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klr & horsepower
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 5:31 am
by weazoe2000
Hi all,
I'm interested in a KLR 650 but in reading through the lists here, I
see a continuing theme in regards to the machines aparent lack of
power. So before I buy I'd like to ask you owners a couple of
questons:
1. How much power does the KLR actually have? I'd think a four valve
650 would be pushing quite a bit.
2. Subjectively, I know a bike without a lot of horsepower but with a
good power band can feel like it has a lot of get-up and go. How does
the bike feel to you? Is there enough power?
3. And finaly, are there readily available enhancements that
substantially improve engine performance?
Any answers you can give will be very much appreciated. Thanx.
klr & horsepower
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 6:14 am
by Mark Sampson
1. How much power does the KLR actually have? I'd think a four valve
650 would be pushing quite a bit.
I don't know the actual HP rating of the KLR-----but my seat of the pants
comparison leads me to believe it has the lowest HP of any bike in its
class----(650)---and I've probably ridden them all. My BMW F650 would blow
it in the weeds. But-------it's plenty for me for what I do with mine---but
I'm not happy unless my tires are off pavement.
2. Subjectively, I know a bike without a lot of horsepower but with a
good power band can feel like it has a lot of get-up and go. How does
the bike feel to you? Is there enough power?
Plenty of power for me. I don't like riding a bike that when you wack the
throttle it may jump out from under you. "A lot of get up and go"----the KLR
does not have.
3. And finaly, are there readily available enhancements that
substantially improve engine performance?
I think you could spend lots of money on the motor-----with hardly any
results. I see lots of people make their bikes louder and think they have
lots more power----they don't.
But overall------its a nice sweet motor---although very dated----and if you
can keep your doohickey under control------it will last a very long time.
What you need to do is ride one and judge for yourself.
Any answers you can give will be very much appreciated. Thanx.
You are so welcome !!
Mark Sampson
www.bigdogsdventures.com
klr & horsepower
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 8:16 am
by billshel2003
For the displacement, it may seem a little slow. It is somewhat
detuned. But, this is what you do for durability, at a reasonable
price. It reminds me of the early 70's Honda four strokes. Not that
exciting, but they they would outlast all of the two strokes
screaming around. Test ride one, see for yourself. At 170 lbs (me), I
can get into a whole lot of trouble on mine, on and off road.
Bill
--- In
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "weazoe2000"
wrote:
> Hi all,
> I'm interested in a KLR 650 but in reading through the lists here, I
> see a continuing theme in regards to the machines aparent lack of
> power. So before I buy I'd like to ask you owners a couple of
> questons:
> 1. How much power does the KLR actually have? I'd think a four valve
> 650 would be pushing quite a bit.
> 2. Subjectively, I know a bike without a lot of horsepower but with
a
> good power band can feel like it has a lot of get-up and go. How
does
> the bike feel to you? Is there enough power?
> 3. And finaly, are there readily available enhancements that
> substantially improve engine performance?
> Any answers you can give will be very much appreciated. Thanx.
klr & horsepower
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 8:16 am
by Sam Teel
I've had my A12 about a month now. Before that I had a Yahama 750, a Honda
750K, and a Triumph Datona 500. The KLR has less power and speed than
either of the 750's (duh) but it's power is USEFUL for what I do. And what
I do is wander. Wander around town, wander around in the country and wander
about the states of Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. I rode 250 miles
yesterday (about 600 in the last 3 days) riding with my niece on her Harley
883. At NO time did she pull away from me (and she ain't no old lady rider)
We rode 70-80 on the interstate and cruised at 65 on the two lanes. No
problem at all. Passing slow cagers is just a twist away. With the few
mods the respected PO (David Gay) made, the bike runs strong and lifts the
front with throttle only in 1st. It has all the power I need.
I am surprised how much this bike reminds me of my teen years on the
Triumph. Similiar power, vibration and braking. I may have just been more
bold 30 years ago but it seems like the Triumph handled the corners better
than the KLR. Often the rear end feels loose if I push it. Maybe the new
Kenda 761's will help that.
We rode west from Memphis to Shiloh National park on highway 57 yesterday.
Super ride, warm, dry and not much traffic. We ate at the "Catfish Hotel" -
great food. As we were dismounting, 16 big twins roar down the
asphalt/gravel road leading to the resturant. At least a quarter million
bucks worth of hardware sitting there in a row a couple of spaces down from
the KLR and Carole's Sportster. (I took a picture) While we were eating,
some folks were outside looking at the bikes. Of all those bikes, the KLR
got the most attention! Several times I found myself thinking, "what the
hell are they looking at?".
At the last gas stop (Carole had to get gas THREE times to go 250 miles!) we
agreed that this was the best ride either of us had done since we got our
bikes.
Sam, Wandering about life.
From: "weazoe2000"
Subject: KLR & horsepower
SNIP
2. Subjectively, I know a bike without a lot of horsepower but with a
good power band can feel like it has a lot of get-up and go. How does
the bike feel to you? Is there enough power?
klr & horsepower
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 8:28 am
by Gary Charpentier
(...with apologies to Morpheus.)
The KLR: Do you want to know What It Is?
The KLR is a utility motorcycle. It is very much the Jeep CJ of the
motorcycle world. It will go most anywhere with the right tires, will
do the legal speed limit anywhere in the US, though extended cruising
above 70mph feels a bit "busy" with the stock gearing. It is not a
sportbike or an enduro racer. It is an economical adventure tourer. It
has exceptional range and luggage carrying capacity, and can be
configured for anything from serious off-road exploring to moderate
sport-touring on pavement. It has all the capability you need for any
legal, non-competition riding.
It is very simple to repair and maintain. With the doohickey mod, it
will last a long time. With the lowest purchase price in it's class, it
has exceptional value. The only real limitation is it's ability to
carry two people at high speed or in challenging terrain. If you want
to ride two-up, you're better off with a liter-class bike. I think that
about covers it. But you really have to ride one to see if it's right
for you.
=gc=
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klr & horsepower
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 8:35 am
by Mark Sampson
Very well put Gary !!
Mark Sampson
www.bigdogadventures.com
The KLR: Do you want to know What It Is?
The KLR is a utility motorcycle. It is very much the Jeep CJ of the
motorcycle world. It will go most anywhere with the right tires, will
do the legal speed limit anywhere in the US, though extended cruising
above 70mph feels a bit "busy" with the stock gearing. It is not a
sportbike or an enduro racer. It is an economical adventure tourer. It
has exceptional range and luggage carrying capacity, and can be
configured for anything from serious off-road exploring to moderate
sport-touring on pavement. It has all the capability you need for any
legal, non-competition riding.
It is very simple to repair and maintain. With the doohickey mod, it
will last a long time. With the lowest purchase price in it's class, it
has exceptional value. The only real limitation is it's ability to
carry two people at high speed or in challenging terrain. If you want
to ride two-up, you're better off with a liter-class bike. I think that
about covers it. But you really have to ride one to see if it's right
for you.
=gc=
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klr & horsepower
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 9:24 am
by Ed Snow
--- In
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Gary Charpentier
wrote:
> (...with apologies to Morpheus.)
>
> The KLR: Do you want to know What It Is?
You outta be writing ad's for Kawasaki.
Ed
klr & horsepower
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 9:56 am
by Keith Saltzer
--- In
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Sampson"
wrote:
>
>
> Very well put Gary !!
> Mark Sampson
>
www.bigdogadventures.com
>
>
>
> The KLR: Do you want to know What It Is?
>
> The KLR is a utility motorcycle. It is very much the Jeep CJ of the
> motorcycle world. It will go most anywhere with the right tires,
will
> do the legal speed limit anywhere in the US, though extended
cruising
> above 70mph feels a bit "busy" with the stock gearing. It is not a
> sportbike or an enduro racer. It is an economical adventure tourer.
It
> has exceptional range and luggage carrying capacity, and can be
> configured for anything from serious off-road exploring to moderate
> sport-touring on pavement. It has all the capability you need for
any
> legal, non-competition riding.
>
> It is very simple to repair and maintain. With the doohickey mod, it
> will last a long time. With the lowest purchase price in it's
class, it
> has exceptional value. The only real limitation is it's ability to
> carry two people at high speed or in challenging terrain. If you
want
> to ride two-up, you're better off with a liter-class bike. I think
that
> about covers it. But you really have to ride one to see if it's
right
> for you.
>
> =gc=
Yes, very good. But you forgot one thing. Put Avon Gripsters on
front and rear, and have alot of fun passing everything in sight, on
the really tight and twisty stuff.
MrMoose
A8 (Barbie and Ken special)
klr & horsepower
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 11:01 am
by kcuf_oohay_666
--- In
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "weazoe2000"
wrote:
> Hi all,
> I'm interested in a KLR 650 but in reading through the lists here, I
> see a continuing theme in regards to the machines aparent lack of
> power. So before I buy I'd like to ask you owners a couple of
> questons:
> 1. How much power does the KLR actually have? I'd think a four valve
> 650 would be pushing quite a bit.
> 2. Subjectively, I know a bike without a lot of horsepower but with
a
> good power band can feel like it has a lot of get-up and go. How
does
> the bike feel to you? Is there enough power?
> 3. And finaly, are there readily available enhancements that
> substantially improve engine performance?
> Any answers you can give will be very much appreciated. Thanx.
If it's your first bike than it has more than enough power to get you
in trouble. At times I wish it had more power but I NEVER NEEDED it!
I can keep up with the 883 Harley and give a 1200 Harley a good run
for it's money in the canyons
klr & horsepower
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 11:25 am
by Don Bittle
> > The KLR is a utility motorcycle.
Just think of it as a John Deere. I have two JD stickers on my front fender.
This is really an ice-breaker for conversation.
don