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Tag Archives: DRZ

The Dual Sport Class

Texas Adventure Posted on October 25, 2017 by RichardOctober 20, 2017

I was reading a thread on advrider.com when I happened across a statement that really caught my attention. The writer claimed that the Husqvarna “701serves a different purpose entirely than a DRZ400 does…A 701 wouldn’t suit itself well as a weekday commuter and a weekend dirtbike while also packing it down and riding it 1000+ miles to the trails you want to ride. Can it do it? Sure… but that’s where a drz/dr650 shines.”

Hmmm…that’s a really interesting, and surprising, point of view.

I recall watching the marketing video of the 701 when it first came out and it gave the distinct impression that the 701 was a go anywhere, do anything type of bike. In fact the title of the video was 701 Enduro – The Perfect Combination” and described the 701 as “the next level of versatility”

I asked the poster what, in his opinion, the 701 was designed for and why it wasn’t suitable for commuting + weekend dirt biking + touring. I pose the same question now, to you, dear reader – What was the 701 designed for?

Consider this: I suggest that the universe of dual sport adventure motorcycles can reasonably be divided into three categories:

  • sub-300 lb street legal dirt-bikes (I call them dirt bikes with blinkers)
  • 300 -400 lb dual sport bikes
  • 400+ lb adventure bikes

 

I use these three categories because in terms of functionality and capability, it makes logical sense. Generally speaking, a dirt-bike-with-blinkers is a much better choice for gnarly single track or hard off-road riding than a dual-sport-class bike or adventure-class bike. Similarly an adventure bike is more suitable, comfortable, and capable of multi-day, intercontinental, adventure touring than either a street legal dirt bike or a dual sport bike. Different tools for different jobs, if you will.

Sure you could ride a street legal dirt bike many thousands of miles of pavement while adventure touring the United States but it wouldn’t necessarily be the best choice. And, yes, you could take a big adventure bike on single track or serious off-road riding, but why would you? It’s so big and heavy you would soon destroy it and yourself trying to muscle it through. Continuing the earlier tool analogy, It best when you use the right tool for the job.

As you have likely deduced by now, your garage should have at least two motorcycles in it – a street legal dirt bike for harder dirt riding and an adventure bike for multi-day rides and adventure touring. Just like a woman needs more than one pair of shoes, a motorcyclists needs more than one motorcycle.

But, what about the dual sport class? Where does it fit in the picture?

For those who can only afford, or only want to own, one bike but don’t want to be significantly limited on dirt or pavement, there is the dual sport class. This class of motorcycles is designed with “versatility” as it’s first and last name. (And, like Austin Powers, its middle name is “Danger” but that’s another topic for another day.) You can ride them hard off-road – just not as quickly or easily as lighter street-legal dirt bikes – and you can take them on adventure tours – just not carrying as much stuff and without all the added creature comforts and capabilities of an adventure bike.

Dual sport class motorcycles are the Jeep Grand Cherokees of the motorcycling world – good on- or off-pavement but not as good at either as a vehicle purposely designed for one or the other.

Dual sport bikes – you can commute on them, ride them as your weekend dirt bike, or load them up and go on multi-day adventure tours. That’s what they are designed to do. They are like a Leatherman multi-tool – handy but not as good as single purpose tools (sorry about all the tool analogies – I’ll stop using them now).

The DRZ400 is a dual sport motorcycle. It weighs about 320 lbs, has reasonably long interval maintenance requirements, and a decently strong subframe for carrying luggage.

Similarly, the Husqvarna 701 is a dual sport class motorcycle. It too weighs about 320 lbs, has reasonably long interval maintenance requirements and a composite subframe strong enough to handle luggage.

It seems clear to me that the DRZ and 701 were designed with the same mission in mind – dual sport class motorcycles designed for maximum versatility. Which includes commuting, weekend dirt bike riding, and multi-day adventure riding.

What do you think?

 

Posted in Motorcycles | Tagged 701 Enduro, DR-Z400S, DRZ, Husky, Husqvarna, Motorcycles | Leave a reply

European vs Japanese dual sport bikes

Texas Adventure Posted on October 18, 2017 by RichardOctober 9, 2017

A thread on advrider asks the question why Euro bikes are so much more expensive than comparable Japanese bikes and, more importantly, are the Euro bikes worth the extra money. The issue was expressed by the original poster this way: … Continue reading →

Posted in Motorcycles | Tagged DR-Z400S, DRZ, KTM 500 EXC, Motorcycles | Leave a reply

Finding water in the desert

Texas Adventure Posted on June 10, 2016 by RichardMay 4, 2016

Where there is water, there is life. One way to find water in the desert is to look for trees. Trees= water.

Continue reading →
Posted in Big Bend | Tagged Big Bend, DRZ | Leave a reply

The smile says it all

Texas Adventure Posted on June 8, 2016 by RichardMay 4, 2016

Big Bend, motorcycles, and riding in the dirt. What could be better? My buddy Milton’s smile says it all.

Continue reading →
Posted in Big Bend | Tagged Big Bend, DRZ | Leave a reply

Nothing more need be said

Texas Adventure Posted on April 25, 2016 by RichardMarch 1, 2016

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words. I bet you can easily figure out what my friend Milton is saying about riding dual sport motorcycles.

Continue reading →
Posted in Big Bend | Tagged Adventure Photography, Big Bend, DRZ | Leave a reply

What if you only have 2 wheels?

Texas Adventure Posted on April 22, 2016 by RichardMarch 1, 2016

Black Gap Road in Big Bend National Park is a fine four wheel drive road. But you don’t actually need four wheels – you can do it on two wheels if those wheels are attached to the right motorcycle.

Continue reading →
Posted in Big Bend | Tagged Adventure Photography, Big Bend, DRZ | Leave a reply

Trying the Fandango

Texas Adventure Posted on August 3, 2014 by RichardJanuary 22, 2016

I’ve been using Wolfman tank bags for about 10 years.  It’s quality stuff but when I needed a new tank bag I thought I would give the upstart Giant Loop luggage a try.  The Fandango Pro tank bag is quite … Continue reading →

Posted in Gear | Tagged DRZ, Gear | Leave a reply

DRZ vs XRL

Texas Adventure Posted on July 19, 2014 by RichardJanuary 22, 2016

I recently bought a 2006 XR650L with the intent of modifying it to make it a better adventure bike.  However, I wanted to establish a baseline performance for it before the modifications begin.  So today my buddy JT and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Motorcycles | Tagged DRZ, XR650L | Leave a reply

Introducing the DR-Z440w

Texas Adventure Posted on June 22, 2014 by RichardJanuary 22, 2016

My project DRZ is complete.  Since I’ve upgraded to 440cc and a wide ratio transmission I’m calling it the DR-Z440w (w for wide ratio).  Read the report here.

Continue reading →
Posted in Motorcycles | Tagged DRZ | 2 Replies

DRZ – Going Big

Texas Adventure Posted on June 21, 2014 by RichardJanuary 22, 2016

The old saying is that “there is no replacement for displacement”.  I don’t know how true that may be but my first choice in increasing the power output of my DRZ was a Cylinder Works big bore kit.  Read about … Continue reading →

Posted in Motorcycles | Tagged DRZ | Leave a reply

DRZ – finally, a wide ratio transmission

Texas Adventure Posted on June 21, 2014 by RichardJanuary 22, 2016

In my opinion, the biggest challenge with using the DRZ as a dual sport adventure bike is the much-too-narrow transmission.  For years this has been the main complaint about the DRZ.  I’m pleased to report that there is now a … Continue reading →

Posted in Motorcycles | Tagged DRZ, Gear | Leave a reply

The Lynx Fairing

Texas Adventure Posted on June 18, 2014 by RichardJanuary 22, 2016

My results at managing the wind at highway speeds on the DRZ had proven less than satisfactory so I decided that the next option would be to add a Lynx fairing from Britannia Composites.  Read my report here.  

Continue reading →
Posted in Gear, Motorcycles | Tagged DRZ | Leave a reply

DRZ seat comfort – a better saddle

Texas Adventure Posted on February 25, 2014 by RichardJanuary 22, 2016

While seating comfort is an individual matter – everyone is different and what works for one person will not necessarily be a good choice for another – I appear to be in the majority.  The common observation is that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gear, Motorcycles | Tagged DRZ | Leave a reply

Wind management – adding a windscreen to the DRZ

Texas Adventure Posted on February 9, 2014 by RichardJanuary 22, 2016

The DRZ would really benefit from some type of windscreen so as to get the windblast off the rider’s torso.  Read about the four different windscreen that I’ve tried so far here.

Continue reading →
Posted in Gear, Motorcycles | Tagged DRZ | Leave a reply

DR-Z400S as an Adventure Bike?

Texas Adventure Posted on January 23, 2014 by RichardJanuary 22, 2016

When riders think of adventure touring motorcycles they tend to think about 650 class thumpers and multi-cylinder adventure bikes.  Smaller motorcycles, such as the Suzuki DR-Z400S and the Yamaha WR250R, often get passed over due to limited capabilities for long-distance highway … Continue reading →

Posted in Motorcycles | Tagged DRZ | Leave a reply

Featured Content

Guide to dual sport adventure riding Are you new to the wonderful world of dual sport adventure riding and wondering where to start? If so, this guide is for you.
- Introduction Start here.
- What is Dual Sport Adventure Riding?
- Selecting the Perfect Motorcycle
- Protecting your bike

Popular Posts

  • Finally, A Wide Ratio Transmission
  • DR-Z400S Adventure
  • Texas Dual Sport Adventure Riding – An Overview
  • Wind management – adding a windscreen to the DRZ
  • Rides
  • Going Big – no replacement for displacement
  • Husqvarna TE610
  • Lynx Fairing
  • The KTM 500 EXC build
  • Bikes

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