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RichLockyer · 10-05-2008

Yikes... at under 260lbs?
It WOULD be a monster... but even the YZ450F with it's aluminum frame is 219lbs DRY, and it's only got a 1.8 gallon fuel capacity.

The WR450F adds SOME lighting (not enough to be DOT legal in most states), and an e-start to back up the kicker... it's 271 dry with a 2.1 gallon capacity.
Biggest tanks available for that class of bike MIGHT get you 100 miles.

The new WR250R specs out at 295lbs dry, 2.0 gallon tank, and though they spec it at 71mpg, I don't see it getting that off road.
It only has 10" of travel.

Sadly, street legal is going to hurt you on weight, because DOT regs require that the battery be large enough to maintain illumination of the lighting for either 10 or 15 minutes with the engine shut down. Once a battery is in to support that, everyone throws in e-start.

KLR650 looks like it might give you the range you want.... about 5.5 gallons usable fuel, claimed economy is from 45-60mpg, so you should be able to get 200 out of it.....
But it's over 400 pounds ready to roll, and suspension travel is less than 8".

If you are willing to give up the weight requirement, then you can go with something in the 450-650 class, but other than perhaps the KTM, it's not going to be a "competition" level suspension for true hardcore off-road.
The KLR and Honda XR series are fun bikes, but they are sometimes referred to as "pigs" for a reason, and they aren't the easiest thing to handle on off-road situations much more treacherous than fire roads.
Again, range is going to be a problem. Bigger engine means more fuel consumption. More onboard fuel means more weight... carried up high where it hurt handling.
Most 600-400cc street bikes have a hard time running more than 120-140 miles... so ya... you're going to have to compromise in a number of places.

10-05-2008	#2 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 21,178	Yikes... at under 260lbs? It WOULD be a monster... but even the YZ450F with it's aluminum frame is 219lbs DRY, and it's only got a 1.8 gallon fuel capacity. The WR450F adds SOME lighting (not enough to be DOT legal in most states), and an e-start to back up the kicker... it's 271 dry with a 2.1 gallon capacity. Biggest tanks available for that class of bike MIGHT get you 100 miles. The new WR250R specs out at 295lbs dry, 2.0 gallon tank, and though they spec it at 71mpg, I don't see it getting that off road. It only has 10" of travel. Sadly, street legal is going to hurt you on weight, because DOT regs require that the battery be large enough to maintain illumination of the lighting for either 10 or 15 minutes with the engine shut down. Once a battery is in to support that, everyone throws in e-start. KLR650 looks like it might give you the range you want.... about 5.5 gallons usable fuel, claimed economy is from 45-60mpg, so you should be able to get 200 out of it..... But it's over 400 pounds ready to roll, and suspension travel is less than 8". If you are willing to give up the weight requirement, then you can go with something in the 450-650 class, but other than perhaps the KTM, it's not going to be a "competition" level suspension for true hardcore off-road. The KLR and Honda XR series are fun bikes, but they are sometimes referred to as "pigs" for a reason, and they aren't the easiest thing to handle on off-road situations much more treacherous than fire roads. Again, range is going to be a problem. Bigger engine means more fuel consumption. More onboard fuel means more weight... carried up high where it hurt handling. Most 600-400cc street bikes have a hard time running more than 120-140 miles... so ya... you're going to have to compromise in a number of places. __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Classic Member CORVA, BRC Patriot Guard Rider Last edited by RichLockyer : 10-05-2008 at 02:33 AM.