I Finally convinced dad to start looking and street legal dirt bikes.
I-we are looking at 2 bikes that are at least 400cc ( I am 250+-lbs and i am going to be taking it to work so highway speeds 70+, looking at a 650cc)
and 1 for my sister no bigger than 250cc for her.
which brands do you guys ride and recommend?

 

I ride a KLR 600 and will be moving up to a KLR 650 next year. A KLR would handle your needs with ease and they are cheap. They even have lowering kits so your sister could ride a 650.

 

I'd buy the KTm 625 SXC, it can legally be plated & it's a dynamite bike.

 

i already have mine picked out BMW f650gs Dakar. my brother in law has one and after riding it, its the one for me
http://www.bobsbmw.com/motorcycles/F650GS.html

 

I'm with Rancheroracer , love the KTM's.

 

Those sound like fun but I don't think I would ever be able to drive one

 

i just learned how to ride one on a honda xr100, lol, my dad and i are looking as well, gf doesn't like the idea of me on a motorcycle, i never thought i'd ride one, but it's soooooo much fun

 

I like the idea because I love to ride them When I find a guy he better have a nice truck and bike!! LOL

 

I rode for about 7 years ( on the road, drag racing, field trials, TT racing). I enjoyed it, but I kept my kids off them. When they required personal transportation, I got them a car. I'm not trying to start a flap, just one fathers opinion.
Dono

 

Dono: I am familiar with your philosophy on that . When the helment laws became mandatory here I was riding a 810 Norton Dunstall and hated them . I even used to wear the chin strap loose enough to push it back on my neck untill I saw a cruiser . When both our boys expressed an interest in both Moto Cross and street bikes when they were old enough , I thought that helments were the best thing since sliced bread as long as it was them that had to wear them .

They are by all means a life saver in most cases but I took some time to get used to not being able to hear every nut and bolt on that Cafe' Racer doing it's job .

 

I've got a KLR 650 and am loving it.

They also make a KLR 250.

I'm not sure if it's my bike or all KLRs but on the interstate I can cruise right around 70, but too much more than that and it feels like I'm jerking the steering left and right and feels uncomfortable.

 

The front fender is probably catching too much wind. Many people trim the front fender so it doesn't catch as much. I've had mine going way too fast and it didn't seem to have that happen unless the wind was gusty.

 

well dad just singed the paper work. i pick up a Suzuki DR 650se tomorrow along with a Yamaha 250 for my sis and dads Suzuki comes in on Thursday.
Dads and my bike
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products...5/Default.aspx

my sisters bike
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products...aha_tw200.aspx

 

I have a 2003 Yamaha XT225, great bike. Got it when I was 15. I learned to ride on this bike and still love it today. It has a lot of power, Yamaha really tuned this engine for peformance, it may suprise you. It goes 85 maxed out, and will crusie at 70 or 75mph just fine, but it takes getting used too, quite scary if your new to bikes. Highly reccemend it.

 

LOL
not a bad idea actually
I think I should probably shop for one sometime soon! I used to have a dirtbike as a kid and loved it. It would also probably be a good idea to have a extremely fuel efficient street-legal transportation device handy it the whole peak oil thing hits us now :P