KLR is the classic. Parts abound, and you can find them used in great shape for about $2k

I've got a XR650L
Also a good choice.
(I picked it up for $1,100 and a $50 .22 rifle.)

You need to read here:

http://advrider.com/forums/


I'm 6' 200-210 and they are fine for me.

Eta:

You described (street legal) and I listed enduros.... Road or street.

How much of which varries depending on tire selection etc...

 

KLR is the classic. Parts abound, and you can find them used in great shape for about $2k

I've got a XR650L
Also a good choice.
(I picked it up for $1,100 and a $50 .22 rifle.)

You need to read here:

http://advrider.com/forums/...

Yup, what he said. :thumb: The KLR and the XR650L are widely considered the Mac-Daddies. I got a low-miles XR on Craigslist a few years ago, and with the help of You-tube tutorials, have done almost all of the maintenance and upgrades myself (and I am THE most un-mechanically inclined person on the planet). I still check CL now and then for another deal on one of these.

 

A Rokon? Or would that be too slow?

 

I have been considering buying a few Enduros for the exact same reason as you.

If gas continues to get insanely expensive I may just use one for my commute to work and it would have some great capabilities post SHTF.

But like you I haven't owned a bike in over 20 years and so much has changed I don't know where to begin??

Thanks for asking the question, I will be watching to see what advice you get.

Be Prepared,
OBW
.

 

Vintage Honda CT70

My off road SHTHF Bike

A Vintage Honda CT70 Year built 1972

 

Rokon...the two wheeled tractor.

 

Have you looked at the dualsport Yamaha TW200? It has ridiculously oversized tires, only a 200cc power plant, and is not best suited for long highway trips. However, it is very basic, ie. it still uses carburetion (easy maintenance/repairs) and gets an estimated 78mpg. Although I do not have one, I have wanted one for years, and have extensively read about them. They seem to be unstoppable, and are well suited for off the road riding.

You might want to visit the TW200 forum for more insight. MSRP is around $4600

 

Great choice for a beginner. TW200 will go anywhere (just not fast) and very reliable. Pretty much all dual sport and dirt bikes are reliable now. I use a Yamaha WR250R trailer hitch mounted to my Jeep. Kawasaki Super Sherpa good to look at as a beginner too.

 

I believe a Kawasaki KDX 250 would be perfect, reliable, road worthy with the right tires, 4 stroke. I am going to look for a 90's model that...probably can pick one up for around $1k. Stay away from two stroke, require a lot of maintenance compared to a 4 stroke.

 

The KDX is 2stroke, but the KLX is 4 stroke :thumb:

 

I have an enduro. Yamaha 2005 Wr250f is a four stroke with electric start, lights, and a larger gas tank. It has more power than I care to use while still being fun and easy to ride.

http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/PhotoGallerys/xlarge/2012-Yamaha_WR250F-Comparison1.jpg

 

Meh .. I'll stick with my mountain bike 'Cause it will never run out of gas .. and it doesn't make noise alerting those you just don't want to run into.

 

I have a KTM 640 LC4 and I'm 6'3", 235lb.
It is a one cylinder and noisy.
I would like to ask about your mechanical skills- because there is always something to tighten, re-adjust with a KTM.
Depending on your tire choice the ride is mor or less comfortable. when you find out that you can take a short cut on your way - then the fun starts.

My introduction into Enduro bikes started in bavaria.
A crazy biker crossed the road-by flying with his KTM over it and continuing heading into the hills. In the next town I spoke with him and a couple of months later I bougt my first Endurobike.

 

Thanks guys for reminding me about the TW200 !

Rokon, too slow for everyday transport,,

If you want to ride mostly on pavement , but be able to go anywhere a person could walk (not climb,, jump or hop,,, walk ) and money is an object,, and easy maintenance,,consider the older 1970s early '80s Yamaha SR350 and SR500 singles Road bikes with off road clearance, or The Honda 250 0r 350 XL from that era, simple singles , about <300 # ... good clearance and torque,, If you can find one,, they should be EMP resistant too. no Fuel injection, no computers,, point ignition (unless someone up graded it to CD ,,, and kick start

you are describing I would say what we used to call an Enduro style ,, not a "Dirt Bike"

If i had my druthers,, and more money, I would be getting a Ural sidecar rig with the extra driven live axle on the sidecar,, go anywhere and haul cargo or other people,, The Russians used them in WWII in their blustery blizzardy battles..
Germans used a similar rig in the Sahara desert..

Urals are still made,, 750 cc,, about 45 mpg, top speed 65 , 70 down hill.. a little slow for the Interstate,, about $14000 new,, $9000 used

 

I would be getting a Ural sidecar rig with the extra driven live axle on the sidecar,, go anywhere and haul cargo or other people,, The Russians used them in WWII in their blustery blizzardy battles..
Germans used a similar rig in the Sahara desert..

Actually the Ural is just a copy of the german WWII BMW....

 

I really like the XR line of bikes. Air cooled which means no radiator to bend/wreck/leak in a digger. They are remarkably tough and have a very easy to handle maintenance regiment. However no electric start. Here's mine in Moab 2011.

 

I had a Rokon years ago it's not made for long distance due to not being very comfortable but it will go anywhere .

 

Kawasaki KLR 650 - gets my vote.

If you feel it's a little to big since you have never owned a bike, then find a honda 200 Xr / R or a CB 90 (a guy rode a used posty bike from Sydney to London via India and the Staans) so don't write it off!!

Read about the remarkable trip here

http://www.thepostman.org.uk/videos/

 

KLR650 Diesel, if you can find it. Biodiesel might be more common post-shtf.

I've also considered one of the motors you put on to a bicycle; wouldn't do that on a huffy, but on a quality bike, with panniers, trailer, it might be worthwhile. And if you run out of gas, just pedal.

 

Personally I choose an old Honda two stroke CR. Uber reliable, very fast and common. (parts and very basic)

 

The finest off road bike ever made was the Honda CT90 or CT110 motorcycle. They have a two speed transmission- for on road and off road. Top speed for someone your size? Perhaps 50MPH. It's quiet. Parts are easy to find and relatively inexpensive. The motorcycle itself is relatively expensive for it's size- they do hold their value. I wouldn't suggest getting one older than 1984 due to its ignition requirements.

If you are planning for staying pretty much onroad only? Once again for the price Honda has made the best: http://cx500forum.com/ in this case both the parts AND the bikes are inexpensive. The CX500 in spite of being 33 or so years old will consistently beat any Harley right off the line- and will eat most Ducati 883's for lunch.

See this video on Youtube where I back up these boasts with the new 2012 land speed record for a push rod engine of 500 CC displacement:

 

The CX500 in spite of being 33 or so years old will consistently beat any Harley right off the line- and will eat most Ducati 883's for lunch.

You mean 888?? Hardly, but the argument can be made given the right/wrong riders and the right/wrong track.
CX500 parts aren't just laying around for spares either... LOL

As mentioned the KLR diesel would be the only good bet. But good luck finding one.

What most people fail to consider is motorcycles are not actually that economically effective. Sure they can get good gas mileage, but when you factor in high wear parts such as tires, chains and sprockets they loose a lot of appeal. Ask yourself: In a post SHTF world, are you going to be able to find a supply of chains and sprockets? Enduro tires generally do not last long in comparison to automotive tires. Knobbies even less. Without a supply of those items you won't get much long term traveling done.

OK, so lets say a set of tires, chain and sprockets lasts long enough to get you by, and maybe you have some spares. FUEL supply is next, that is where the diesel will be a must. It will be hard enough to find that bike, motor spares even harder.

 

I always heard the DR 650 was the bullet proof version of the KLR

 

A couple of things here...

First is, 2 stroke or 4 stroke, both are going to make noise. The 2 stroke will be higher pitched while the 4 stroke will be a deeper lower pitch. So avoiding sound ain't really going to happen with a dirt bike.

Second thing to consider, 2 strokes are much simpler to work on, simply because they are 2 stroke, so less to them mechanically. Parts are cheaper so you can afford to amass things like gaskets, rings and bearings, etc. Things that should be stockpiled for serious prepping. In a post SHTF situation, you aren't just going to go into town and get parts. Period. Not if you're bugged out already.

Third and most important thing is get something older. This should apply to any bug out vehicle. Anything modern with an electronic ignition has the potential to be rendered useless via EMP. Be it nukes, stop sticks or various other vehicle stopping do dads that the government has at their disposal. The old stuff that relies on points, condensers, etc will be much like the Migs or tube amps, and won't be effected by EMP.

My 2¢

 

Crf450R, it doesn't have a kickstand, your gotta lean it up against a tree. You cant be a fat@ss, its kick start only. You'll get eaten by a zombie before you even get it started, But youll never have to rely on a dead battery. It runs through 3 foot of mud, miles of sand, road riding that makes everyone envious and i can IT IS LIGHT. Im 140lbs and i ride it like a cr125. Always gets me where i want to go. For outdoor power sports i always choose Honda! CRF450R. 55HP under a 250lb bike, wicked. -Jon

 

KTM, fine bike. I've got the 525 exc enduro with the racing four stroke, street legal (barely) and off-road. Of the major enduro machines this is among the best for serious off road capabilities. The other's, XR, XRL CRF, husqvarna, klr, husaberg, Suzuki, Yamaha etc all serve well. The Honda XR is probably the closest in capabilities to the ktm as is the CRF, husky and husa. The weight on the XR is considerable as is the weight on the KLr. My buddy, a lifelong XR owner, 30+ years, had major bike envy when we road together. He bought a KTM 530 (latest version of my model) and his XR 650 and 600 are barely ridden anymore!
Do your research and find the bike that fits you best. I'm kinda partial to my KTM, 7 years and counting.

 

Rokon 2x2, will go up and over almost everything. I had an early 70's, if you can hold on it will go. Haven't had the money to replace the one I had stolen. But they are absolutely awesome.

Can store extra gas or water in the hollow wheels.

Rokon Web Site

 

The XR650 has more than proven itself to very reliable. I would go for the 4 stroke just for the fact that you won't have to deal with the mixing of the fuel. Finding fuel might be hard enough and then have to get two stroke oil. The honda has parts everywhere and has a tons of power but in a smooth arc ( unlike the two strokes) which is good for any level of experience rider.

 

Motoped

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2097071998/motopeds

 

I vote KLR but if you haven't ridden, bet you wouldnt make it 10 fet on a heavy dual sport. Better stick with something small to start