Since the KTM rep asked me not to purchase another ktm product so that leaves out a new husqvarna or a husaberg. Since I'm almost in a motorcycle purchasing frenzy with wanting a new dual sport first. What's the best quality, the most reliable, the most dependable dual sport being offered right now? What choices do I have? Suzuki 650 Kawasaki 650 Yamaha? Other?? Since I'm interested in three new bikes a new street bike and a e start dirt bike maybe a new Yamaha dirt bike estart and 1250 Suzuki bandit.
Probably ride the asphalt and dirt roads, the green mountain logging roads. There's no feeling like crossing from rt7 going on rt73 to route 100 on a motorcycle without looking through a plate glass window. The views of the mountains is so awesome. I did this before instead of buying a new loaded Harley I purchased a new 99 1200 bandit, a 99 250wr husky and a Polaris quad. I got three new awesome rides instead of one new Harley. Now I'm thinking about one more time.
Dual sport Dual purpose Adventure The ones you listed are kind of more dual purpose. Of those the Kawasaki if broken in properly seems to hold up well, now whether it is the best quality I don't know what to say, it has one radiator on one side. It may well be a redesigned version this year. I would add the BMW offering in that class. I am on the mailing list for second wind bmw/triumph In I believe Merrimack NH and they have demo day with the BMW big rig on a somewhat regular basis. BMW also has a twin in two configurations. The opposed one works well (I will put the opposed one for an answer to the title if you really meant dual purpose/adventure) for me the vertical one didn't have ankle space, either way unless one orders the base model the option packages put the price pretty high. If the big Honda is still air cooled that one would be impossible to damage a radiato or hose. I am more looking at something smaller, Kind of think that displacement is a bit much for a single. There are quite a few options on the yamaha in the 200 to 250 size. The xt250 can be had well below list price, has a ceramic cylinder and fuel injection. The suspention and axle size are kind of not with it though. That is where I am looking anyway.
I purchased a left over husaberg 501 from a dealer who had this from another dealer who went out of business. The dealer who had it first stripped the lighting package off my bike which I didn't know. He left the stator screws loose which cracked the case. I asked for a new engine since it was a new bike since I had no miles on it. I rode it around the yard, parked it in the garage and the next day it was leaking oil from the ignition cover. After hearing about the cracked case I was upset. This was after my new '99 husqvarna TE610e lost oil pressure to the head. And wiped out the cam, lifters etc. I lost $1,000 on the refund on that bike. Now the new husaberg has a cracked case? I got my money back in full but the ktm rep told me not to purchase anymore ktm products. Nothing was my fault. I paid $4,999 for the left over Berg. That's what they asked for it. They were two years old. Too bad I never rode it off road. I went back riding my left kickers and I was happy. I lost money but my old huskys ran. To me $5,000 dollars is a lot of money. I paid it and expected to get a product equal to what I paid for. Back then I took $20,000 to buy a Harley but decided to buy three new rides instead. I think it's really bad when the KTM factory rep asks you not to purchase there products when I did nothing wrong. I just wanted a new bike with e start so I could ride. I even had words with feracchi the husky importer over my problems with my new husky '98 250wr. I ended up selling it and I purchased the '99 TE610e. I loved the 610cc. I guess the Japanese bikes will be next. I really like the new husqvarnas but I can't buy one so the Yamaha YZ wr250f looks awesome.
You should look into a Beta 500RS, every bit has good as KTM, you actually get more for your money. May also want to look for a used Beta 520, a couple of customers have '10's and love them. Nothing wrong with a '09 or older, but older ones have KTM motors, they may growl at you...
DR650 for sure. If your big like your screen name. KLR doesn't do anything well with very little HP even after mods. The DR650 can be uncorked and if you run a pumper carb it' will put out some decent HP. The DR650 has great road manners and in the hands of a skilled rider it can tackle offroad good enough to qualify as a dualsport. Just avoid the single track unless you want a good laugh. I'm a moderator over on drriders.com so if you get bored swing on by or shoot me a PM and I'll be glad to discuss this with you.
If you can find a used Beta snag it up. I have a 2012 520RS after coming off a 09 Husky 450 and I can't complain at all regarding the quality of the Beta. I enjoy how the Beta will turn inside of the Husky on tight single track and the torque of the 520 motor reminds me of a well tuned 510. The 6speed gearbox on the Beta works, unlike the short spacing of the Huskys. I had the pleasure to ride a new KTM 500 back to back with my Beta. The KTM turns tighter, and has a motor that will roll on from any rpm in almost any gear. The Beta motor feels just as strong as the KTM, however the KTM seemed to rev quicker/freeer...if that is a word. That might be due to the KTM being fuel injected, I don't know. I decided on a Beta when I was looking for a new bike because I wanted a strong running bike that looked modern, had a carb and with the US distributor being in Central Ca I can get parts in 2 days to my front door.....and I hate the color orange. In the last 20 months of owning my Beta, I have had the motor rebuilt at 5000 miles after I let dirt pass thru the air box last summer due to me being a dip sh*t during an air filter change. This is one strong bike.
Was your '99 TE610E, a bike that Cagiva USA brought in for EPA Certification/DOT compliance checks? Bike wasn't officially imported, until Model Year 2000. What dealer did you buy it from? Back then Morel's was still the biggest Husky Dealer in New England..... Too bad it didn't work out. My '03 has been stone ax reliable for me, for 10+ years. Good luck in your search!
I know it's not on your list but the Honda XR 650L is about as rock solid as they come and because the engine hasn't changed much in the last decade. There are mountains of hop ups available and with the msrp coming in at $6690 it leaves money in the budget.
Why cant you buy a 2015 FE350s sounds like the perfect bike for you ?We have had zero problems with the entire lineup of new Huskys since they came out last year you get a 6 month warranty to turn up any bugs.Im with Norm on the Te610E they have been great bikes that top end oiling problem a real fluke.Bummer nobody would help you out on these problems im not sure who the rep was that told you that I wouldn't have arep that didn't have faith in my product.
Plus he made it clear he wasn't willing to go KTM or related... Roads and forest roads doesn't require a racing Enduro/Dualsport. A DR650 or XRL650 would be in order IMHO.
On the te610e first the shifter jammed we found out the arc in that guides the shifter panels was too tight. The next thing was the dowel pin holes for the star shaped oil pump housing were drilled too deep allowing the housing to turn and misaligned the oil hole that sends oil to the head/cam. I really liked the te610e it's power was awesome. After the metal particles went into the bottom end who knows what condition the lower end is in. After three new bikes and two self destructed I became sort of new bike shy. My new 1200 Suzuki bandit was awesome. But I liked the european dirt bikes. After being asked/told by the KTM / Berg rep not to purchase anymore of there products I won't. I only rode the berg on my lawn and being a 4t it didn't respond like a 4t yet it's not a 2t. I never got to the trails. My '99 husqvarna te610e came from feracchi the importer I guess it was one of the first ones. I got it from midtown kawasaki in ct. Looks wise it was a twin to my '98 husky 250wr. So we're down to the; Beta Honda xr650L Suzuki DR 650 Yamaha yz wr250f The Honda should last a longtime? She's a plain Jane, not that Purdy of a bike but it's a solid buy yet bullet proof design? I know it's a old school air cooled design. Nothing wild power wise but now I just want something reliable for on and off road. Sounds like the Honda maybe it. I just want to ride. For a new off road dirt bike the new Yamaha yz wr250f has some awesome reviews. Thanks for all your help.
^ Japanese DS bikes will have you putting more money in to making it a better bike as it will never be good enough. That is my 2 cents anyway. A DRZ 400 is the best Japanese DS bike available atm. I sold my DRZ 400 I bought new to get the TE 630. Sure the Yammi 250 has EFI, but it is a 250 and may make connecting the trails time consuming. The XRL and DR are basically 1980's tech. Just buy 1980's tech used. Beta DS's are still carbed but would be leaps and bounds better then any Japanese DS. A KTM of any color would be a good DS bike, but as you have jaded history with the Austrian's, a awesome Italian Beta is the only option imo.
Owned a drz400sm and a wr250x. The wr was much better. Had a modern dirt bike feel, felt quite a bit lighter, and seemed to have just as much power up top (when powered up). I would love another wr as a second bike. Theres no doubt the 400 had more torque, just no way around the displacement but the wr could was fine doing 85mph. 250 had more torque then my powered up te250 but lacked on top. For being a 250 it was a really good ride
Right now I want a basic simple dependable ride. I don't plan on changing anything but the motor oil and grease the chain.
Then old school air cooled is the best bet for sure. There's a good reason why these bikes are still being made. Bullet Proof, lots of oil, parts are super easy to get, maintenance is simple! To be honest I was really looking at the XRL when I started shopping because it was the most off road capable and easiest to modify to suit my needs. In the end I fell in love with an Italian 449 and while I surely don't regret it, I rarely ever take it on the street any more because I've basically made it my dirt bike. I'd never consider more than short hops on the highway with my 449. If I really wanted a more street oriented DS that can handle highway duty (and had the room/$) I'd go with a Honda, followed by a 650 Terra in second place.
