High spirited Dual sport bikes

[Sausage450r]

My next purchase will be a CA Plated dual sport bike. Ironically after owning a half dozen crf450r’s im ultimately leaning towards a 2005 wr450. I’ve always liked the way a steel frame turns, had a ktm 525exc and never really cared for the motor much. They were much more finicky than the crf/yz counterparts.
The crf450rl’s recently got my attention. Does anyone have any experience with these? How do they compare to a std crf? I’d really love to find a ktm300 husky 300 with a plate, but not holding my breathe or willing to pay excess $ for one. A

What are people riding (ca plate-able) and what are your thoughts?

 

[EastMT]

WR450 with a YZ450 ignition? I had a YZ450 with a plate and it was great.

 

[Chingon619]

I like your style! Would love to rip one through the hills some day and then ride home. My issue lately has been Carbs. Sick of them all. FI for my next venture for sure.

 

[Fireballsocal]

had a ktm 525exc and never really cared for the motor much.
The crf450rl’s recently got my attention. Does anyone have any experience with these? How do they compare to a std crf?

What didn't you like about the motor on the katoom? I've only ridden one and it was a short ride but the copious amounts of horsepower made me pay attention. Spinning the tire in 6tth never gets old. The CRF450L was an expensive, heavy and detuned pig of a bike due to emissions regs when it first came out. I imagine the aftermarket has figured out how to make them run well and being a honda, it should be very reliable. I've never ridden one of these. I'm leaning toward a honda crf250/300L. It's a different animal than what you are looking for.

 

[Sausage450r]

What didn't you like about the motor on the katoom? I've only ridden one and it was a short ride but the copious amounts of horsepower made me pay attention. Spinning the tire in 6tth never gets old. The CRF450L was an expensive, heavy and detuned pig of a bike due to emissions regs when it first came out. I imagine the aftermarket has figured out how to make them run well and being a honda, it should be very reliable. I've never ridden one of these. I'm leaning toward a honda crf250/300L. It's a different animal than what you are looking for

Power on the ktm was fine. The gear cut raddle was obnoxious, and they run hotter. The 525 didnt like low speed riding when i was putting around following my kids on their 50s. That was my biggest complaint. It would puke coolant sometimes while riding slow for extended periods. I liked the
Geometry and handling though. The crf and wr from my experience are just better all around for what i do (70% chasing kids 20% farting around 10% ricky racer)

 

[Crusty]

If you had a few CFR450R, then why not find a CA-Plated CFR450X. The wider gears, more linear power, etc. That's the best of both worlds, a Desert Bike that ok to ride on the road to basically connect trails.

Any off the showroom floor street legal dual sport bikes are pigs, from any brand. Too plush for real trail use, unless its just using fire roads to connect streets.

 

[Cookie]

I currently have a Husky 2017 FC350 Ca Plated, worked thru a lot of hoops to get it plated. The only issue with these smaller motors is Hwy speed, they don't like running at 65mph for long lengths of time. But the weight on trails is amazing.

Personally, I will never buy a bike without Fuel Injection and E-start again. I am with you on the frame, I enjoy the Steal frames much more

 

[Cookie]

Power on the ktm was fine. The gear cut raddle was obnoxious, and they run hotter. The 525 didnt like low speed riding when i was putting around following my kids on their 50s. That was my biggest complaint. It would puke coolant sometimes while riding slow for extended periods. I liked the
Geometry and handling though. The crf and wr from my experience are just better all around for what i do (70% chasing kids 20% farting around 10% ricky racer)

Funny thing, I think all bikes now if you are trail riding technical trails that you must add fans to them, or they overheat, sucks