Wilsons Sandbox

No more KLR650 for me. Mine was a 2005 model I bought brand new.I used it for street riding only, and never did get that bike off road.I just never seem to get the chance anymore for off road riding. I had a 2001 KLR250 and got that one off road while I had it (for 10,000+ miles). I later traded it for my 650 as my 65 mile round trip commute in those days into Seattle was a tough one for the 250.Then I changed careers and moved, and ended up with a 15 mile round trip commute on a nice back road to an HD/Buell dealership where I work in the parts dept.That KLR got me to work and back every day for the next two years in the rain,cold,and whatever here in western Wa,. State.I picked up a couple of other motorcycles,a 2007 Yamaha XT225, and a 2007 Royal Enfield Bullet Classic. The Yamaha makes a fine smaller trail bike, and I have used it on my commute lately.That bike gets from 78-107 miles per gallon!!My wife has a Honda Metro scooter, and I got the XT so that we could load the two up in the back of my Toyota Tacoma pickup and drive up to Anacortes, Wa., where we park the truck, unload the bikes, ride them onto the ferry boat (motorcycle,bicycles,pedestrians=first on,first off), and spend my weekend (Sun/Mon) riding all ovet San Juan Island,Orcas Island,or Lopez Island.So the Yamaha stays in my collection, and can commute,and get me off road when I get a chance on a smaller,lighter motorcycle. The Enfield-well,what can I say.Maybe the best looking motorcycle made today, if you are an old fart like me who grew up riding British motorcycles.There is nothing like a British long-stroke thumper.And it gets 70-85 mpg.Kick start,pushrods,points and condenser-on a 2007 motorcycle. I've wanted another Sportster for some years now (bought a new 1984 XLX-61 in '84), and found a fine 2006 XL883 at the dealership I work at.It has 3000 miles, and with my employee discount, I'm getting it for $4062.00.This will be my 22nd motorcycle over a 47 year period. I'll miss the KLR650. I can easily see why they are so popular.Mine easily cruised at 60-75 mph and has been averaging about 56 mpg. Take care, Jon in Puyallup, Wa. USA