jetblast10

Help me wrap my mind around the concept.
Dualsports have lights, signals & horn and are street legal.
Some offroad bikes have lights, no signals, no horn and are not street legal. Understood.

Let's say I was going camping in the mountains of North Carolina or exploring Moab trails. I set up a basecamp in a centrally located area and would go exploring all day returning to camp for the night. I have no need to carry gear on the bike, just simple tools, water & food rations for the day in a backpack.

Do I need a street legal dualsport bike to comply with the laws of offroad exploration?
or
Since I'm not really traveling public roads for anything more than a short shot here and there am I okay with a non street legal bike?
or
Just rip whatever I want and duck into the woods when I see a cop?


See, I know I'm done with the racetrack. It's out of my system and I'm not twitching anymore. However; I'm not finished outback exploring like we did in CO & UT. And I feel that a full blown dualsport like the KLR650 or the BMW & Triumph options are simply overbuilt out of necessity to travel highways and freeways, not what I want. I plan on setting up a cage based basecamp and exploring from there; and based on what I saw earlier this year, once I no longer need a packmule I could do this on my existing CRF150F.

Ridge

I'm thinking more along the lines of the conversation we had out there with models like the TW200 or CRF230L. Light enough to keep from punishing you, but still peppy enough to do a blast into town for quick supplies. All of the big four are offering smaller DS models now. Problem being that they are still really proud of them price-wise.

Danke

I like the idea of just heading out on the bike. The loading up the truck with a bunch of stuff you don't really need but bring anyways is just not part of my fun.

Just challenge yourself to see how light you can camp if you're going overnight.

jetblast10

That's what we did this year already in CO & UT and it was a great experience. However, the pace of the offroad exploration was hindered by the weight of the bikes which had to carry gear and knowing they were our only way in & out, capable as they may be I wasn't going WOT sliding the KLR crossed up like I will the 150. On a smaller / lighter bike we could've covered more difficult terrain at a more invigorating pace.


I agree James, the CRF230L might be just right. Also the KLX250S & TT230 are appealing. I bring up using the 150 simply because it's already here, suspension is already tailored to my preference, is plenty fast and already paid for.

Moreso than picking the right bike for the purpose my concern is more along the legalities of what's compliant and what's offensive.

Ridge

I believe Baja Designs makes a DS kit for the CRF150.

Ridge

Ding, ding, we have a winna!

http://www.bajadesigns.com/NET/P-121...+06-on+Crf150f

jetblast10

they do indeed. I've been pondering it all morning.

omaha_919

After seeing pics of the offroad adventures that you two & some of our members have taken, I too find myself more & more interested in shifting my riding style.

I'm coming at it from the other direction though. I've always been a MX rider at heart, but I'm getting a little older & realizing I'm not taking the risks to improve my skills, & quite frankly I just don't have time to get out & do it. I want to sell my 95 CR250 & get an 04 or newer CRF450. I wanna get into trail riding but still be able to tear around a MX track when I get the urge.

Sorry I'm no help Jet, just wanted to get that off my chest.

Ridge

The only drawback there is not being pulled over and asked for license & registration.

Ummm, no officer, I left it in my other pants...

ad919

I would start with a non legal bike and get it tagged. However, there is always that chance of having to wrangle with the DMV but if you figured out the FL laws concerning that, it might be pretty simple.

You could try buying a bike that originally had an "Off Road Use Only" title from someone in a state that allows them to be tagged. A friend of mine has a tagged KTM 250exc, people always do a double take when they see or hear the 2 stroke with a tag.

voodooridr

Here in the socialist republic of California motorcycles have to be plated to go anywhere but on private property.
Last summer we loaded up the XR650L on the back of the truck and took it down to the girlfriends family cabin in the sequoias and spent the day exploring fire roads and dirt trails, it was a blast.


Dan

Danke

If you're going the supported route go as light as you can.

Stuff like mirrors and turn signals will just get crashed off so skip them.

jetblast10

expanding on this thought...

I remember waking up after the first night of camping in Moab. No exaggeration, I could barely move. My back felt like someone had taken sledgehammers to it. Couldn't raise my arms, the muscles were so tense and stiff that it pained me just to put clothes on. Until I fought through the pain of stretching out I was trying to remember exactly what had happened to cause this pain. Maybe a couple cute lesbians beat me like a pinata while I slept? It was brutal agony.

I had flashbacks to how many times I'd camped in the Element at 3 day long trackdays and slept like a baby, awakening fully refreshed just as good as if I'd slept at a hotel. Perhaps it was then that I decided as much as I loved this exploration adventure, next trip I'm sleeping on an inflatable mattress in the Element.

2ohno

Only thing about a really small bike, is that they are a really small bike - The 150 would be a riot , but, when your trail runs out onto the interstate and youve got no other option but to do 5 or 10 miles, youll really have wished for a bit bigger bike - I know Im a weeniey , but, I wouldnt want the additonal heacdache of having to deal wiht the DMV.
Im kind of half heartedly looking for a DR-Z400S, I know the bike, seeing as how I have a DR-Z400E - great bike, lighter than a KLR but, with enough umph ot haul my arse about. Ive alos thought about an older DR 350 , XL 250 or KLR 250 - all have enough motor for a very short Interstatre or faster road, but, are also lighter and more fun in the really gnarley stuff -
But, thats jsut my 2 cents worth -

RC51_CBRXX

I can understand and relate to wanting a smaller bike. But, there is still something about doing it on one bike and carrying what you need. If one is open to "roughing it" with a combination of "Camp Hyatt" ... it is a good mix and you need less stuff.

But, specifically to your question. I think there are two parts. Let's start with the bike. IMHO, the best bet and safest route for being legal and and having enough power to a "smaller" bike. I say go with something like a KLX250 or CRL as James mentioned. Register and put basic minimal insurance on it in your state and you're good to go anywhere. You're out for fun. The last thing you want is to get harassed or even halted when having fun out in the middle of nowhere in another state. Now, choose a bike that meets the minimal "street legal" requirements in your state that fits your power and bike weight requirements.

Another suggestion is the "support" vehicle. Back in 2000 I bought my '01 Mitsu Montero Ltd for a daily commuter and offroad support vehicle. I have it as a back-up vehicle and beater. It's a great truck. All the seats fully recline to make a "queen size" bed that will sleep two very comfortably. It can seat upto 7 if needed. If you lay all the back seats down ... you can sleep two in back and two in the front seats. The best part of the vehicle is it's offroad capabilities. Short of the worst of the worst places ... it will get you deep into the action to set up base camp. Right now you can pick-up a used one in great condition for close to nothing! It's great on the highway also.

I'll be transforming the Montero in the spring to a more dedicated off-road vehicle with Old Man Emu suspension mods. Vented brake upgrades. Large tires. A light engine overhaul (it has 190k miles on it). The interior is spotless and the exterior is in good shape except for where the NYC parking garages have dented and digged it up.

Kristen

DRZ400S, that would be my pick. You need something street legal.
Or one of these-

ajcombs

If it were me nothing but a legal Dual Sport!!

I've heard that the WR250 is a blast, lots of fun even on interstate for short trips.

RC51_CBRXX

One more thing. Do you need a "magic button"?

theredrider

I switched from a KLR650 to a XR650r because I needed a lighter more dirt worthy bike. I put on the baja designs street lighting kit and got it licensed for the street. That was 2001 now they have a lot of 450cc models that are better for the woods type riding. I would convert a crf450 for the street if it is legal in your state.
I really miss my KLR because of its power and it was so dependable and it had that great rack on the back . Oh and a 6 gallon tank. If you sell your KLR650 you will need to get another one later when we go for a big tour of Mexico.

jetblast10

not necessarily. Nothing of the size I'm considering has so much compression that it's an issue.

On support vehicles, my Element is already great except that it has no 4wd capabilities so going deep caged isn't an option. Aside from that one limitation it is a perfect support vehicle for my purposes.

Investment $$ is a concern and I think I can have everything I want for around $600 if I stick with the 150 I already have. And there's also the bigbore kit for the bike. Need to check with the DMV to see about getting it tagged once I've met the lights, signals and horn minimum.

RC51_CBRXX

Question ...

Is that 150, even with the big bore and other mods going to pull your butt up some the steeps when getting deep into exploring? Or, when your stuck mid way up a hill or in semi-deep mud?

jetblast10

I believe it would take me more places than the KLR could've, would love the chance to test it but that's difficult in Florida.

Ridge

Road trip!

jetblast10

yeah!

when it warms up.

2ohno

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/965847640.html for example --

Bryce919er

Id get a KLX250 S or a WR250R. Let the CRF230 & smaller & DRZ400 & bigger go. IMHO anything smaller is not enough poop & anything bigger is too heavy.

I have a KLX250S that I modded a fair bit (not as far as cams or porting or anything) & can tell you almost anything you would want to know about it. You can upgrade the 250S to 300cc using OEM parts, larger using aftermarket if you need to later. If I were to start over Id be on the WR250R like white on rice (not out when I bought).

Ive had a XR650L & it was just too heavy & tall for me. Your 150 may bring a grin to your face rubbing elbows with your buddies on similar bikes on your flat track; but it won't seem so fun on do-or-die uphills or with traffic wadded up behind you.

BTW the 250S will save alot of coin over the WR. I got my 250S used with 160 miles for $3800 (06 bought in Jan 07). The new WR will be closer to 6K OTD.

xrmikey

My 430 gets it done.
Full Off-Road prep. The only "street legal" thing left on it, is the plate & brake light.

Go anywhere, any time.
Attachment 8747

hasbeenracer

Hey Mikey, I see you got yourself a "Rhino stand". Those are without a doubt the smoothest/most efficient lift stands I have ever seen.

xrmikey

Yes it is. The large platform is a must for stability.
I really like the pedal system. No false unloading.
Just don't sit on the bike while it's on the stand, It will bend the post.
A friend tested that theory.

theredrider

If you end up taking the 150 out to the higher elevations, don't forget to open up the air box and re-jet it. It will be fairly gutless above 2000 feet with sea level jetting. The loss of power is very noticeable on the smaller bikes.

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Nemo

I've been following along with interest...y'all have some mighty fine setups. Thanks!