First Bike Purchase - Street or Dual Sport - Thoughts + Considerations Appreciated

D

DavetheAccountant

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Hi All:

I am just about to take the motorcycle saftey course and am very eager to purchase my first bike and am trying to decide whether to purchase a Street Bike (250-500cc) or a dual sport/blue plated dirt bike. I live in a rural setting and have dirt-bike trails less than 500M from my house. I also have plenty of low-traffic 80KM/Hr roads that I figure will be great to learn on.

I'm very torn on which way to go for my first bike; however, I do intend on having both in time, it will take me at least three years before I can consider adding a 2nd bike. My current thinking for each one is below:

Street Bike:

+ I like the thought of going for morning cruises on the weekend.
+ I can use to get to work a couple of days a week.
+ Would really like to do track-days, in time.
- Initial saftey is a concern, especially for the wife (I have a young family).

Dual Sport:

+ Easy access to trails after work and on the weekends.
+ I perceive trail-riding to be safer (don't know how true or not this is).
+ Have seen some info on "supermoto" tracks which seem to be an opportunity to rip around on dirt bikes on a track setting
- Can't ride to work, doesn't satisfy the "open road cruising" feel that I desire.

I am interested on the communities thoughts on this one and any additional info that I should consider. As well, any thoughts as to whether spending a couple of years on a dual-sport would make for a safer (i.e. more experienced) transition to a road bike down the road or whether the opposite is true.

Anyways, any thoughts are appreciated.

Cheers,

Dave (the Accountant).
 
This is my first season and I bought a sport bike. If I had trails nearby (like you do) I would have gotten a dual sport no questions asked. In fact I almost did, but they were really expensive used.

If you get a dual sport and ride off-road then you can get the hang of the mechanics of it all without worrying about traffic. That way when you're on the road you can just focus on watching for hazards, and not worry about the basics of shifting, balance, etc.

From what I've read you'd also get a good understanding for how to manage traction and what to do when you run out of it by riding off-road. Not the type of thing you want to learn when (for instance ) emergency braking on the road.

I'd go dual sport 100% (personally).

P.S. You're not stuck with whatever you choose. If you pick one and decide you'd rather have the other you could always sell your bike and ride something different next season. Used beginner bikes will generally hold their value very well.
 
First Bike Purchase - Street or Dual Sport - Thoughts + Considerations Apprecia

Get a used supersport and a motocross. Best supersport riders are also motocross riders. Best of both worlds!
 
First Bike Purchase - Street or Dual Sport - Thoughts + Considerations Apprecia

I don't understand why you can't take a dual sport to work. A mid sized can do highway speeds: I took my DRZ400SM on the 401 all the time
 
Re: First Bike Purchase - Street or Dual Sport - Thoughts + Considerations Apprecia

Dual sport 100% and get a small and light one to start with - you can commute easily on it. If you want one bike long term the DRZ400SM is ideal.

No idea why you couldn't commute.....open road aka slab is over rated...gets old fast. Twisty country roads are much preferred.
 
Re: First Bike Purchase - Street or Dual Sport - Thoughts + Considerations Apprecia

I would go with a dual-sport. There are several to choose from. Once I switched to a dualsport, I wondered why I didn't do it sooner. The point is simple, you don't have to stop and turn around if the road turns to gravel, you just get to keep exploring.
 
DRZ400 S. I also don't understand why you can't commute with it.

Me a few buddies rode some pavement, gravel, logging, double and single tracks today and we never changed bikes.

Dual sport rocks!
 
I was thinking "his dilemma sounds like an add for DRZ400, just waiting for the infomerical dude to jump in and say BUT WAIT! THERE IS A BIKE FOR YOU!!"
 
Thanks for the input, everyone.

My hesitation with the dual sport is that it will be o.k. at trails and o.k.-to-poor at riding on the road- without switching wheels from road wheels to off-road wheels. I also feel that driving a fairly light dual sport on the highways I would driving to work would be pretty dicey on a dual sport.

At the end-of-the-day, I think my dilema is primarily caused by the fact I would rather have street bike first, as I feel it would be safer on the road/commuting and overall a bit more fun; however, I feel the safer/more conservative (i.e. the accountant move) is to buy a dual-sport, get comfortable and then progress to a progress to a street bike...

Any additional thoughts/opinions appreciated.

Dave
 
Re: First Bike Purchase - Street or Dual Sport - Thoughts + Considerations Apprecia

BlackBeast said:
I would go with a dual-sport. There are several to choose from. Once I switched to a dualsport, I wondered why I didn't do it sooner. The point is simple, you don't have to stop and turn around if the road turns to gravel, you just get to keep exploring.
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LOL, this has happened to me countless times, but even sometimes if I am feeling extra exploratory I will go on gravel roads even on my CBR500.

And to the OP:

Dual sport for you, no question. I live in the city, but I guarantee if I lived close to trails I would have purchased a dual sport. You can definitely take a dual sport on the highway, commute with it, etc etc, very easily.
 
Re: First Bike Purchase - Street or Dual Sport - Thoughts + Considerations Apprecia

My hesitation with the dual sport is that it will be o.k. at trails and o.k.-to-poor at riding on the road- without switching wheels from road wheels to off-road wheels. I also feel that driving a fairly lig
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Um you don't have the experience to speculate or "think"..... :D Listen instead. ;)
Dual sports can tour around the world ( and do ) and still do everything but single track off road with a mixed use tire.

A light dual sport is upright seating and so easy to ride around town with good head swivel viz.

If you want to get your riding skills sharp early on take the motocross course at Chatsworth. Off road will give you valuable road skills.
 
Re: First Bike Purchase - Street or Dual Sport - Thoughts + Considerations Apprecia

From a cost perspective it is cheaper to fix a dual sport. Also street bikes tend to be heavier than a dual sport.

If you are commuting downtown, supermotos will be the best. Going over potholes aren't fun on a street bike.
 
DavetheAccountant said:
Thanks for the input, everyone.

My hesitation with the dual sport is that it will be o.k. at trails and o.k.-to-poor at riding on the road- without switching wheels from road wheels to off-road wheels. I also feel that driving a fairly light dual sport on the highways I would driving to work would be pretty dicey on a dual sport.
Click to expand...

There's a guy on this forum that rides a dual sport with knobbies on it that would leave most Ontario street riders in the dust. I wouldn't worry to much about on road riding.

For me it's a no brainer dual sport all the way.
 
safer how? airbags? roll cage? Getting hit in ANY bike will hurt no matter what. In fact, in downtown and crowded roads i find my supermoto 10x more maneuverable than my GSXR. Sport bikes are cumbersome at slow speeds due to their riding position, small steering angle input.

Dual sports and supermotos have a high riding position which means a longer viewing distance over cars, you are more visible.

Its just funny how you came here for advice and when you get advice you didnt want to hear you still justify your original position anyways

Dude, do whatcha wanna do, in fact, i hear a Hayabusa is a very SAFE bike....get that.

DavetheAccountant said:
Thanks for the input, everyone.

My hesitation with the dual sport is that it will be o.k. at trails and o.k.-to-poor at riding on the road- without switching wheels from road wheels to off-road wheels. I also feel that driving a fairly light dual sport on the highways I would driving to work would be pretty dicey on a dual sport.

At the end-of-the-day, I think my dilema is primarily caused by the fact I would rather have street bike first, as I feel it would be safer on the road/commuting and overall a bit more fun; however, I feel the safer/more conservative (i.e. the accountant move) is to buy a dual-sport, get comfortable and then progress to a progress to a street bike...

Any additional thoughts/opinions appreciated.

Dave
Click to expand...
 
Re: First Bike Purchase - Street or Dual Sport - Thoughts + Considerations Apprecia

BlackBeast said:
I would go with a dual-sport. There are several to choose from. Once I switched to a dualsport, I wondered why I didn't do it sooner. The point is simple, you don't have to stop and turn around if the road turns to gravel, you just get to keep exploring.
Click to expand...

Seriously? You turn around if the road turns to gravel just because you're not on a DS.
 
DavetheAccountant said:
Thanks for the input, everyone.

My hesitation with the dual sport is that it will be o.k. at trails and o.k.-to-poor at riding on the road- without switching wheels from road wheels to off-road wheels. I also feel that driving a fairly light dual sport on the highways I would driving to work would be pretty dicey on a dual sport.

At the end-of-the-day, I think my dilema is primarily caused by the fact I would rather have street bike first, as I feel it would be safer on the road/commuting and overall a bit more fun; however, I feel the safer/more conservative (i.e. the accountant move) is to buy a dual-sport, get comfortable and then progress to a progress to a street bike...

Any additional thoughts/opinions appreciated.

Dave
Click to expand...

You just answered your own question. Get a street bike now and another one later. As long as you havn't been brainwashed to believe it has to be the latest and greatest, bikes can be very affordable.
 
Red_Liner740 said:
safer how? airbags? roll cage? Getting hit in ANY bike will hurt no matter what. In fact, in downtown and crowded roads i find my supermoto 10x more maneuverable than my GSXR. Sport bikes are cumbersome at slow speeds due to their riding position, small steering angle input.

Dual sports and supermotos have a high riding position which means a longer viewing distance over cars, you are more visible.

Its just funny how you came here for advice and when you get advice you didnt want to hear you still justify your original position anyways

Dude, do whatcha wanna do, in fact, i hear a Hayabusa is a very SAFE bike....get that.
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Hey, Red_liner - Did I insult you? Are you having a bad day? Read my post. I am not "justifiying" my position... I am stating what my preference is - and "listening" to those who have experience. Safer how - you ask? I don't know, but I thought that a "street bike" might be made to more safely navigate the streets... Sorry for my ignorance.

I came here fore what I thought might be reasonable discussing and advice, from a respectful community - which mosts posts are... Didn't think I'd encounter the regular set of internet trolls.

And while I'm at it - MacDoc - adding emoticons to a rude post - doesn't make it less rude.... I'll be sure to stop "thinking" soon.

Thanks to all the rest.
 
First Bike Purchase - Street or Dual Sport - Thoughts + Considerations Apprecia

dirtbag said:
Seriously? You turn around if the road turns to gravel just because you're not on a DS.
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No kidding. I take my sport bikes on all kinds of gravel, dirt and fire roads.
Just because I'm not on a SM is no reason to turn back.

One of the main reasons I sold my DRZSM is that I would pick my CBR everyday over it.. Even if I thought I'd hit some dirt roads on purpose.
Don't get me wrong: the DRZ is fun and i had a blast when i rode it but I loved the power and speed on the 929 more.
 
Re: First Bike Purchase - Street or Dual Sport - Thoughts + Considerations Apprecia

And while I'm at it - MacDoc - adding emoticons to a rude post - doesn't make it less rude.... I'll be sure to stop "thinking" soon.
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It's not in the least a rude post....you came here asking for advice and then tell people who understand the sport that you "think" this and "think" that without a shred of experience to base it on.
I have 50 years riding on road and off and 10's of thousands of posts on forums all over the world.
I tend to tell people who come for advice to listen instead of speculating on stuff they have no experience with. If it hurt your feelings that's your problem not mine.

Good luck....and when you ask advice in the future...listen more speculate less
.
Several people with experience comment on what you should do and then you blather on about what you "think". Well that's not a good way to encourage sound advice.
Subtext....he's set in his ways and not listening.... and thin skinned to boot.

t'would appear to be the case

I don't know, but I thought that a "street bike" might be made to more safely navigate the streets... Sorry for my ignorance.
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Yes you don't know, you have nothing to base your speculation on and your ignorance is real - but you say it in a snarky manner and wonder why you are getting some attitude.

Emoticons are exactly to soften a bitter pill.....which I would guess from your reaction was a hard one to swallow. You may be top dog in your chosen field....you're a noob in this one.
You come for advice....then listen and ask - what you "think" doesn't mean "bull crap".:rolleyes:
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