Motorcycles: enduro vs dirt bike

[back country]

What do you have and why did you choose to go that route?

I'm currently debating buying a bmw 650 Dakar. It's in really good shape and has low miles. I've always liked the idea of the bmw enduros, especially the dakars since they're a version of the 650 gs that's built more for off road. I'm envisioning myself taking it on forest service roads back in a ways to get to trail heads and certain locations, at which point I'd park and start hiking to go check trail cams and maybe do some glassing. I don't plan on taking it on any single tracks. I also like the idea of having a bike I can cruise around town on AND that's capable of doing some road trips on. I've driven the Alaska highway several times and always thought it would be fun to do on a bike, led alone many other road trips (most not as long!).

But...sometimes I wonder if I'd be better off with a dirt bike, since I like to spend so much time in the back country and really like to scout and set/check trail cams in the summer. I don't know if I'm trying to stretch the Dakar to be more of an off-road machine than it is meant to be...

Whatever route I end up going, obviously I would only be using the bike in areas where it is allowed, which is most of the general unit that I live in and hunt each year.

Anyone ever been in a similar situation? What route did you choose to go and why? If you could do it all over again, would you make a different choice?

 

[westrnwild]

I used to ride bikes in the backcountry for hunting but not anymore. I was lucky enough to grow up racing dirtbikes so i got access to a lot of bikes. The BMW is good route if your planning on going on the road alot. If not then go dirt bike, the weight and suspension differences will come in handy in the backcountry. You can also probably find a really cheap XR 650 and get it plated and still get your BMW. IF i had my choice id probably get a KTM 300XCW, its a two stroke, but with a baffle its fairly quiet and its and abilities on the trails are second to non.

 

[nrh6.7]

I used to have a KDX200 but having to load it up, drive a good ways to find a place to ride, then drive back it got to be too much and sold it. But man that thing was a tractor going up hills. Awesome low end power and you'd really have to try to make it stall. Really wanted a KTM 300XCW like westrnwild mentioned, but too dang much for my blood. Wish I lived somewhere I could just get on it and go...

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[UtahJimmy]

Dual sport XR650L for me. Reason I went that way is so I can commute with it and also hit the dirt. Easy to access trails from home, no need to fuss with a trailer or loading/unloading from the truck bed. Or find parking!

Not the most nimble trail bike but it gets it done!

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[IdahoElk]

I have a bored/stroked 177 Husqvarna 2 stroke,absolute scalpel for mountain single tracks here but not built for the road.

 

[backcountryguy]

I ride a 13 ktm 300xc and love it. One of the best scouting tools I own


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[PathFinder]

Depends on your end use. The dual sport will be able to carry some gear and cover longer distances. The enduro/dirt bike will be better on single tracks and rough terrain. Personally I use my truck on longer drives and my dirt bike (GasGas XC250) to run around the rougher roads on the mountain and desert to save time and wear on my truck.

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[nrh6.7]

do you find the gearing too close on your xc? I was looking at the xcw for the wider ratios.

I ride a 13 ktm 300xc and love it. One of the best scouting tools I own


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[back country]

Personally I use my truck on longer drives and my dirt bike (GasGas XC250) to run around the rougher roads on the mountain and desert to save time and wear on my truck.

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I would also be using my truck on longer drives and all out of state hunts. In relation to scouting, the bike would be used in the general unit I live in, so the drives into the mountains would be relatively short (8 minutes from my front door and I'm in the canyon/mountains). Since I do so much scouting in the unit I live in (since it's so close and accessible) I figured having a bike would save my truck a lot of wear and tear.

That KTM 300xc caught my eye...decisions, decisions....

 

[PathFinder]

I would also be using my truck on longer drives and all out of state hunts. In relation to scouting, the bike would be used in the general unit I live in, so the drives into the mountains would be relatively short (8 minutes from my front door and I'm in the canyon/mountains). Since I do so much scouting in the unit I live in (since it's so close and accessible) I figured having a bike would save my truck a lot of wear and tear.

That's how I use mine a lot as well. It probably comes down to whether hauling some gear is a bigger deal, or being able to take the bike in really nasty terrain. I ended up figuring that I'd rather throw gear in my pack and deal with the awkwardness of riding with it than wrestle a big bike. Being able to strap gear to the bike definitely has a big advantage though. If you are mostly planning to use it on better roads and trails, the dual sport would be awesome.

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[gwl79902]

I have had several bikes over the years and currently have a BMW x challenge. It is the same motor you have but put in a dirt bike frame. It is a great bike for me. One thing people seem to forget about bikes is the expense. I always have friends saying they want aa bike to save money but they forget insurance, tires, and all the other stuff. A rear tire only last less than 5000 miles on a dirt bike.

If I were you and and am not sure what the road and trails are like I would keep what you have and just enjoy it. If you feel like the bike is too big for the roads and trails I woluld look at a used Yamaha WR250.

In my opinion (its just mine) that bike is as close as a dirt bike as one will find that is street legal and affordable. I do not know the plate laws where you are but if you could plate a dirt bike that changes everything. If you can I would have 2 bikes. We can not in oregon so I am a 1 bike guy.

 

[Felix40]

Im chugging around on 25 year old thumper (yamaha xt350). I bought it because i wanted something i could ride to town or on a trail. Turns out i basically ride 80% road and 20% trail so i wish i would have gone with something more road friendly. I ride to work every day and take it hunting when i dont have my kid with me. Downside is that bikes with 2x the horsepower weigh 100 pounds less these days so i could never keep up with guys riding newer bikes. I do love it though and its been 100% reliable. Ive got 30k miles on it and i get 50 mpg riding around town.

 

[Bailer]

do you find the gearing too close on your xc? I was looking at the xcw for the wider ratios.

That's not an issue since they went to a 6 speed, imho.

 

[backcountryguy]

do you find the gearing too close on your xc? I was looking at the xcw for the wider ratios.

I personally don't and I've had both the xc-w is a nice bike no doubt and you can lug no problem. Your first two gears are shorter better for low speed technical riding. My xc lugs really well also and has a little taller first and second. I desert race occasionally so the xc is a must with the the linkage in the suspension. If I were to only ride trails I would buy a xc-w for sure. You can't go wrong with either bike. From the sounds of what you would like to use it for i would recommend the xc-w and I would also recommend going 12 or newer for the fact you want electric start ha it's a game changer in the mountains in my opinion.


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[nrh6.7]

That thing looks like FUN! Something about a two stroke, thanks for sharing.

I have a bored/stroked 177 Husqvarna 2 stroke,absolute scalpel for mountain single tracks here but not built for the road.

 

[nrh6.7]

Interesting about the XC. I ended up with the KDX due to price and not knowing if I'd stick with it. Agreed on the e start...wish I'd had that on mine when you're exhausted and in a weird angle trying to get it started again.

I personally don't and I've had both the xc-w is a nice bike no doubt and you can lug no problem. Your first two gears are shorter better for low speed technical riding. My xc lugs really well also and has a little taller first and second. I desert race occasionally so the xc is a must with the the linkage in the suspension. If I were to only ride trails I would buy a xc-w for sure. You can't go wrong with either bike. From the sounds of what you would like to use it for i would recommend the xc-w and I would also recommend going 12 or newer for the fact you want electric start ha it's a game changer in the mountains in my opinion.


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[back country]

I have had several bikes over the years and currently have a BMW x challenge. It is the same motor you have but put in a dirt bike frame. It is a great bike for me. One thing people seem to forget about bikes is the expense. I always have friends saying they want aa bike to save money but they forget insurance, tires, and all the other stuff. A rear tire only last less than 5000 miles on a dirt bike.

If I were you and and am not sure what the road and trails are like I would keep what you have and just enjoy it. If you feel like the bike is too big for the roads and trails I woluld look at a used Yamaha WR250.

In my opinion (its just mine) that bike is as close as a dirt bike as one will find that is street legal and affordable. I do not know the plate laws where you are but if you could plate a dirt bike that changes everything. If you can I would have 2 bikes. We can not in oregon so I am a 1 bike guy.

So after reading your post yesterday, I decided to check and see if any BMW xchallenges happened to be available anywhere near me...and I found one. It was only about an hour away so I went to check it out yesterday afternoon and I fell head over heels....it was exactly what I was looking for. I really think I would've been happy with the Dakar, but I felt like I was planning for and envisioning using it way more off road than it's meant for. When I saw the Xchallenge I was sold. And to sweeten the pot, it only has 5200 miles and is in excellent condition, very well maintained. The whole situation turned out to be very serendipitous!

I love it when things just happen to work out like this!

 

[MTguy0341]

2000 Suzuki DRZ400 enduro. I just like it so i can drive around town on the thing. Ride from the cabin onto the highway and then onto the forest service roads. Wouldn't change it.

 

[gwl79902]

Great score on a 5200 mile bike. With care you can get 30000 to 40000 out of it with little maintenance. I have done 500 mile road days on mine with no problem . I have taken it on single track with little problem. I have had 2 bmw 650 and both have had problems with holes in the alum radiator. Google it and try to protect it. Both my problem happened hundreds of miles from home, it sucks. Easy fix just pull it and have it welded but hard to do on the road.