I want my BOV to be a motorcycle, preferably an dual-purpose bike that I can legally ride on highways, and on dirt. What do you think are some of the best choices and why?

Kawasaki KLR-650.
* Big fuel tank, should go well over 300 miles.
* Cruise at 80 MPH on the highway
* Off-road capable, good ground clearance.

I've been riding motorcycles for over 30 years, and I just don't see them as BOVs. There's really nothing that will go road/dirt. If you get something big enough like an FLH Harley to carry any amount of gear, it won't go off road. If you get a trail bike, you won't be able to carry virtually anything, as it will throw your balance all off. In a situation where it's all highway to get out of Dodge, I'll pack my RoadKing and lane split from here to kingdom come. If the roads are out, I'm SOL with it though.

That said, a good 4WD ATV is probably what you're looking for. I've been asking around to the guys who have them for fun vehicles. They're solid, will go just about anywhere, more so than a dirt bike in most cases, you can add a winch, travel packs, rifle scabbard and a passenger if need be. From what I've gathered, you're looking at about $8K minimum if you go new.

I'm torn between the Kawasaki KLR-650 (but replace the Doohickey!) and the BMW 650 GS.

Both are sweet and have a lot of 3rd-world road time. It think the BMW GS has better luggage options, though I once saw a neat set of "saddle-bags" made from .50-cal ammo cans on a KLR. I think the BMW's gas tank is also larger but I'm not sure. You can order larger gas tanks for the KLR on-line.

-Blast

Guess I'll have to stand up for the dirt-bikers and disagree with ya' here. I'm basically a street-rider, but I have some friends that have been riding off-road since just after they could walk (went off-roading with them once , spent most of the time with my face planted in the dirt). An experienced dirt-biker can make anyone on a 4-wheeler, experienced or not, look just plain silly. A dirt bike is lighter, narrower, more maneuverable, and usually have better ground clearance. They can go many places a 4-wheeler can't. No, you can't carry out your field-dressed deer on one, but you can carry quite a bit of stuff in panniers and strapped to the back. No, you can't mount a winch on one, but then again you don't need to. It's pretty hard to get a dirt-bike stuck.

The only big disadvantage that the dirt-bike has compared to the 4-wheel ATV is that it requires some skill. The 4-wheeler you can drive like a car.

Incidently, one of the afore mentioned friends that also rides on the street really likes the Kawasaki KLRs. Think he's owned, like, three of them now.

QUOTE: "I've been riding motorcycles for over 30 years, and I just don't see them as BOVs. There's really nothing that will go road/dirt."

Don't let these guys hear you say that.
http://www.advrider.com/

The bikes are street legal (something you cannot say about the 4x4 ATVs), can carry enough gear for one person (if properly equipped) and have no problems with off-road challenges.

I've known a couple of these swarthy lads. They go where they want, when they want, for months at a time. Sounds like a superb BOV option.

Cheers, TR

Another vote for the mighty KLR 650! I've owned 2, including my current one, and have never had any problems (yes, I replaced the doohicky). The pros are: relatively inexpensive, large gas tank (they claim 6.1 gal., but it's more like 5.5...still good!), built like a tank, easy to work on, parts readily available and if packed carefully it can haul lot's of gear. Off hand, the only down side I can think of is that it can only handle 2 riders, which of course would also limit the amount of gear you can carry.

Ok, let me re-phrase, I've been riding motorcycles for over 30 years, and I just don't see them as BOVs for anyone other than someone who has been riding off road motorcycles for a long, long time.

There are exceptions to any rule. Some people can shoot trap with a centerfire rifle, some people can throw a football 75 yards with pinpoint accuracy. I was giving a response to a specific audience.

That's how I see it too. Even a 6 year old can ride an ATV in an emergency. With an ATV you can carry more gear, more passengers, and tow a larger trailer. The tradeoff is of course less range and mobility. Worth it IMO (for me anyway.)

Find an old Ford Festiva, modify the suspension for better ground clearance, throw on some off-road tires and you've got as much off-road mobility as a 4-wheel ATV AND some relative comfort AND you can drive it on the highway (probably cheaper too). <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Just not a big fan of 4-wheelers. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />