Newbie Dual Sport ??????

[tomatao]

As you can tell from the question I am a new rider. I recently inherited a 79 XS11SF. It has been sitting for well over 15 years and needs a few things to get running, which is a good thing as it keeps me from riding it! I already am signed up for the MSF course so that is not an issue. So... While I am working on the XS I would like to find a dual sport to learn on. I am finding the local dealers to be less than helpful as they (naturally) are more interested in selling a new bike than offering advice on a good used one. I see a lot of you have more than one bike and generally seem to offer sound advice.

Anyway, what would be a good choice for a learning dual sport? My budget would be under 3k and I don't mind doing a little work on it as it won't be a daily ride.

Thanks in advance for the advice...

[Pat Kelly]

When my Wife wanted to learn to ride I found an 82 Honda XL250. Great fo learning on as if it falls it's not a catastrophe. After she moved on to an XS750 I taught a couple more people to ride on it but sold it a couple of years ago.
Find an old beater in the newspaper and thrash it.

[BrianB]

I agree with Pat. I have a 1979 Honda XL Dual purpose also that I let my son learn on. It is street legal so I can do pretty much anything on that bike I can on my XS except go over 60mph. I can load it up and take on camping trips as well which is nice.

I also have a 1974 Honda CT-70 which is a blast to ride as well. That one my wife really likes. Of course I do not think this one would help with road skills much.

You should be able to find something like this for under $800 I would think.

[DiverRay]

Go with a dirt bike to begin with. I think you have some OHV parks in your area, so you will have a place to learn. It is MUCH safer to learn on the dirt, and it does NOT hurt like the road when you fall. Just try to pick up an older 250cc 4 stroke dirt/enduro, and learn. Almost any of the mid 80's bikes from the Jap makers will work. If you DO get an enduro, pull the light off BEFORE your first ride. The two hours spend taking everything off will save you money when you go to ride on the road with it, as you won't need all new lights.

[fredintoon]

Hi Tomateo,
thing is, almost anything will do for what you want so long as it runs. Put a want ad in the local newspaper "will pay up to ($whatever) for a running medium size dualsport" and pick the best offer. Be prepared to put new chain, sprockets & tires on it so budget accordingly.

[Pat Kelly]

The good thing on learning to ride in dirt/gravel with a dirtbike is getting used to the clutch. When taking-off either the engine will die or the back tire will spin. Take-off and stop till you're tired of that. Take-off and stop while turning till your tired of that. Take-off, shift to second, back to first, then stop. Repeat till tired of that. Then start putting around and over obsticles. One woman I was teaching to ride kept swerving around a brick. I told she was good at swerving, now run over the brick. SHe had fun doing that for awhile.
Get used to all that then putt around the neighborhood. Get comfortable with that and gradually expand your riding to busy streets and such.
When (if) you get a big, bad street bike you can sell the dually to another newbie. I wish we'd kept ours.