returning to cycling on a new klr650

[Tumu Rock]

On Wed, 06 Sep 2000 09:18:22 GMT, glenn (august) wrote: I tested the private party one, and I was actually not all that impressed with 2 things...one the power, or lack of, and two the brakes, yikes! Any or not some of this can be sorted out with some easy mods? TIA-g ______________________________________________________________________ Both bikes sound like decent deals. If you get the private party bike down to $4000 then I personally would go for that over the dealer's. If you're going off-road, gotta have that skid plate. Power is (fairly) easily boosted with a jet-kit. Drop the front sprocket down one tooth and you'll get more pull but less top end. Brakes...definitely have to remedy that one. Stainless steel brake lines are easy to install and extremely effective. Some have gone with an oversize MAPP rotor but that's up to your personal tastes (and budget). It ain't no motocrosser but it's a versatile and fun bike. Beef up the suspension a bit and it will handle even better off-road. LOTS of after-market support for this bike. Happy hunting and welcome aboard, dat brooklyn bum _______________________________________________________ Say Bye to Slow Internet! http://www.home.com/xinbox/signup.html

[Karl Raupp]

I'd go with the private party one if it all seems OK. You've got some extra's there and it's already had it's first service. There may or may not be tax savings there as well, depending on where you live. Here, there is an 8% tax savings if you buy privately compared to a dealer. Having said all that, the KLR is a steal of a deal no matter how you look at it. A few hundred bucks here or there will be meaningless once that smile cracks on your face and you can't stop for days. Get the one you want, add dirt and road, and enjoy!!! Power? I'm happy with the power of mine, but then again I do ride conservatively on the road. Off road on the loose stuff it's got enough power to get you into serious trouble anytime/everytime you're feeling risky. The brakes do stink, that's a given. I'm not sure what's got more power, the front brakes or your butt cheeks from pinching the seat when a 'situation' comes up Some riders put stainless brake lines on and that's supposed to make a huge difference (I'm still all stock). There are also bigger rotor kits you can get. There may even be the possibility of putting another bikes forks on so you can get a dual piston setup, but I don't know anything about that. Good luck! Karl

>Is >this a good deal? >with 2 things...one the power, or lack of, and two the brakes, yikes! >Would appreciate any feedback >before I go drop the cash.

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[dan shaw]

where did the dealer get the bike? was it a demo bike? if so i would stay away from that one. i know when i ride a demo bike i push it to see what its got and im sure others do as well. this cant be good for engine that hasnt broken in yet. id take the private even if he doesnt go down to 4000... dan shaw --- "glenn (august)" wrote:

> Hey Folks, I just joined the list. I am considering > the purchase of a > slightly used 00 KLR 650. I noticed a couple in the > paper and thought the > price was right. Two options. 1. All stock from a > dealer with a 130 > miles...4200 plus fee's. 2. Private party, 435 > miles, supertrapp exhaust, > gel grips and probend gaurds as well as some brand > of heavy duty skid plate, > 500 mile service just done. Asking 4600..offered > 4000, thinking it over. Is > this a good deal? I have heard that you can get em > fairly cheap new as well. > I tested the private party one, and I was actually > not all that impressed > with 2 things...one the power, or lack of, and two > the brakes, yikes! Any > thoughts on whether or not some of this can be > sorted out with some easy > mods? But it was comfortable and seemed like it > would be fun in the dirt. I > currently ride a sportbike so maybe I am asking to > much of it, but years ago > I had an XR500 that seemed much more powerful! Would > appreciate any feedback > before I go drop the cash. > TIA---g > >

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[daddyoct@aol.com]

I appreciate your honesty about pushing the demo bike. But you know, some guy, maybe from this list is gonna buy that bike. Demo a bike for size, fit, feel. Read a review for high rpm performance. Can't tell that from demo of a not yet broken in bike anyway. just my 2 cents. Bill

[glenn (august)]

The dealer said it was bought by a guy who seems to have deep pockets and buys quite a few bikes. The ones he doesnt like he brings em back to apparently trade it in for something else. Who knows, I am leaning more toward the already modified one. WHen I rode it I took it fairly easy, but when I tried to loft the front end in first gear it didnt wannna come up Kinda dissapointed in that. Realistically how much can you guys get out of them with a little jetting and modifying the airbox? Is there any other mods that dont include internals? I currently ride an NSR250, and am not looking for two stroke rush but some nice 1-2 gear wheelies would be fun! Perhaps moving up a couple of teeth on the rear would help that out. Thanks for the input so far! --g

>From: dan shaw >To: "glenn \(august\)" , DSN_klr650@egroups.com >Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] 00 KLR 650 >Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2000 10:54:36 -0700 (PDT) > >where did the dealer get the bike? was it a demo bike? >if so i would stay away from that one. i know when i >ride a demo bike i push it to see what its got and im >sure others do as well. this cant be good for engine >that hasnt broken in yet. id take the private even if >he doesnt go down to 4000... > >dan shaw > >--- "glenn (august)" wrote: > > Hey Folks, I just joined the list. I am considering > > the purchase of a > > slightly used 00 KLR 650. I noticed a couple in the > > paper and thought the > > price was right. Two options. 1. All stock from a > > dealer with a 130 > > miles...4200 plus fee's. 2. Private party, 435 > > miles, supertrapp exhaust, > > gel grips and probend gaurds as well as some brand > > of heavy duty skid plate, > > 500 mile service just done. Asking 4600..offered > > 4000, thinking it over. Is > > this a good deal? I have heard that you can get em > > fairly cheap new as well. > > I tested the private party one, and I was actually > > not all that impressed > > with 2 things...one the power, or lack of, and two > > the brakes, yikes! Any > > thoughts on whether or not some of this can be > > sorted out with some easy > > mods? But it was comfortable and seemed like it > > would be fun in the dirt. I > > currently ride a sportbike so maybe I am asking to > > much of it, but years ago > > I had an XR500 that seemed much more powerful! Would > > appreciate any feedback > > before I go drop the cash. > > TIA---g > > > > >_________________________________________________________________________ > > Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at > > http://www.hotmail.com > > > > Share information about yourself, create your own > > public profile at > > http://profiles.msn.com > > > > > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@... > > Let's keep this list SPAM free! > > > > Visit our site at > > http://www.egroups.com/group/DSN_klr650 > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@egroups.com > > > > > > >__________________________________________________ >Do You Yahoo!? >Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere! >http://mail.yahoo.com/

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[LawsonCL@aol.com]

Jay, First of all, let me say this: "THERE'S TOO DAMN MUCH THINKIN' GOIN' ON HERE." Motorcycles don't make sense. They make fun. That said, and given your dimensions, the KLR is only dual sport you should consider if you ever intend to take a long ride (you define "long.") It is roomier between the seat and footpegs than any other bike I know of, including my R100GS/PD. Winter riding. Brr. If you add heated grips and wear an electric vest and ride it only the two miles each way on your commute, the battery will probably get weak. If the seat cracks from the cold, console yourself with the knowledge that the same would have happened with any other motorcycle seat. See how you like the brake. Then upgrade incrementally, if you need to. Prices vary. Could be around $4300 (plus tax, etc.) in the Denver area when the sales season kicks into high gear in 2001. I'm guessing you'll pay more. Even at the $4900 list price, it's still a bargain unless you get roughed up with add-on fees. Chris Lawson jayhumm@... writes:

> After much thought (and poking around on the web), I think I'd like > to buy a new KLR. I am 40, rode dual-purpose and street bikes up > until my mid-twenties, and haven't ridden since. (Except for a few, > nerve-wracking outings on my Honda CT90. I'm 6'6" and 220 lbs -- > picture that!) I now live in central Pennsylvania, surrounded by > state game lands and fire roads. Time for another bike. But first, > I have a few questions for the group. > > 1) Except for severe weather, I'd be riding it about 10 months out > of the year. (Fortunately, I only work 2 miles from home). How is > the KLR in the winter? Starts okay? Will my seat crack when frozen? > Any cold-weather or moisture-related concerns I should be aware of? > I'd be keeping it in a carport, covered with a tarp or cover. > > 2) The front brake is much maligned. I had a few close calls on my > street bike involving stopping in a hurry. My front brake saved me > from smashing into a stopped car (on the other side of a blind > curve). I have to have a decent front brake. I saw somewhere that > the KLR has a 153' stopping distance from 60 mph. My family station > wagon stops faster than that! Can the KLR's front brake be fixed > with > a braided steel brake line and new pads? Or, must one buy the $365 > MAP Engineering disk to get "normal" front braking performance. It > doesn't have to stop like a superbike -- average for a motorcycle > would be just fine. $365 Is a little much for me. > > 3) Finally, does anyone know what the dealer invoice is on an '01 > KLR? I've never bought a new bike, nor do I know how willing dealers > are to discount. Any bargaining tips would be most appreciated. >