Which dual-sport?

[jackflack44]

1) your physical size (both height and weight are important) 6ft 215lbs.
2) How physical / aggressive are you ?
3) what do you plan to ride- MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends or ????? woods, fields, streets around town
4) Do you have any riding experience? yes
5) Do you think you will race ? no
6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work? yes
7) Do YOU have a preferance to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)? 4stroke
8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry? all dealers
9) How much ($) do you plan to spend on a bike? 5000
10) Do you live in California? Texas
11) Your age? 60
12) anything else that you think would help form an opinion want something 50/50 or 75/25 street being the 75

 

[jackflack44]

for my grandpa lol

 

[kschilk]

Go the li'l bit extra and go with an XR650L.

 

[Ol'89r]

Go the li'l bit extra and go with an XR650L.

There are a lot of good dual sports available but, IMO, the XR650L isn't one of them. If he is planning on doing a lot of street or freeway riding it would be a good choice but he won't like it in the woods. Very top heavy and all around heavy bike. Not very nimble on the tight trails, more of a street bike than a dirt bike. Might as well buy a Goldwing. ;)

IMO, it would be better to take a dirt bike based bike like a WR Yamaha and have it dual sported. The older XR 500's and 600's are a good choice and handle a lot better than a XR650L. KTM also offers several dual sport and dual sportable models that are very light and nimble and also offer the magic button. At your granpa's age he may want something a little lighter and easier to handle.

Check with your DMV to see what the law allows in regard to licensing a dirt bike for the street. Dual sport kits are available through Baja Designs and several other aftermarket companys.