Biased, but for your height and goals you listed, a KLR would do well for you. I'm 6'4; the KLR fits me very well, and really there is no comparable when you're considering purchase cost, maintenance and insurance, versatility, etc. I pay 500 a year for full coverage, tires routinely last for 10000 kms and only cost a couple hundred bucks and I average almost 60mpg. Being a tall guy, light off roading is very easy on the KLR, and so is highway riding. It's not the best bike at anything, but it's good at almost everything
KLR has a curb weight of 430 pounds! If you bring a 400 pound anything to my place, you can park it next to the cars and hike to all of the places we ride our dirt bikes
OP is seeking something different, possibly that means a street bike that he doesn't mind crashing on dirt or gravel, or possibly he is looking for a motorcycle that is actually designed to ride on dirt and gravel not really sure, but I do know which one would be way more fun.
OP is seeking something different, possibly that means a street bike that he doesn't mind crashing on dirt or gravel, or possibly he is looking for a motorcycle that is actually designed to ride on dirt and gravel not really sure, but I do know which one would be way more fun.
No matter what bike he buys, or how old it is he's still going to be PO'd if he drops it.
If he wants a dual purpose bike I too would advocate a big single, but I'd probably suggest the BMW F650 GS, or the 650 twins. They seem inexpensive, plentiful, durable and certainly capable of covering miles and navigating gravel roads.
It might be a bit bland, but price-wise it's in the KLR territory while being a bit more modern/refined.
He's interested in off pavement not off road. Any bike can do well off pavement with decent tires. His physical size asks for a tall bike and one of the full sized adv bikes will be fine.
The KLR fits his size, is marginally better than most due to the 21" front tire and is cheap. If you drop it ...it picks up reasonable easy - especially given his height and has little to be damaged.
It can also do 500+ km days with a decent seat - it's been a popular compromise and it's cheap and reliable.
If he wants to tour AND go off pavement ...then the twins are better, GS, Vstroms...all will be fine for his size ...Africa Twin would be sweet but not sure he wants to spend that.
From what I have seen physical dimension is far less a factor then how you move it. I know lots of riders of all shapes and sizes that ride absolutely amazing, the best riders usually look a little like olympic athletes but ymmv. Those are all nice bikes you have listed so far, but if it's heavy enough to crush you, or give you a heart attack trying to ride it off road, they just aren't very good dirt bikes.
I can ride for an entire weekend on about 1 gallon of fuel with my 160 pound dirt bike :| is very comfortable, it has no seat. Is very different.
I didn't find a cb500x but sat on a KLR & Vstrom, surprisingly Kawi was actually almost too big , could still flat foot on both sides. Leg angle being at almost a 90 degree angle, more like 80 or so. Definitely comfier, these bigger bikes are definitely a more relaxed fit & were priced about the same that I could sell the Fz for so the option is always there at not much if any price variance, will hit up insurance next and see, still want to try a cb500x too.
I'd want a 2nd bike eventually but at the moment only 1 is an option!
I don't know why everyone sends novice riders into 650's to start. What's wrong with a DR200 or XT225? light, comfortable for a big guy and will scoot along at 100km all day long. Small enduroos are not 'world tour' bikes, but they are:
Cheep on insurance -- my little Suzi is $225/yr vs $750 for a my Vstrom
Easy to pickup -- they are about 230lbs -- about 1/2 the weight of an average 650
Cheap on fuel - 50% better mileage than a 650
Capable of sustained 100KMH riding, will scoot to 120KMH, suitable for everything but sustained travel on 40x highways
I'm assuming OP is a relatively new rider, looking to a) lower insurance costs now and gain a couple of year's riding experience to lower them in the future c) gain some off highway experience.
In many countries small bikes are the norm for new riders. About the only thing he would be giving up is long range touring. For some that's a lot -- he did mention thinking about a 125cc bike, that leads me to thinking he doesn't plan on touring AND big power isn't a requirement.
Yes this is also an option lol, will gather a few Ins. quotes before going through with it. Different riding style & cheaper insurance ideally, $200 monthly till Sept now.
Cool. So you’ve been suggested a lot of different bikes here...heck everything from a trials bike to full blown adventure bikes lol. Anyways if you want to do the under 3 hour ride time dual sport/supermoto thing go get yourself a DRZ400sm or WR250X. Both super easy to live with and use. The WR is a little more modern but you can possible do more modification to the DRZ down the road to keep it entertaining. Both fun reliable bikes.
Personally in your situation don’t look at a blue plated converted off road bike as they can be maintenance heavy. I would also avoid the CRF250L, just doesn’t have enough power.
If it’s me I’d still keep your FZ because like I said before I think it’s a great bike. I have previously owned a DRZ years ago and it was a blast. Damn things are almost a 20 year old design now though. Good luck with whatever you do.
Edit. Sorry didn’t see you post from today. Sounds like your liking the looks of the light adventure bikes. Any of those would be a fine ride as well. Careful with the weight if you think you want to go from dirt road to dirt trails at some point.
no one I know counsels noobs to go to 650 and there are lots against it on the Vstrom site as a first bike. BUT
HE'S 6' 3"!!!!!
KLR650 are learner bikes in Eu and Australia but needs a big rider. They are popular compromise...you can go around the world and can do light single track and any dual track. Cheap and bullet proof.
Then you wouldn't want to buy any trials bike because if you don't crash it once in a while you either an absolutely amazing rider or you are not trying hard enough stuff :|
If you want to shop insurance go to Riders Plus website and run through a bunch of makes/models to get relative pricing. Less hassle than quizzing a rep over the phone.
Then you wouldn't want to buy any trials bike because if you don't crash it once in a while you either an absolutely amazing rider or you are not trying hard enough stuff :|
You're right, I don't want a trials bike (wait...maybe I do; KTM Freeride 250). I said that no matter what bike you drop/fall off of you'll be ticked off to some degree even riding off road. I sure was 2 weeks ago when I dropped my 690 at the top of a steep, rutted hill.
Are you saying you're happy when you drop your trials bike? Are you equally enthused when you dab a foot in a section during an event?
Had a good chit chat with CC ( OP ) and he's okay on the CB500x as far as fit tho not by much.
I think he may be better with a Vstrom - certainly an improvement on his being folded up on his SV.
I sent him on his way home to Richmond Hill by way of the Forks so he can look at lots of bikes.
In a weird kind of way yes, it means I'm out there riding, put my back out yesterday lifting garden rock and that sucks way worse.
If I don't get hurt in the process and the bike doesn't get busted and I learned something I'm ecstatic. I don't buy them to look at I buy them to ride, it's going to have lots of battle scars, that's part of it. The bikes are amazing durable and literally built to withstand obscene punishment, stuff rarely breaks and if it does I just fix it. When I dab I do get angry with myself slightly but then you go and do something really cool and that more then makes up for it That probably just described every regular rider in the ATA lol
There are so many great motorcycles to choose from but unless you get one that is seriously different, you really haven't ridden a bike that is seriously different.
Was able to check Doc's Cb500x out, much more comfortable then my Fz while being slightly smaller than I remember the Vstrom & Klr , but the insurance on a 500x costs the same as a 300cc bike ~$100 per month which is 50 less than the VS & KL and 100 than the Fz.
Will see about selling the Fz or holding on until next year - definitely do want something different from the Ins. standpoint though!
@CriticalCore I also got a chance to hop on @MacDoc cb and then pulled the trigger on it. I don't look back at all on that decision. Cheaper insurance and fuel than the strom and versys, much lighter (the other two felt so top heavy for city commute), and honestly plenty of power to have fun everywhere. Even if insurance and gas wasn't a factor, I am in love with the cb x
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