does anyone know if the KTM freeride 350 will be coming to Canada?
Dual Sport or dedicated off-roader???
- Thread starter mimico_polak
- Start date
Have to laugh at Ontario versions of dual sport..... 
yes it DOES have a crash plate.
Quite a distance from the KTM.
one wonders if any of these have ever been in the dirt.
I find them very top heavy. Even the 650 single BMW was ( of course the KLR is as well ) - I can't imagine taking a 1200 dualie where I went with the KLR.
yes it DOES have a crash plate.
Quite a distance from the KTM.
one wonders if any of these have ever been in the dirt.
I find them very top heavy. Even the 650 single BMW was ( of course the KLR is as well ) - I can't imagine taking a 1200 dualie where I went with the KLR.
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Macdoc...you're right I've never been off road except by accident where I ended up on a gravel road for a few kms to get back to a paved route. The road you showed is what I'm looking for with maybe some similar trails to what snowmobiles use during the winters. Maybe in the far forward future I'll be able to ride single track as the KTM video posted earlier! But need to move to a more mountainous area.
The bike would be used as follows:
1. Commuting
2. Touring (light local for the time being)
3. Light trails and gravel side roads
The bike would be used as follows:
1. Commuting
2. Touring (light local for the time being)
3. Light trails and gravel side roads
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That is exactly what the current crop of dual sports are for and frankly even the old scramblers - This was the "offroad" version of my first good bike - the 305 Honda.
Surprising where we used to take even our road bikes.
The good thing about the KLR is that if it turns out you don't get the off road use ( I did not on my original purchase because I was just getting back into riding ). you can sell it pretty much for what you paid for it.
You just have to chat with some riders with your inseam on KLRnet or AVDRider.
As I mentioned - that 2008 for $5k could not be better as far as farkles go and will have some sag since it has some KM on it. The only thing to add would be the lower and more comfortable Sargent seat.
Riding some off road trails and tracks will make you a much better road rider as well.
There is little thrill from a traditional mcycle standpoint - acceleration and twisties handling but tractoring through streams and negotiating some muddy patches and getting out in the boonies more than makes up for it and you can get to there in relative comfort. the 2008 and up is quite a leap forward over the older models and as I did these posts it's got me thinking about simply moving up on my 2004 thumper in Australia when I move there permanently
3 years out or so yet.....hopefully old joints will still be interested in some light offroad.
Good luck - happy to answer questions but the KLR forums are a goldmine.
Surprising where we used to take even our road bikes.
The good thing about the KLR is that if it turns out you don't get the off road use ( I did not on my original purchase because I was just getting back into riding ). you can sell it pretty much for what you paid for it.
You just have to chat with some riders with your inseam on KLRnet or AVDRider.
As I mentioned - that 2008 for $5k could not be better as far as farkles go and will have some sag since it has some KM on it. The only thing to add would be the lower and more comfortable Sargent seat.
Riding some off road trails and tracks will make you a much better road rider as well.
There is little thrill from a traditional mcycle standpoint - acceleration and twisties handling but tractoring through streams and negotiating some muddy patches and getting out in the boonies more than makes up for it and you can get to there in relative comfort. the 2008 and up is quite a leap forward over the older models and as I did these posts it's got me thinking about simply moving up on my 2004 thumper in Australia when I move there permanently
3 years out or so yet.....hopefully old joints will still be interested in some light offroad.
Good luck - happy to answer questions but the KLR forums are a goldmine.
homme de fer
Well-known member
I decided to take the plunge this year into dual sport riding but, having a longer inseam, picked up the BMW G650GS Sertao (I wanted the extra leg room and height). I've gone off-road, commuted, and gone travelling with it and it seems an ideal compromise (as is the KLR, I'm sure).
Is my bike a pig compared to street legal enduro's? Sure, but I can travel 600 + kilometers a day without a problem while hauling 45L panniers and a 45L top box.
Can you hit a trail with reckless abandon on a KLR/GS? No, not without serious skills (which I don't have), ability to bounce up from crashes (I do have), and a sizeable wallet (I don't have). You can take on most trails, slowly, provided you have proper tires for it.
My GS came with Tourance tires which, IMO, are 90/10 road to trail tires. They are fine for harder packed gravel roads but things get really loose in deeper gravel while dirt/sand/mud makes for "exciting" riding. It seems Heidenau tires are becoming the "defacto" dual sport tire as they can handle highway speeds without wearing down and providing traction for most off-road conditions. Knobbies are obviously best for off-roading but they wear much faster on pavement while sending vibration and humming noises while at highway speeds.
So, it's all about compromise. If you don't plan on long distance, multi-day travelling, you might want to look at the Suzuki DR's and other enduro type bikes. They make great "day riding" bikes. Doing long distance rides and are "off-road curious"? Look at the KLR, GS's, and the like.
Is my bike a pig compared to street legal enduro's? Sure, but I can travel 600 + kilometers a day without a problem while hauling 45L panniers and a 45L top box.
Can you hit a trail with reckless abandon on a KLR/GS? No, not without serious skills (which I don't have), ability to bounce up from crashes (I do have), and a sizeable wallet (I don't have). You can take on most trails, slowly, provided you have proper tires for it.
My GS came with Tourance tires which, IMO, are 90/10 road to trail tires. They are fine for harder packed gravel roads but things get really loose in deeper gravel while dirt/sand/mud makes for "exciting" riding. It seems Heidenau tires are becoming the "defacto" dual sport tire as they can handle highway speeds without wearing down and providing traction for most off-road conditions. Knobbies are obviously best for off-roading but they wear much faster on pavement while sending vibration and humming noises while at highway speeds.
So, it's all about compromise. If you don't plan on long distance, multi-day travelling, you might want to look at the Suzuki DR's and other enduro type bikes. They make great "day riding" bikes. Doing long distance rides and are "off-road curious"? Look at the KLR, GS's, and the like.
Good assessment - the headache with any of the closer to off road models.....no place to ride. 
I think the OPs idea of the new Honda 500 and then put some 70/30 tires on it will suit him fine. Maybe a front sprocket shift as well.
He's got a 250 which could be shifted a bit towards mild offroad but I think the seating position might be wrong.
I think the OPs idea of the new Honda 500 and then put some 70/30 tires on it will suit him fine. Maybe a front sprocket shift as well.
He's got a 250 which could be shifted a bit towards mild offroad but I think the seating position might be wrong.
I actually found my way to some gravel roads today (17th side road) and basically that would be the level of trail that I'm looking into. It was a lil dicey on the 250 but def doable. Front end was jumpy all over but overall it wasn't too bad. Thanks for all the great suggestions!
If that's it, then go for the KLR or some other "dual-sport", but you might as well stay away from the dirt bike style ones.
yeah all your weight is on the bars and they are narrow. But good for you. Just careful with the front brake if you do not have ABS.
Southern Ontario is frustrating as there are few twisties and almost nowhere to do decent off road forest track tho there is pretty good scenic drives in many areas.
PA has both twisties and off road tho I've not had the opportunity to do the latter.
I like your cottage idea. Depending on where you are - something like a CRF230 would give you a lot of fun and they can be serious off road and very strong yet electric start and docile power band.
My son enjoyed his. There are road legal ones around if you look and they are easy to trailer.
This looks like the last year of the factory dual sport set up ( you cannot convert them anymore) So you could put it on the road or just get a green licence for offroad.
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...hoppers-2008-Honda-CRF-230-W0QQAdIdZ419278078
Very fun bike and you can beat on it hard.
Southern Ontario is frustrating as there are few twisties and almost nowhere to do decent off road forest track tho there is pretty good scenic drives in many areas.
PA has both twisties and off road tho I've not had the opportunity to do the latter.
I like your cottage idea. Depending on where you are - something like a CRF230 would give you a lot of fun and they can be serious off road and very strong yet electric start and docile power band.
My son enjoyed his. There are road legal ones around if you look and they are easy to trailer.
This looks like the last year of the factory dual sport set up ( you cannot convert them anymore) So you could put it on the road or just get a green licence for offroad.
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...hoppers-2008-Honda-CRF-230-W0QQAdIdZ419278078
Very fun bike and you can beat on it hard.
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My friend is selling this: http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...-Sport-Touring-with-extras-W0QQAdIdZ423889451
-Jamie M.
-Jamie M.
No questions Knobbys are better in mud and deep gravel but you can certainly do quite a bit with the Tourances.
Last year in October I went to "Foodstock" on my 2006 DL650. My Girlfriend was on the back. It was a very rainy day and the event was held in Farmer's (hay) fields. With the rain and sheer numbers of cars the temporary "roads" became very deep mud. I was able to ride, with her on the back, though what was probably a Kilometer or so in mud that was 6 to 8 inches deep if not a foot in places.
..Tom
Adventure bikes aren't dual sports, but make great commuter Bike's are great for touring and are fun in the twisties as well. I have 202,000 km on my 2006 V-Strom and 39,000 km on my 2012 that I bought in March. Some people take them off road. Here are some examples of what some people do with them:
I don't generally partake in these type of adventures (although I have been in similar ones to most of the pictures) but several of my friends do. I routinely ride down gravel roads with no issues and last year did a good amount of the Nippising Trail with my 2006. I would rather have been on a proper Dual Sport but I dont think I would have wanted to ride the 200+ km to get there from my place on one.
..Tom
I don't generally partake in these type of adventures (although I have been in similar ones to most of the pictures) but several of my friends do. I routinely ride down gravel roads with no issues and last year did a good amount of the Nippising Trail with my 2006. I would rather have been on a proper Dual Sport but I dont think I would have wanted to ride the 200+ km to get there from my place on one.
..Tom
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RichinOville
Well-known member
Depending on your size and the way you ride. Almost any bike would be okay on gravel roads...... with the right tires. My first bike had pilot roads on and they were great on gravel. Now I ride with pilot road 2's on the FZ1. They are good as long as I am not leaning too much. Once it leans over from centre, the ride becomes much more interesting.
I've considered that bike but I think it would kill my whole plan of doing 1-2 day rides. And 2 bikes in the stable right now is just too much $ at this point in time. I'll start with a few sessions with the trail companies listed then switch up tires. And if I find I'm enjoying it ill pick up a cheapie dual sport to have fun on. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone I really appreciate it!
The CRF250L is totally road legal, it's a dual sport. It's the R & X models that are dirt only.
The CRF250L is a street legal bike, I have one. I don't like to make recommendation's about bikes as owners are usually biased, but I like mine.
I bought a klr650 this year,great bike and a comfy ride for city commute,I dont think it would be that great on deep trails as one member stated this bike is top heavy and would be tough to muscle this bike when you may have too.
