Traitors!!

Just kidding.

Is it me, or are there a lot of posts recently about guys getting rid of their WR's?

Funny you say that. There is a little activity on the selling side. But I can proudly say I'm on my second X. I'm clearly in the minority and that's ok. Some aren't satified (me included) until we realize we had everything we needed the first time around. Very happy to wrench a bit on #2.

I've only had mine a couple weeks so it seems like the perfect bike for me right now. I say right now because I have learned over the past 32 years of riding my tastes change and when they do my bike requirements change with them.

was once very strongly in the camp of trying to find a motorcycle I could buy, and own for a very long period of time.

NOW

I started thinking about what my next bike might be a while ago.

I've put almost 10,000 miles on my X. Not actively trying to sell it, but still thinking about my next bike.

I know the X is just a stepping stone along the way.

Sure.....tastes always changes and that's why I have a second set of plastic(white). When in the dirt (rarely) stock blue is the call. When cruising street...white it is . Its cool with the black frame and its a very safe visible color. Plus I have a custom K75 for no reason other than they are a fantastic motorcycle.

Guilty.

I put over 10,000 hard miles in every type of riding possible. It was time for me to move on. if Yamaha makes a sub 300lb 450, I'll be back. Until then, the 530 will just have to do.

trav72 wrote:

Guilty.

I put over 10,000 hard miles in every type of riding possible. It was time for me to move on. if Yamaha makes a sub 300lb 450, I'll be back. Until then, the 530 will just have to do.

If you find something you want that makes that 530 something you'd want to sell....please let me know.

When the KTM freeride arrives in NA I might switch.

If I had the money I would love to have a KTM 450EXC.  I think it would be an absolute blast. Scare the shit out of ya type stuff.  I have riden my buddy's 450XC-W and its a bike to be respected.  Down side is price and maintenance. Big reason I got the WRR is the ease of maintain and lack of it in a sense. But the big orange would be fun. Oh, and the 39" stand over as I am 5'6. But that can be overcome by doing the suspension.

ejfranz1 wrote:

When the KTM freeride arrives in NA I might switch.

If I can justify an offroad-only machine this may very well be my next bike as well, though it would be a stablemate to the current X. The X isn't going anywhere.

I actually like my wrx better off road than my actual dirt bike. I didn't think I did until I rode them back to back... but the wrx ergonomics and smooth power just make for a fun ride. It also has a light clutch and silky perfect gear box. My dirt bike feels cramped, unrefined, and manic in comparison. I am actually considering keeping the WRX and trading my dirt bike for another street bike then using the WRX as a dual sport and hooligan toy.

Every ownership has a lifespan. I know im about at the end of my time with this bike, its been great but I will have 40k+ miles on this one and 60k miles total on them since I bought my first one in march 2009. This is the longest I've ever owned one vehicle time-wise, and I've been dreaming about something italian more and more... probably a late model monster 800 or a new Guzzi v7 classic.

pbnut wrote:

ejfranz1 wrote:

When the KTM freeride arrives in NA I might switch.

If I can justify an offroad-only machine this may very well be my next bike as well, though it would be a stablemate to the current X. The X isn't going anywhere.

The KTM Freeride can be had as an electric or 350. It is a tuned down 350 six day bike that should be street legal. I looked at the 450 exc, but wanted an under 400cc bike. I see that there is a 350 exc available now, but with one child in university and another headed that way next year I will have very little play money!

ktm Freeride <-- clicky

Quote :

The idea of a 350cc dirt bike weighing only 218 pounds is intriguing to say the least. More accurately, the idea is salivating! However, KTM claims the single-cylinder engine will produce only 24 horsepower. By comparison, the KTM 350 SX-F (246 pounds curb weight) put out 45.2 hp on the dyno during our 2011 450 Motocross Shootout.

24 HORSEPOWER????????????


wtf?

motokid wrote:

ktm Freeride <-- clicky

Quote :

The idea of a 350cc dirt bike weighing only 218 pounds is intriguing to say the least. More accurately, the idea is salivating! However, KTM claims the single-cylinder engine will produce only 24 horsepower. By comparison, the KTM 350 SX-F (246 pounds curb weight) put out 45.2 hp on the dyno during our 2011 450 Motocross Shootout.

24 HORSEPOWER????????????


wtf?

I ride trials and the bike sounds like fun. It has been tuned for torque

I was going to buy a Scorpa T-ride, (have a Scorpa Easy) but as they did not spend the big bucks to get their product insurable in NA it would have been a gamble to get it on the road even though it comes with signal lights etc and is insurable in Europe.

The WR seemed like a good compromise. It is a blast to ride on the road and trails as long as the trail is not to tight, but needs to be geared way down to get the torque I want. Currently I have 12 / 48 and may end up going to 12 / 52. I also run 14 / 48 when doing mostly roads.

ejfranz1 wrote:

pbnut wrote:

ejfranz1 wrote:

When the KTM freeride arrives in NA I might switch.

If I can justify an offroad-only machine this may very well be my next bike as well, though it would be a stablemate to the current X. The X isn't going anywhere.

The KTM Freeride can be had as an electric or 350. It is a tuned down 350 six day bike that should be street legal. I looked at the 450 exc, but wanted an under 400cc bike. I see that there is a 350 exc available now, but with one child in university and another headed that way next year I will have very little play money!

Who buys an electric motorcycle...? Not this guy. Ever. If it's street legal that's great! Ride to the trails and ride home afterwards.

pbnut wrote:

Who buys an electric motorcycle...?

I can't buy one because they are so f'n expensive. I'm thinking about building a diesel motorcycle for commuting purposes and may build an electric if/when batteries become more reasonably priced.

I have to ride 40 minutes down the highway to get to the trails. If I had an electric bike, the battery would be dead by the time I get there. Sure, they can get you to work and back, and you can ride them on a trail or two, but if you can't ride all day long, there's no point.

Find me an electric bike that can run a full 8-10 hour day of dual sport riding on a single charge and I might be interested -- provided it won't cost me a wheel barrow full of gold bullion.

MotoJunkie wrote:

I have to ride 40 minutes down the highway to get to the trails. If I had an electric bike, the battery would be dead by the time I get there. Sure, they can get you to work and back, and you can ride them on a trail or two, but if you can't ride all day long, there's no point.

Find me an electric bike that can run a full 8-10 hour day of dual sport riding on a single charge and I might be interested -- provided it won't cost me a wheel barrow full of gold bullion.

I think your missing the point I said electric OR 350 , but since your so hell bent against electric you should also check out
Zero DS

OR
Zero MX

I don't think I missed your point at all, nor am I hell bent against electric motorcycles. Rather, I was just expressing my opinion that none of the electric manufacturers have been able to come up with a bike that can run all day. A couple of hours of hard running at best. And they cost a fortune compared to gas bikes.

I've been quite interested in electric cars and motorcycles for some time (ever since a good buddy of mine worked on desiging a solar powered car for an engineering contest at university 20 years ago). Things have improved a lot, and will continue improving as the technology gets better. I just think manufacturers still have a long, long way to go before I'd consider giving up my gas powered motorcycle. KTM's Freeride is possibly the best I've seen, but it's not practical in its current state.

Speaking of the KTM Freeride, I remember reading about it a year ago in some dirt magazine, when it was still just a rumour. I also remember being one of the first to view the video below.





I am also quite aware of the KTM 350 -- and the new 500, for that matter. Both are beautiful bikes. When I was shopping for my WR last fall, one of my orange-riding buddies was trying to convince me to wait for the new 350. I seriously considered waiting, but I had cash burning a hole in my pocket and I had been wanting a WR for some time. I finally got to see both the new 350 and the 500 in person at the Montreal motorcycle show a month ago. I've also been to see them a couple of times at a local KTM dealer.

I took photos of Zero's diplay at the show, somewhere in this blog post:

http://www.fy-yff.com/2012/03/montreal-motorcycle-show-2012.html


Wups. This has gotten a bit off topic from the original post. Sorry to be so long-winded.

ejfranz1 wrote:

MotoJunkie wrote:

I have to ride 40 minutes down the highway to get to the trails. If I had an electric bike, the battery would be dead by the time I get there. Sure, they can get you to work and back, and you can ride them on a trail or two, but if you can't ride all day long, there's no point.

Find me an electric bike that can run a full 8-10 hour day of dual sport riding on a single charge and I might be interested -- provided it won't cost me a wheel barrow full of gold bullion.

I think your missing the point I said electric OR 350 , but since your so hell bent against electric you should also check out
Zero DS

OR
Zero MX

MotoJunkie wrote:

I don't think I missed your point at all, nor am I hell bent against electric motorcycles. Rather, I was just expressing my opinion that none of the electric manufacturers have been able to come up with a bike that can run all day. A couple of hours of hard running at best. And they cost a fortune compared to gas bikes.

It should only be a few more years before you can run all day on an electric bike. The guys at Zero informed me they do have a battery that will last 6 hours, but it costs over $12 000; not an option for most people. You can also buy multiple battery packs, but again each battery pack is a few thousand dollars.

I have seen the 350 exc in the show rooms, but the free ride is not available in NA at this time.

Yep. I got the same info on both points re: Zero, and KTM.

ejfranz1 wrote:

MotoJunkie wrote:

I don't think I missed your point at all, nor am I hell bent against electric motorcycles. Rather, I was just expressing my opinion that none of the electric manufacturers have been able to come up with a bike that can run all day. A couple of hours of hard running at best. And they cost a fortune compared to gas bikes.

It should only be a few more years before you can run all day on an electric bike. The guys at Zero informed me they do have a battery that will last 6 hours, but it costs over $12 000; not an option for most people. You can also buy multiple battery packs, but again each battery pack is a few thousand dollars.

I have seen the 350 exc in the show rooms, but the free ride is not available in NA at this time.

I've owned my WR for a year now, I still like it but what bugs me is that it's so slow. Thinking of either going for full exhaust/programmer/airbox-mod or different bike.

WRXR wrote:

I've owned my WR for a year now, I still like it but what bugs me is that it's so slow. Thinking of either going for full exhaust/programmer/airbox-mod or different bike.

I'm with you. It's more than enough power 90% of the time. But when I really want the extra power it's just not there.

Another year or two and I'll probably get a WR450 and put a plate on it. I doubt I'll get rid of the 250 though. It's just too reliable of a machine to not keep around as a spare/loaner.

I'm thinking the same thing aout keeping the WR for a spare and loaner. Low maintenance reliability is such a virtue.

My speedo hit 103 indicated two days ago, highest ever. That's 93 actual. Of course I had a tail wind and a slight downhill. But I'll be out west soon, where there are significantly longer hills