I have a confession............

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Take the CB off road haha I did that on Sunday... not on purpose ended up on a dirt road. Also went through a paved river embankment and got both tires off the ground... again not on purpose haha good adventures. I love the upright position on the cb i feel like i can get through anything. But if you want some off-road adventures get something a little lighter than a 650. Like a 450 enduro or dual sport, those are easier to handle on dirt roads than the 650.

Sounds like good advice. Go lightweight is even better. A 250 is easy to push around and turn around if there is no where else to go. If you drop it, as you surely will, then no problem to pick up. Inline4 wants a dual purpose and the 600 class (not talking sporties) is minimum for the highway, even to stick with the traffic. The CB will handle dirt roads and even reasonable condition fire trails but any rougher and it's a beast to keep upright, turn around in a confined area and pick up (I know). He has a hard decision. But the inner Gemini might reign supreme and Inline's CB may go bush bashing.

CB on an access trail - Deua Wilderness, NSW.


Cheers

[Powerdogg55]

Inline I say "go for it". Back in my younger days I had a Honda XL 250 and enjoyed exploring back woods trails and power line right of ways when the pavement ended. The best of both world's would be the CB for the highway and the dual purpose for playing around in the country. Inline to singleline!

[the_undecider_imp]

I hate to say this, but I've become bored with my 1100. Where I live its so flat and straight its vulgar. I've ridden all the good roads without making it an 8-hour ride.
I only get to ride on Sundays and that's only when the temp is 50 or above.
Reynauds Syndrome prevent me from riding for more than just a few miles before my fingers turn white and numb at temps below 50.
There have been many times while riding my CB that I would come up to a side road in the country when I would think "I wonder where that road goes", only to find out that the pavement would soon turn to gravel and dirt. Obviously the 1100 isn't too comfy on those kind of roads.
For several years I've wondered what it would be like to have a dual-purpose, big-bore thumper. Then I see this........
A Kawasaki KLR650 NE. Its been in production for years, has many after-market suppliers. It has a single carb, extremely easy to maintain, and is practically bulletproof.
At this stage in my life, I feel this is the bike for me. But then I'm a Geminii and things could change soon!
[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/z1zr7/media/KLR650NE_zpsa24b3833.jpg.html]

It sounds like you are ready to try something different and no harm with switching things up. Sounds like you take shorter rides given you can only ride Sundays. The KLR will take you anywhere you need to go on a public road. Heck, people load these up and ride across continents. While I wouldn't want to give up the smoothness and power of my CB, the KLR runs down the highway at 70 mph just fine. As long as you know what you are getting into with a big single, shouldn't be any surprises with it's character.

If you aren't set on a big thumper dual sport, there are a couple of suggestions I might make. If you want a bike that will handle dirt and gravel, adventure bikes might be worth a look. I had a V-strom 650 which is a bit heavier than the KLR but much better on pavement. It has nearly twice the horsepower and the 90 degree twin is a smooth motor. You have lots of aftermarket support and the bike's are reliable. Used Stroms can be had for as little as $3000.

I also like the Honda CB500X. It's about the same price as the new KLR and offers more power, fuel injection, reasonable dirt and gravel performance, and you can find a decent amount of aftermarket parts. I thought about buying one, but I can't afford one and keep my CB.

[nhawk7504_imp]

I've heard really good things about the DR650. The KLR being tall and a tad heavy as well as vibrating more than the DR but it does make a better tourer. A guy just did the southern U.S. dirt road crossing on a Honda CRF250L and said it was great. Of course people are also buying up VStroms, Triumph Adventure 800 etc. The CB1100 as designed is for that lazy ride down the road. Cafe. Market. Sunday cruise to nowhere. Here in the Northeast we have endless destinations. Cape Cod. Mountains in NH and Vermont. Hills in CT. Along the rocky coastline to Maine. So the CB is in its element here. For relatively short Sunday rides I can see it being overkill. Knobbies on a Suzuki TU250 would be great. I had one.

[holy666diver_imp]

The fastest bike off the start I have ever ridden was a HondaCRF450 it will blow any cb1100 or any harley out of the water off the start up to 50mph because of the low weight and low end torque... now maintaining 70mph+ for more than a few blocks may be tough and the bike will overheat hahahaha so I totally see the value in having a 600cc + dual sport vehicle.

[CA200_imp]

I never had a KLR but had a couple of 250 DS bikes. When I was in Biss. we had a lot of customers who had KLRs. The neat thing about KLRs is they made them for so long you can find used ones in just about any price range if you are willing to put a little work into them.
Keep the CB, now is a great time to buy used.

[rboe]

KLR's are heavy. Which is not bad on the road but bites you in the dirt. I went the Honda XR650L route. Found out it is still too heavy for serious dirt. But it's good on the freeway! For folks that have ridden both the KLR is more comfortable on the freeway; possibly due to the small windscreen - which could be added to the XR or the DR. Both bikes are lighter than the KLR.

Due to a nasty fall on the Griso that took out a collar bone I think my dirt days are over; can't afford to do all those crashes. We shall see. In any event, the XR is being tuned more for road use.

Depending on where you live, the TW200, WR250 or CRF250L would be excellent choices for off pavement. Just don't expect them to do 70 all day.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

KLR's are heavy. Which is not bad on the road but bites you in the dirt. I went the Honda XR650L route. Found out it is still too heavy for serious dirt. But it's good on the freeway! For folks that have ridden both the KLR is more comfortable on the freeway; possibly due to the small windscreen - which could be added to the XR or the DR. Both bikes are lighter than the KLR.

Due to a nasty fall on the Griso that took out a collar bone I think my dirt days are over; can't afford to do all those crashes. We shall see. In any event, the XR is being tuned more for road use.

Depending on where you live, the TW200, WR250 or CRF250L would be excellent choices for off pavement. Just don't expect them to do 70 all day.

Listen to Rboe. He gives some good advice there.

Come on Inline, make a decision.

Cheers

[Cormanus]

KLR's are heavy. Which is not bad on the road but bites you in the dirt. I went the Honda XR650L route. Found out it is still too heavy for serious dirt. But it's good on the freeway! For folks that have ridden both the KLR is more comfortable on the freeway; possibly due to the small windscreen - which could be added to the XR or the DR. Both bikes are lighter than the KLR.

Due to a nasty fall on the Griso that took out a collar bone I think my dirt days are over; can't afford to do all those crashes. We shall see. In any event, the XR is being tuned more for road use.

Depending on where you live, the TW200, WR250 or CRF250L would be excellent choices for off pavement. Just don't expect them to do 70 all day.

Listen to Rboe. He gives some good advice there.

Come on Inline, make a decision.

Cheers

Listen to Rboe. He gives some good advice there.

Come on Inline, make a decision.

Cheers
What's the last line about, Pterodactyl? Are you advocating the forum equivalent of a slow hand clap?

[Inline4_imp]

Alright my CB brethren...........You guys always put a smile on my face.
Can't make that decision right now. I have to get through this holiday retail season first. I just hope I survive!
I know the KLR650 is old, slow, heavy...........A lot like me! I guess that's why it appeals to me.
HOWEVER, it ain't a Honda! The new CRF250L is a fantastic DP bike from all the reviews I've read.
Wish I could test ride one, but I doubt that will happen.
I also want to ride (or at least try to kick-start one!) an XL600R. This bike has been on my bucket list
of bikes since I first laid eyes on one! To me it exudes that 80s Honda sexiness.
BUT, I'm over 60 y/o, and had both knees scoped last year. The left one needs to be replaced VERY SOON.
To me, this is the perfect DP bike, other than being able to re-start once I drop it.
Maybe the Honda gods will speak to me by January...........That's when I will make a final decision on which way to go.
Right now, all I need is a CAB..............Cold Adult Beverage!
Honda just smoked everyone in the 80s.............Prime example here:
[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/z1zr7/media/86XL600R_zps746726c3.jpg.html]