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klx678, you make some good points, but I think the 7 to 24 can be misleading. I'm only seeing 6 full factory KTM riders for the 2019 Dakar. Now, there is some factory support to a good number of KTM riders, but the same goes for Honda in that case. I guess there's some semantics involved.
As far as rules and regs. shenanigans go, well, ASO is a French organization, but I would never believe there could be any bias or favoritism expressed whatsoever...cough, cough. Robby Gordon told me so...LOL! That little stunt they pulled on Gordon about his ability to compete in his Textron rig was kind of CS. They give permission for him to compete with the cars, and then 2 weeks before the event they change the playing field. RG's not perfect, but they absolutely hate him.
I notice the FIM wants to get the Dakar under their offroad umbrella. Surely that would stop any influence of politics and bias...I'm not just coughing now, I'm gagging...LOL!
Maybe the DMG can get Dakar... move it to the beach... maybe get a pace buggy... TNC! You're puking!
I was just giving you the numbers. There were only three Honda team riders. So KTM had twice the opportunity to win. Then add in the Husky riders. And wasn't it cool that Short got fifth, I believe.
Got the new ride last Friday. Wow! Wheelies in first gear require half throttle and no clutch or pulling on the bars. Second is almost as easy. Can’t wait to start mods. Still have a Kawasaki in the stable too though.
That's a good looking bike. I've had a bunch of Honda and Kawasaki off road and dual sport bikes since the 70's. Personally, the Hondas and Kawasakis have always looked the best to me. When Yamaha had the yellow and black bumblebee color scheme, I thought it was a good challenge to Honda and Kawi, but some brain trust at Yamaha thought different, I guess.
There's one element that is usually ignored by all the manufacturers in these very competent street legal dual sports...fuel tank capacity. I hate that. These are bikes that need fuel capacity if they're going to be used for what they actually excel at. It's almost like the manufacturers think that everyone who buys these bikes are like most of the people who buy the nice 4WD pickups and almost never even see a dirt road. Rant over...LOL!
I checked the 450 out at Cleveland. It was so tall I couldn't get it up off the sidestand! If I ever considered one I'd have to cut the seat and lower the suspension. I guess I'll just have to putter along on the KLX... it's paid for and I actually fit it.
I agree with you on the gas capacity, should be at least 3 gallons or so as a minimum with an accessory 4-5 gallon possible, maybe some lugs and enough strength to carry auxiliary fuel containers either above the rear fender or on the sides. But that's asking a lot for a low numbers bike.
Even though I own/ride Husabergs and expensive new Indians, I have never been able to "wrap my head around" off road racing bikes with turn signals, that cost over $10,000 !
I admit it is probably because of where I live (Texas). The last thing I want to do after a day of racing, or rat racing, at a meet or a Powersports Ranch, is ride the damned thing 1- 4 hours back home...
Even though I own/ride Husabergs and expensive new Indians, I have never been able to "wrap my head around" off road racing bikes with turn signals, that cost over $10,000 !
I admit it is probably because of where I live (Texas). The last thing I want to do after a day of racing, or rat racing, at a meet or a Powersports Ranch, is ride the damned thing 1- 4 hours back home...
Well, I don't think the street legal bikes like this Honda, some KTM's, and others are really intended to be driven long distances or long term on the pavement or highways. I've seen a few guys load down this kind of bike and hit the road, but that's some tough travelling. I'm also in Texas, but my KLX and other street legal dirt bikes have covered trails and 2-tracks all over the western U.S. And I didn't drive them there. These bikes excel at riding in super tough terrain and in remote places while being able to pop in and out of areas on roads and highways to make a loop back to camp or base. Also you can't ride a lot of areas on unlicensed dirt bikes, so again, these bikes like the Honda excel at that. It's all about options.
10K?...yeah, that's a little steep, and that's why some of us are riding KLX's at the moment. Look at this this way. You said you ride expensive Indians. Some people just want to ride expensive dirt bikes that they can ride on pavement legally. Different strokes.
It’s perfect for me because I live 2 miles from work all 35-45 mph zones. When I actually go riding any distance at all I take the h2 and the wife is almost always on the back. When I bought the klx I paid cash and got a pretty good deal on it. When the Honda came out I remember thinking wow $10,400 for a dirt bike they are crazy. Well I got a smoking deal on it $8,900 otd and got a great trade in on the klx. I paid the difference in cash so it’s paid for too.
It’s perfect for me because I live 2 miles from work all 35-45 mph zones. When I actually go riding any distance at all I take the h2 and the wife is almost always on the back. When I bought the klx I paid cash and got a pretty good deal on it. When the Honda came out I remember thinking wow $10,400 for a dirt bike they are crazy. Well I got a smoking deal on it $8,900 otd and got a great trade in on the klx. I paid the difference in cash so it’s paid for too.
And...regardless of price, you basically got a highly competent race bike that you can legally drive anywhere a car can go. You did well on price, but anyway you look at it, if you are a skilled enough rider you'll be able to ride that bike just about anywhere in any terrain capable of being ridden on. Have fun.
