riding this 22 year old KTM for a few years now. Kids got newer bikes that never need anything beyond routine maintenance, but this stupid KTM sure makes up for it.
Old rear end suspension components, fork seals that never stop leaking, power valves that work 2 months out of the year.
I'm def getting rid of that bike. I don't want to put up too much money or finance a large amount, so I'm looking at used bikes. As I'm a short dude with a 28 inch inseam, most bigger bikes like that will gently caress me over. As long as there is an estart, that's cool - but I'd still prefer less than the Yamaha standard 39 inch seat height or whatever
I'm even considering selling the Monkey to make it happen. I don't get too many trips riding with the kids and it really blows when the bike does KTM things during one of them

SSH IT ZOMBIE posted:

What bike should my friend get?
He got an ATV. I let him on my Kayo TT140, now he wants a dirt bike for trail riding.
He doesn't want to gently caress around with mechanical work or break downs so I think immediately that means japanese

Honda CRF250F

Kawasaki KLX230R, 300R, is the 140 a kids toy or is it OK for adults?

Yamaha TTR230, WR250F?

The difference between trail vs cross country vs mx is that the trail bikes are smaller, more or less, right?
Cross.country bikes faster, more comfortable, heavier, where MX bikes have probably enhanced suspension?

Probably shouldn't steer hin into a dual sport, right?

He is a completely new rider, but he hopped on my bike, was immediately shifting gears, etc.

Used dirt bikes here are a non starter, weird pricing on 10-15 year old bikes. People hang onto them.

He's thinking he's just gonna get something a lil nicer and finance if he has to and not get a cheap amazon special dirtbike.

Invalido posted:

Someone has drilled a hole in the front fender for something that's been removed.