cycle world article

[tomsbems]

I am considering a klr650 but am a bit concerned about durability and longevity. I want a bike that I can ride for a ton of miles. Seems like there have been alot of problems with this bike related to the balancer and cam chains. Given proper upkeep, frequent oil changes, and mostly road riding at moderate speeds, how long will these things last before needing major overhaul? What parts wear out? I'm looking for a bike that has the potential to last 100,000 miles.

[JJNeet1@aol.com]

Got the December Cycle World today.There is an article on page 44 called "Cheap Thrills",where they do a very short writeup on ten street bikes(including the KLR650).The premise is that the bikes had to be under about $5000.00 in price.The big KLR did really well,with statements such as "If I had to ride one of these bikes from California to New York tomorrow,the KLR would be it".The KLR was the only dual-sport in the group.Here is the group: KLR650,Honda VLX Deluxe,Buell Blast,Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD,Kawasaki Ninja 500(!-I had one of these),MZ Skorpian Tour(!-I test rode a Travvelor model),Royal Enfield Bullet 500,Suzuki Savage 650,Suzuki GS500E(!-a fantastic 500 sportsbike),and the Yamaha V-Star Custom.I hope thats all ten.Bit of an odd group here,but,as I said,the KLR did great. Jon Neet 2001 KLR250-6000 miles and counting 2002 Suzuki Marauder

[Allan Patton]

> I am considering a klr650 but am a bit concerned about durability > and longevity. I want a bike that I can ride for a ton of miles. > I'm looking for a bike that has > the potential to last 100,000 miles.

tomsbems, If that is your priority, your looking at the wrong bike. You want a full race touring bike, not a dual sport. Now if you said 50,000 miles, then I'd tell you to buy three KLRs for the price of the Goldwing, and throw them away when they hit 50,000. Allan A14 with 54,000 miles http://www.hondamotorcycle.com/motorcycles/touring_sport_touring/model.asp?M odelName=Gold+Wing&ModelYear=2003&ModelId=GL18003