klr test ride - long (again)

[itiswhatitis@lvcm.com]

I'm looking at a '93 KLR650 with 13K miles for possible purchase. Its asking price is not an issue. Just wondering if '93 was a good year for the KLR and if there are any problems associated with that year. And how does a '93 stack up to the newer versions. Many thanks in advance. ChaoSun *waves from the Nevada desert*

[Craig Faison]

Hi all, You may recall my post last week looking for opinions between a KLR and an NX650. Not surprisingly the responses have recommended the KLR. Anywho, I had the opportunity to borrow a friends KLR and take a 50ish mile test ride on Saturday. His bike is a '92 and has a few mods: Corbin Seat, Progressive fork springs, tall windscreen (brand unknown, I didn't get to talk to him as he wasn't home and had left the key for me), two large Hella driving lights, Scottoiler, air horns, Avon Gripsters, MAP rotor, braided lines, Throttlemeister, Supertrapp EAR slip-on, 16 tooth countershaft sprocket, and probably some other stuff that I've forgotten. The bike is set up well, and in very good shape. I'd like to ride a near-stock KLR to see how that feels... Anyone near DE have one that they'd be willing to let me take a spin on? A few things that come to mind - in no particular order: The bike is very heavy for a dual sport. I've ridden/owned a number of different big bore dual sports, and this one out-weighs them all by a bunch. The accessories (particularly the driving lights mounted up high) may have made it feel heavier than it is, but it's heavy. I think I need to think of it less as a dual sport, and more of an 'adventure tourer'. From my ride experience, I think that's more accurate. It's also how I expect to use the bike. I need to keep that in mind when I start to think of the weight of a liability - that weight helps make it good on the highway. The bike and riding position are very comfortable. I don't know how much the Corbin contributed, but it sure felt good. I had been riding for a few hours that morning on my XL600 and my fiance's NX250, so I was already uncomfortable, but the KLR didn't bother me at all. Easily more comfortable (to me) than my '97 VFR750, which is supposed to be (and is) a very comfortable sport touring bike. The bike felt a bit underpowered for a 650 single. It could've been gearing related (16t countershaft sprocket), 'cause the '94 that I took a quick spin on last week didn't feel this way. It too had a supertrapp, but it was a different model - I don't know what it was. My XL600 w/slip-on has gobs of power compared to the (this '92) KLR. It's big. This has it's good and bad, but it's bigger than I realized. My '93 XR650L was tall, but not big like this. I rode the NX250 over to pick the KLR up, and when I got back on it to go home, it felt like my DT50. The NX250 is a small bike, but I didn't realize just how big the KLR is 'til Saturday. I'm not inseam challenged (I can flat foot the KLR), so it's not a real issue, and the size provides more room for rider, passanger and gear, so that's good. I took the bike on dirt/gravel road (well groomed forest road), and though I took it very easy as it wasn't my bike, I noticed the rear shock chattering quite a bit when accelerating through corners (steering w/the rear). The bike has 20k on it, and as far as I know it's on the original shock. My XL600 w/similar mileage does this too, so I think a fresh shock would cure this. Anyone tried an aftermarket shock? How'd that work? All in all, I think the KLR will be the right bike. I still may ride the NX650 for comparison, and I'd kinda like to ride a KLX650 to see what they're about, but the KLR is looking good. If you know of one for sale, please let me know. btw, Nick W., are you on this list? If so, thanks again! Craig Faison cfaison@...