Dirt/'tard/duel sport bike recommendations?

[racercutie]

I learned to ride on dirt and loved it, but never had the chance to get a dirtbike.
Now, in the midst of selling one of my bikes, I'm considering getting a dirt/motard/dual of some sort.

It would be cool to find something I can ride on the street as well as dirt.
Any recommendations?

[Vickie G]

I absolutely LOVE my Yamaha TW200 - it's a great bike for zipping around town on, and it's great on the trails, too!!!

[ridingAK]

I totally missed this thread when you posted it. Sorry.

My BMW F650GS is a good compromise between street and dirt. A couple days ago my husband and I rode a muddy road with deep water filled pot holes. I did better on my bike than he did on his BMW 1200. I feel really comfortable on mud, less so on gravel. Not sure why, it seems like it should be the other way around.

If you are looking for a true dirt bike, you can get something a lot lighter, more nimble, and a lot cheaper than my bike.

[Inky]

I hear bmw makes a couple of good ones. Dakar, do you care to add to this?

[KCDakar]

I hear bmw makes a couple of good ones. Dakar, do you care to add to this?

BMW makes three G 650 bikes. I have seen and sat on them all. They are all TALL! Even for me. Being 650-cc they are heavy on the top side. Plus they cost a lot of $$ for a bike that in not the kind of bike you would want to take around the world! Oh wait thats the kind of riding I want to do...:blush:
Check out BMW's http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/group.jsp?g=enduro

That being said they are getting into the 450-cc arena also.
http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=10920
But I think BMW will price them selves out of most of the US market. It is what they do. But if they can bring in the 450 I think I will try it myself if the price is right. If not I might have to find a friend that has one...:tongue

This is only my 2 cents. I love my BMW's:thumbup:

I have a Harley Davidson for sale...:lol

[misschief_rc]

How big are you looking to go? Are you looking for a street bike that can be taken into the dirt once in a while, or a dirt bike that can travel on the roads once in a while? I'd mention the KLR 650 as a street bike that can get dirty, but it is a 650, so not as light and nimble as something smaller.