What is a good dirt bike that is cheap?

What is a good dirt bike for a dual sport conversion?

• Any opinions on what dirt bike (looking for 250cc or 300cc-ish size) would be good to put road-worthy tires on for a dual sport? I'm new to bikes, but I've heard some dirt bikes are built more for MX, meaning that the wheels are expected to spin more, so they lack cushion in their transmission for the back and forth kicks of street riding. So what dirt bikes can I find used that would be better candidates? Before you go all, "dirt bikes don't belong on the road!" on me: I have done a lot of looking and decided that a dual sport would fit my needs best. I checked with my state laws and I can get tags for a converted dirt bike. In terms of my planned use, I do just a few miles down the road to get to college campus and here and there trail riding, so a dual sport would save me a lot of $ over having a bike for each purpose.

• Answer:

  Dirt Bikes are awesome on the road !!! I currently have a 2008 KTM EXC525 Super-Moto bike and it is a blast to ride. My first Dirt Bike conversion to a Super-Moto was a 2003 Honda XR400 - it was pretty sweet as well. I would avoid the lower cc bikes - sure 250ccs will be a blast from 0-40, but they really aren't geared for highway speeds. If you want to convert a Dirt Bike, I recommend one with a headlight and taillight - that will make the electrical conversion much easier, and you won't have to buy a new stator to produce power for your turn signals, headlight, taillight, and brake lights. Part of the joy of a Dirt Bike converted to a street bike it that the power to weight ratio is amazing - throw on some Super-Moto wheels and you have a wheelie monster. Dual Sport bikes are usually heavy - and they are geared more for highway use, your idea to convert a dirt bike to a Street bike it a good undertaking - I hope you have a blast ! P.S. If you can find an old used KTM, they have quite a few street legal options that will make getting the bike licensed much easier - I do not know what all hoops you have to jump trough in our state to get a street legal license for a converted dirt bike. Anyhow, Good luck to you !