Deva,
A dual sport bike eh???
I was in the same situation as you some years back. My only problem is that I'm a big guy and 6'4" tall. Fit IS very important on a bike! I can't stress that enough!!!
Tires are the other major choice you'll need to make for the type of ridding you do!
When going from point A to point B...be on the lookout for that guy who is going to KILL YOU! He's out there and is waiting for you to let your guard down!!!
Take nothing for granted, your a sitting duck in an accident and most bike ridders don't make it. Those who do, well the majority are not the same as they were before the accident!
Bikes are good on gas & fun to ride. But don't forget ALL your safety gear because thats all thats protecting you from a bad case of road-rash!
In my "day job" I see my share of accidents. One that sticks out was a rider who was cut in half after he struck the A-frame of a SUV. The last thing going through his mind was his nose!!! As for the bike, there was no part of the bike that weighed over 5 lbs.
SPEED KILLS...think of natural selection and all them fools that get weeded out for doing stupid things.
*
I ride and dicided on a Duel Sport for myself. I bought a KLR 650 and like it for a to work & back bike.
Its not a Hwy bike at all. I changed the front sprocket & tires from stock to get better millage & a smoother ride as well as an ATV seat pad for comfort!
If I were looking for a bike that will take the Hwy without any problems and will be Ok on the fire roads 10% of the time, I look into the "Suzuki V-Strom" (650cc or 1000cc).
You can do lots to make a bike fit you with all the aftermarket options. Depends on how deep your pockets are.
The KLR650 is a single cylinder thumper and is excelent on gas! My bike gets over 460kms on primary take and well over 500+kms with reserve!!!
-The first pic below is my KLR 650 with tank bag and back-pack on the rear.
-The second pic is of my friends Suzuki V-Strom DL1000. I like his bike, its an "Adventure Touring" style bike meaning you sit more upright than most bikes making this bike a bit easier to handle.
The KLR is more off-road orientated but can be altered (like mine) to handle the street better. The V-Strom prefers the street over dirt but isn't afraid of getting dirty!
Check out both bikes on the web for more info.
Bob
Some numbskulls from Poland I believe, have been building these things. Gut the car, pull the passanger seat and transplant a CBRR1000 (R1) motor and tranny in them. STUPID FAST!!!
Back in the day, I had one of these.....
