What bike to get ?

I've only been riding off road for less than a year, I have my 2015 Ural, which I like for off road, as I can't drop it, and it's pretty hard to get stuck. Also have a 2006 v-Strom 650, everytime I take it through mud, it's going down!! I think part of the problem is the street tires on it, but I don't know if it is the tires or me, maybe I'm going at it wrong, and just need learn more about riding through mud. I can pick it up, but not more than twice in a day, normally after the first drop I head for the pavement. So I was looking at some USED bikes that might be easier to pick up, or ride through the mud. Looked at a xt225/250, the size is perfect, as I'm only 5'8" with a 29" inseem. Also looked at dr200,crf230l,crf250l,klx250,drz400 would be nice, but very tall, I can barley touch the ground on a dr650.
So if someone could help me out with either what to do to my v-Strom or what to buy for a next bike.
Marc

Boy there's a Pandora's box if I ever saw one!!! 😂

Sounds very familiar.  I'm 5'8" and I WISH I had a 29" inseam.  I went through that list of bikes many times to try to get one to fit.
The XT250 has a nice low seat but only about 17 hp and a 5 speed.  I had a KLR250 which was a great little bike with 23 hp and a 6 speed but the kick start was just too much trouble for me since I had to stand on a peg to kick it over.


My answer was the DR650.  It has two suspension settings and is pretty easy to change.  In the low setting the seat height is 33".  If you can flat foot your VStrom, you should be able to do it on the DR.  I used the Seat Concepts low saddle to get the seat down to 32" and lowered the foot pegs an inch which makes it pretty comfy for me.  I call it "The Shetland".     There is a factory short kickstand or a lot of folks modify the existing one.

Thanks for the help, Roger. I can almost flat foot my v-Strom, so the dr650 in the low position, might do it.  I thought I heard last year that a lot of people are going to the smaller bikes, as they are lighter and easier to ride, how is the dr650? I would like something that can cruise at highway speeds, so I can get to places to ride off road. My Ural can do 60, but is not very comforable to ride on the road for long rides, 300 miles is like 500 on the v-Strom.
Does the drz400 have the low position ?  Also have thought about the new versy 300, but hard to say how it will be, still need something to ride on the street. I'm sure there isn't a perfect bike that can handle rough off-road and can go cross country too. Guess I'm looking for something more dirt, less street.
Thanks again, gives me something to look at and read online about.
Marc

I had an early Vstrom 650 a couple years ago, and with decent tires, it can be a lot of fun offroad.

Having said that, tires are EVERYTHING on that bike.  I put a set of Heidenau K60s on mine, and to be honest, K60s are much more street biased than i like, but they're light years better than any full road tire.

The K60s made the gravel road experience on the bike go from 'meh- kinda sketchy' to.. 'lets powerslide this turn'. Even with good tires, it wasn't awesome in mud.. I think it's because of the 17" up front, and not a skinny 21".

Do you stand up when riding rough stuff?  Standing will give you so much more control and confidence,, its easily as beneficial as appropiate tires.

I would drop some money down on some 70/30 dirt/street tires on the thing, and go try it again. They're fun on backroads if set up for it

Thanks Derek, I was hoping someone would have something good to say about the V in the dirt. I have a ride out to California at the end of April, but when I get back I plan putting on some Shinko 805's ( I think that is what they are called).
I have not tried to stand while going through mud yet, only sitting down, was thinking the closer to the ground I get, the less I'll get hurt, when I fall off the bike   I'll be on V this weekend, so maybe I can learn stuff from u. Thanks again.
Marc

You bet man!

I've not tried the 804/805s yet, but those are Davids go-to on his AT, and they have really good reviews, so I bet you'll like them!

On my strom, I would sit down with feet out in the heavier mud, even with the K60s on it.. the 17 up front doesn't cut through stuff real well and pushes sometimes, and it was kinda always a bit of a suprise when it was gonna let go..  so butt on the seat and feet out was the game plan, lol

You bet man!

I've not tried the 804/805s yet, but those are Davids go-to on his AT, and they have really good reviews, so I bet you'll like them.

Yes I do love the 804/805 combo on my Africa Twin for certain!! Loved TKC80's too but big bikes just chew them bitches up!! For the money you can't touch the Shinko's....... [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

As they say, IF you have the cojones any bike is an adventure bike! 
I don't have any experience on a VStrom but I would guess a good adventure tire would make a big difference.  That would be the first thing I tried.


The DR isabout 150 lbs lighter than your VStrom so picking it up is much easier.  Knobbies, ground clearance and high fenders are all big pluses in mud but not nearly as nice on pavement.  The DR has no windscreen from the factory so there is a lot of wind buffeting at highway speed and the big, high front fender catches a lot of wind.  I intend to get a windscreen and maybe a motard front fender this summer as I'll be riding more pavement.


The DRZ does not have the dual position suspension.  It really is set up more for dirt and it is a tall bike.

Shaweet.....

I run the Pirelli Scorpion Rally on my AT. I heard lots of good things about both the 804/5 and these, and thought i'd try something different that what Dave had, so we could compare/contrast. I also got a screaming deal on these..  if not for the discount, the Shinkos would've been clearly cheaper.

So far I'm really happy with these.. I only have about 200 miles on them, so I can't talk about longevity just yet. Grip-wise, I like them more than the Dunlop D606s i had on my 640. Much more planted in dirt and on pavement both. They do hum a little a speed but they're knobbies, so.. 

Thanks for the info, I'm sure by the time I'm ready to buy some you two will know which's are better. I'm really looking forward to doing the OAT also this year, there are a few guys that have done it on a V, so I figured I could at least try it. It is going to have all different types of terrain.
Marc

Hey Marc.
This is Noel how have you been?
I've done some of the OAT with my wife and she rides a cb500x.  We would love for you to join us for a ride sometime I'd be happy to show you around.

I gotta ask, what is the OAT?

I gotta ask, what is the OAT?

Oklahoma adventure trail ....