Why are Dual sports so heavy?

fnfalman · 05-14-2008, 02:08 PM

Let's make a couple of distinctions here vis-a-vis dual sports versus adventure bikes.

Dual sports are like the Suzuki DR650, KLR650, a couple of Honda 450s, Yamaha 250s, street legal Aprilia RXV, and a couple of KTM thumpers. These bikes are dirt bikes that are either barely street legal with lights and emission compliant exhausts (RXV, DRZ, et al) or they have chasses that are designed for street riding as well as offroading ala DR650 and KLR650. A bike chassis for street riding is heavier than offroading because of the high speeds involved so they need to be stiffer with less flex. That's part of the reason for the weight. More fairings, heavier wheels and tires, other niceties that a dirt bike doesn't require, they all add up to additional weight.

Adventure bikes like the BMW GS, KTM Adventure, the Aprilia Caponord, V-Strom, etc. are both touring bikes AND dual sport (more or less on the dual sport). So, coupled with the much bigger engines and other touring design doodads, next thing you know, you have a heavy bike. THEN you add your camping gears and guess what? Frankly Obiwan and his boytoy Boorman were better saved by the BMW F650GS than the big ass boxer twin R1150GS or R1200GS, but then the little thumper GS isn't as "sexy".

Mr Lefty · 05-14-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnfalman

Let's make a couple of distinctions here vis-a-vis dual sports versus adventure bikes.

Dual sports are like the Suzuki DR650, KLR650, a couple of Honda 450s, Yamaha 250s, street legal Aprilia RXV, and a couple of KTM thumpers. These bikes are dirt bikes that are either barely street legal with lights and emission compliant exhausts (RXV, DRZ, et al) or they have chasses that are designed for street riding as well as offroading ala DR650 and KLR650. A bike chassis for street riding is heavier than offroading because of the high speeds involved so they need to be stiffer with less flex. That's part of the reason for the weight. More fairings, heavier wheels and tires, other niceties that a dirt bike doesn't require, they all add up to additional weight.

Adventure bikes like the BMW GS, KTM Adventure, the Aprilia Caponord, V-Strom, etc. are both touring bikes AND dual sport (more or less on the dual sport). So, coupled with the much bigger engines and other touring design doodads, next thing you know, you have a heavy bike. THEN you add your camping gears and guess what? Frankly Obiwan and his boytoy Boorman were better saved by the BMW F650GS than the big ass boxer twin R1150GS or R1200GS, but then the little thumper GS isn't as "sexy".

ok my bad... didn't realize the diffrence between adventure and dual sports...

and yeah I though the little GS would have done well for them... wonder if it was because BMW wanted to display their "flagship" bike and not the little 650... don't think they'd have near the problems they did if they were on the lighter bike...

though where Ewan gets hit in Canada.. the bigger bike probably saved him

fnfalman · 05-14-2008, 06:16 PM

I'm sure that BMW wanted them to ride the flagship GS too. But I gotta give it to those two dudes. It's a motherfucker manhandling those things offroad.

Mr Lefty · 05-14-2008, 06:18 PM

yeah I was like FUCK THAT! watching them ride in mongolia... especially when Claudio (sp?) the cameraman's bike fucked up and they bought a little Russian bike... he rode through no issues... cause it was so light... and the BMW's sunk like fuck'n tanks!

No Worries · 05-18-2008, 09:28 PM

On the first episode of Long Way Round, they wanted to get the KTM bikes, but KTM didn't think it could be done (go around the world), so KTM would not give them the bikes.

Mr Lefty · 05-18-2008, 09:31 PM

Yeah I saw that... I lost lots of respect for KTM for that...

bet they kicked themselves a little when the show came out...

fnfalman · 05-19-2008, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No Worries

On the first episode of Long Way Round, they wanted to get the KTM bikes, but KTM didn't think it could be done (go around the world), so KTM would not give them the bikes.

No, that's not the case at all. They wanted KTM to foot the bills, provide the bikes and technical supports. KTM told them to shove it.

Mr Lefty · 05-19-2008, 02:46 AM

They proposed the idea to KTM and BMW... both offered to provide bikes, and tech support... but KTM wanted to have them meet with an "expert" first... and took that expert's recomindation... and decided that they probably wouldn't make it.

what ever I still think KTM pussed out... they weren't going to "foot the bill" for the trip... just provide the bike and tech support. the trip was funded by the production company and my Ewan and Charlie... to which they were repaid for by their books and the movie.

Those BMW's were just HUGE beasts... they should have used the model Charlie used for the Race to Dakar series... but it's all moot... they made it... so no harm no foul.

though i did find it interesting only 1 out of the 3 bikes didn't have the sub frame break...

05-14-2008, 02:08 PM	#1
fnfalman Europhile Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SoCal Moto: Aprilia RS125, Aprilia SR50 Factory, Aprilia Tuono, BMW Rockster, KTM 990 Adventure Posts: 1,875	Let's make a couple of distinctions here vis-a-vis dual sports versus adventure bikes. Dual sports are like the Suzuki DR650, KLR650, a couple of Honda 450s, Yamaha 250s, street legal Aprilia RXV, and a couple of KTM thumpers. These bikes are dirt bikes that are either barely street legal with lights and emission compliant exhausts (RXV, DRZ, et al) or they have chasses that are designed for street riding as well as offroading ala DR650 and KLR650. A bike chassis for street riding is heavier than offroading because of the high speeds involved so they need to be stiffer with less flex. That's part of the reason for the weight. More fairings, heavier wheels and tires, other niceties that a dirt bike doesn't require, they all add up to additional weight. Adventure bikes like the BMW GS, KTM Adventure, the Aprilia Caponord, V-Strom, etc. are both touring bikes AND dual sport (more or less on the dual sport). So, coupled with the much bigger engines and other touring design doodads, next thing you know, you have a heavy bike. THEN you add your camping gears and guess what? Frankly Obiwan and his boytoy Boorman were better saved by the BMW F650GS than the big ass boxer twin R1150GS or R1200GS, but then the little thumper GS isn't as "sexy". __________________ *Cogito Ergo Vroom - I think therefore I ride*

05-14-2008, 06:16 PM	#3
fnfalman Europhile Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SoCal Moto: Aprilia RS125, Aprilia SR50 Factory, Aprilia Tuono, BMW Rockster, KTM 990 Adventure Posts: 1,875	I'm sure that BMW wanted them to ride the flagship GS too. But I gotta give it to those two dudes. It's a motherfucker manhandling those things offroad. __________________ *Cogito Ergo Vroom - I think therefore I ride*

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05-14-2008, 06:18 PM	#4
Mr Lefty TWFix Legend Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver CO Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar Posts: 15,677	yeah I was like FUCK THAT! watching them ride in mongolia... especially when Claudio (sp?) the cameraman's bike fucked up and they bought a little Russian bike... he rode through no issues... cause it was so light... and the BMW's sunk like fuck'n tanks!

05-18-2008, 09:28 PM	#5
No Worries Keyboard Racer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mile High City Moto: Old Superbikes Posts: 1,016	On the first episode of Long Way Round, they wanted to get the KTM bikes, but KTM didn't think it could be done (go around the world), so KTM would not give them the bikes.

05-18-2008, 09:31 PM	#6
Mr Lefty TWFix Legend Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver CO Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar Posts: 15,677	Yeah I saw that... I lost lots of respect for KTM for that... bet they kicked themselves a little when the show came out...

05-19-2008, 02:46 AM	#8
Mr Lefty TWFix Legend Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver CO Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar Posts: 15,677	They proposed the idea to KTM and BMW... both offered to provide bikes, and tech support... but KTM wanted to have them meet with an "expert" first... and took that expert's recomindation... and decided that they probably wouldn't make it. what ever I still think KTM pussed out... they weren't going to "foot the bill" for the trip... just provide the bike and tech support. the trip was funded by the production company and my Ewan and Charlie... to which they were repaid for by their books and the movie. Those BMW's were just HUGE beasts... they should have used the model Charlie used for the Race to Dakar series... but it's all moot... they made it... so no harm no foul. though i did find it interesting only 1 out of the 3 bikes didn't have the sub frame break...