Maggie’s Any KLR650 Guru's?

[my human host]

Doc says I need to chill the fuck out. Owned a few bikes in my teens (YZ125 and KLR250), but had to sell them to buy my first car about 20 yrs ago.

I've decided to get back into bikes. Dual Sport is pretty much mandatory since I've got 3 miles of nasty gravel before I hit tar and I would like to use the bike as a daily driver, weather permitting.

It's not impossible to imagine myself using it for short trips, but probably nothing over 3-400 miles one way. No serious off roading is planned.

Will I be satisfied with a KLR650?

I'm presently considering the new version which is supposed to have improved suspension, tho I'm not sure how necessary it would be for what I intend to use it for.

Thought's????

 

[Kabulpostie]

Head over to advrider.com there is a huge KLR forum there. Anything you want to know about any adventure bike has been discussed up and down

 

[BERTMAN77MK2]

I made do with a KLR until I discovered KTM's !!

 

[308Gunner]

^ Exactly

 

[mackdrvr]

I'm just not a Kawasaki fan, so Honda XR650L is what I'd go with.

 

[Rover31]

I made do with a KLR until I discovered KTM's !!

yep had a KLR, for a short time. I now have had a big KTM for a long time, way way way! better!
T

 

[SledDog]

The KLR is a classic bike. There's a lot of support for it and a ton of info. KTM also makes a terrific dual sport, as does Suzuki with their twin powered V-strom.

 

[ArmyJerry]

I also had the KLR, only thing I did not like is the buzz in the bars when at highway speed, did every mod to fix it, now I have a Triumph Explorer, the Vstrom is a good bike for the money if you plan on highway speeds as well as dirt roads. Which ever you get make sure to take them for a 10 minute ride before you buy.

 

[1911fan]

I owned and rode one for a few years, like it. As some of the above posters have, I switched to a KTM 990 Adventure. Highly NOT recommended as a 'chill the fuck out' beast, it'll have you pinning the throttle on dirt roads. I eventually sold it and am now riding a BMW 650 Dakar, which I like a lot.
Anyhoo, klr650.com and advrider.com have a lot of info.

PM me if you'd like.


1911fan

 

[dang472]

I've worked at a Kawasaki dealer off and on as a mechanic for the last 15 years. The KLR650 is about as reliable engine wise as anything out there. I've done a tone of carb cleans and such to get them running after sitting, but as far as major powertrain or electrical problems, there hasn't been many. I would definitely go with a 2008 or later for the vastly improved ergos. I think they also upgraded the brakes and suspension a bit after that year as well. The KLR isn't the best at any particular thing, especially compared to the faster and better suspended KTMs and Vstroms. If price is the most important factor, feel good that the cheaper KLR is still going to be a reliable mount. I know a lot of guys who bought the taller windscreen and optional seat and took their KLRs up to Canada/Alaska for days of trail riding. I also recommend upgrading the OEM tires. They aren't aggressive enough for dirt and they don't last very long on the street. If cost isn't a factor, I'd buy multiple bikes because a dual sport will always be a compromise. It will never be a great dirt or street bike.

 

[Sack O' Midgets]

Have you looked into the Suzuki V-Strom's yet? They are pretty nice.

 

[my human host]

Advrider.com is a hell of site. Thanks for putting me onto it, fellas.

The KTM and BMW offerings are no doubt better engineered than the KLR, but dealers are scarce here in the middle of nowhere. There are several Honda, Kawasaki, and Yamaha dealers within an hour or so of me. If you think my logic is flawed, feel free to say so.

If I do go through with the KLR, I may occasionally seek the advice of some of you that have owned and worked on them, if that's cool with you guys.

 

[ArmyJerry]

The Yammy Tenere is a nice bike also

If you get the KLR run some seafoam through it every month or two to keep the carb cleaned out.

 

[my human host]

Brought home a green 2014 this evening. Wow, I had nearly forgotten the scent of a warm bike exhaust. Never fucking again will I be without a bike of some sort.

I may have to do the lowering mod.

 

[TNT]

When KTM was mentioned, I immediately jumped to "yeah, Superduke would be ok doing a bit of gravel..."
Most any adventure bike would probably suit you. What else do you want out of it? Taken a look at the Triumph Tiger? I haven't ridden it, but that one is on my list of "soon...hopefully"

Just read your last...you got one what? I can't follow - KLR or KTM? Or Yami? Pics, man, pics!

 

[my human host]

When KTM was mentioned, I immediately jumped to "yeah, Superduke would be ok doing a bit of gravel..."
Most any adventure bike would probably suit you. What else do you want out of it? Taken a look at the Triumph Tiger? I haven't ridden it, but that one is on my list of "soon...hopefully"

Just read your last...you got one what? I can't follow - KLR or KTM? Or Yami? Pics, man, pics!

Picked up the KLR. I'll try to get a pic up. My security is not diggin photobucket at the moment.