Earthquake Dirt Bike

[Ironmany2k]

I have a Yamaha XT225. It is street legal, lite and small. Very good bike for shorter folks. I have a GPS installed on it and a tail rack for cargo.

[lead slinger]

Honda trail 110 remember those they would go anywhere and uses barely any fuel wish I could find one that would be the SHTF bike of choice...

[jeffrice6]

DRZ400 for one person and some gear

DR650 for two people and some gear

+1 on the DR650!!! Never should have sold mine............

[Baxter]

that dr350 would work good, has a sixth gear too. Ideally a wr450, even has a 6.6 gallon tank available and xr reliable. If I had to carry two people I would go with a xr650. Currently I have a wr, but I've had a drz, very reliable but heavy.

[chsk9]

The reality is for two people with gear your going to want some power and a bigger bike. I assume the OP is going to have a pack with him and his rider will too? And rifle(s)?

Check out the blogs of people who do the long distance rides - Alaska to South America, etc. There are racks available. I saw a guy with a honda 250 that has a rifle rack on the bars and a big home made rack on the back.

[frigginchi]

Diesel KLR650:

http://www.hdtusa.com/vehicle-m1030-m2.php

Or this:

http://www.hdtusa.com/vehicle-m1030-a4.php

[OHOD]

Kawasaki KLR 650

The military diesel motorbike that everyone has been oogling over is actually a modified KLR 650.

All you have to do is search the internet for information and you will find more than you need.
Every motorcycle shop in the world has KLR parts.
In fact, the KLR is often compared to the BMW gs1200r.
For dependability, off and on highway road worthiness, you can't get any better than a KLR.

For $2500 you can get a used one in pretty good shape. Thinking about it, I've seen some on Craigs List for $1800.

The bike weighs in at around 400 lbs and would be difficult to lift without help. With two people, you shouldn't have a problem. Using proper leverage, a little gal like me could lift a 1000 lb. Gold Wing if it fell over, you just have to know how to handle the bike, i.e. position of handle bars and etc...

One thing to remember about the KLR, there is something called a "doo-hicky" that is part of the transmission. Over time, the doo-hicky will fail, unless you replace it right away. Most KLR riders replace the doo-hicky after they feel the bike is broken in, but it really doesn't matter. The new doo-hicky is a beefy version of the stock version.
I have no idea why Kawasaki hasn't replaced the original.

The modifications are endless for the KLR. You can buy aluminum cases and accessorize to your hearts content.

When I rode to Death Valley on my Suzuki, I spotted a couple traveling on a KLR. He was about 200 lbs and she looked to be 140 lbs. She was sitting on a sweet sheepskin seat pad and they had some great custom made aluminum luggage bolted to the bike. They spent the night at the campground I was at and left early in the morning. They were friendly but clearly wanted some solitude.

I've seen plenty of KTM's used for adventure riding but I think they are a bit high end and there isn't "popularity" around the world, at least as much as the KLR.
The BMW gs1200r is a complex motorbike. If you plan on having a mechanic available for failures, then by all means buy one as they are great.
The KLR is easily repaired by a competent shad tree mechanic with some knowledge of motorcycle repair.

As soon as I get a few extra bucks, a KLR will be my first purchase in the near future.

[Super Spy]

Get a horse!

[Cokebottle]

Ya, KTM is great, but parts availability for even Harley will be at a premium.
Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki... ya... they've been well established long enough that parts will be fairly available for the older models (like the XR) after SHTF. KTM? That's going to get a blank stare, or worse, a butt-beating for riding a "commie bike" in some parts of the country.

[DiscoBayJoe]

KTM's just run! I've got a 2003 KTM 450EXC that is basically a full on dirtbike with street plates. E-Start + Kick Start and can go anywhere. Altho, I plan on getting rid of it so i can get another quad. A quad isn't functional for SHTF, but alot more fun in the dunes

[Hipmatt]

Honda XR 650-L, it is street legal, and for two people it is way better than the DRZ, or WR, etc... It has a bigger, softer seat, super torquey and reliable engine too.

I've ridden two people on most of these bikes, and I would take the honda. The honda XR-L comes with foot pegs stock for the rear passenger!

[xrMike]

Do I bust out the KLR-650:



Or the XR-400:



Hmmmm, decisions, decisions.

The KLR has a larger tank (250 mile range), more comfort, ability to ride 2-up, and is easier to load up with gear. A real PIA to pick up if you drop it though.

The XR would be difficult to ride 2-up, harder to load with gear, and has only 100 mile range with the stock tank. But it is a more durable bike, and could go places the KLR could not. Much easier to pick up. Much more capaple in rough terrain.

[Hoolpe]

Honda XR 650-L, it is street legal, and for two people it is way better than the DRZ, or WR, etc... It has a bigger, softer seat, super torquey and reliable engine too.

I've ridden two people on most of these bikes, and I would take the honda. The honda XR-L comes with foot pegs stock for the rear passenger!

Go with a 650L or XR 400. They are super reliable and you don't have to worry about popping a radiator if you drop it.