Choosing a bike.......?

[Darren s]

Hi all looking to buy a new bike in the new year and I’m after some advice on what to look at. As a starting point I have no bike currently but certainly not new to bikes, I’ve had a 1999 fireblade this year and a dr 350 last year which I wish I’d kept.
As from what I’m looking for something similar to the dr really..
Small and light as I have to take down the side of the house with the front wheel on a skateboard (with bars turned) to get it through.
Something that I can commute to work on a few days a week (80miles in total ,half of which is dual carriageway)
And something that has the enduro look.

As I said I had a dr 350 but these now are a bit old and difficult to find a decent one so what are my options??? As for budget I’m not 100% sure I’m not looking to spend new bike money and happy to have something older so I know it’s a bit open ended but I’m hoping you chaps can fill in the gaps and narrow it down to one or two bikes

Dr 350
Wr250r
Ktm690
Xr400
Crfl250

All your comments would be appreciated

[Darren s]

A798B93A-6059-40B7-A529-9C7BAAD7F5B8.jpeg (238.23 KiB) Viewed 3536 times

This was the old dr anyone seen it about

[EWR]

A Beta Alp 4.0 gives you the same DR350 engine and transmission wrapped in something a little more compact but still commutable. Production stopped this year but plenty around...or the Honda perhaps. I've had both: CRF easy to live with on the road, Beta gruntier and better off it.

Neither quite the same thing as the KTM though....

[Darren s]

I have looked at the beta alp but not 100% sure on looks I think the crf is what most people will suggest.for good reason.

[dibbs]

The 690/701 option jumps out at me but will be dearer than a CRF, but apparently the late crf rally's are very good, but im 16st so would probably squash it lol...

[qcnr]

I have a 2019 690R and love it. Ticks all the boxes for me, maybe could do with a better seat for long days of A-B riding.
Plenty of power, enduro looks, capable offroad and onroad, plenty of bling, etc.
But buy the bike you want. Plenty of people do all sorts of thiings with all sorts of bikes. There is no formula, just get on and do it
with what you have.

[chipy]

what about a G650 X country ?

[Darren s]

what about a G650 X country ?

I did see one of these local one without all the body workmore enduro looking very nice looking bike.

D90AB460-7E65-4933-A2C3-0DC06E953596.png (572.12 KiB) Viewed 3285 times

[Darren s]

The 690/701 option jumps out at me but will be dearer than a CRF, but apparently the late crf rally's are very good, but im 16st so would probably squash it lol...

I think a 690 or 701 is the ideal bike every thing I want but we are taking a minimum of 5.5k ?

[Jak*]

Get yourself a test ride or two on a Himalayan. Once you get over the fact that you do not need to do 90 mph they are fantastic. I commute everyday on mine and whilst they are arguably not as off road oriented as the DR350 they are a very capable trail bike. These days 85 mpg is nice too. The finish is better than most modern bikes as well.
Not everyone’s cup of tea but it might be what you are looking for.
Cheers Jak