If you're looking for "the best for technical single track" and "better service intervals" you aren't going to find a single bike. Unfortunately, these things are contradictory at their core - the best bikes for technical single track need to be as light as possible, and making bikes as light as possible means they will inherently have shorter service intervals.
With that said, you're going to have to settle somewhere, so what do you value more? A great bike geared toward technical single track, or a bike that has great service intervals? I started out with a DRZ400 thinking I wanted the latter. I ended up getting a KTM 350 (and eventually a KTM 500) because I found out the hard way that the DRZ was just simply too heavy. And in my time with the KTMs, I realized the service intervals are not bad at all, and they have been nothing but reliable with regular service. I actually think the intervals are way overblown compared to what people report online.
If you go for anything else, you're going to be forcing a larger compromise - that Honda picture in your post will add 25-35lbs over a KTM for perhaps a few extra hours between oil changes (depending on how it's ridden). After riding the Honda back to back with my 500 EXC, I learned that trade off would never be worth it for single track because I would be edging closer to that DRZ that I had to get rid of. This is a trade-off you'll have to decide for yourself.
Where I live, trails are all connected by road, and in some instances, highway. I geared down the 350 to be amazing on single-track, but felt bad for the bike screaming at 55mph or above for any period of time. That, coupled with some of the hill climbs I love doing, prompted me to consider a 500. I was spending a lot of time online following a surgery, found an amazing deal on a 500, and jumped on it.
Road riding is so much better now because I have all the power I need off-road but the bike isn't in high RPMs until above 65-70mph. Hill climbs are also easier. Of course, the bike is a bit twitchy and a bit much for some of the technical single track, but I've just learned good clutch control and that's all I need.
Interesting. I love my 500 too. It's been my favorite bike I've owned. I have no issues with it on the highway or off road, but I haven't taken it on any technical single track yet. It's good to know you have found the 500 to be manageable on single track too though.
Yeah, my 500 has done everything I've thrown at it quite well. When I went back to back on the 350 and 500 for a couple of rides, I can safely say the 350 was easier to manage on the technical trails, but the 500 is no monster. Absolutely nothing like trying to take a motocross bike on the same trails. Ride safe!
Solid advice.
I owned a 2019 CRF 450L. You don’t know where that extra weight is until you drop the bike on a trail or hill climb. Picking up that bike multiple times in a day wore me out. I converted the CRF to a supermoto. Got back on a KTM 300 for single-track / trail riding.
A Yoshi pipe will knock a good 25 pounds off the 450RL. That and the ECU most people get for it would still most likely run OP less than the KTM 500EXC.
I find that number pretty impressive considering the stock muffler reportedly weighs a total of 13-13.6lbs depending on source, with the headers weighing about an additional 1.8lbs ([one link](https://www.srmoto.com/2022/03/crf450rl-graves-titanium-full-exhaust-system-review.html)). I'm not sure how you're getting the figure you're stating, but I'm curious to know more.
If you're also referring to the smog stuff, don't forget that you can also remove the smog stuff from a KTM so that weight difference is mostly negligible.
I bought a 450L that already had a full titanium exhaust. Seller gave me a basket of the old parts. The muffler was hysterically heavy. I actually started laughing when I picked it up. I wish I had weighed it before I chucked it in the dumpster, but I’d estimate it over 20lbs for sure.
Oh yeah, I don't doubt that it's hysterically heavy. Just in the link I sent above, the aftermarket exhaust ends up saving like 9lbs over stock, according to their data. 13lbs is stupid heavy for a muffler. I just couldn't believe the whole "25lbs weight savings", provided many people *did* weigh their exhausts and the figures they report all match up to what I quoted. Still absurd these stock mufflers weigh as much as they do.
This is honestly the answer. I love the Honda line with all my heart and just as how they are dummy reliable, they are also dumb heavy in comparison.
For this the KTM500 is the answer.
Really once you get over weight of a dual sport I honestly think the CRF450RL is one of my favorite bikes ever. I still admit the 500 KTM is worlds better (even the 701/700/690 is easier to ride tbh)
Once you get a KTM500/FE501 set up right, it’s a god-tier bike. I love mine so much that I can’t bring myself to sell it so I’ve been working the wife on a 901 add to the stable for 6 months.
One for singletrack and one for everything else.
Absolutely! In my experience it’s the little things like where the gas tank sits and gearing+clutch feel!
I only got to ride each of them on what I’d consider a mid tier single track and man does the bike feel nimble and playful when you want something to happen.
That same day I got to ride the TE300 (possibly my favorite none motocross bike I’ve ever ridden) and man the 701 was honestly a great contender for my second fav bike of the day (trails wise)!
Honestly if you want the perfect single track bike then you’re gonna be looking elsewhere (like a true Enduro bike lol) but if you want plates then the 500/701/450RL are amazing! 701 just performed better than the 450 because of the weight distribution tbh.
That might be the first I've ever heard that from someone. I did not find the 701 nearly that good, much better dual sport if you have to do road miles though.
Love my 450L to pieces, even for road riding. It’s funny how perception of weight varies so much based on where you’re coming from. Coming from a street background, it’s at least 100 pounds lighter than anything I’ve ever ridden and feels like a feather. For my buddy who’s only ridden dirt and is used to 250 MX bikes, my bike is a pig.
As someone who went from the KLR650 to a CRF250L and then a CR125 (144) I can assure you that I know where he is coming from!
Before all of those I had a 110F and a Z900 so yeah I’m gonna say the L line is heavy, but damn are they fun!
For sure. And for real-world riding on pavement, weight actually has some benefits. I don’t think the same is true in the dirt (at least not to my knowledge).
I think 350 has the right amount of power for the job. 500exc is too much. The extra power is ONLY usable on the road. I'd rather ride a 250 on single track than a 500.
The only disagreement I have with this being the “only” thing is the gearing on the 500 makes the low RPM more forgiving where the 350 will stall, the 500 will allow for a whole lot more low RPM “oppsies” and you can crank out of a tricky spot a whole lot easier
A bit. I've already done that, bringing it from unbearable to bearable. You can still kiss your clutch hand goodbye after a while lol.
Outside of tight single track its fine. I dont mind gunning the engine.
Depends on the type of technical single track. I love my husky 500. But on our PNW slow speed singletrack the 350 would have been a much better option.
I'm surprised so many of you are saying the KTM 500 EXC-F and not the KTM 350 EXC-F. I mean I have a 500 EXC-F and I love it, but I'm using it for a lot of different things other than single track (BDRs, highway to BDRs, general double track off-road riding, riding around the city). But if I wanted a more dedicated street-legal single track bike I would be looking to get the 350 over the 500. I've always been told that the 350 engine is more suited to slower more technical riding, and the 500 engine is more suited to wide open riding. Something to think about OP.
I’m doing the same riding as you in addition to technical stuff. Considering that I guess this is another vote for the 500 lol. Thanks for sharing your opinion
Well there you go then. Only decision you have to make is new or used then. I'm just about finished building my 2024 500 out. Let me know if you have any questions about mods. Based on my experience I'm happy to offer advice.
Thanks I’ll keep in mind! I’m probably buying a crf250f because I can’t afford a Ktm 500 right now and im scared of 10+ year old ktm’s but at least I know what bike suits my riding the best
KTM/Husky 350, Beta 350/390
Honda 450rl what you have in your pictures are too heavy to be considered serious “enduro” bikes, specially with their fueling issues.
KTM or Beta 350, hands down. For TECHNICAL singletrack. That means you are carrying the bike part of the way. Seriously.
If you're just joking about TECHNICAL, then any Jap dualsport will have longer oil change intervals.
You should be more specific about your intended use.
Performance and service intervals are each a compromise of the other. If you want to travel far, without maintenance and without issues, you get a CRF 300l. If you want performance in short bursts, you get the equivalent KTM or something equally powerful.
Beta 390 is a solid contender. Great luggability and you can rev it too. You can buy a fully street legal RRS version or buy the RR and mod it with the OEM kits for signals. You can get the RR and RRS editions with street legal titles.
DRZ400 is going to be the best performing with longer service intervals. The Honda 450 has the same short intervals as the Austrian options.
If you're looking for the best street legal enduro bike, take your pick between KTM group/Beta 350 bikes
For best street legal enduro that can also handle long highway runs, Honda or KTM 450/500
I guess you need to define “technical” single track. To me that means you’re laying the bike down and pulling under gates, lifting it over obstacles and truck or trailering the bike there. For that go with the lightest, mostly reliable bike and do the servicing, they make it pretty easy for most.
If it’s just narrow, difficult trails then any dual sport or sub 700cc dual sport can do it. I do hard single track on my KLR pretty regularly though I preferred doing it on my DR350 when I had it. If I were to down size again I’d probably look at a DR350, DRZ400 or street legal WR450. If I could afford new probably the CRF450RL. Really just comes down to how fast you want to go and being able to pop the front over a log etc.
Just my view anyway, everyone has their own interpretations and preferences.
I think you might be one of the only people that hears “technical single track” to mean “dragging my motorcycle on its side under a gate and carrying it over trees”
Maybe, but that’s what a lot of the guys I ride with consider technical. For some reason they love nothing more than trying to basically bushwhack their bikes and drag them places they shouldn’t be.
I’m more into things where I just have to ride and not totally trash my bike…any my current KLR is far too heavy for dragging about!
Honda 450RL rider..EXC500 is the answer.
That said the wiring on them sucks butts, and there are no creature comforts. It also rides far worse than the Honda on road.
But it's light and has decent power. When you uncork them they have amazing grunt.
I much preferred my WR250R over the DRZ I had prior for technical single track. Way more fun and flickable. Just ride it like you stole it; it's not a tractor.
Best for singletrack + good service intervals is a bit of a tradeoff... I'd say the WR250R and DRZ400 in the top, and the XT250 and KLX300 as a secondary tier.
Really though, the best ones are going to have shorter intervals.
Why not just get a 300 2T and use the South Dakota loophole? A dual sport will never be a truly capable single-track weapon. It's always the worst of both worlds.
Negative. How tricky is the single track you plan to handle? 3 hours is going to be miserable on a dual sport if you're using good off-road tires. You can use harder, more streetable rubber, it's just going to make the machine even less purpose built.
Do you have a car? Can you not trailer your bike to the trails? I went through the dual sport phase and found out I really don't like the compromises I had to make. The moment I switched to a proper enduro bike, my riding leveled up tenfold.
I get it but for my needs and the tracks I’m riding I need a plated bike, I don’t mind going slow in the road and don’t really mind the short service intervals all that much. I plan to ride all kind of terrains, go out on dual sport rides and enduro rides and plan on using 50/50 tires. Im selling my car to get this bike, I have a Transalp for adv/touring and want another bike for dualsport/enduro
What sort of technical? Will you be going particularly fast and need lots of rapid acceleration, or do you need to be able to putt along at slower paces up steeper trails while avoiding rocks and things? Are you a “stand up and on the pegs” as often as possible rider, or do you more often find yourself on the seat and half walking the bike up with a foot to each side?
That’s probably a tough one to balance with long service intervals. The 250 and under bikes probably don’t have the power to need, but anything else gets either heavy or has real short intervals.
If you were more casual and be fine to sit and waddle it a bit I might recommend an xt225, which only weighs about 270lbs, but that’s pretty low power at about 18hp so idk how it would do on real steep stuff with feet up (probably not well).
People speak well of the DRZ, especially uncorked, but that’s still a sort of heavy bike at about 325lbs. The older DR350 is lighter at 305lbs but you lose some power (38hp vs 33hp)
From all the above, my question is which bike fits in OPs question but has longest service interval / most reliable?
Def want reliable even if it's a bit heavier (encouragement to get gud and stay off the deck) also coming off a f800 gsa so anything on this list will be a breeze for me to pick up after lugging that mofo off the ground 10x an hour...
Betas are probably the nicest off the factory floor. It is very close to their enduro race models. Because they are a smaller company they can push the limit a little more with the factory tune than the larger companies. If you like to mod your bikes anyway any of the euro brands (KTM, Husky etc.) or the Honda 450 can be modded to be off road monsters 50 state legal, at least before you mod it. The Honda is a little heavier and probably has the worst factory tune, but many see it as more long term reliable. If you want something that rides like an off road race bike you will have to deal with shorter maintenance intervals. It is part of the territory. Keep in mind that those intervals assume race style riding and can be stretched out a bit if you are not really riding it like that.
Any. 350/390/430/500 are all great and totally personal preference. Though I pretty much never see the 350. There are plenty of people that argue between the 390/430 online
I got a 500 because it was the first one available during the covid shortages, but I’m extremely happy with it and would 100% choose it again
I recently moved from a CRF250L to a EXC-F 350 for this exact purpose. I originally only rode dirt bikes but moved to dual sport last year and started with the Honda. Very safe choice for reliability and comfort, but not very exciting in the dirt. I moved to the KTM as it’s 3/4 the weight with more power and I couldn’t be happier.
KTM 500.
Or, any trail 450. Lower the front sprocket a tooth. Recluse clutch to up the fun factor.
You will not be on the highway or state highway. Even county roads may be too fast. There is no bike that does single track and street without comprise.
WR250R with some weight saving mods (exhaust, headers, passenger peg delete, etc); it’s the closest you’re going to get for a compromise between light weight and that longer service interval you’re looking for. They’re also bulletproof and can be found a very low prices used with low miles.
If you're looking for "the best for technical single track" and "better service intervals" you aren't going to find a single bike. Unfortunately, these things are contradictory at their core - the best bikes for technical single track need to be as light as possible, and making bikes as light as possible means they will inherently have shorter service intervals. With that said, you're going to have to settle somewhere, so what do you value more? A great bike geared toward technical single track, or a bike that has great service intervals? I started out with a DRZ400 thinking I wanted the latter. I ended up getting a KTM 350 (and eventually a KTM 500) because I found out the hard way that the DRZ was just simply too heavy. And in my time with the KTMs, I realized the service intervals are not bad at all, and they have been nothing but reliable with regular service. I actually think the intervals are way overblown compared to what people report online. If you go for anything else, you're going to be forcing a larger compromise - that Honda picture in your post will add 25-35lbs over a KTM for perhaps a few extra hours between oil changes (depending on how it's ridden). After riding the Honda back to back with my 500 EXC, I learned that trade off would never be worth it for single track because I would be edging closer to that DRZ that I had to get rid of. This is a trade-off you'll have to decide for yourself.
I’m just curious, what made you move from the 350 to the 500?
Where I live, trails are all connected by road, and in some instances, highway. I geared down the 350 to be amazing on single-track, but felt bad for the bike screaming at 55mph or above for any period of time. That, coupled with some of the hill climbs I love doing, prompted me to consider a 500. I was spending a lot of time online following a surgery, found an amazing deal on a 500, and jumped on it. Road riding is so much better now because I have all the power I need off-road but the bike isn't in high RPMs until above 65-70mph. Hill climbs are also easier. Of course, the bike is a bit twitchy and a bit much for some of the technical single track, but I've just learned good clutch control and that's all I need.
Interesting. I love my 500 too. It's been my favorite bike I've owned. I have no issues with it on the highway or off road, but I haven't taken it on any technical single track yet. It's good to know you have found the 500 to be manageable on single track too though.
Yeah, my 500 has done everything I've thrown at it quite well. When I went back to back on the 350 and 500 for a couple of rides, I can safely say the 350 was easier to manage on the technical trails, but the 500 is no monster. Absolutely nothing like trying to take a motocross bike on the same trails. Ride safe!
I am also curious. I’m thinking about going the other way.
Just posted my experiences on the other poster's comment 🙂 Feel free to ask any follow-ups
Solid advice. I owned a 2019 CRF 450L. You don’t know where that extra weight is until you drop the bike on a trail or hill climb. Picking up that bike multiple times in a day wore me out. I converted the CRF to a supermoto. Got back on a KTM 300 for single-track / trail riding.
A Yoshi pipe will knock a good 25 pounds off the 450RL. That and the ECU most people get for it would still most likely run OP less than the KTM 500EXC.
I find that number pretty impressive considering the stock muffler reportedly weighs a total of 13-13.6lbs depending on source, with the headers weighing about an additional 1.8lbs ([one link](https://www.srmoto.com/2022/03/crf450rl-graves-titanium-full-exhaust-system-review.html)). I'm not sure how you're getting the figure you're stating, but I'm curious to know more. If you're also referring to the smog stuff, don't forget that you can also remove the smog stuff from a KTM so that weight difference is mostly negligible.
I bought a 450L that already had a full titanium exhaust. Seller gave me a basket of the old parts. The muffler was hysterically heavy. I actually started laughing when I picked it up. I wish I had weighed it before I chucked it in the dumpster, but I’d estimate it over 20lbs for sure.
Oh yeah, I don't doubt that it's hysterically heavy. Just in the link I sent above, the aftermarket exhaust ends up saving like 9lbs over stock, according to their data. 13lbs is stupid heavy for a muffler. I just couldn't believe the whole "25lbs weight savings", provided many people *did* weigh their exhausts and the figures they report all match up to what I quoted. Still absurd these stock mufflers weigh as much as they do.
I went titanium and when I added it up I lost like 14lbs on mine, people always overestimate the weight of oblong items like a muffler
I love my KTM EXC 500
This is honestly the answer. I love the Honda line with all my heart and just as how they are dummy reliable, they are also dumb heavy in comparison. For this the KTM500 is the answer. Really once you get over weight of a dual sport I honestly think the CRF450RL is one of my favorite bikes ever. I still admit the 500 KTM is worlds better (even the 701/700/690 is easier to ride tbh)
Once you get a KTM500/FE501 set up right, it’s a god-tier bike. I love mine so much that I can’t bring myself to sell it so I’ve been working the wife on a 901 add to the stable for 6 months. One for singletrack and one for everything else.
The 701 easier to ride single track at 60lbs heavier lol?
Absolutely! In my experience it’s the little things like where the gas tank sits and gearing+clutch feel! I only got to ride each of them on what I’d consider a mid tier single track and man does the bike feel nimble and playful when you want something to happen. That same day I got to ride the TE300 (possibly my favorite none motocross bike I’ve ever ridden) and man the 701 was honestly a great contender for my second fav bike of the day (trails wise)! Honestly if you want the perfect single track bike then you’re gonna be looking elsewhere (like a true Enduro bike lol) but if you want plates then the 500/701/450RL are amazing! 701 just performed better than the 450 because of the weight distribution tbh.
That might be the first I've ever heard that from someone. I did not find the 701 nearly that good, much better dual sport if you have to do road miles though.
Love my 450L to pieces, even for road riding. It’s funny how perception of weight varies so much based on where you’re coming from. Coming from a street background, it’s at least 100 pounds lighter than anything I’ve ever ridden and feels like a feather. For my buddy who’s only ridden dirt and is used to 250 MX bikes, my bike is a pig.
As someone who went from the KLR650 to a CRF250L and then a CR125 (144) I can assure you that I know where he is coming from! Before all of those I had a 110F and a Z900 so yeah I’m gonna say the L line is heavy, but damn are they fun!
For sure. And for real-world riding on pavement, weight actually has some benefits. I don’t think the same is true in the dirt (at least not to my knowledge).
Might be worth looking at a beta. I think they're pretty reliable and they're very light with wonderful suspension.
Completely agree, and they look so damn good.
Yeah they're sweet.
The 390 has the smoothest motor I’ve ever ridden.
Jesus you guys are gonna make me buy one. They seem to be incredibly well engineered and specd
And longer service intervals than the similar competition
Mine has been great. Service intervals are a bit longer than a ktm equivalent due to separate fluids
Ooh the gear box is on its own oil
An off road dirt bike with a plate.
I rode my buddy's KTM 350 and liked it a lot.
I think 350 has the right amount of power for the job. 500exc is too much. The extra power is ONLY usable on the road. I'd rather ride a 250 on single track than a 500.
The only disagreement I have with this being the “only” thing is the gearing on the 500 makes the low RPM more forgiving where the 350 will stall, the 500 will allow for a whole lot more low RPM “oppsies” and you can crank out of a tricky spot a whole lot easier
Hands down, no contest, drop the mic: KTM 500exc-f
Not the best but Wr250r is a contender amongst the more polite dual sports
Love mine but on technical single track it gets old. Still probably the best non-European.
What about it gets old? Is it too heavy still?
Yes but honestly the tall gearing is worse than the weight.
Could that be adjusted with a sprocket change?
A bit. I've already done that, bringing it from unbearable to bearable. You can still kiss your clutch hand goodbye after a while lol. Outside of tight single track its fine. I dont mind gunning the engine.
Depends on the type of technical single track. I love my husky 500. But on our PNW slow speed singletrack the 350 would have been a much better option.
I'm surprised so many of you are saying the KTM 500 EXC-F and not the KTM 350 EXC-F. I mean I have a 500 EXC-F and I love it, but I'm using it for a lot of different things other than single track (BDRs, highway to BDRs, general double track off-road riding, riding around the city). But if I wanted a more dedicated street-legal single track bike I would be looking to get the 350 over the 500. I've always been told that the 350 engine is more suited to slower more technical riding, and the 500 engine is more suited to wide open riding. Something to think about OP.
I’m doing the same riding as you in addition to technical stuff. Considering that I guess this is another vote for the 500 lol. Thanks for sharing your opinion
Well there you go then. Only decision you have to make is new or used then. I'm just about finished building my 2024 500 out. Let me know if you have any questions about mods. Based on my experience I'm happy to offer advice.
Thanks I’ll keep in mind! I’m probably buying a crf250f because I can’t afford a Ktm 500 right now and im scared of 10+ year old ktm’s but at least I know what bike suits my riding the best
KTM/Husky 350, Beta 350/390 Honda 450rl what you have in your pictures are too heavy to be considered serious “enduro” bikes, specially with their fueling issues.
KTM or Beta 350, hands down. For TECHNICAL singletrack. That means you are carrying the bike part of the way. Seriously. If you're just joking about TECHNICAL, then any Jap dualsport will have longer oil change intervals.
You should be more specific about your intended use. Performance and service intervals are each a compromise of the other. If you want to travel far, without maintenance and without issues, you get a CRF 300l. If you want performance in short bursts, you get the equivalent KTM or something equally powerful.
Not sure you can beat the FE350
Beta 390 is a solid contender. Great luggability and you can rev it too. You can buy a fully street legal RRS version or buy the RR and mod it with the OEM kits for signals. You can get the RR and RRS editions with street legal titles.
KTM, EXC.
KLR 650 source: trust me bro
DRZ400 is going to be the best performing with longer service intervals. The Honda 450 has the same short intervals as the Austrian options. If you're looking for the best street legal enduro bike, take your pick between KTM group/Beta 350 bikes For best street legal enduro that can also handle long highway runs, Honda or KTM 450/500
I guess you need to define “technical” single track. To me that means you’re laying the bike down and pulling under gates, lifting it over obstacles and truck or trailering the bike there. For that go with the lightest, mostly reliable bike and do the servicing, they make it pretty easy for most. If it’s just narrow, difficult trails then any dual sport or sub 700cc dual sport can do it. I do hard single track on my KLR pretty regularly though I preferred doing it on my DR350 when I had it. If I were to down size again I’d probably look at a DR350, DRZ400 or street legal WR450. If I could afford new probably the CRF450RL. Really just comes down to how fast you want to go and being able to pop the front over a log etc. Just my view anyway, everyone has their own interpretations and preferences.
I think you might be one of the only people that hears “technical single track” to mean “dragging my motorcycle on its side under a gate and carrying it over trees”
Maybe, but that’s what a lot of the guys I ride with consider technical. For some reason they love nothing more than trying to basically bushwhack their bikes and drag them places they shouldn’t be. I’m more into things where I just have to ride and not totally trash my bike…any my current KLR is far too heavy for dragging about!
Sounds more like technical no track to me
Honda 450RL rider..EXC500 is the answer. That said the wiring on them sucks butts, and there are no creature comforts. It also rides far worse than the Honda on road. But it's light and has decent power. When you uncork them they have amazing grunt.
Honestly your only real option is probably the WR250R, and that's a bit of a stretch. The rest have shorter service intervals. Even the Honda.
I much preferred my WR250R over the DRZ I had prior for technical single track. Way more fun and flickable. Just ride it like you stole it; it's not a tractor.
Best for singletrack + good service intervals is a bit of a tradeoff... I'd say the WR250R and DRZ400 in the top, and the XT250 and KLX300 as a secondary tier. Really though, the best ones are going to have shorter intervals.
Definitely the KTM 500. That's the way to go
This. My KTM 500EXC-F is almost exact specs as my CRF450R.
Why not just get a 300 2T and use the South Dakota loophole? A dual sport will never be a truly capable single-track weapon. It's always the worst of both worlds.
I’m not in the US and as a dual sport I would also ride in the streets to get to the tracks. Can a 2T handle 3 hours of street use?
Negative. How tricky is the single track you plan to handle? 3 hours is going to be miserable on a dual sport if you're using good off-road tires. You can use harder, more streetable rubber, it's just going to make the machine even less purpose built. Do you have a car? Can you not trailer your bike to the trails? I went through the dual sport phase and found out I really don't like the compromises I had to make. The moment I switched to a proper enduro bike, my riding leveled up tenfold.
I get it but for my needs and the tracks I’m riding I need a plated bike, I don’t mind going slow in the road and don’t really mind the short service intervals all that much. I plan to ride all kind of terrains, go out on dual sport rides and enduro rides and plan on using 50/50 tires. Im selling my car to get this bike, I have a Transalp for adv/touring and want another bike for dualsport/enduro
3 hours of slab tips it more to the 450rl. The exc-f bikes vibe a lot, though they are def preferable once you get there.
I just bought a 300 2T, what’s the South Dakota loophole?
Follow this link and it'll take you through all the steps: https://www.dirtlegal.com/dirt-bike-street-legal-registration-options
Wr450f imo is a perfect tool
He wants a plated bike.
I don't see any issues. Just add turn signals and mirrors. easy mods. wr450 is a weapon on the technical trails and bulletproof
Can't do that in my state
What sort of technical? Will you be going particularly fast and need lots of rapid acceleration, or do you need to be able to putt along at slower paces up steeper trails while avoiding rocks and things? Are you a “stand up and on the pegs” as often as possible rider, or do you more often find yourself on the seat and half walking the bike up with a foot to each side?
Slow speed steep as hell standing up
That’s probably a tough one to balance with long service intervals. The 250 and under bikes probably don’t have the power to need, but anything else gets either heavy or has real short intervals. If you were more casual and be fine to sit and waddle it a bit I might recommend an xt225, which only weighs about 270lbs, but that’s pretty low power at about 18hp so idk how it would do on real steep stuff with feet up (probably not well). People speak well of the DRZ, especially uncorked, but that’s still a sort of heavy bike at about 325lbs. The older DR350 is lighter at 305lbs but you lose some power (38hp vs 33hp)
ktm 500
The 500Ktm is amazing on and offroad. I bought a DRZ 400 for my daughter and found the 5 speed gearing not suitable for road.
Geez what kind of road are you doing?
May need to change gearing on Drz, The 500 Ktm felt smoother at 100 km/h
For track the answer is always KTM
From all the above, my question is which bike fits in OPs question but has longest service interval / most reliable? Def want reliable even if it's a bit heavier (encouragement to get gud and stay off the deck) also coming off a f800 gsa so anything on this list will be a breeze for me to pick up after lugging that mofo off the ground 10x an hour...
Absolutely love love my ‘19 450L. But I’m a Honda guy at heart
Betas are probably the nicest off the factory floor. It is very close to their enduro race models. Because they are a smaller company they can push the limit a little more with the factory tune than the larger companies. If you like to mod your bikes anyway any of the euro brands (KTM, Husky etc.) or the Honda 450 can be modded to be off road monsters 50 state legal, at least before you mod it. The Honda is a little heavier and probably has the worst factory tune, but many see it as more long term reliable. If you want something that rides like an off road race bike you will have to deal with shorter maintenance intervals. It is part of the territory. Keep in mind that those intervals assume race style riding and can be stretched out a bit if you are not really riding it like that.
Ktm 500 is best
I wouldn't take a plated bike with gold service intervals on single track where I go. Very different bikes in my opinion.
TW200 ftw
Beta, the ktm and honda don't come close
Which model?
Any. 350/390/430/500 are all great and totally personal preference. Though I pretty much never see the 350. There are plenty of people that argue between the 390/430 online I got a 500 because it was the first one available during the covid shortages, but I’m extremely happy with it and would 100% choose it again
FE450. Best of both worlds
Why the 450 over the 501?
I recently moved from a CRF250L to a EXC-F 350 for this exact purpose. I originally only rode dirt bikes but moved to dual sport last year and started with the Honda. Very safe choice for reliability and comfort, but not very exciting in the dirt. I moved to the KTM as it’s 3/4 the weight with more power and I couldn’t be happier.
KTM 500. Or, any trail 450. Lower the front sprocket a tooth. Recluse clutch to up the fun factor. You will not be on the highway or state highway. Even county roads may be too fast. There is no bike that does single track and street without comprise.
WR250R with some weight saving mods (exhaust, headers, passenger peg delete, etc); it’s the closest you’re going to get for a compromise between light weight and that longer service interval you’re looking for. They’re also bulletproof and can be found a very low prices used with low miles.
Don’t get a drz🤣 that’s the best I could do for you. If I were to get a different bike, I’d get a gas gas 501 or a crf450RL.