nklr: best american bike around!

[Scott Stephens]

Hi Just wanting feedback and advice from current/past KLR650 owners that could tell me how a KLR650 would stack up against a KTM640 Hard Enduro. I know that the KLR should be a smoother ride etc but what about quality of parts, price of parts and maintenance and also performance? I like dirt biking more than street and also have to carry a pillion very often. Thanks in advance Scott *************************** Scott Stephens Training Coordinator Tailored Tutoring Ph (07) 4923 7079 scott@... www.tailoredtutoring.com

[guymanbro]

Being the local self appointed expert (own one of each) I'll answer for ya. KLR -- parts cheaper...also lower quality KTM -- parts better...also more expensive (almost $50 for OEM oil filters -- 2 to change each time) KLR -- maintenance fairly easy and cheap (6K valve adj intervals with shim/bucket) KTM -- maintenance difficult and not so cheap (3k valve adj intervals with screw-type adjusters) KLR off road -- grudgingly goes wherever you point it KTM off-road -- takes you places you didn't think you wanted to try KLR with pillion -- no problem, fairly comfortable KTM with pillion -- grudgingly accepts a second set of ass-cheeks (then punishes them) Your decision depends mostly on how hard you ride off road and how far you go with a pillion. They're both capable machines but each at the opposite end of the performance spectrum. dat brooklyn bum

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Scott Stephens wrote: > Just wanting feedback and advice from current/past KLR650 owners that could tell me how a KLR650 would stack up against a KTM640 Hard Enduro. I know that the KLR should be a smoother ride etc but what about quality of parts, price of parts and maintenance and also performance? > > I like dirt biking more than street and also have to carry a pillion very often. > > Thanks in advance > > Scott

[toomanybikes]

--- guymanbro wrote:

> Being the local self appointed expert (own one of > each) I'll answer > for ya. > > KLR -- parts cheaper...also lower quality > KTM -- parts better...also more expensive (almost > $50 for OEM oil > filters -- 2 to change each time)

Where you been buying those filters! Chaparral catalogue lists both for a total of $11. KLR -- maintenance fairly easy and cheap (6K valve

> adj intervals with > shim/bucket) > KTM -- maintenance difficult and not so cheap (3k > valve adj intervals > with screw-type adjusters)

Some would say screw types are a lot easier than shim and buckets.

> > KLR off road -- grudgingly goes wherever you point > it > KTM off-road -- takes you places you didn't think > you wanted to try > > KLR with pillion -- no problem, fairly comfortable > KTM with pillion -- grudgingly accepts a second set > of ass-cheeks > (then punishes them) > > Your decision depends mostly on how hard you ride > off road and how > far you go with a pillion. They're both capable > machines but each at > the opposite end of the performance spectrum. > > dat brooklyn bum > > > > > I like dirt biking more than street and also

have

> to carry a > pillion very often.

Someone needs their own bike (-: Pillion and dirt don't seem like a very fun combo. I have a klr and a duke so am learning about each. The KTM's are more maintenance and more $$ to maintain, just really depends on your needs and desires. For practicality it is hard to beat Jap bikes and especially the KLR. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Movies - coverage of the 74th Academy Awards http://movies.yahoo.com/

[Devon Jarvis]

I helped Tumu adjust the valves on his KTM, so I'll chime in here. I have owned five bikes in my life, three were screw'n'locknut, two (XJ700 Yamaha and the KLR) shim'n'bucket. I always thought that shim'n'bucket was a pain in the ass until I helped out on the KTM 640. Valve adjustment on that bike sucks. The adjustors are harder to get to than the shims on the KLR, and you have to do it twice as often. Fitting the crankshaft locking bolt took as long setting the clearances did. If you're going to have screw'n'locknut valve adjustment, it should be a lot more accessible. Devon A15 toomanybikes wrote: snip KLR -- maintenance fairly easy and cheap (6K valve

> > adj intervals with > > shim/bucket) > > KTM -- maintenance difficult and not so cheap (3k > > valve adj intervals > > with screw-type adjusters) > > Some would say screw types are a lot easier than shim > and buckets. > > >

[toomanybikes]

It is not easy, I just ordered the motion pro screw adjuster wrench that should make it a lot easier. I also have the special bent feeler guage and it is still a pain. --- Devon Jarvis wrote:

> I helped Tumu adjust the valves on his KTM, so I'll > chime in here.

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[Devon Jarvis]

If any of the Firebolts sold this year are still running with a decent reliability record in three years or so, I'll consider buying a new one. Erik Buell has some great ideas, but he's spent much of his life designing bikes that only have to make to the finish line and I think it shows. Buells reliability record is miserable AND perfectly consistent up to two years back (every model recalled every year). At the same time it's admirable because they wash their dirty laundry in public. A few of the Japanese companies and one German one in the past have simply sent out "technical bulletins" or offered optional parts, or so I've heard. Apparently Suzuki just tells you that you overrevved or wheelied too much and they're not paying for it. My local Kawi dealers are usually just like yours. I buy clothing and accessories at the BMW shop, apparently their customers are the only other people here riding in the rain besides me. I think Buell might have finally gotten the motor right this time. Devon A15 klxmoto wrote:

> > > A 1200 sportster with rearsets, Japanese switchgear and controls, > > Italian brakes/wheels/suspension, and a Metisse or Spondon frame > > would be the best American bike around! > > Umm, that would be the Buell Firebolt XB9R. A VERY interesting bike > that has some very advanced design features that actually made it > into production. I sat on one at the bike show and I want one! > > Overall, I was impressed, they treated me like a human being, did not > assume I was an idiot (I think). This is in total contrast to my 2 > local Suzook and Kawi dealers that treat me like I'm either not there > (hello, I'm at your counter with product and money in my hand, can > somebody please take my money), or they treat you like a pest when > they acknowledge you at all. I just don't get it. >