I've been mulling over a new sled for quiet some time. You see, while the Little DR200 has been been pretty much a hammer (e.g. you can't mess it up), plans to stage bikes out western US are brewing. We have a buddy out there that can store the bikes, and likely the bikes will be out there for 2 years, and ultimately get sold before returning east.
The DR has been extraordinarily good to me, but she lacks any sort of aftermarket support (despite 25 + years of production), and she's anemic. While I could handle her cool temperament on the road and settle on secondary roads, it was a bit unsettling that there was never any extra power on the trail when others were ascending with no issues. As a bonafide shortypants, there aren't many bikes that can accommodate my rinky-dink inseams. This leaves me in a quandary.
After deciding to open my wallet, the issue remains that most 2-300cc dual sport/off-road bikes are either not street legal or are intended as entry-level bikes underpowered and lacking suspension. For many months, the market was scoured for solutions. No doubt that a dual-sport bike, by definition, is a jack of all trades and master of none. The requirements I had for the bike were as follows:
Bruce meanwhile suggests all the wrong bikes. Here's the benchmark if you will:
DR200
Power 15 HP @ 8500 RPM Torque 17.7 @ 7000 RPM
XT225
Power 16.2 bhp (12.1 kW) @ 6980 rpm Torque 12.9 lb·ft (17.5 N·m) @ 6480 rpm
I am not thinking that the extra single (Yes one.single.HP) 1 HP is going to wet my whistle. Besides, the DR makes 5 more ft/lb of torque and we all know torque is what moves you!
The DR has been extraordinarily good to me, but she lacks any sort of aftermarket support (despite 25 + years of production), and she's anemic. While I could handle her cool temperament on the road and settle on secondary roads, it was a bit unsettling that there was never any extra power on the trail when others were ascending with no issues. As a bonafide shortypants, there aren't many bikes that can accommodate my rinky-dink inseams. This leaves me in a quandary.
After deciding to open my wallet, the issue remains that most 2-300cc dual sport/off-road bikes are either not street legal or are intended as entry-level bikes underpowered and lacking suspension. For many months, the market was scoured for solutions. No doubt that a dual-sport bike, by definition, is a jack of all trades and master of none. The requirements I had for the bike were as follows:
- Chassis length--I prefer a bike with a shorter chassis length, as I find them more nimble
- Ergonomics--Reach from seat to handle bars can only be adjusted so much. This dimension becomes a critical when you also have T-Rex arms
- Long term factory support--Can't be waiting months and months for simple parts such as hoses to arrive
- Great aftermarket support--I love to put lipstick on pig. Can't get enough of stuff to dress up the sled
- Fuel injected--I've not been alive long enough to 'appreciate' the simplicity of them. To me, they are nothing more than black box which is plagued by ethanol clogging fuel. I am not carburetor-man.
- Real suspension--Most bikes need some help here. But you can only do so much with tiny forks!
- Wide ratio 6 speed transmission--It's a 2-300cc bike, no reason to ring it out it's whole life. The 6th speed should help at the end of the day
- The weight/HP ratio needs to produce realistic road speeds without wringing it out like the DR200 is now
- More power as the little DR just ran out sometime
Bruce meanwhile suggests all the wrong bikes. Here's the benchmark if you will:
DR200
Power 15 HP @ 8500 RPM Torque 17.7 @ 7000 RPM
XT225
Power 16.2 bhp (12.1 kW) @ 6980 rpm Torque 12.9 lb·ft (17.5 N·m) @ 6480 rpm
I am not thinking that the extra single (Yes one.single.HP) 1 HP is going to wet my whistle. Besides, the DR makes 5 more ft/lb of torque and we all know torque is what moves you!
So the XT225 rock doesn't pan out for Bruce. Next up on his "bring me a rock" is the DRZ-250
While the big brother the DRZ-400 is somwhat of a mainstay to the Adventure group, this one is not street legal. And that not to say that we didn't ponder getting one from a state that does issue titles, but we secretly knew the "Old Line State" was going to be nightmare. While the suspension is somewhat respectable, the 35" seat height will be something to grapple with. As with most Suzuki bikes, they desperately needs a good modernization. This one has been in (and mostly) out of production for the last 3 decades. And as with the DR200, it largely unloved by the aftermarket community.
While the big brother the DRZ-400 is somwhat of a mainstay to the Adventure group, this one is not street legal. And that not to say that we didn't ponder getting one from a state that does issue titles, but we secretly knew the "Old Line State" was going to be nightmare. While the suspension is somewhat respectable, the 35" seat height will be something to grapple with. As with most Suzuki bikes, they desperately needs a good modernization. This one has been in (and mostly) out of production for the last 3 decades. And as with the DR200, it largely unloved by the aftermarket community.
On to the next rock of serious consideration. Something 'exotic'. The CCM GP450 Adventure sure does look snappy. Bruce thinks I might kill myself with a bike that weighs 286lbs and creates 40HP! But alas, it's been "processing" to come to the USA for a looong time now. And let's not forget that $10K price tag.
Toss that rock back. Back to the drawing board we go. Apparently the Beta Alp200 shares the same Suzuki Motor as the DR200. The Beta Alp 4.0 uses the Suzuki 350cc motor. Another rock rejected.
Since we are on a roll of the wrong bike, let's look at KTM offering. Pre-2008 KTM 250 XCF-W have a bit of shorty pants following. However, I guess I am just not inclined to want that maintenance head ache, as the performance gains will probably be wasted on me.
Our last sled to evaluate are some of the newer offerings coming to market. CSC Cyclone RX-3. It produces a whopping 18.5 HP and is a small hippo at 385lbs.
She's Chinese made and $3K. She does appear to have bit of street bias though.
She's Chinese made and $3K. She does appear to have bit of street bias though.
And so the search continues.....