Wilsons Sandbox

1. No major work for a long time assuming the doohickey is fixed. I have 43,000 on mine and friends with 65,000 with no major work. 2. 45 -55 mpg but I would stat with stock 15. It works with all around riding well. I have heard the 16 lugs the engine on things like hills and is not good going against the wind. I have heard the transmission could suffer damage using one and a friend who has his like that sure is noisey taking off in 1st. 3. See above. 4. We will all let you know when we ever need it. 5. It is a perfect commuter bike and has no trouble staying up with 75 - 80 mph traffic and when traffic is at a stand still you can cut across an open field if a cop is not watching. Don't ask how I know about this. 6. What are you missing? You don't have one. Criswell

On May 16, 2007, at 12:27 AM, bertgamble2001 wrote: > I am seriously considering a 08 model for commuting purposes. I have > read the FAQ and know that it says it will work well in that > application, but I want to hear from the people who ride them. > I have a 100 mile each way commute that I do 14 days per month. > Speeds average 75 MPH as it is all freeway. > Questions: > 1. How long ( in miles) can I reasonably expect the bike to last > without major work? (assume excellent preventitive maint) > > 2. What king of gas mileage can I expect? (Assume street tires and > 16 tooth front sprocket) > > 3. Is there still enough torque to move the bike with the 16 tooth > sprocket? > > 4. When major work is required, say new piston and head work, what > is the amount I should expect to have to pay? > > 5. I don't plan on using it in the dirt. I have a YZ250 for that. > I want a light (lighter than a cruiser) bike that I can manuver > around Bay Area traffic jams. > > 5. Am I missing anything? > > Thank you in advance > Bert Gamble > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "bertgamble2001" wrote:

> > I am seriously considering a 08 model for commuting purposes. I

have

> read the FAQ and know that it says it will work well in that > application, but I want to hear from the people who ride them. > I have a 100 mile each way commute that I do 14 days per month. > Speeds average 75 MPH as it is all freeway. >

--- Personally, I don't think this is the best bike for that purpose. It will definitely do it. I have 10K on my bike and mhave had zero problems with it. I've done all the work on it myself, and it's a very easy bike to work on. Valve adjustments are a snap. It's just that it's not as much fun riding a single near the top of it's speed range while droning long distances on the superslab as some other options that are near the same price range and fuel economy. For example, I paid about the same for my Suzuki SV650 as I did my KLR, and the Suzuki has about twice the horsepower, yet still gets the same gas milage (50 mpg) as I get with my KLR. If I had to commute 100 miles each way I'd take my SV over my KLR. I have 30K on my SV and it's been stone cold reliable as well. There are several other bikes that come to mind as well. Just my 2 cents.

On 5/15/07, bertgamble2001 wrote:

> I am seriously considering a 08 model for commuting purposes.

[...]

> 5. I don't plan on using it in the dirt. I have a YZ250 for that. > I want a light (lighter than a cruiser) bike that I can manuver > around Bay Area traffic jams.

If you aren't planning on using it in the dirt (or at least off-pavement), then there are probably other bikes that will be more comfortable at highway speeds--larger fairings have an advantage on the pavement. They'll also have a lower seat height so you'll be more sure-footed at stops. As takes2serious mentioned, an SV650 is worth your consideration. I've also been impressed with the new Ninja 500--$5,000 MSRP, a nice twin engine, and it gets better gas mileage (around 65 MPG). I love my KLR, but if I only used it for pavement work I'd trade it for something else. I hope this doesn't get me stoned to death with a bunch of broken doohickeys... -- Blake Sobiloff http://sobiloff.typepad.com/> http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/> San Jose, CA (USA)

I agree with Blake, KLRs are good if you want a mix of tramac and off-road. If only tarmac, i would go with an SV or something of that stripe.. albatross

----- Original Message ----- From: Blake Sobiloff To: bertgamble2001 Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 3:37 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Questions before I purchase On 5/15/07, bertgamble2001 wrote: > I am seriously considering a 08 model for commuting purposes. [...] > 5. I don't plan on using it in the dirt. I have a YZ250 for that. > I want a light (lighter than a cruiser) bike that I can manuver > around Bay Area traffic jams. If you aren't planning on using it in the dirt (or at least off-pavement), then there are probably other bikes that will be more comfortable at highway speeds--larger fairings have an advantage on the pavement. They'll also have a lower seat height so you'll be more sure-footed at stops. As takes2serious mentioned, an SV650 is worth your consideration. I've also been impressed with the new Ninja 500--$5,000 MSRP, a nice twin engine, and it gets better gas mileage (around 65 MPG). I love my KLR, but if I only used it for pavement work I'd trade it for something else. I hope this doesn't get me stoned to death with a bunch of broken doohickeys... -- Blake Sobiloff http://sobiloff.typepad.com/> http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/> San Jose, CA (USA) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Blake Sobiloff" wrote:

> As takes2serious mentioned, an SV650 is worth your consideration. I've > also been impressed with the new Ninja 500--$5,000 MSRP, a nice twin > engine, and it gets better gas mileage (around 65 MPG).

Word of warning about the SV650. You better be a runt, because that is a *tiny* bike. Any normal-sized person looks like he's riding a mini-bike on that tiny little thing. There's a reason why so many tiny girls and 5' accountants buy SV650's as a "starter" bike. It's like ridin' a freakin' mini-bike. One of my co-workers had a SV650, and it's about 2 feet shorter from wheeltip to wheeltip than my KLR is -- and a KLR ain't exactly a long-wheelbase bike! The SV650 looks like the bike that Erik Buell was *trying* to build when he started wrapping teensy tiny little minimalist sport bikes around that huge honkin' Harley engine. If you're looking for a Suzuki twin for real people, the Wee-strom (DL650) has the same basic engine as the SV650, but without the clown-bike ergonomics for those of us who aren't child-sized. As for the Ninja 500, it's an old reliable design, but if you're getting 65mpg out of the thing, you are babyin' it, not ridin' it. Most folks get around 50mpg on that bike if they ride it like it's meant to be ridden. 50mpg seems about the best you can do with a carburetor on a bike with 35+ horsepower (the Ninja 500 has two CVK34's, as vs. the KLR's single CFK40). By contrast, 65mpg is easily achieved on a Suzuki SV/DL650 even when gassing it, due to the fuel injection. Finally, the 2008 KLR has much better wind protection than earlier KLR's, so would be completely suitable for a 100 mile round trip every day, assuming the ergonomics work for you. It should also get better fuel economy than the 2007 and prior KLR's also due to the better cylinder head and ignition. The ergonomics work for those of us 5'11 or taller. If you're shorter than 5'11, probably you want to look at something else.

On 5/16/07, takes2serious wrote:

> Personally, I don't think this is the best bike for that purpose. It > will definitely do it. I have 10K on my bike and mhave had zero

I agree - if you aren't planning to do any off-road I think there are better bikes for droning down the highway. Even a Wee-Strom would probably be better. Jim

I agree with takes2serious. I have both the KLR and DL 650 - Wee Strom. The Strom is a more comfortable commuter, especially at higher highway speeds. If you're not going to do much/any off road you may want to take a close look at the Strom.

On 5/16/07, takes2serious wrote: > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com , > "bertgamble2001" > wrote: > > > > I am seriously considering a 08 model for commuting purposes. I > have > > read the FAQ and know that it says it will work well in that > > application, but I want to hear from the people who ride them. > > I have a 100 mile each way commute that I do 14 days per month. > > Speeds average 75 MPH as it is all freeway. > > > --- > > Personally, I don't think this is the best bike for that purpose. It > will definitely do it. I have 10K on my bike and mhave had zero > problems with it. I've done all the work on it myself, and it's a > very easy bike to work on. Valve adjustments are a snap. It's just > that it's not as much fun riding a single near the top of it's speed > range while droning long distances on the superslab as some other > options that are near the same price range and fuel economy. > > For example, I paid about the same for my Suzuki SV650 as I did my > KLR, and the Suzuki has about twice the horsepower, yet still gets > the same gas milage (50 mpg) as I get with my KLR. If I had to > commute 100 miles each way I'd take my SV over my KLR. I have 30K on > my SV and it's been stone cold reliable as well. > > There are several other bikes that come to mind as well. Just my 2 > cents. > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "E.L. Green" wrote:

>

It's like ridin' a freakin' mini-bike. One of my co-workers had a SV650, and it's about 2 feet shorter from wheeltip to wheeltip than my KLR is -- and a KLR ain't exactly a long-wheelbase bike!

>

--- I'm not sure what bike your friend has, but it must not be an SV. The SV wheelbase is only about 2 inches shorter than the KLR. Plenty of six footers ride the SV650 without complaint.