Im looking for my first bike and very interested in a hybrid - a motard. Being able to use it off & on road is what really appealed to me.

The kawasaki xt660 is a really nice model. The 10k price is a bit out of my reach. Maybe looking @ $5-7k. Thoughts on other models and makes?

new suzuki dr's are around 7-9k

KTM 520-525-530 would make a pretty nice motard. Mate has an 09 530 which he has a spare set of motard rims for. Goes well out bush and well on the road.

If you're buying it 2nd hand, can get them cheaper than 10k too.

Husaberg, Husqy, Aprilia etc all make some nice bikes too for dual purpose.

Dont buy a dirt bike thinking you'll "motard it" for under $3K. By the time you do everything, $3k will be cheap. Do yourself a favour and buy one already done. Oh - and although I'm ahuge 2 stroke fan in the bush, i'd go nothing but 4 stroke on the road - that "hunting" gives me the shits after a while...
Si.

wouldn't ever do that. Dirt bike seats are too skinny for constant road driving. I would rather spend $6k for a proper motard rather than try and change parts. The suzuki dr-z 400SM looks pretty sweet. The 2010 one looks awesome!