250 - 400cc enduro nklr

[Mike Peplinski]

Yes, there are vintage machines with known weaknesses. The pre 80's transmissions were pretty bad and there were a few years with valve problems but these are repairable and usually traced to a factory issue that once rectified, doesn't recurr. The later transmissions and rear ends are very durable. Most of the valve problems are traced to a metallurgy decision from BMW's manufacturing,which they fixed plus the change to unleaded fuels. Few cycles of the pre 1980's are still in daily service. You won't find Hondas, Yamahas or Ducati's (or Harleys) ridden regularly with confidence.BMW's on the other hand are relied on by most of their riders. EVen the true vintage ones. I ride my 1975 regularly. High mileage is not merely reputed. Low mileage BMW's are rare and fading fast.

>From: Bogdan Swider >To: Mike Peplinski >,,DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> >Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: KLR650 real cost. >Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 09:26:18 -0600 > > > > > OK, maybe 44K is impressive but BMW's like my R90 are reputed to go >several > > hundred thousand miles without major rebuilds. > >Yeah, " reputed ".....You wonder where they got that reputation. I'm sure >some boxer, somewhere achieved those results but that's not what I heard or >observed. Many needed tranny rebuilds around 50k miles; valve work around >100k was common. Rear end replacement - the bike's not the rider's - was >not >unusual. The shaft to tranny connection would go south. I could go >on....... > >Bogdan >

[Mike Peplinski]

I agree and confess that I spend far more time maintaining the BMW than the KLR. But then, lets look at the others. KTM, Aprilia, Ducati, even the latest offerings from Kawasaki Honda and Triumph are getting into the upper teens in cost. There is something special about the BMW for many of their riders. They take pride in the machine, they like to relate to the machinery and don't just polish the chrome.

>From: "Rob Lefebvre" >To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> >Subject: RE: [DSN_KLR650] Re: KLR650 real cost. >Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 10:30:56 -0500 > > >I used to be part of a local BMW riders club and a card carrying member >of the BMWMOA back in the late 80's when I owned a K75 - the only bike I >have ever purchased new. Great bike, and some day I will own another >BMW, but for now the KLR serves my needs at a much more reasonable price >point. > >BMW's do run a long time, but they also require meticulous maintenance. >You will find that many BMW owners do their own maintenance and they are >generally very particular about it. When you pay that kind of money for >a "toy", you tend to take care of it. > > >Rob > > >-----Original Message----- >From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On >Behalf Of Bogdan Swider >Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 10:26 AM >To: Mike Peplinski; bowman@...; DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com >Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: KLR650 real cost. > > > > > > OK, maybe 44K is impressive but BMW's like my R90 are reputed to go >several > > hundred thousand miles without major rebuilds. > >Yeah, " reputed ".....You wonder where they got that reputation. I'm >sure >some boxer, somewhere achieved those results but that's not what I heard >or >observed. Many needed tranny rebuilds around 50k miles; valve work >around >100k was common. Rear end replacement - the bike's not the rider's - was >not >unusual. The shaft to tranny connection would go south. I could go >on....... > >Bogdan > > > >Archive Quicksearch at: >http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > >Archive Quicksearch at: >http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >

[scott quillen]

I'm sure glad you're not painting all us HD guys with the same brush... I bought my 94 FXSTC (Softail Custom) back in Spring of 02. While I haven't racked up 4-5k miles per year (I've only put about 6k miles on it in 3 years), it just turned over 15k miles (yes...LOW for a 94, but not necessarily for a Harley). I just got back from a 1500 miles trip on it (left home last Wednesday, returned home yesterday - riding the last 180 miles in a pretty good downpour!) I bought my HD to ride! and I DO the wave, EVERY time I pass another cyclist. I look forward to MANY miles on my KLR 650...it's an 87 and only has 4885 miles on it - bought it a couple weeks ago from ebay. Gettin' new Metzelers mounted this week and just finished rebuilding a leaky petcock. I don't drink and I'm NOT one of those who bought his HD for the "style" aspect. I admire ALL motorcycles ...except for a select few - not crazy about Moto Guzzi's. Regards, Scott --- mikesupon wrote:

> > > If I may throw my two cents into this discussion... > > I've been riding now for nearly thirty years, if you > start with my > Honda Trail 55, and I buy my bikes for one > purpose...to ride them > (usually 4-6K/Yr). I've had trail bikes, trials > bikes, motocross > bikes, cruisers, and yes even an HD once. I've never > put 44K (let > alone 100K+) on any one bike, but the KLR which I > bought last fall > may become the exception. Perhaps the reason many HD > owners don't > pile up the miles...in addition to some of the > mechanical issues you > all have been talking about...is that they simply > don't ride that > much. In my area in Western PA, and only by my > observations, as I > put my 150-400 miles on each ride, I drive past > many, > many "gathering establishments" (some may call them > bars) only to > see umpteen bikes (by far mostly HD's) parked in > front. These bikes > are bought for show and for the social aspects of > motorcycling (and > if that's your thing then OK..sad, but OK). They > will never see 44K > miles at 1-2,000 each year. I have had people call > me to ask to "go > riding", only to find they wanted to drive 25 miles > to go > drinking...which I never do on the bike anyhow. When > I would tell > them howabout a great 150-200 mile ride on some > great roads, they > just look at me like I'm crazy. > > I'm not trying to paint the HD guys with all the > same brush here, so > calm down all you HD owners who don't fit this mold, > but it sure > seems this style is most prevalent among them. > > I also agree that not many do the "wave" as you pass > by...that > wouldn't support the tough guy image! > > Mike A15 (and at one time a 1998 Heritage Softtail > Classic) > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Peplinski" > wrote: > > OK, maybe 44K is impressive but BMW's like my R90 > are reputed to > go several > > hundred thousand miles without major rebuilds. BMW > even issues > million mile > > plaques. The Jap tourers easily go 100K miles with > no major > service and will > > go the next hundred thou with little more than a > clutch or wheel > bearing. I > > can't deny that all the bike shops have a repair > department but > you gotta > > admit there just aren't many 100K plus HD's out > there, "New Gen" > or > > otherwise. Even the high revving crotch rockets > can go 200k with > good care. > > That throbbing rumble does not come cheaply. Its a > fact of physics > that > > vibration is bad. While that "potato potato" crap > may feel good on > the assl, > > it is not good for longevity. Its amazing that our > KLR lasts as > long as it > > does. Perhaps this can be attributed to solid > design and high > quality parts > > (doohickey excluded) that our thumper KLR goes as > long as it does > without > > disintegrating, but then, parts do fall off if not > tightened. > Enjoy your > > Sporty. By the way, how come Harley riders are the > only ones that > don't > > wave? > > > > >From: robert bowman > > >To: "Mike Peplinski" , > DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > > >Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: KLR650 real cost. > > >Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 07:14:09 -0600 > > > > > >On Wednesday 27 April 2005 07:04, Mike Peplinski > wrote: > > > > Yes, and all that "replacement"stuff must > really help. Harleys > are well > > > > known for their durability and penchant for > high mileage. > Puhleeze. Do > > >they > > > > put fresh air in the tires too? > > > > > >My current Sportster is at 44,000 and counting, > with tires being > the major > > >maintenance cost. And I haven't even replaced > the doohickey... > Just > > >because > > >a high pecentage of Harley owners are assholes > does not make the > machinery > > >inferior, if you disregard the years when the > company was owned > by a parent > > >better known for bowling equipment. > > > > > > > > > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: >

http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html

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[jay carlson]

I'll second this. I bought a 2001 Dyna, rode it 19,700 miles the first year with regular maintenance and tires. A buddy of mine had a Dyna that he traded in with 79,000 miles, just regular maintenance and tires. I had an FXR previously that I rode for 56,000. Personally, I do business with two independent shops because I have a good relationshiip with both. The new H-D boutique isn't my style (if I have a style at all). But this stuff happens with all brands. Beemer K bike owners have told me that the regular service can be > $1000 before any additional parts (like tires). If you're a Ducati ST4s owner, plan on a $300 valve adjustment every 5000 miles. There's horses for courses. You pay your money and ride what you want. robert bowman wrote:

>On Wednesday 27 April 2005 07:04, Mike Peplinski wrote: > > >>Yes, and all that "replacement"stuff must really help. Harleys are well >>known for their durability and penchant for high mileage. Puhleeze. Do they >>put fresh air in the tires too? >> >> > >My current Sportster is at 44,000 and counting, with tires being the major >maintenance cost. And I haven't even replaced the doohickey... Just because >a high pecentage of Harley owners are assholes does not make the machinery >inferior, if you disregard the years when the company was owned by a parent >better known for bowling equipment. > > > > >Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > >

[jay carlson]

And the new Oilheads aren't nearly so reliable. Check the breakdown stats from a IronButt. 200k on a crotch rocket? I'm sure there's probably one out there (somewhere). Bogdan Swider wrote:

>>OK, maybe 44K is impressive but BMW's like my R90 are reputed to go several >>hundred thousand miles without major rebuilds. >> >> > >Yeah, " reputed ".....You wonder where they got that reputation. I'm sure >some boxer, somewhere achieved those results but that's not what I heard or >observed. Many needed tranny rebuilds around 50k miles; valve work around >100k was common. Rear end replacement - the bike's not the rider's - was not >unusual. The shaft to tranny connection would go south. I could go on....... > >Bogdan > > > >Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > >

[hugh foley]

it's not the harley's themselves. hd has been building good bikes for years, it is all the aftermarket crap they put on 'em that causes most of their problems. I have to admit that Harleys could'nt happen to a better group of jerks.

----- Original Message ----- From: "jay carlson" To: "robert bowman" Cc: "Mike Peplinski" ; DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 10:21 AM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: KLR650 real cost. > > I'll second this. I bought a 2001 Dyna, rode it 19,700 miles the first > year with regular maintenance and tires. A buddy of mine had a Dyna that > he traded in with 79,000 miles, just regular maintenance and tires. I > had an FXR previously that I rode for 56,000. > > Personally, I do business with two independent shops because I have a > good relationshiip with both. The new H-D boutique isn't my style (if I > have a style at all). But this stuff happens with all brands. Beemer K > bike owners have told me that the regular service can be > $1000 before > any additional parts (like tires). If you're a Ducati ST4s owner, plan > on a $300 valve adjustment every 5000 miles. > > There's horses for courses. You pay your money and ride what you want. > > robert bowman wrote: > >>On Wednesday 27 April 2005 07:04, Mike Peplinski wrote: >> >> >>>Yes, and all that "replacement"stuff must really help. Harleys are well >>>known for their durability and penchant for high mileage. Puhleeze. Do >>>they >>>put fresh air in the tires too? >>> >>> >> >>My current Sportster is at 44,000 and counting, with tires being the major >>maintenance cost. And I haven't even replaced the doohickey... Just >>because >>a high pecentage of Harley owners are assholes does not make the machinery >>inferior, if you disregard the years when the company was owned by a >>parent >>better known for bowling equipment. >> >> >> >> >>Archive Quicksearch at: >>http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >>List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >>List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html >> >> >>Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > Archive Quicksearch at: > http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > >

[John Kokola]

IIRC, 5 of the top 10 finishers at the last IronButt were on Yamaha FJR1300s. --John Kokola -----Original Message----- From: jay carlson And the new Oilheads aren't nearly so reliable. Check the breakdown stats from a IronButt. Bogdan Swider wrote:

>>OK, maybe 44K is impressive but BMW's like my R90 are reputed to go several >>hundred thousand miles without major rebuilds. > >Yeah, " reputed ".....You wonder where they got that reputation.

[Eric L. Green]

On Wed, 27 Apr 2005, Mike Peplinski wrote:

> OK, maybe 44K is impressive but BMW's like my R90 are reputed to go several > hundred thousand miles without major rebuilds. BMW even issues million mile > plaques. The Jap tourers easily go 100K miles with no major service and will > go the next hundred thou with little more than a clutch or wheel bearing. I > can't deny that all the bike shops have a repair department but you gotta > admit there just aren't many 100K plus HD's out there, "New Gen" or

Huh? There are a *TON* of 100K plus HD's out there. Otherwise Harley dealers wouldn't stock drive belts (which are rated at 100K miles). From a mechanical design point of view, there's nothing wrong with modern Harleys (just avoid the AMF years). Sure, they're overweight, vibrate, and corner like a hog, but that's got nothing to do with the mechanical soundness of the fundamental design and everything to do with marketing choices regarding how those mechanicals are going to be packaged. Granted, few of the newer Harleys have been driven that many miles, but that's because they're owned by proctologists from Omaha rather than by real motorcycle riders, it's not the bike's fault that said proctologist would rather trailer the bike than ride it . -E

[klr9992001]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Peplinski" wrote:

> OK, maybe 44K is impressive but BMW's like my R90 are reputed to go

several

> hundred thousand miles without major rebuilds. BMW even issues

million mile

> plaques. The Jap tourers easily go 100K miles with no major service

and will

> go the next hundred thou with little more than a clutch or wheel

bearing. I

> can't deny that all the bike shops have a repair department but you

gotta

> admit there just aren't many 100K plus HD's out there, "New Gen" or > otherwise. Even the high revving crotch rockets can go 200k with

good care.

> That throbbing rumble does not come cheaply. Its a fact of physics that > vibration is bad. While that "potato potato" crap may feel good on

the assl,

> it is not good for longevity. Its amazing that our KLR lasts as long

as it

> does. Perhaps this can be attributed to solid design and high

quality parts

> (doohickey excluded) that our thumper KLR goes as long as it does

without

> disintegrating, but then, parts do fall off if not tightened. Enjoy

your

> Sporty. By the way, how come Harley riders are the only ones that don't > wave?

WE WAVE BUT NOT TO A-HOLES DAN

> > >From: robert bowman > >To: "Mike Peplinski" , DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > >Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: KLR650 real cost. > >Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 07:14:09 -0600 > > > >On Wednesday 27 April 2005 07:04, Mike Peplinski wrote: > > > Yes, and all that "replacement"stuff must really help. Harleys

are well

> > > known for their durability and penchant for high mileage.

Puhleeze. Do

> >they > > > put fresh air in the tires too? > > > >My current Sportster is at 44,000 and counting, with tires being

the major

> >maintenance cost. And I haven't even replaced the doohickey... Just > >because > >a high pecentage of Harley owners are assholes does not make the

machinery

> >inferior, if you disregard the years when the company was owned by

a parent

> >better known for bowling equipment. > > > >

[Russell Scott]

Somebody needs to open a rent-a-lifestyle shop outside Sturgis. A buttoned up businessman comes in, and you rent him everything he needs to ride five miles into and around Sturgis during the rally including chromed out bike, proper clothing, bandana, lots of shiny chains, fake tattoos, handbook of hog slang, and riding stories to tell around the campfire. R -----Original Message----- From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Eric L. Green Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 3:45 PM To: Mike Peplinski Cc: bowman@...; DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: KLR650 real cost.

On Wed, 27 Apr 2005, Mike Peplinski wrote: > OK, maybe 44K is impressive but BMW's like my R90 are reputed to go several > hundred thousand miles without major rebuilds. BMW even issues million mile > plaques. The Jap tourers easily go 100K miles with no major service and will > go the next hundred thou with little more than a clutch or wheel bearing. I > can't deny that all the bike shops have a repair department but you gotta > admit there just aren't many 100K plus HD's out there, "New Gen" or Huh? There are a *TON* of 100K plus HD's out there. Otherwise Harley dealers wouldn't stock drive belts (which are rated at 100K miles). From a mechanical design point of view, there's nothing wrong with modern Harleys (just avoid the AMF years). Sure, they're overweight, vibrate, and corner like a hog, but that's got nothing to do with the mechanical soundness of the fundamental design and everything to do with marketing choices regarding how those mechanicals are going to be packaged. Granted, few of the newer Harleys have been driven that many miles, but that's because they're owned by proctologists from Omaha rather than by real motorcycle riders, it's not the bike's fault that said proctologist would rather trailer the bike than ride it . -E Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Yahoo! Groups Links