Recommendations for dual-sport motor cycle for hunting in Eastern Oregon?

[tkdguy]

Looks like TW 200 vs. XT 250. I am 5'7" 160 pounds. Will the TW carry a 100 pound women in addition to myself? Or, would that be too much of a struggle oin rock hilly roads with climbing elevation? Thx.

 

[doninoregon]

Yamaha XT225 238
Honda Trail 125 258
Yamaha TW200 279
Yamaha XT250 291
Kawasaki KLX300 302
Honda CRF300 311
Suzuki DR400 319

Remember, a small, light weight dual sport motorcycle is the safest kind of motorcycle in the world, because it can just barely kill you.

 

[doninoregon]

I would say you could carry that small of a passenger on an XT225. It's geared pretty low. Assuming you're an experienced rider and she's an experienced passenger.

 

[TNThomas]

Easter Oregon is awesome. Goodluck whatever you get! I have been debating making a 2x3 wheel drive with a long seat to haul my kids around, similar to this.

 

[Texmex247]

I still rock a 150cc scooter sometimes out at my GFS ranch. Thing is damn nimble. I put some pit bike tires on it and lined them with smaller diameter used tires I had from the days when I owned a scooter shop in S Austin. I needed to since mesquite thorns are all over the place. A scooter is light, has low seat height, auto trans and plenty power for hill climbing.

The one I use is a "buddy" scooter by genuine scooter company but is manufactured in Taiwan by PGO. The one at the ranch has around 25k on the original motor. They were over 3 grand new, here's a 2012 I still have in the garage. Even has some underseat storage. And a pocket up front for a beer or a pistol, sometimes both. Lol.

 

[DirectDrive]

Looks like TW 200 vs. XT 250. I am 5'7" 160 pounds. Will the TW carry a 100 pound women in addition to myself? Or, would that be too much of a struggle oin rock hilly roads with climbing elevation? Thx.

I see a side-by-side in your future.

 

[Stomper]

I like my XR650L (not a bike for smaller statures), and my CRF250X (awesome all around bike).

 

[P7M13]

I'm bummed at how expensive Husquvarna bikes are, 'cuz I really liked the 701 Enduro that a colleague has.

701 Enduro | 2024

www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com

 

[edzz]

Looks like TW 200 vs. XT 250. I am 5'7" 160 pounds. Will the TW carry a 100 pound women in addition to myself? Or, would that be too much of a struggle oin rock hilly roads with climbing elevation? Thx.

You should have no problems, I'm ~250 pounds 6'2" and my TW did great up hills with just me. Add my wife (and she ain't no 100 pounds...) and it was noticeably slower climbing the same hill but not an issue. Bike was tuned at ~200 edit "1200" foot level.
Still prefer my quad.

 

[tkdguy]

Would the XT 225 vs XT 250 be better/ Slightly more horse power with the 225 and 6 vs 5 gears? Carb dual sport would have trouble starting in cold weather?

 

[orchemo]

TW200.......reduce a sprocket and walking speeds.
Uber reliable, will go most any place

 

[2nd Amendment]

Thinking of driving rock roads 5-20 miles off paved road. Need something super reliable; can not get stranded at age 76. I am 5'7" tall at 165 pounds. It should be lite enough that if it is dumped that I can pick it up. Likely carrying a bolt scoped gun. Thanks.

Will you be hauling whatever you are hunting back on the motorcycle? If so, how much will that weigh?

How far can you walk if you get stranded? Do you carry survival gear sufficient to spend the night on each trip? Do you have a satellite communication device if you get in trouble?

It would be good if manufacturers would publish the lifting force required to get each bike upright, but I don't think I've seen that info.

 

[2nd Amendment]

CRF250X (awesome all around bike)

Nice looking bike, but it appears Honda stopped making them in 2017.

Honda CRF250X Review | The Ultimate All-Round Off-Road Bike?

While reviewing the Honda CRF250X we had to ask ourselves the question: Could this little red 250 be the ultimate all-round off-road bike?

rideexpeditions.com

They don't even offer a 250 dual sport now, but they do offer a 300:

https://powersports.honda.com/search-inventory/results?segment=motorcycle&category=dual-sport&family=crf300l&zip=97223&milesradius=250

They offer a 250 in the "trail" version - but looks like it has no lights. Guess they only ride trails in the daytime! Must have had the DEI designers on that project.

https://powersports.honda.com/search-inventory/results?segment=motorcycle&category=trail&family=crf250f&milesradius=250

 

[2gr8dgs]

Carb dual sport would have trouble starting in cold weather?

My properly tuned carb bikes have started in any weather I've ever been in. I've had a fuel pump on a FI bike fail in beautiful weather. You just never know. "I" am more comfortable with understanding & servicing a carb bike.

 

[tkdguy]

Will you be hauling whatever you are hunting back on the motorcycle? If so, how much will that weigh?

How far can you walk if you get stranded? Do you carry survival gear sufficient to spend the night on each trip? Do you have a satellite communication device if you get in trouble?

It would be good if manufacturers would publish the lifting force required to get each bike upright, but I don't think I've seen that info.

1. Likely carrying about 40-50 pounds of overnight gear. I do carry survival gear; stat phone and beacon locator. Ideas?

 

[NeoBlackdog]

4 wheeler for sure with all that stuff.

 

[orchemo]

4 wheelers are much more stable, allows the rider to look around more while riding as you don't have to worry about falling.

2 wheelers are road legal and allow a lot more moving from scouting spot to scouting spot. See need to get off and away from the roads to actually see game.

My TW takes me many places I don't want to drive my truck, either from mud or overgrown roads.

Have a large milk crate on back for hauling gear, scabbard on the rear rack for a rifle. Extra gas on back also....gas/fire starter. I pack a light shelter of venturing far

TW seat height is much lower than a CRF (have a 250L) and easy enough to lift, should you tip.

 

[edzz]

I think that an important question has been overlooked, do you have any experience riding a motorcycle? Riding a motorcycle off-road?

 

[tkdguy]

I think that an important question has been overlooked, do you have any experience riding a motorcycle? Riding a motorcycle off-road?

Yes, lot of experience but not aggressive nor fast, nor do I want to. Thx.

 

[po18guy]

Buy a Chinese one from Amazon. Each comes with a pair of hiking boots for the return trip.
Just tryin' to help.