Wilsons Sandbox

> What year models should I stay away from? Reason?

Only change in the bike happened between the 95 and 96 model years. Probably going for a bike from after that change, or one from before, with a known upgrade to be performed. Others on the list are more versed in exactly what changed. (something to do with springs, chains, and stuff like that. (not sure if it's the cam balancer chain return mechanism or the springs on the clutch basket or neither or both))

> Why do you like the KLR above all others?

Others I tried were too tall for me.

> Does it routinely win in the trade > mags?

Dunno. I don't read the trade mags much.

> Is it bulletproof, as the Beemers claim to be?

Never been shot at while I was on it...

> Anything else I should know about the bike?

Visit the archives! http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Sarah

welcome to the group. just be sure not to ask about oil, and stay away from environmentist/anti-environmentalist topics.

> > hello all- > I just joined up today, as I am contemplating buying my first > dual sport, and > I am thinking about the KLR650. > Why do you like the KLR above all others? Does it routinely > win in the trade > mags? Is it bulletproof, as the Beemers claim to be?

it certainly doesn't win in the trade mags. those guys are idiots (imho). they only seem to be happy aboard competitive race machinery, be it track or dirt. as far as i know, the klr650 is the ONLY bike that can be seriously ridden across the continent and still perform on real trails. the bikes that are slightly better off-road pretty much suck pondwater on long paved stretches. likewise, the bikes that are better on pavement are best kept to easy dirt roads. i fantasize about baja-kitting a new xr650r, or even a smaller dirt bike (klx300, xr400), but i have no illusion that i'll be able to pile it up and go camping like on my klr, and it'll only be a little more fun in the dirt. right now i can load up the whole kitchen sink, tent, etc on my bike, go camping, unpack when i get there, and go play on dirt trails that a more road oriented DS bike would be unlikely to survive, at least with me driving it. that's the kind of riding i like to do, so most other bikes just don't work as well. one of the coolest things about the klr is that no one buys them for the image. it's unlikely that any klr owner will ever look down his nose at you for not having "the right bike." it's a real blue-collar bike, and the people that ride them seem to just like to ride, rather than pose. now if they'd only find a way to make it 30-50 lbs lighter and give it 6 gears (lower first) without losing all the stuff that makes it work so well on road..... -mark weaver

 

 > Why do you like the KLR above all others? Does it routinely > win in the trade > mags? Is it bulletproof, as the Beemers claim to be? one of the coolest things about the klr is that no one buys them for the image. it's unlikely that any klr owner will ever look down his nose at you for not having "the right bike." it's a real blue-collar bike, and the people that ride them seem to just like to ride, rather than pose. What I like about it?  Well, one thing is that my KLR was outpulling the Harley dressers up the long grades in eastern Oregon and Nevada last summer while the Harley guys were heading to Sturgis, and I was off for the Nez Perce ride.  I got into teasing them, holding back a little and letting them catch up, almost getting by, and then gassing it up the hill.  One part I liked best was going down into the Malheur River drainage, where there are some real 90 mph sweepers....the KLR did 'em just fine, the Harleys can't do 'em.  After a while, though, it just seemed too easy.