Looking for dual-sport motorcycle front ends

Soris Moto · March 23rd, 2017, 09:00 PM

I am in the process of turning my Harley Sportster Street tracker into an out right dual sport. I am looking for 650cc dual-sport front end assemblies.

NX650, KLR-650, DR-650, whatever, doesnt matter. I'm going to put bigger/stronger springs in it, do some machine work, make it all jive real nice with the sporty. Yall can leave the technical aspect up to me!

So who wants to make a deal?

verboten1 · March 24th, 2017, 10:05 PM

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't use any of those, really. Crappy small forks especially the KLR and DR. Heck, I don't even want KLR forks on my KLR!

DRZ might be better, but I'm thinking an actual dirt bike would probably be better for stiffness.

Johnwesley used a YZ front end.

http://advrider.com/index.php?thread...dnt-be.661573/

Soris Moto · March 25th, 2017, 10:46 AM

You're right that some models with upside-downs would be better. Those also tend to be cost prohibitive, but i'm open to all options.

And I am a fabricator comrade! You dont tell a guy like me to 'just buy a dirtbike'! haha. That takes the Insanity/dummy factor out of it.

Making a dual sport harley is cool because its cool, not because its a great idea.

I love the DRZ-400 front ends, I just worry about being able to find strong enough springs to handle the immense weight of my fat pig.

verboten1 · March 26th, 2017, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soris Moto

You're right that some models with upside-downs would be better. Those also tend to be cost prohibitive, but i'm open to all options.

And I am a fabricator comrade! You dont tell a guy like me to 'just buy a dirtbike'! haha. That takes the Insanity/dummy factor out of it.

Making a dual sport harley is cool because its cool, not because its a great idea.

I love the DRZ-400 front ends, I just worry about being able to find strong enough springs to handle the immense weight of my fat pig.

You're talking to the guy that is making a Virago a scrambler, it really doesn't make sense either.
The springs are there. If not someone can make them for a reasonable price. The DRZ isn't that much lighter than a KLR, but the forks are a bit better.

I wasn't suggesting to buy a dirt bike, I was suggesting buy dirtbike forks, but make sure you get your travel front and rear pretty close.

Soris Moto · March 26th, 2017, 10:18 AM

Ok cool bro! haha some miscommunication, no problemo!

DRZ-400's have fantastic front ends but are up there in costs. I looked at DRZ-125 ones too. same story.

Do you have any suggestions on any particular models that would be beefy/ugradable to handle this wild pig that wont break the bank on ebay?

verboten1 · March 26th, 2017, 10:46 AM

YZ250 front ends can be inexpensive I think

Soris Moto · March 26th, 2017, 10:54 AM

Ebay agrees. Those look like a strong fork setup. It's going to be sometime in July when this step of the project takes place. For now, my Harley remains very much a *street* tracker.

I'm building my wife a Yamaha Seca II side-car, and we're going to spring that up with proper suspension and knobby tires. We are going to have an off-road extended expedition in Colorado either next year, or the year after.

Building a bike that can both tour and go up and down hills is challenging. But I'm a firm believer that the right tires make anything possible. I've gone off-roading on my 93 Honda Nighthawk 750 with street tires and fared decent enough. haha.

We have the bikes, I just need to build them and buy all the equipment

verboten1 · March 26th, 2017, 06:12 PM

I suggest staying away from Ophir pass on those heavy bikes

March 23rd, 2017, 09:00 PM	#1
Soris Moto ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: TN Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): A lot Posts: 18	Looking for dual-sport motorcycle front ends I am in the process of turning my Harley Sportster Street tracker into an out right dual sport. I am looking for 650cc dual-sport front end assemblies. NX650, KLR-650, DR-650, whatever, doesnt matter. I'm going to put bigger/stronger springs in it, do some machine work, make it all jive real nice with the sporty. Yall can leave the technical aspect up to me! So who wants to make a deal?

March 24th, 2017, 10:05 PM	#2
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	Just my opinion, but I wouldn't use any of those, really. Crappy small forks especially the KLR and DR. Heck, I don't even want KLR forks on my KLR! DRZ might be better, but I'm thinking an actual dirt bike would probably be better for stiffness. Johnwesley used a YZ front end. http://advrider.com/index.php?thread...dnt-be.661573/ __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

March 26th, 2017, 10:46 AM	#6
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	YZ250 front ends can be inexpensive I think __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

March 26th, 2017, 06:12 PM	#8
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	I suggest staying away from Ophir pass on those heavy bikes __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[webbikeworld.com] - Dual-Sport Motorcycle Tires	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	February 18th, 2012 11:20 PM
[motorcycle.com] - Zero introduces Dual Sport model	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	July 31st, 2009 01:40 AM

March 25th, 2017, 10:46 AM	#3
Soris Moto ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: TN Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): A lot Posts: 18	You're right that some models with upside-downs would be better. Those also tend to be cost prohibitive, but i'm open to all options. And I am a fabricator comrade! You dont tell a guy like me to 'just buy a dirtbike'! haha. That takes the Insanity/dummy factor out of it. Making a dual sport harley is cool because its cool, not because its a great idea. I love the DRZ-400 front ends, I just worry about being able to find strong enough springs to handle the immense weight of my fat pig.

March 26th, 2017, 10:18 AM	#5
Soris Moto ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: TN Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): A lot Posts: 18	Ok cool bro! haha some miscommunication, no problemo! DRZ-400's have fantastic front ends but are up there in costs. I looked at DRZ-125 ones too. same story. Do you have any suggestions on any particular models that would be beefy/ugradable to handle this wild pig that wont break the bank on ebay?

March 26th, 2017, 10:54 AM	#7
Soris Moto ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: TN Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): A lot Posts: 18	Ebay agrees. Those look like a strong fork setup. It's going to be sometime in July when this step of the project takes place. For now, my Harley remains very much a street tracker. I'm building my wife a Yamaha Seca II side-car, and we're going to spring that up with proper suspension and knobby tires. We are going to have an off-road extended expedition in Colorado either next year, or the year after. Building a bike that can both tour and go up and down hills is challenging. But I'm a firm believer that the right tires make anything possible. I've gone off-roading on my 93 Honda Nighthawk 750 with street tires and fared decent enough. haha. We have the bikes, I just need to build them and buy all the equipment