nklr - the fast and the furious

[sullivan_ts]

I'm new to Dual sport and need some advice as to which bike I should buy and which to avoid. My first priorty, I'd like to buy a bike that can handle the highway easily. second priorty is offroad. I'm 200 lbs, trying to lose some lbs of course, and plan on using the bike as a commutor to work and possibly some weekend offroad fun. Any info would be greatly appreciated Thanks Sully

[RM]

On Thu, 17 Jan 2002, Miata Myk wrote:

>And yet you missed the entire rear rack that was in the scene where it >crashed? I'm 95% sure it was a KLR.

Yeah, I saw the rack. It was 100% KLR but the rest of the bike threw me off.

[RM]

On Thu, 17 Jan 2002, sullivan_ts wrote:

>My first priorty, I'd like to buy a bike that can handle the highway >easily. second priorty is offroad. I'm 200 lbs, trying to lose some lbs >of course, and plan on using the bike as a commutor to work and possibly >some weekend offroad fun.

It sounds like the KLR is just the ticket. Or possibly a DR650 for a little more dirt and less highway. ...or maybe an F650?

[bradmorris64]

Sully, I can't really tell you which bike you should buy. All I can tell you is that the KLR650 feels like it belongs on the highway. It's also a fantastic commuter bike. It zips through traffic with ease and corners beautifully. I'm 6'3" 220lbs and it fits me perfectly. Now, as for the dirt. In its stock form, it's fun off road, as long as the ground is somewhat hard and packed. You start getting into loose stuff and all bets are off. However, based on tips from this list, this is easily fixable with the following mods (which I admittedly have not done yet (I just got the bike in October) but will begin implementing this spring): 1.) Replace the stock tires with more aggresive ones. (Kenda270 or Dunlop606) cost...$70-$180 depending on the tires. 2.) Pull out the front fork springs and replace them with Progressive Larry Roesler springs. cost...$90. 3.) Get a fork brace (optional?). It seems that some people think they are essential and some people don't. Kind of expensive, but if they work, worth it. I'll wait and see how the tires and Progressive springs effect the handling before I buy the brace. cost...$150 At this point you would have an outstanding all purpose bike that would smoke the other duel sports in it's class on the highway and keep up with 'em (they'd still be in the lead but at least you could see their tail lights) in the dirt. But if you want even more, you might also try one of the things we're duscussing right now. 4.) Replace the front sprocket with a 14 tooth one to give you more low end torque for crawling over obstacles. This will leave you needing more RPMs to cruise at highway speed, but cruising at 75mph (with plenty of passing power) should be no problem. Once again, let me say that all of these tips are things I've picked up from the list and not ones that I have actually completed yet. This is only because I just bought my bike brand new in October and I have been spending every semi-warm day riding it. But, come this spring I'm definately replacing the fork springs, putting more aggresive tires on it, and I'll probably buy the fork brace. COME ON TAX REFUND!!! Good luck with your decision. Brad J. Morris A16 Illinois

> I'm new to Dual sport and need some advice as to which bike I should buy > and which to avoid. > My first priorty, I'd like to buy a bike that can handle the highway easily. > second priorty is offroad. > I'm 200 lbs, trying to lose some lbs of course, > and plan on using the bike as a commutor to work and possibly some weekend > offroad fun. > > Any info would be greatly appreciated > Thanks > Sully