why a klr650?

DSN_KLR650
bradcdavis
Posts: 101
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2001 6:51 am

why a klr650?

Post by bradcdavis » Fri Jan 11, 2002 10:51 am

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., taffrail wrote:
> > >When they make the perfect, maintenance free dual-sport for around 5 > >grand, please let us know. > > Are you crazy? I'm keeping that one all to myself. > > > Over the last 12 years of owning one I've > >found it to be a dead reliable, reasonably comfortable, dirt-worthy, > >street-smart, canyon-carving, fire-roading, long-ranging, heavy- > >hauling, adventure-touring, cheap-to-own, easy-to-maintain, fun, fun, > >fun workhorse of a motorcycle. > > Congratulations! > > >There's simply nothing that will touch it for range, ability and > >price. > > Hmmmm....let's take it one at the time. > > 1. Range. Yep, I'd say you have a winner > 2. Ability. To do what? The Honda has it beat in the dirt and several > others are rated higher on the road. > 3. Price. Suzuki same price. Honda $500 more........ > > So yes, it does win one point out of three. And I admit it is an
important
> point to me. But is it easier to put an IMS tank on the Honda or
larger
> forks on the KLR650? > taf
Jeez....Guys, This back and forth bitchin' is reminding me of a bad marriage. Maybe it is just me but my finger is getting tired of clicking through all this tripe. Yeah, Yeah I know, I am on this list by choice....... Brad

David Kelly
Posts: 304
Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2001 8:20 pm

why a klr650?

Post by David Kelly » Fri Jan 11, 2002 1:40 pm

On Fri, Jan 11, 2002 at 10:19:11AM -0600, taffrail wrote:
> > 2. Ability. To do what? The Honda has it beat in the dirt and several > others are rated higher on the road.
Opinions of others does not make it so. There is nothing like trying an item on for size yourself to see if it fits.
> 3. Price. Suzuki same price. Honda $500 more........
Clearly those brands don't have a list like this one else you wouldn't be here. :-) Which list had the "bought bike new" survey? Result was very few participants purchased new? So new price has little to do with the "cost of acquisition" formula. I have a KLX650R-D1 because it came along at the right time at the right price. To exchange it for a "higher rated" bike would cost too much more than any minor improvement. A KDX220 would have been a much better choice but then and now I don't want a 2-stroke. KLX300R, KLX250 or Honda 200 or 250 would have been better. But the 650 appeared at the right time and price. At work we used to employ an accountant who, politely said, was a professional shopper of gadgets. He never could break down and actually purchase something because he was fixated on the minutia and anticipated future features. He heard I was about to purchase a digital camera and dumped a pile of "research" that his choice was the very best and only one a smart person would buy. I bought something different. Preordered a Kodak DC290. He couldn't understand why I made that choice. "Because Kodak is run by photographers and not PC weenies. Kodak gets the color right. Kodak keeps digital artifacts out of the sky. Kodak uses Compact Flash and yours uses Smart Media." But he countered that his choice had a hot shoe for flash and adjustable ASA settings. Need I say more? The DC290 has been an excellent camera. -- David Kelly N4HHE, dkelly@... ===================================================================== The human mind ordinarily operates at only ten percent of its capacity -- the rest is overhead for the operating system.

klrz4ever
Posts: 259
Joined: Wed Dec 05, 2001 7:46 pm

why a klr650?

Post by klrz4ever » Fri Jan 11, 2002 3:05 pm

Taf, snip...
> So in your own private, personal line of reasoning how does it
compare to > the XR650L, F650GS, KTM640LC4's (several of these), DR650SE, KLX650? XR650L - better in the dirt; better find a gas station. F650GS - buy a KLR, put the money you saved in a CD and pay for your travel KTM640LC4 - buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz DR650SE - OK for short hops in the woods, no real range. KLX650 - Not made anymore. (Was is even street legal?) That pretty much sums up my personal line of reasoning. What's yours? Arden Kysely

taffrail
Posts: 55
Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2001 1:27 pm

why a klr650?

Post by taffrail » Fri Jan 11, 2002 3:19 pm

>That pretty much sums up my personal line of reasoning. What's yours? > >Arden Kysely
If, and I say if the deal I'm in now falls through (2000 KLR650) I will do one of two things. XR650L add IMS gas tank, be happy, or F650GS be happy, or DR650 be happy. Price is always a consideration. But I can live with the price of any of these. taf

Zachariah Mully
Posts: 1897
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2000 7:50 am

why a klr650?

Post by Zachariah Mully » Fri Jan 11, 2002 3:33 pm

On Fri, 2002-01-11 at 16:19, taffrail wrote:
> > >That pretty much sums up my personal line of reasoning. What's yours? > > > >Arden Kysely > > If, and I say if the deal I'm in now falls through (2000 KLR650) I will do > one of two things. > > XR650L add IMS gas tank, be happy, or
Piece o'merde compared to the XR650R model. Might as well wait for Honda to put the water cooled engine in the L. Or just buy an R and a ds kit and coil from someone. The L is too expensive to not have the nice R engine in it.
> F650GS be happy, or
Crashy, crashy, money, money. Nice road bikes IMO.
> DR650 be happy.
I look at the DR and well, it does NOTHING for me. Doesn't inspire adventure, can't put my finger on it, but it's just so BLAH. Never like Suzooks, so that probably doesn't help. I do like the front suspension and the snail cam rear axle adjusters, but I've already got better forks on my KLR650X and I haven't had to adjust my chain in 6 months.
> Price is always a consideration. But I can live with the price of any of > these. > taf >
Yer willing to pay $8000 for the GS? $4000 buys a lotta swag. Z DC

Zachariah Mully
Posts: 1897
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2000 7:50 am

why a klr650?

Post by Zachariah Mully » Fri Jan 11, 2002 3:38 pm

On Fri, 2002-01-11 at 16:05, klrz4ever wrote:
> KTM640LC4 - buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz > DR650SE - OK for short hops in the woods, no real range. > KLX650 - Not made anymore. (Was is even street legal?)
The KLX650C might have been BigK lame attempt at replacing the KLR, but it was 1) Too expensive and 2) has a small tank. I'd take the forks and brakes from the C, but not the rest of the bike (whadda know, that's what I did!)...
> > That pretty much sums up my personal line of reasoning. What's yours? > > Arden Kysely >
Nothing's perfect. Z DC

steve pye
Posts: 568
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2000 5:31 pm

why a klr650?

Post by steve pye » Fri Jan 11, 2002 4:04 pm

----- Original Message ----- From: "taffrail" To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002 12:15 PM In one of your responses you requested a Right / Wrong answer to your list of questions. I've owned 3 KLR's and personally know the owners of 3 more so I'll take a stab at it. > 1. Adjusting balancer chains ...... Right. > > 2. With less than a thousand miles.......adjusting the valves. Wrong. > > 3. The rear view mirrors are great..........if your eyes buzz at the same > frequency. Wrong. > > 4. No need to replace the front forks on this machine so long as you don't > ride it in the dirt.. Wrong. > > 5. The brakes work......but keep you guessing. Wrong. > > 6. A pack of cigarettes gets about the same amount of protection from it's > wrap as the engine does from it's. Right. > > 7. No real good idea of what oil works best but everyone agrees you better > use some ...AND......you better refill it often. However, don't trust the > sight glass as it is not calibrated. Right, use oil. Wrong, no problems with the sight glass. > > 8. Same goes for lubing the chain. Right, lube it. > > 9. This thing is really tall so you can look 18 wheeler drivers in the > face and shake your finger at them BEFORE they spit that chaw of Redman. Right. > > 10. It also holds a LOT of gas and should you decide to take advantage of > that capacity you now have even more weight way up there. Right. > > 11. Most people will be on tiptoe at a stop light but if you are 6'1" or > taller you can really stretch out. Put both heels down. Right. > > 12. When you twist the grip you are not actually opening the throttle but > removing some pressure so it MAY open if it so desires. Wrong. > > 13. Should you drop it, there is a good chance you will hole the case with > the gear shift, but it is ok, just carry JB weld. Wrong. > > 14. The early colors were not bad but......Olive Drab must be a > favorite color of the crazy westerners so........here you go. (Actually I > like the color.) Wrong. > > 15. The seat is a wonderful appliance. Just don't spend more than 60 > minutes with it at any one time. Right. > Glad to be of assistance. Cheers Steve A11

Stuart Mumford
Posts: 1178
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2000 6:45 pm

why a klr650?

Post by Stuart Mumford » Fri Jan 11, 2002 6:21 pm

> taf
BECAUSE IT'S THERE. NEXT QUESTION! WHAT DID YOU SAY YOUR NAME IS? IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOUR NAME IS! CA Stu :-)

taffrail
Posts: 55
Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2001 1:27 pm

why a klr650?

Post by taffrail » Fri Jan 11, 2002 10:01 pm

Ca Stu Did your mother teach you not to type in all caps? Someone should. As for the bike, I suspect you are wrong on most counts. I think it is kind of like an old army jeep, tough if you take care of it's tender spots. taf

Klx650rider@aol.com
Posts: 54
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2001 11:26 pm

why a klr650?

Post by Klx650rider@aol.com » Sat Jan 12, 2002 1:49 am

Arden, Yup, the KLX was sold in 2 forms in the US. C model, like mine was street legal, electric start, etc.... and the R model, dirt only, not street legal. Hope this helps, Marshall in Slidell, La 95 KLXC3 "Blackhorse" (in honor of those who served)

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