bikeslut 1 Posted December 18, 2007 maybe i haven't been paying attention... I know Honda added a CRF230L to their line-up, to fill that huge GAP in the dual sport market... at Motoworld last night, I heard the 650L is gone, as a result... True? How hard would it be for Honda to make the 450X pass emissions? How hard would it be for them to produce a bike to spank orange? Honda has no passion for the dual sport market, and i really believe that is where the future lies... Anybody have different ideas? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin 0 Posted December 19, 2007 I saw the new Honda 700 4-stroke Quad with indepedent suspension on the rear axle at the International Motorcycle Show. Maybe, a 700 Dual Sport bike is on the way??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 909 Posted December 19, 2007 I wish Honda would put a plate (and maybe e-start?) on the XR650R. None of the big four seem to "get" the dual-sport market. Yamaha is making a decent attempt with the WR250R but it's not quite up to the European offerings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikeslut 1 Posted December 19, 2007 I wish Honda would put a plate (and maybe e-start?) on the XR650R. None of the big four seem to "get" the dual-sport market. Yamaha is making a decent attempt with the WR250R but it's not quite up to the European offerings. A XR650R and a CR450X would be just fine, thanks... oh yeah... and the CR230L. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hammerin Hammon Posted December 19, 2007 I wish Honda would put a plate (and maybe e-start?) on the XR650R. None of the big four seem to "get" the dual-sport market. Yamaha is making a decent attempt with the WR250R but it's not quite up to the European offerings. A XR650R and a CR450X would be just fine, thanks... oh yeah... and the CR230L. I would pick the 650L over these two bikes for dualsport rides. To race I would ride the 650R or the 450X. My .02 Why plate a race bike? Craig. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ride-Orange 2 Posted December 19, 2007 Why plate a race bike? Craig. I'm pretty sure those wacky Austrians have figured out why - it produces $$$$! How hard would it be for Honda to make the 450X pass emissions? How hard would it be for them to produce a bike to spank orange? I'm also pretty sure that this is called "Phishing" (or something like that) and it's against the forum rules (I'm suprised Craig missed it ), but I'm always one to join (or start) the fray . IT WOULD BE REALLY HARD!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ozzy 0 Posted December 19, 2007 the future of dirt biking in ca is plated bikes and KTM has already figered that out,the exc is a true race bike with lights and a plate. get used to it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin 0 Posted December 19, 2007 IT WOULD BE REALLY HARD!!! Right back at ya--TOOL KIT INCLUDED! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastaPilot 17 Posted December 19, 2007 There's still a 650L for 2008. It comes with Bold New Graphics and a white headlight shroud. Typical Honda updates to a 30 year old bike. It'd be nice to have something in the middle market. An XR450L or even the 650R plated. I'm still waiting to see what they're going to do. Meanwhile back on the current dualsport market that damned TE-610 looks very tempting... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerTOWM 0 Posted December 19, 2007 Meanwhile back on the current dualsport market that damned TE-610 looks very tempting... Do ya want to try one and find out? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hammerin Hammon Posted December 19, 2007 the future of dirt biking in ca is plated bikes and KTM has already figered that out,the exc is a true race bike with lights and a plate. get used to it [/quotte) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADV Bum 205 Posted December 19, 2007 Why plate a race bike? I will take the PLATED cr500 since who needs that right! get used to it why keep the 600? IT WOULD BE REALLY HARD!!! Not hard at all really. The are keeping up with a 15+ year old design. If they took that design added FI like they will have to. Hopped up the engine for a little more performance. Add all the new digital crap. Upgrade the suspension design. BIngo! They would be blowing you away instead of competing. Come on now. They invented dual sporting. They have dominated forever. They have ridden the cash cow as long as they could. Why change the design until they had to. You fair weather friends will be back after your " Latest and Greatest" have left you "High and Dry!" Now go make some money so you can afford your mechanic's bill. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carguy 1 Posted December 19, 2007 Meanwhile back on the current dualsport market that damned TE-610 looks very tempting... Do ya want to try one and find out? I 'd like to give it a spin Roger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hammerin Hammon Posted December 19, 2007 I plated the CR500 long before KTM`s got plated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastaPilot 17 Posted December 19, 2007 the exc is a true race bike . That race bike is going to require race bike maintenance. It may run strong now, but give it some time. When your top end needs replacing my older than dirt 650 engine will just barely be broken in. Do ya want to try one and find out? Yes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 909 Posted December 19, 2007 Meanwhile back on the current dualsport market that damned TE-610 looks very tempting... Do ya want to try one and find out? The TE's are a great dualsport line. When I'm ready to buy new I'll be at the Husky dealership. I already have a street legal 230 so I'm ahead of big Honda. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hammerin Hammon Posted December 19, 2007 Why plate a race bike? Craig. I'm pretty sure those wacky Austrians have figured out why - it produces $$ I cant stop The so called non competative SDAR riders all need race bikes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hammerin Hammon Posted December 19, 2007 the exc is a true race bike . That race bike is going to require race bike maintenance. It may run strong now, but give it some time. When your top end needs replacing my older than dirt 650 engine will just barely be broken in. [ I just got mine broken in?????? 10,000 miles, no valve ajust. Just add gas and go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADV Bum 205 Posted December 19, 2007 That race bike is going to require race bike maintenance. It may run strong now, but give it some time. When your top end needs replacing my older than dirt 650 engine will just barely be broken in. My 93 650l bike I just purchased had 46,000 miles on it. 46,000! Minor engine work is all it needs. Amazing durability. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hammerin Hammon Posted December 19, 2007 That race bike is going to require race bike maintenance. It may run strong now, but give it some time. When your top end needs replacing my older than dirt 650 engine will just barely be broken in. My 93 650l bike I just purchased had 46,000 miles on it. 46,000! Minor engine work is all it needs. Amazing durability. I have a friend with 60,000 hard miles on it and it still rocks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 909 Posted December 19, 2007 I cant stop The so called non competative SDAR riders all need race bikes. It's not what people need, nobody really needs a dual-sport bike. It's what people want. Until the Japanese figure that out they will be catching up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCHWINN 0 Posted December 19, 2007 Ride what you want, ride what you can afford, ride what you are comfortable on above all for confidence. I think I can afford a honda, my wife and kids all have one, the CRF and KTM have same maintanence issues,my 15 yr old loves his new crf 450. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirt dame 561 Posted December 19, 2007 I cant stop The so called non competative SDAR riders all need race bikes. It's not what people need, nobody really needs a dual-sport bike. It's what people want. Until the Japanese figure that out they will be catching up. I really need a dual sport bike , because I need to increase my range of rideable areas. In the old days, back in the 70s, I could ride almost all over the North County on a dirt bike, but even then I plated my DKW and my 360 Bultaco Frontera, so I could have access to even more riding fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hammerin Hammon Posted December 19, 2007 Ride what you want, ride what you can afford, ride what you are comfortable on above all for confidence. I think I can afford a honda, my wife and kids all have one, the CRF and KTM have same maintanence issues,my 15 yr old loves his new crf 450. You are correct about maintanance.Honda lets you install the lights. Maybe a letter to Arnold S. would help. In states were this is still legal you see all colors of bikes. It seems Honda is only comfortable plateing a very reliable proven bike. That is also a very good street bike. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
