Dual purpose bikes don't really have any place on paved streets, even with potholes, and especially for new riders. The problem is that the tires that come on these bikes are a compromise, made to perform adequately both on tarmac and dirt, but not really well on either surface. Also, the seat heights of dual purpose bikes tend to be higher than pure street bikes.

I ride to work most days and the savings are great. If I didn't already own a bike, I would buy one for the gas savings and for the pure FUN of riding to work and in the country on weekends!

Agree totally. The too-high seat and slippery tires make the dual-purpose bike hazardous for new riders. A little spot of rain-slicked oil, or an emergency swerve at low speed, or any number of roadway situations are easier to handle on a small cruiser or standard bike with dedicated road tires. Not that the manufacturers offer too many standard-style bikes in the US anymore... but that's a whole different topic...

I don't know what you all are talking about. I ride every single day on my KLR and don't notice slippery tires. I'm a brand new rider (less than 2 years in the saddle), and certainly don't experience anything like that. Wet, wind, snow - it does fine so long as you don't ride it like a squid or something. Yes I have commuted in snow before, commute in the rain constantly. It has a high center of gravity which can be disconcerting to someone used to sport bikes, but those stock tires will grip - I have scraped the pegs once. It's just a matter of riding it like it was meant to be ridden and not trying to emulate a race bike.

For a more complete discussion on this go here if you please

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