enduro bike

[ACG]

I've been thinking of investing in an enduro bike. There are plenty of places to use one here 12 months of the year, whether it be riding to work or a ride around the neighborhood, going to the west desert or riding up in the mountains.

The only motorcycle experience I have is on a late 70s yamaha street bike riding it down the 2 track roads in ND. It was a blast. I don't want to go straight dirt bike because it limits me in where I can go.

I don't plan on doing any riding on the local tracks and jumping, but more exploring. Go spend a day crusing around the west desert or playing up in the mountains. Bring a lunch and your handgun and go exploring is what I am interested in.

How big to go? What kind to get? What kind of gear do you guys wear and what is reccomended? I want to spend less than $2000 for the bike, go cheap on the gear to start with and then upgrade as time goes on.

Any advice will be helpful!

 

[hatchers]

2002-2005 suzuki v strom
older kawi KDX
im guessing the older hondas are still above 2K

 

[powderules]

Maybe a Kawasaki KLR650? Most of the bikes that are great on the street are not going to be great on mountain trails. A Honda XR400 with a light kit would fit into your budget too.

 

[Adobe-Al]

KDX 200 or 220 or Xr 400 with light kits

 

[madsigntist]

Honda xr400 r. Inexpensive, bullet proof and fun.
Talk to Jeremy (above poster) @Motofrugals. They will set you up. Great guys. Awesome store.

 

[harrysmith500]

Another vote for XR400

 

[ACG]

Maybe a Kawasaki KLR650? Most of the bikes that are great on the street are not going to be great on mountain trails. A Honda XR400 with a light kit would fit into your budget too.

It will be for more off road, and local stuff around town. I just want to ride to work (couple miles) and take a ride out of my garage in the evening and go look at stuff if you kno wwhat I mean.

I wouldn't want to ride it out to the west desert, but be able to ride it out there. Take a ride on a tuesday evening from my house in WX and go a few miles up a canyon in Bountiful. Something like that.

 

[theultrarider]

It will be for more off road, and local stuff around town. I just want to ride to work (couple miles) and take a ride out of my garage in the evening and go look at stuff if you kno wwhat I mean.

I wouldn't want to ride it out to the west desert, but be able to ride it out there. Take a ride on a tuesday evening from my house in WX and go a few miles up a canyon in Bountiful. Something like that.

XR400 would be just perfect for what you just described. Cheap, bulletproof and a street legal dirt bike, not the other way around if you know what I mean.

 

[ACG]

I will have to look into the XR 400. Quick search on KSL didn't offer up much. Will do a more refined search later on.

What about gear? I know scrapes and bruises are going to be alot more common riding on dirt rather than snow. What do you guys recommend?

 

[madsigntist]

You will want full gear. I always ride with a helmet, gloves, chest/shoulder protector, MX pants and jersey, nice MX boots and knee/shin guards. MX boots aren't necessary but so much nicer. Boots with ankle support are a must. Check out Klim's bike/enduro stuff.
Also I highly recommend a pair of the padded bike shorts with a chamois crotch. Added hip pro and mucho comfy on your soft bits.
Motofrugals has everything you'd ever need.

The XR's on KSL come and go, but they are usually in the $1,700-$2,200 range. If you find one thats not street legal. For $175 you can buy a Tusk SL kit and its a simple install to make it street legal.

 

[POWDR]

I would add elbow/forearm armour to Mad's list. I like them. Also, I would say the mx boots are a necessity- just get them, you will appreciate them.

For padded shorts, check out Rock Gardn- they have a pair called CYA. I love em and wear them for just about every sport.