gerret...

[Conall O'Brien]

I've bought two used KLRs from people who at one time were on this list. I'm happy with both deals. Before that I bought another used KLR650 out of the newspaper from a private seller. Only time I bought new was back in '89 when Kawi dropped the price of a KLR650 to $2899, paid $3300 out the door and that was in Walnut Creek CA. Right now I'm window shopping for used bikes in the Netherlands and there are some very competitive bike deals out there. Transalps, Africa Twins, Varaderos, Super Teneres(sp), Dominators, XT's, so many bikes its ridiculous. As soon as I can find a place to keep a bike in Holland I'd like to get one. I want to tour Norway, Alps etc. Having a N. American model KLR here in Europe might be different enough to get you noticed. Conall Amsterdam, Holland

>From: "s2mumford" >To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com >Subject: [DSN_klr650] Question for multiple bike owners >Date: Fri, 07 Dec 2001 00:19:54 -0000 > >I know a lot of guys on this list have several bikes. >I don't care what kind they are, I know you have a KLR 650. > >My question is do you guys normally buy your bikes new or used? > >If used, from a dealer or private individual? > >Thanks >CA Stu > > >Checkout Dual Sport News at >http://www.dualsportnews.com >Be part of the Adventure! > >Visit the KLR650 archives at >http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > >Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com >Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com >Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com >List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

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[s2mumford]

Thanks for all the responses, folks. I'm gonna look for the best used bike deal I can find. After being offered $4k and $5500 by 2 differrent dealers to trade in a bike that cost me over $12k 2 years ago, I think I would rather be on the buying end of that deal... I'm not scared to do some wrenching if a bike needs it. That said, are there any dirt-oriented dual sport-ables (e.g. dirt bikes with Baja Design kits) that are infamous lemons that I shoud avoid? I realize parts for something like an ATK or KTM may be expensive and hard to find, but if they never need parts, it doesn't matter, right? CA Stu <-- has fresh gallon of Lava

[John Irvine]

Known for being ill-handling, but locomotive like. --- mighty_oak1 wrote:

> And this leads to another question(s). Do all > motorcycles require the same level of TLC that a KLR > does or is the fact that it is a big > single mean it needs more attention than say an '86 > Vmax (which my brother is trying to talk me into > buying from him so he can > buy a 2002 VTX1800). By the way, has anyone on the > list ever owned a Vmax? My bro's '86 runs like a > neuclear powered > locamotive. Unbelievable power and not a rattle to > be heard!!! > > Brad J. Morris > A16 Illinois > > > > The NEXT bike I buy has every chance of being a > used one, since I've overcome > > my wrench phobia. Thank you, List, for all you've > taught me and for all > > your support during my trying early years... > > > > > > > Wise men still seek Him... > > > > Mark St.Hilaire, Sr > > > > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

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[mighty_oak1]

I have not ridden my KLR through the woods at 35mph then dumped it on its side, letting it slide down a gravel slope into a muddy stream at the bottom (though it does sounds like fun). I mostly just ride the highways and biways of central Illinois, and though I occasionally take it to some trails that offer the opportunity to do some serious riding, I generally stick to the tamer trails, yet I will still have to adjust the valves, tweak the balancer tension, replace nuts and bolts that rattle loose, ect. I just wondered if all motorcycles required this level of TLC when ridden in a manner consistant with their design, or if the KLR is considered high maintenance compared to other machines. This is my first bike, and though I had 4 years of AutoMech in H.S. (20 years ago), and I once changed the water pump in an 82 Celica in a gas station parking lot in the middle of nowhere with an adjustable wrench and butter knife for a screw driver > Brad- > Um, well that depends. Does your brother ride his V-Max through the > woods at 35mph then dump it on its side, letting it slide down a gravel > slope into a muddy stream at the bottom? How many times have you dropped > your street bike at speed? What was the damage? How many miles have you > ridden a street bike in conditions that it was not designed for? What > were the maintenance costs? > The reason you hear about a lot of maintenance on this list is that > there are some of us who push these bikes (and their 16 year old design) > beyond the limits for which they were designed. Your brother on the > other hand, NEVER even goes near those limits on his V-Max. How many > miles on it since 86? 20K I bet? Talk to Dale in SoCal, he's put > something like 20K on his KLR THIS YEAR alone. > I have no problem with bike maintenance and repairs on my KLR when I > look at where I've ridden it and how much I have abused it... And it has > always come back for more with nary a hesitation. I can show you a V-Max > that requires more maintenance than a KLR, I can also show you a V-Max > that requires the same amount of maintenance. Big deal, all bikes are > individuals and have their individual needs, just as all bike riders are > different in their own way and treat their bikes differently. > Like I said before, I recognize that I abuse my bike and I am happy to > perform whatever maintenance it needs to keep performing as flawlessly > as it has. If I didn't want to do this then I'd buy a Honda Civic, and > if you don't then take it to a dealer, that's why they are there. > > Z

[Peter Dahlheimer, MD]

No, it's not any higher in the maintenance requirements than similarly designed and used bikes. You could arguably have bought a bike requiring a _little_ less maintenance, but that bike would not fall into the "norm" in terms of maintenance requirements. You've made a fine choice for where you ride. Get out there and ride it. Then be brave, take your time, take your time, and learn to maintain it yourself. You won't be sorry. _pete

> -----Original Message----- > From: mighty_oak1 [mailto:mighty_oak1@...] > Sent: Friday, December 07, 2001 10:22 AM > To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [DSN_klr650] Re: Question for multiple bike owners > > > I have not ridden my KLR through the woods at 35mph then > dumped it on its side, letting it slide down a gravel slope > into a muddy > stream at the bottom (though it does sounds like fun). I > mostly just ride the highways and biways of central Illinois, > and though I > occasionally take it to some trails that offer the > opportunity to do some serious riding, I generally stick to > the tamer trails, yet I > will still have to adjust the valves, tweak the balancer > tension, replace nuts and bolts that rattle loose, ect. I > just wondered if all > motorcycles required this level of TLC when ridden in a > manner consistant with their design, or if the KLR is considered high > maintenance compared to other machines. This is my first > bike, and though I had 4 years of AutoMech in H.S. (20 years > ago), and I > once changed the water pump in an 82 Celica in a gas station > parking lot in the middle of nowhere with an adjustable wrench and > butter knife for a screw driver exageration. The thought of tearing into my new $5200 machine > is a little > intimidating. I'm sure once I do it a couple of times, I'll > actually enjoy it. > > In case I was missunderstood. I'm totally thrilled with the > bike, and have not for a second regretted purchasing it, and > still think > it's the best all around machine for the money, and I > wouldn't trade it for anything, and people who own them raise > better children, > have prettier wives and girlfriends, and are generally > smarter than those who don't. Did I leave anythig out? > > Brad J. Morris > A16 Illinois > > > Brad- > > Um, well that depends. Does your brother ride his V-Max > through the > > woods at 35mph then dump it on its side, letting it slide down a > > gravel slope into a muddy stream at the bottom? How many times have > > you dropped your street bike at speed? What was the damage? > How many > > miles have you ridden a street bike in conditions that it was not > > designed for? What were the maintenance costs? > > The reason you hear about a lot of maintenance on this > list is that > > there are some of us who push these bikes (and their 16 year old > > design) beyond the limits for which they were designed. > Your brother > > on the other hand, NEVER even goes near those limits on his > V-Max. How > > many miles on it since 86? 20K I bet? Talk to Dale in > SoCal, he's put > > something like 20K on his KLR THIS YEAR alone. > > I have no problem with bike maintenance and repairs on > my KLR when I > > look at where I've ridden it and how much I have abused > it... And it > > has always come back for more with nary a hesitation. I can > show you a > > V-Max that requires more maintenance than a KLR, I can also > show you a > > V-Max that requires the same amount of maintenance. Big deal, all > > bikes are individuals and have their individual needs, just as all > > bike riders are different in their own way and treat their > bikes differently. > > Like I said before, I recognize that I abuse my bike > and I am happy > > to perform whatever maintenance it needs to keep performing as > > flawlessly as it has. If I didn't want to do this then I'd > buy a Honda > > Civic, and if you don't then take it to a dealer, that's > why they are > > there. > > > > Z > > > > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?> ln=klr650 > > Post > message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ >

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[Rev.Chuck]

I generally get my bikes from a *re-builder* a gentleman that buys salvaged bikes and re-builds them to original specs. Sometimes an insurance company will total a bike for purely cosmetic reasons, I am not so picky. If you decide to go this route, make sure you know the person doing the rebuilding to the extent you can put your life into his hands, or know what you are looking at yourself. My re-building source is my brother. Rev. Chuck :^)>+ A13 Antelope, California http://KLR650.50Megs.Com/ Or http://DualSports.OnWeb.CX/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --- "s2mumford" wrote:

>I know a lot of guys on this list have several bikes. >I don't care what kind they are, I know you have a KLR 650. > >My question is do you guys normally buy your bikes new or used? > >If used, from a dealer or private individual? > >Thanks >CA Stu > > >Checkout Dual Sport News at >http://www.dualsportnews.com >Be part of the Adventure! > >Visit the KLR650 archives at >http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > >Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com >Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com >Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com >List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

_____________________________________________________________

[racingreplicas@orwell.net]

A KTM WILL need parts Ed Windsor

----- Original Message ----- From: "s2mumford" To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Friday, December 07, 2001 11:25 AM Subject: [DSN_klr650] Re: Question for multiple bike owners > Thanks for all the responses, folks. > I'm gonna look for the best used bike deal I can find. > After being offered $4k and $5500 by 2 differrent dealers to > trade in a bike that cost me over $12k 2 years ago, I think I would > rather be on the buying end of that deal... > I'm not scared to do some wrenching if a bike needs it. > That said, are there any dirt-oriented dual sport-ables (e.g. > dirt bikes with Baja Design kits) that are infamous lemons that I > shoud avoid? I realize parts for something like an ATK or KTM may be > expensive and hard to find, but if they never need parts, it doesn't > matter, right? > CA Stu > > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

[Ted Palmer]

CA Stu wrote:

> I know a lot of guys on this list have several bikes. > I don't care what kind they are, I know you have a KLR 650.

[distant voice from the back of the room] I don't!

> My question is do you guys normally buy your bikes new or used?

I bought my 600 brand spankers and it was only the second new bike I have bought. As a coincidence, I traded my first ever new bike for it. The first newie was a Suzuki PE175Z.

> If used, from a dealer or private individual?

I bought the RC17 used from a dealer. One day, I'll be able to afford a new bike and maybe a new car but that seems a long way off. Somehow, back before I had a mortgage and a good job, I could afford new bikes. Mister_T -- \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ | RC17 KLR600 Roces BCN KHGS130AMBC FreeBSD 2.2.5-R | | Team RC17 Australia http://replicant.apana.org.au/~viking/ | \|_________________________________________________________________|

[Ralph Hanson]

Brad writes:

>And this leads to another question(s). Do all motorcycles require the same >level of TLC that a KLR does or is the fact that it is a big >single mean it needs more attention than say an '86 Vmax.

Brad, Don't listen to the people on this list. The KLR is very tough. I've had mine two years and had the oil changed once a year. I'll have the valves checked this winter and the Unitrack lubed. But this is a simple bike. A lot of the owners just like messing with their bikes. Ralph Ralph E. Hanson rhanson40@... 99 KLR 650 http://www.wvu.edu/~journal2/west

[Karl Raupp]

>Subject: Re: Question for multiple bike owners

I would prefer to buy used, but the sellers in my parts think bikes APPRECIATE, not depreciate. It's typical for riders to finace 100% of their purchases, over 72 month terms (or line of credit and make minimum payments) and then try to get out a year or two down the road, and they still owe full retail! I'm not talking about Harley's either, people are trying to sell thier used 2001 KLR's for more than dealers are asking for brand spanking new right now (end of season to boot!). Same with XR's/DR's/fill in the blank. Utter nonsense. Road bikes are the same. And don't even get me started on if the current owner has done any mods to the bike! Most owners think a 200% return on that mod is normal. I get the Bike Trader for free at my work, and in over two years of looking at it weekly, I have never once seen what I would consider a realistic deal for any bike I've expressed interest in. So, I'll be buying new bikes until this changes. Anyone else live in an area where used vehicle prices are upside down like this?

>yet I >will still have to adjust the valves, tweak the balancer tension, replace >nuts and bolts that rattle loose, ect. I just wondered if all >motorcycles required this level of TLC

You shouldn't neglect doing the routine maintenance on your vehicle, be it car, motorcycle or scooter. The one thing I cannot understand is why are bikes so maintenace intensive? Imagine if a modern car needed valve checks every 6k miles - I wouldn't want to be a service writer in that dealership! Or went through tires every 10k miles. Or if the manufacturer recommended you go around the vehicle and check for loosening fasteners. Or had to manually adjust timing belt/chain tension. And so on... The bike dealers I ask this question to say it's becuase modern motorcycles are such highly tuned but I tell them compared to my wifes 99 Passat 1.8T (150 HP) it's needed nothing but oil changes in 79k kms (50k miles). No brakes, no tires, no spark plugs, nada. That usually shuts them up Audi TT 1.8T with 225hp is the same, just oil and filter every 5k miles, timing belt wayyy down the road. Interesting stuff don't ya think? Why can't we have self-adjusting valves for example? And don't even get me started on what motorcycles cost in relation to auto's!!! Anyway, enough rambling. Karl _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp