I know it's a strange time of year for a Motorcycle thread but....

[.40isthenew.45]

I am looking at taking advantage of off season prices and pick up a used bike. It's been a number of years (okay 35) since I rode regularly. I have spent the last couple of months putting my grandfather's 1972 Harley Electraglide back on the road, but I am pretty sure I want something at least a tad more nimble and better suited to getting onto the forest service roads.

Ease of maintenance (working on the harley is simple and I like that), highway and forest service capable, aftermarket support and to a lesser degree fuel economy are the filters I used for my search.

I have what I think is a pretty good "short list" but I have never touched let alone ridden any of the bikes on the list. I am somewhat flexible but the target budget is $4k. Which brings me to the questions:
1) are any of the bikes a bad enough choice to be stricken from the list without further research?
2) does anyone have one of the bikes in question they would let me kick the tires on and possibly ride. I would gladly pay for the fuel and beers afterwards ( I took the MCSF riders course and have the endorsement on my license)

The "short list" in alphabetical order
DR650S
KLR-650
NC700X

[CS1983]

Not sure I'd consider a 650 "nimble".

When you say highway capable, what are you looking to do? Get to the woods or drive to Denver?

Sounds like you are wanting a dualsport.

Have you considered an XT250? It will handle 70mph, is EFI (after 2012), and has outstanding MPG.

Another option would be an XT350, such as this:
https://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/d/...301522631.html

(I have no affiliation with the sale).

What's your actual goal here? Why a 650+?

[SouthPaw]

XR650 or bust!

[.40isthenew.45]

Not sure I'd consider a 650 "nimble".

When you say highway capable, what are you looking to do? Get to the woods or drive to Denver?

Sounds like you are wanting a dualsport.

Have you considered an XT250? It will handle 70mph, is EFI (after 2012), and has outstanding MPG.

Another option would be an XT350, such as this:
https://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/d/...301522631.html

(I have no affiliation with the sale).

What's your actual goal here? Why a 650+?

After a 45 year old full dress harley anything is going to feel nimble.

I live in Pueblo and a ride to Denver would not be out of the question. (in the back of my mind is Prudhoe Bay and Central America, but those trips if they happen are a ways off) Two up is also a possibility although not frequent.

[CS1983]

Ah, ok. I can see your desire for a larger bike then.

[TFOGGER]

KLR, XR650L, DR650, F650GS...pretty much all variations on the same theme. Depending on your road/trail balance, some may be better suited to your personal needs. The KLR and BMW would probably be better on the street, while the XR and DR are marginally better on the dirt.

I don't have enough experience with the NC700X to give you an informed opinion, but any of the others will satisfy the need to customize with very broad aftermarket support, and all have earned reputations for reliability.

[.40isthenew.45]

KLR, XR650L, DR650, F650GS...pretty much all variations on the same theme. Depending on your road/trail balance, some may be better suited to your personal needs. The KLR and BMW would probably be better on the street, while the XR and DR are marginally better on the dirt.

I don't have enough experience with the NC700X to give you an informed opinion, but any of the others will satisfy the need to customize with very broad aftermarket support, and all have earned reputations for reliability.

I appreciate the feedback, I ruled the BMWs out early on just for cost and complexity of maintenance. The DR and NC700 valves can both be adjusted without needing shims so that's a plus from my perspective. I think I am to the point I need to at least sit on each of them. Unlike the majority of people, I don't really want to go check out bikes for sale until I know which one I want, but I may have too.... I just thought it might be an opportunity to meet other members and get their feedback on their bikes without them trying to sell it to me.

Although if anyone has one for sale that's cool too.

[CS1983]

https://cosprings.craigslist.org/search/mca?query=KLR
https://cosprings.craigslist.org/search/mca?query=Xr
I'd go to a dealership and sit on what you are looking at, and then once you make up your mind go the CL route.

[fitz19d]

If you are mostly doing highway commute plus some basic but not serious off road. I'm not very qualified but I'm already eyeballing as a new rider a second bike.

Kawasaki versys 650 and even the versys300-x might be able to do highway if you don't expect to be doing 80mph.

It's going to be more tour/commute comfortable than like the klr as awesome as that is off road.

Videos from fortnine etc made me like. They are not as tall as other adventure bikes that put me off and fat cheaper.

Suzuki? Vstrom kinda similar but i hadn't looked at that much.

[ray1970]

Didn’t somebody here recently pick up a Vstrom? Depending on the level of off road prowess the OP is seeking I always thought the Vstrom would make a decent dual sport option.

I’d love to have one of the supermoto type bikes to kick around on. Something like the Suzuki DR-Z400SM or something similar. Probably not the best highway bike and doubtful two-up would be much fun.