Wilsons Sandbox

This probably isn't a fair comparo because the 950 costs more... but cost aside will the 950 do better on-road or off-road than the KLR? Has anyone got a 950 that came from a KLR for comparison sake? I am going to get a 950 next week and try it (I think) but have not gotten to ride one yet. I think it is going to be big for me (I'm 5'11, 210lbs, brown hair, blue eyes and like wind-surfing women - like my wife I have had a KLR before and loved it but would like to try something a little more 'modern' that vibrates less on the freeway but still can go down single-track, I am not sure the 950 will do that... I have gotten Esteban's view on it (get the KLR) already and I value his opinion greatly... Scott Abshire

On Mon, 6 Sep 2004, Scott Abshire wrote:

> This probably isn't a fair comparo because the 950 costs more... but > cost aside will the 950 do better on-road or off-road than the KLR?

Having flogged the KLR a little off-road this weekend, I wouldn't want to try it on something one ounce heavier than the KLR. It takes *WORK* flogging a bike that big around on the dirt. That said, the KTM950 is a sweet design with excellent suspension and a wonderful engine and great protection for all that stuff, and should handle light-duty offroading just fine with appropriate tires. Just don't expect to have much fun doing so, because you will be *WORKING*, my friend... and furthermore, you'll be working with a $12,000 motorcycle that'll cost more to fix if you drop it than a KLR costs to buy in the first place. But that extra cylinder and 300cc will definitely prove smoother and far more powerful on the road than the KLR's rather crude and rough thumper. But let's see, $5,000 KLR.... $12,000 KTM... Hmmm.... is it more than TWICE as good as a KLR?! If it was more reasonably priced (like around $8-9K, like the V-STROM 1000), there would be no argument. But at that price, we're talking yuppy indulgence, not value. -E

At 2:07 PM -0700 9/6/04, Kathleen Tyre wrote:

>Happy Labor Day, >To List Wisdom, >Sorry that this is not about Kerry or Bush, Sadam, or OBL. Shame on me. I >do have an almost KLR-related question as the plastic that I broke WAS >attached to the bike. >I managed to snap the choke lever off at the base. Is this something that I >can repair using JBWeld or Quicksteel? Or do I need to replace the entire >housing?

I just took a scrap piece of brass and screwed it to the lever base. It's held up fine for 5 years. http://www.reelrider.com/chokefix.jpg Mark