[dmcculloughevans]

I've had the klr650, drz400, and now the dr650. the klr was more street than dirt, the drz was fine on gravel but suffered in the mountains, no low end. The dr is more than capable of anything you throw at it once set up properly. Some of those BDR's are harder than others, choose wisely. Dead simple to work on is a must, no computer for me. We trailer to Colorado almost every year, unload and ride. Most places require street legal bikes.

The BDRs are all 700-1000 miles away, so trailing sounds awful. This is why I have an adventure bike. I see the DS as more of a trainer bike to ensure I am more than capable enough to handle BDR riding. I also think I can have alot of fun on a 300L, certainly more fun than I could on my ATAS.

I would like to ride parts of a BDR monthly if I could. I have a big decision to make next Spring.

 

[rustynut2]

I wouldn’t drive my dr to a bdr from here either, that’s what a trailer and hotel room is for. I also wouldn’t take my atas on Imogene pass, tin cup pass, Hancock pass, Ophir pass maybe down hill, Tomichi pass, and Stoney pass was the end of the drz. Now I did most those on the klr, then most on the drz, not a chance in hell the AT is going up Stoney or Tomichi. I have to ask without trying to offend, do you think the bdr you rode was hard, it’s one of the easiest ones. ATAS for highway and gravel, duel sport and a trailer for long distance trips, drive out, get a room, drop the ds and enjoy

 

[dmcculloughevans]

I wouldn’t drive my dr to a bdr from here either, that’s what a trailer and hotel room is for. I also wouldn’t take my atas on Imogene pass, tin cup pass, Hancock pass, Ophir pass maybe down hill, Tomichi pass, and Stoney pass was the end of the drz. Now I did most those on the klr, then most on the drz, not a chance in hell the AT is going up Stoney or Tomichi. I have to ask without trying to offend, do you think the bdr you rode was hard, it’s one of the easiest ones. ATAS for highway and gravel, duel sport and a trailer for long distance trips, drive out, get a room, drop the ds and enjoy

When you trailer your DS, how long do you ride for? If I was going to trailer my DS, I would want to go for atleast a week, but work schedules may conflict with this.

One thing I do love about adventure bikes is the adventure starts as soon as you leave your house.

The only BDR-X I rode was in the Black Hills. I completed it, but there was times when I was scared. I did not grow up riding off-road and my only off-road experience is renting a dirt bike for a few days at an off-road park in a neighboring state and then riding the BDR in the Black Hills.

When looking which BDRs to ride, I think I can only ride the Black Hills, PA Wilds, and parts of MABDR. I am scared of river crossing. The whole reason I bought the ATAS is because I thought I could conquer all the BDRs in the next 10 years, but almost all of them are too advanced for me.

Edit: I was foolish to think having an expensive bike would compensate for having zero off-road experience.

 

[rustynut2]

I’m just outside of St. Louis MO. It takes a good day in half to CO. A good day to the SMR 500, or what they are calling the chat bdr. I tried to ride the MABDR on the atas but we had epic rain after the first day . Trailered the drz to Moab, rode the white rim trail And much more. All rides are planned for 3 full hard days riding, 2 days to get there, 2 days home In the truck. If you plan on a week ride with no backup plan you will have problems getting home one day. I think you are on the right path with a smaller duel sport, but it’s not training. It’s harder riding. Much easier to pick up, much easier to repair. The big bikes are for epic trips, but not to trash them

 

[dmcculloughevans]

I’m just outside of St. Louis MO. It takes a good day in half to CO. A good day to the SMR 500, or what they are calling the chat bdr. I tried to ride the MABDR on the atas but we had epic rain after the first day . Trailered the drz to Moab, rode the white rim trail And much more. All rides are planned for 3 full hard days riding, 2 days to get there, 2 days home In the truck. If you plan on a week ride with no backup plan you will have problems getting home one day. I think you are on the right path with a smaller duel sport, but it’s not training. It’s harder riding. Much easier to pick up, much easier to repair. The big bikes are for epic trips, but not to trash them

Moab is on the places I want to ride (1300 miles away), but I would never do it on my ATAS. The MABDR looks like it’s too much paved roads for me (it looks too easy, except for the water crossings). I am going to try the PA Wilds next year on my ATAS, along with going to Michigan’s UP. While I have no experience on sand, there are some places I can ride my ATAS.

Overall, I would say you are spot on. A DS is in my future.

Edit: I am going to make a decision in the Spring. I am thinking a 300L.

 

[rustynut2]

There is a new kle500 coming out. But if you like the 300 I’m sure you know of Itchy Boots on YT
Moab wrt was not a hard trail at all, a bit of sand, but an all day beating. There are no gas options so plan on 200 miles with zero services, not even water. Can you share a your location, I might have some more adventures

 

[dmcculloughevans]

There is a new kle500 coming out. But if you like the 300 I’m sure you know of Itchy Boots on YT
Moab wrt was not a hard trail at all, a bit of sand, but an all day beating. There are no gas options so plan on 200 miles with zero services, not even water. Can you share a your location, I might have some more adventures

I’m out of the Chicago suburbs.

My car can handle 350lbs on a hitch, which is why I favor the 300L. I am familiar with itchy boots, but I wasn’t going to get the rally.

 

[rustynut2]

Cannon shot has rides up your way. Home - Cannonshot.net
Not AT areas.

 

[dmcculloughevans]

Cannon shot has rides up your way. Home - Cannonshot.net
Not AT areas. View attachment 91847
View attachment 91846
View attachment 91848

Thank you very much for sharing the link! I look forward to riding dual sport on some of the routes!

 

[irsh]

My only concern with the CRF450RL is the maintenance schedule. This is why I favor the CRF300L. At under 300lbs, it would be so much easier to pick up than my ATAS.

You need to research it bit. There's a huge thread on ADVRider. That maintenance schedule is more Honda being conservative and is more suited for bikes under extreme use. No one I know changes oil under 1000 miles. The RTW dude went 3k intervals I believe.

I had the old DRZ400, I'd get a used 450RL before the new DRZ.

 

[dmcculloughevans]

You need to research it bit. There's a huge thread on ADVRider. That maintenance schedule is more Honda being conservative and is more suited for bikes under extreme use. No one I know changes oil under 1000 miles. The RTW dude went 3k intervals I believe.

I had the old DRZ400, I'd get a used 450RL before the new DRZ.

Have you seen the 2025 CRF300L? I am hoping to check on out at my dealer in a few months.

 

[Trek Moto]

If you buy a CRF450RL be sure to budget an additional $1000 for an aftermarket computer to cure the flame out issue.

 

[irsh]

If you buy a CRF450RL be sure to budget an additional $1000 for an aftermarket computer to cure the flame out issue.

Or $200 for the ECU re-flash.

 

[superfunkomatic]

It's super easy to change the oil and filter. Maintenance intervals are for riding it like a race bike. Lots of evidence on forums and YouTube from owners that stretch them and have ridden upwards of 100,000 kilometres with no issues or even adjustments on valves - it's a Honda. It's 285 lbs or so wet. The CRF300L is 325-330 and there's no comparison with the suspensions of the bikes. I did a dual sport rally on the CRF250L and was completely exhausted from trying to control the bike. Recently did a more challenging dual sport ride on the CRF450L and had energy to spare. They are totally different bikes - CRF450L is a dirt bike, the CRF300L is a light dual sport that can be encouraged to do much rougher terrain with a lot more rider effort.

My only concern with the CRF450RL is the maintenance schedule. This is why I favor the CRF300L. At under 300lbs, it would be so much easier to pick up than my ATAS.

 

[irsh]

Have you seen the 2025 CRF300L? I am hoping to check on out at my dealer in a few months.

When I was looking for a Dual-sport I looked at the 300 Rally (not exactly the same I know) first thing. I liked the idea of long intervals and under-stressed engine. I didn't care that it weighed about what my old DRZ did, at least I told myself that at the time. One test-ride cured me of that itch, plus the dealer wanted list+BS fees.
I test-rode a used 450L a week later and bought it that day for similar money.

The cosmetic improvements to the '25 300L look good. Revised suspension should help as well. There's a lot to like and it's a great bike if you don't need/want the power/suspension of the 450.

 

[fatfurious2]

👍🏻

Some complaints about the 300L are the seat (too hard) and suspension (too soft), if the rumours are to be believed the 2025 updates have sorted this. That said, I see some great used examples over here that have a lot of modifications - good value! May be the same near you?

Would you really need to hitch it (300L et al), or just take a bit longer to get where you’re going by riding it?

I also have about an hour or so on highway to get to trails, which is why I got my AT. I would also need to hitch it, because I cant hitch the AT/put it in my truck (because of my other hobby - truck camping)

A 250 L/Rally is still on my list

 

[fatfurious2]

Moab is on the places I want to ride (1300 miles away), but I would never do it on my ATAS. The MABDR looks like it’s too much paved roads for me (it looks too easy, except for the water crossings). I am going to try the PA Wilds next year on my ATAS, along with going to Michigan’s UP. While I have no experience on sand, there are some places I can ride my ATAS.

Overall, I would say you are spot on. A DS is in my future.

Edit: I am going to make a decision in the Spring. I am thinking a 300L.

I live right on the MABDR and agree with you. It looks too easy for what I want to do, which may be why I havent done much of it. I tried to do the NEBDR for my first one, and I completed section 1, but probably due to my lack of offroad skills, I didnt go further. I also want to do the PA BDR-X in the spring on the AT. Maybe we can meet and do it together. I tend to hype myself up in my mind, and then when I get to difficult sections, I cant do it. But I still want to.

Im similar to you in terms of experience. Had 0 offroad moto experience before I bought my AT. But learning every day is good to build confidence. I have offroading experience in my truck, which helped, but its way different on a bike where you have to balance. In the end I want to do medium two-track forest roads, which we have plenty on the east coast. Just a little bit to travel to.

Something I just thought of - check out local "overlanding" trails for Jeeps, etc. I bet you can do the trails that are rated for Subaru's, that are nearby you. Maybe download the app OnXOffroad and see whats close to you to get some practice in. Dont go out alone, or let someone know where you are going, in case you get stuck.

 

[dmcculloughevans]

I live right on the MABDR and agree with you. It looks too easy for what I want to do, which may be why I havent done much of it. I tried to do the NEBDR for my first one, and I completed section 1, but probably due to my lack of offroad skills, I didnt go further. I also want to do the PA BDR-X in the spring on the AT. Maybe we can meet and do it together. I tend to hype myself up in my mind, and then when I get to difficult sections, I cant do it. But I still want to.

Im similar to you in terms of experience. Had 0 offroad moto experience before I bought my AT. But learning every day is good to build confidence. I have offroading experience in my truck, which helped, but its way different on a bike where you have to balance. In the end I want to do medium two-track forest roads, which we have plenty on the east coast. Just a little bit to travel to.

Something I just thought of - check out local "overlanding" trails for Jeeps, etc. I bet you can do the trails that are rated for Subaru's, that are nearby you. Maybe download the app OnXOffroad and see whats close to you to get some practice in. Dont go out alone, or let someone know where you are going, in case you get stuck.

I’m sending you a DM.

 

[LastOne]

If you buy a CRF450RL be sure to budget an additional $1000 for an aftermarket computer to cure the flame out issue.

Or raise the idle slightly (for free).

 

[AT-Dragon]

I said it lots of times here and to anyone who asks me. Here’s my 2cents worth….
For just absolute FUN, get a Trail 90 or new Monkey, if you have a transportation for one (trailer or pickup) or live close to trails. This is their ONLY drawback, Ok,Ok, yes you will not look like some bad azz trail/motocross professional. But I will guarantee 2 things: 1. At the end of the day you will have a smile on your face. And 2. You will be well rested and not sore and worn out from manhandling a bigger heavier off road bike. Honda make these bikes specifically for tail riding and that they do in absolute abundance, unfortunately they are always overlooked and looked down on because of their small size and small motor. But personally I have yet to find ANYONE who has ridden or owns one to say they are not a blast to ride on trails.
No this bike is not for some long adventure BR route, but doing headers and trails like @dmcculloughevans was taking about, I don’t believe any of the other bikes suggested would come close to the overall ride-ability trail bikes I’ve suggested …
I will also add, the look on other riders faces will be priceless when you just float over that big sand pit or if you get stick in mud just lift the bike easily out, lol, or better sill just avoid the mud hole by nimbly going around it. Being able to plant your feet bring the bike onto its back wheel and walk it around stuff is a absolute game changer in trail riding..