I have been thinking about getting a bike.

[Baltothewolf]

I'm not really buying it to save money, I just don't want to get something that is going to burn through fuel like my Mustang does. I just want decent mpg when I'm cruising to the store and stuff, to hell with mpg when I'm riding in the desert :P.

[roosterk0031]

Replace the XL80s motor, fix the lights and run it. Or find a cheap xr/crf100 and get plates for the 80 and put them on the bigger bike.

Otherwise a Suzuki DR200 or Yamaha XT225 are your best bet for a short street legal off road bike. Kawasaki made a 250 Shepro or something like that would be a great choice.

Myself I'd get another KLR650, after owning one then 5+ other bikes should have kept it.

[mechman600]

Originally Posted by mechman600

I agree with all responses. Most motorcycle purchases for the purpose of saving money are doomed to failure.

OK, I just quoted myself. Weird. But I realize that I am wrong. I did commute with a motorcycle for 4 years to save money, but the reason was insurance cost. Here in BC, our mandatory government run insurance is about $1200/yr (including 43% safe driving discount) for any old beater car vs $300/yr for a sub 400cc motorcycle. But I had the motorcycle instead of a car (a one car, one bike household) vs the two cars we have now (a two car, one bike household).

[sendler]

I like the Honda CRF250L for a fuel efficient dual sport.
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2015 CRF250L Overview - Honda Powersports
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I have to preface this by saying I live where it is cold and rainy and will never own another carbureted motorcycle.

[mechman600]

Originally Posted by sendler

I have to preface this by saying I live where it is cold and rainy and will never own another carbureted motorcycle.

Can't say I have ever had an issue with a carburated bike in cold weather. I have ridden on -20C (-4F) mornings, all bundled up, without issue. Of course, the bike lived in the warmish garage, but it stayed outside all day at work, where it warmed up to -5C (23F) or so.

My 78 CB400T had an issue with throttle cable freezing anything below -5C (23F), but that was the water logged cable's fault.

[sendler]

My Ninja250 takes 5 minutes to warm up before it quits stumbling and never does feel quite right if it is below 40F.

[mechman600]

Originally Posted by sendler

My Ninja250 takes 5 minutes to warm up before it quits stumbling and never does feel quite right if it is below 40F.

That's sometimes an easy fix. Stock pilot jetting is usually lean on most bikes for emission reasons. I have fixed all my cold blooded bikes by upping the pilot jets a few sizes. My CB400T was especially nasty until I did.