Do I need another bike?

[BaronVonDarrin]

Another bike as in, a DIFFERENT one.

I recently purchased a 2011 te630. I came from street bikes and have been getting dirtier and smaller. The last bike before the 630 was a ktm 950 adv. I wanted something easier to handle off road (newb alone on dirt roads and rocky crap with a ktm950. I cant believe I did it without killing myself in retrospect) that I could still drive around town and on little trips, and eventually, do the TAT.

I was thinking though, perhaps instead of getting the 630, what I really need is a 310 or smaller? I am told that the sort of trails in the national dual sports series around here, my te630 would still be too big for a newb trying to do trails in the philly/nj area?. SHould I expect a 310 or something to have really short maintenance schedules?

 

[XLEnduroMan]

I briefly rode a 2011 TE 310. It was an excellent bike with good power. It has a gearbox that is nothing like your TE 630. Close ratio that is good for a dirt bike, and not really a dual sport. I have rode my TE 630 offroad in some snotty stuff. It is completly doable but will be harder then the smaller Husky's. I say keep that awesome TE 630 as it would be real hard to replace it. Put on a 14t cs sprocket, loose 14-17 lbs with a single exhaust, a few more lbs with a lighter battery and no buddy pegs and grab handles. Try it offroad for awhile and see what you think. The 630 is a great do it all bike. A TE 310 is a great dirt bike with a license plate. Own both if you can and you will always have the right bike for the ride.

 

[ghte]

Mate you need 3 bikes, a 310, a 610/630 and a Multistrada 1200.
Also perhaps an odd restoration job for man cave time. I am doing a 1973 Ossa 250 ISDE for fun.
Also thinking about getting a second hand trials bike for skills training.

 

[ray_ray]

The 310 will do what it was made for, its intended usage, very well ...

 

[LandofMotards]

I would think a 449 or 511 would be worth looking at. I lived in PA and NJ. The two bikes sound like tractors and it may help in the sandy areas in jersey. From what people are saying, they are great in tight woods too. I'll be renting a txc250 and txc449 here shortly though so I won't know until then. Here in Colorado now the trails are similar to my time in PA

 

[henson802]

I own a 250 and would think the 310 is relatively the same with more grunt throughout the power range.

I don't think the 310 is really a 'dual sport' but rather a plateable dirt bike, or Enduro. I have couple friends that came off 600-650 crouch rockets and they ride 400-450 dirt bikes with relative ease in the northeast.

I know on my 'powered up' 250, I can barely maintain 45-50 mph keeping the revs at 6500rpms. And I'm light, around 130 lbs, so I'm guessing that it would be the same for a heavier rider on a 310. Not great on roads but 'doable' - however, they are absolutely a blast in the woods.

I'm not familiar with the 'national dual sport series' but I would think, since dual sport is in the name, there is a bit of road riding too? The best thing is to test ride the bikes, but I'm leaning towards a 450 for you. Of course it all depends on how comfortable you are with it. I'm not aware the differnces in size from 450 and the current 630 you have. If there isn't a big difference as far as frame, weight, etc. then maybe the 310 would be better of the two.

 

[BaronVonDarrin]

Own both if you can and you will always have the right bike for the ride.

I have been thinking about doing just that. Getting a 310 to fill out the spectrum. Or possibly a 449/511 to replace both! Dunno yet.

I'll be renting a txc250 and txc449 here shortly though so I won't know until then. Here in Colorado now the trails are similar to my time in PA

let me know what the verdict is!


Thanks to all for the replies. It does seem like the 310 would be a good 'go have fun in the woods' bike for me around here.

 

[Motosportz]

Just replied to your PM.