where does a newby start?

[RobertWichert]

I have an '07 which I got in '06.  I like it a lot.  I'm not sure that I would trade it for a Gen II, although I do like the chromed exhaust pipe guard.  I have crashed it and expect to crash it again, and more plastic means more breakage, so Gen I is fine with me.  It is also marginally lighter, and weight is the biggest downside of a KLR, in my opinion. If you get a REALLY old one, they are even lighter!  So keep that in mind.  Some of the ancient models from the '80s have smaller gas tanks and gas tanks are probably the heaviest thing, located up high, that make the KLR pretty top heavy. I would advise you to have your local Kawasaki dealer go over it, maybe do a service on it, before you buy it, but nobody is going to let you do that.  A major service is several hundred dollars and that would be the first thing that I would do with a used bike.  Let the experts take the first crack at it.  They'll find stuff for you and you can decide to fix it or not. Major issues: The cam bearings can wear, and if they do, it takes a new head to fix it.  Expensive.  This would be found in a major service. High speed wobble - caused by loose or worn steering head bearings.  Easy to tighten, hard to replace. Swingarm bearings can be corroded all to hell, or so I've been told.  Lots of horror stories on those.  Good luck with that! Doohickey (I'm sure you've heard all about this little devil) problems - Fred Hink says he has seen more broken springs than broken doohickeys, which I can believe, but having a broken spring is not a good thing. Not hard to fix.  Lots of help hereabouts too. Oil usage - I don't consider this a problem.  Just pour the stuff in.  Oil is good! Weak electrics - small wires, small alternator, blown fuses, weak horn, weak headlight, you get the idea.  Almost no fix for this except some relays and prayers.  I have heard of larger alternators, but I just put on a sweater and forgo the heated seat/jacket/handlebars/etc. If you are going to ride off road, get some good tires.  I like TKC-80s.  They ain't cheap, but neither is good tequila. Soft rear shock.  Progressive makes a nice replacement.  Others do too. I honestly think that a 14 tooth front sprocket is a great modification to add acceleration and more wheelies.  I ran 13 for a while, but I like the 14 better because it saves one shift for the freeway.  The 13 is in fifth on the ramp.  Not as much fun. Great bikes, for sure!  Freeway, dirt, snow, ICE!, I don't like big rocks, but you might. Cheers! Robert Wichert P.Eng. LEED AP BD&C +1 916 966 9060 FAX +1 916 966 9068 ===============================================

On 12/29/2013 1:16 PM, pwhatfourever@... wrote:

  I have been lurking on this group for about two years after a friend who rides a KLR referred me. I have not ridden a motorcycle since I had a BSA 125 as a kid. I am 55, well over 6' at 200 lbs and am finally ready to take the plunge. I hope to find a decent KLR for $3K or less not too far from the Oklahoma City metro. A local university holds a two day beginner MC class which includes 5 hours of class time and the rest on-hands. I am mostly concerned with how and where to find a good bike, whether to go Gen I vs. Gen II, etc. Any and all advice and input is appreciated. Thanks! Paul