The March issue of Rider magazine did a comparison of three dual-sport 650's, the Honda XR650L, Kawasaki KLR560 and Suzuki DR650S.
the Kaw was best on road
the Honda best off road
and the Suzuki in the middle
New these bikes are in the 5 - 6 K range. they have been making these for many years with minimal changes so used ones should not be too hard to find in the 2K range.
For true dual purpose work with a good dose of road riding, one of these 3 bikes is the best option. I wouldn't go smaller. It sounds like you are a pretty big guy, so you don't want to go too small.
ken k
B&H imperial E flat tuba
Mirafone 187 BBb
1919 Pan American BBb Helicon
1924 Buescher BBb tuba (Dr. Suessaphone)
2009 Mazda Miata
1996 Honda Pacific Coast PC800
Bob1062 wrote:Sellin my car and place this summer to buy a tuba and a computer. And maybe..just maybe.. a motorcycle...
Almost completely and only driving through Chicago (though I'd hate to rule out driving back to Indiana, bout a 100 mile one way trip, to see the family occasionally).
I will have a book bag most of the time and occasionally an instrument (bass trombone hard case with strap, small tuba hard case with straps, or maybe a bag if I dare). And after buying the bike, the gas would be hella cheaper than the 6 bucks a day trip on the buses.
Probably 60 miles a week at most, and all the speed limits where I'd be driving are like 40 TOPS. I may be making a trip to Michigan and back (ONCE!) this summer with a horn and a bag of clothes and what not. Maybe I could strap the horn on in a hard case and carry my stuff in a gig bag (swap it around when I get to where I'm going).
Any thoughts?
Man, I can't wait to get a motorcycle! I'll be SO cool!
you could ship your horn to your location separately also then you do not need to carry it on the bike. Putting a lot of luggage up high on your bike really raises the center of gravity and can change the handling characteristics of the bike substantially.
ken k
B&H imperial E flat tuba
Mirafone 187 BBb
1919 Pan American BBb Helicon
1924 Buescher BBb tuba (Dr. Suessaphone)
2009 Mazda Miata
1996 Honda Pacific Coast PC800
the Pacific Coast 800 is a beauty. I wish they still made them. I checked into them when i was bike hunting two years ago. They can still be found on ebay, and should last forever, being a Honda.
The old Silverwings were nice mini gold wings back in the early 80s. These were sort of predecessors to the PC800. Lateral v-twin with shaft drive (like moto guzzi) with or wth out fairings and came in 500s or 650s. Still see them around.
the new Silverwings, like I said before are new mega schooters and actually might be chick magnets. they may be less intimidating. Lots of storage under the seat usually enought to carry two full face helemts, (one for you and one for the girl...) check them out at:
Almost completely and only driving through Chicago (though I'd hate to rule out driving back to Indiana, bout a 100 mile one way trip, to see the family occasionally).
I will have a book bag most of the time and occasionally an instrument (bass trombone hard case with strap, small tuba hard case with straps, or maybe a bag if I dare). And after buying the bike, the gas would be hella cheaper than the 6 bucks a day trip on the buses.
Probably 60 miles a week at most, and all the speed limits where I'd be driving are like 40 TOPS. I may be making a trip to Michigan and back (ONCE!) this summer with a horn and a bag of clothes and what not. Maybe I could strap the horn on in a hard case and carry my stuff in a gig bag (swap it around when I get to where I'm going).
Nah: What yer lookin' fer is an HMV Freeway! My '81 is going to hit the road (finally after 6 months of messin' with it) next week!
