Know what would be cool?
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 212
Likes: 39
From: SoCal
I like it, it checks most of the boxes, wheels and suspension, ground clearance, twin engine, good wind management, cool rally fairing, and my buddies neighbor has a badass one all decked out for Dakar, BUT they weigh 511lbs unladen. That turns it into a dirt-road bike, whereas I'm (and I think a lot of the market is) looking for something to take through soft sand in Anza-Borrego, rocks in Moab, the scrubland and beaches in baja... Not necessarily a single track where only mountain goats and dedicated off road only dirtbikes go, but places a jeep wrangler or other 4x4 would try.
There's a gap in the market, and other manufacturers realize it. KTM is coming out with a 790 adventure bike (too heavy) and bmw just came out with the gs850 (too heavy and $17k what are they smoking) so there will be some options for people who want NASA electronics on their bike, but if you want something stripped down, rugged and American that'll take you off the beaten path and through the natural beauty hidden away behind challenging trails, your choice is pretty much to take a small engine dual sport and get beaten around by wind on the highway.
Weight is very important off road, its the difference between gliding over terrain and stuffing a tire and crashing, or having a fun rip in the sand vs riding a wild bucking bronco. Over 400lbs the market has a lot of options, and they are all heavily road-oriented, which means you'll have a great commute but once you hit your destination its going to be miserable, you'll be fighting your bike instead of enjoying the scenery and your friends.
There's a gap in the market, and other manufacturers realize it. KTM is coming out with a 790 adventure bike (too heavy) and bmw just came out with the gs850 (too heavy and $17k what are they smoking) so there will be some options for people who want NASA electronics on their bike, but if you want something stripped down, rugged and American that'll take you off the beaten path and through the natural beauty hidden away behind challenging trails, your choice is pretty much to take a small engine dual sport and get beaten around by wind on the highway.
Weight is very important off road, its the difference between gliding over terrain and stuffing a tire and crashing, or having a fun rip in the sand vs riding a wild bucking bronco. Over 400lbs the market has a lot of options, and they are all heavily road-oriented, which means you'll have a great commute but once you hit your destination its going to be miserable, you'll be fighting your bike instead of enjoying the scenery and your friends.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 619
From: North Dakota & Minnesota
You better do some more investigating about the Pan American.
Harley Pan American
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 546
From: Wayne County, PA
I like it, it checks most of the boxes, wheels and suspension, ground clearance, twin engine, good wind management, cool rally fairing, and my buddies neighbor has a badass one all decked out for Dakar, BUT they weigh 511lbs unladen. That turns it into a dirt-road bike, whereas I'm (and I think a lot of the market is) looking for something to take through soft sand in Anza-Borrego, rocks in Moab, the scrubland and beaches in baja... Not necessarily a single track where only mountain goats and dedicated off road only dirtbikes go, but places a jeep wrangler or other 4x4 would try.
There's a gap in the market, and other manufacturers realize it. KTM is coming out with a 790 adventure bike (too heavy) and bmw just came out with the gs850 (too heavy and $17k what are they smoking) so there will be some options for people who want NASA electronics on their bike, but if you want something stripped down, rugged and American that'll take you off the beaten path and through the natural beauty hidden away behind challenging trails, your choice is pretty much to take a small engine dual sport and get beaten around by wind on the highway.
Weight is very important off road, its the difference between gliding over terrain and stuffing a tire and crashing, or having a fun rip in the sand vs riding a wild bucking bronco. Over 400lbs the market has a lot of options, and they are all heavily road-oriented, which means you'll have a great commute but once you hit your destination its going to be miserable, you'll be fighting your bike instead of enjoying the scenery and your friends.
There's a gap in the market, and other manufacturers realize it. KTM is coming out with a 790 adventure bike (too heavy) and bmw just came out with the gs850 (too heavy and $17k what are they smoking) so there will be some options for people who want NASA electronics on their bike, but if you want something stripped down, rugged and American that'll take you off the beaten path and through the natural beauty hidden away behind challenging trails, your choice is pretty much to take a small engine dual sport and get beaten around by wind on the highway.
Weight is very important off road, its the difference between gliding over terrain and stuffing a tire and crashing, or having a fun rip in the sand vs riding a wild bucking bronco. Over 400lbs the market has a lot of options, and they are all heavily road-oriented, which means you'll have a great commute but once you hit your destination its going to be miserable, you'll be fighting your bike instead of enjoying the scenery and your friends.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 212
Likes: 39
From: SoCal
how about a klr650 or drz400. If you run shinko 805s you should be ok on the highway and pretty good off road. I run 805s on the wr250r and i have no trouble with mud or loose dirt which is a dual sports worse nightmare. The 805s are actually designed for teneres and other big adventure bikes so they dont wobble doing 80 on the highway. With a dualsport tires are as important as the bike.
Last edited by Scottyxbones; Feb 25, 2019 at 09:00 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 212
Likes: 39
From: SoCal
The Pan American definitely isn't going to be powered by the M8. New 60 degree 1250 cc motor powering a few new bikes. Modular platform.
You better do some more investigating about the Pan American.
Harley Pan American
You better do some more investigating about the Pan American.
Harley Pan American
In my fantasy this bike will have an aluminum block engine that houses an integrated transmission and primary, aluminum cylinders with iron sleeves, air cooled, unbalanced, carbureted, single cam with a blower for an air cleaner, like an
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 546
From: Wayne County, PA
How do you like that wr250r? I've narrowed down my choices to that or the drz400. I'm leaning towards the drz for slightly more power (I have to ride an hour on the highway minimum to get to a trail) and the ability to ride over obstacles instead of around them. I watched a bunch of Everide's videos on YouTube comparing the two but I haven't been on either yet
whatever you decide check out seat concepts. Have one one the wr can ride all day. Stock seat was like a 2x4.
Last edited by Yamaharley; Feb 25, 2019 at 09:06 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 212
Likes: 39
From: SoCal
everride didnt ride the wr like you should. Its a 250 that screams znd he was lugging it like a drz or klr. I regeared the wr250r to a 47 tooth rear and i can still cruise at 60 and its geared perfect offroad. Bike hasnt changed since 2008 so used ones are good deals, especially if they bought supermoto wheels. The wr is just around 300lbs and makes 25hp. Gets 71mpg too. Actually kawi released their new 250 dual sport for like 5k and it has fuel injection, fully adjustable suspension, and basically its a green wr250r. The wr is just pure fun. My friend who had a gsxr rode it for ***** and giggles and loved it. Its a blast around town hopping curbs and wheelieing like a madman.
whatever you decide check out seat concepts. Have one one the wr can ride all day. Stock seat was like a 2x4.
whatever you decide check out seat concepts. Have one one the wr can ride all day. Stock seat was like a 2x4.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,312
From: Virginia
Pretty much any bike that is going to be comfortable for an hour and a half on the freeway is going to be heavy for thick off road stuff.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,013
Likes: 7,137
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Originally Posted by Yamaharley
Tiger 800 xcx... 435lbs, 95hp, ktm wp suspension, abs, traction, adjustable seat height, 10k rpm limit, torque out the ***. And it cost 2 or 3k less than a base softail. Abs and traction can be turned off too for off road. My leftover 2016 was 5k less than a base street bob softail and has features most Harleys cant even dream of. Around 8 inches travel front and rear with rebound and compression adjustments on the fly. Has 2 power outlets and a 450watt alternator for all the gear youd ever need. I love my dyna but it cant compare...