there is something to be said about the Orange and Black

Harley and KTM both have the same type of cult following

and gezz before you ride either one of those bikes you have to go out and buy the KTM or Harley gear (uniforms a call them )

they are both very over priced

and they both need more then average Wrenching on them

I;ll be sticking to my little KLX for awhile

 

Thanks for all the replies. The other "Duel Sport" I was looking at was the KTM - so that is funny : ) I'm looking at the 2014 690 Endure R as well. I know it is almost twice the money and that is probably the dilemma I am in between choosing between the two. I like the Kawasaki, but until I upgrade tanks, engine, exhaust and so on. Plus I will have to buy luggage and probably a seat. I will have a fair amount invested.

The KTM has a new designed comfy seat "we'll see", plenty of power and I a have the small Touratech panniers (32l and 38l) and all the camping equipment and accessories that I use in them already. Just buy the rack and bounce them to the KTM for a trip.

I have a 2013 1200GS right now and although I love the bike and it is fine for fire roads and such. It is too big and heavy for the tougher trails to be picking up all the time and the chances of getting hurt just really start to go up.

Thanks,
Jamie

 

I'd buy the 250, get the suspension done, put on bark busters and a skid plate, and ride the crap out of in the dirt. The KLX will go anywhere a KTM will, with less maintenance and less money. Mine sure has.
The 690 is a cool bike but way more than will ever be needed in the dirt, unless all you ride is wide open desert and sand. The 350 or 450 is a much better dirt KTM.
Or go 2T for almost zero maintenance and super light weight.

 

The 1200 GS is hard to pick up?

Here's a friend on his 1150. We picked it up 3 or 4 times over an hour's time. He couldn't do it on his own because it was slick!

So you didn't say where you'll be riding in Idaho.

 

What kind of tires was he running? Looks pretty slick and tiring : ) I have family in the Pan Handle and Spokane. Also have some friends I do business with in Rathdrum.

I am thinking of putting more aggressive tires on the 1200 and buying a KLK 250 for a fun bike that might see the more serious off road (trailer it) if the opportunity rises that is at any great distance away. I really love the 1200 for going places and doing things. Off road classes on it are in order later this year. So maybe between that and really good tires it will boost my confidence.


JamieD

 

They were 80/20 street/dirt type DS tires.
What you can't see well here is that it is raining and just kept getting worse.
The KLX was shod with some pretty decent tires and it was still sliding around quite a bit, but luckily never dropped. Once that heavy 1150 decided to spin around, it was all over.

Have fun in N. Idaho. I know very little of riding there. Did the McGruder once, but nothing further north.

 

I live in Sandpoint, about an hour North of Spokane. Not much open area around here like the picture IDRIDR posted. The big Dual sports are limited on where they can go. The KLX is just about right. Most of the hard core riders use plated MX bikes.

 

OK GUYS

Here is a thought process that you may want to consider when buying a Dual Sport bike

 

I would go with the 2006, after all its still the best one out there. Hehehehehe Oh and welcome to the forums!

 

I had a hard time watching that video what with the dew rag he was wearing. LOL