so now where? (was: where to put the number plate ?)

[Artie Turner]

I've got the fever to try the dual-sport bikes, but none of the Dallas area dealers has a KLR650 in stock. I'd read so much about the KLR on the internet, I had to see one, so I struck up a conversation with a total stranger just so I could see how KLR650 would fit me. I'm 6'1' - 190, and although it was a little hard to get my leg over, the suspension sank a couple of inches as I sat down and my feet were flat on the ground while my knees were slightly bent. It felt lighter than any bike I'd been on except for my old Honda 150. I've never been on a real dirt bike, and I'm looking for a 99% urban commuter street bike with the occasional dirt/gravel road, stream crossing, and/or cow pasture The local BWM dealer has an immaculate '95 R100GS with bags. 55k miles. Asking $5k. Strangely enough, the blue book for that model is even less than $5k. I test drove the GS for 15 minutes on broad, low-traffic streets. This is a big, powerful bike. Seems even taller than the KLR. Which would you rather have for about the same money: a new KLR650 or a like-new R100GS? Thanks, Artie

[wld_champ]

Artie, I have both. A '92 R100GS and a KLR650 A9. I have to say they are both great bikes. They each have their place. The BMW is MUCH heavier, about 200lbs I believe. It also has more raw power 67bhp stock. I find the BMW more comfortable on long rides (200 miles +) and it has a better feel in the twisties (paved). The KLR is a much better bike as a shorter distance commuter and definitely better when the pavement ends. I have a 35 mile one way commute to work and 10 miles of that is on dirt/gravel. I find myself making that ride more on the KLR than the BMW. I have done long distances on both bikes (1000 + miles per trip) and they are both wonderful. The KLR is definitely more dirt oriented and handles better off pavement than the BMW. The BMW has slightly, but only slightly, better gearing for the highway. The BMW is somewhat more expensive to maintain mostly because of parts costs, but if you treat it right the boxer twin is bullet proof. It is common to get 100,000 + miles out of those engines. I have a friend with a '91 that has 79,000 miles on his with only regular maintenance and a new set of pushrod seals. It really is going to come down to how you will be riding. I think you will be happy with either bike. Something to note, both bikes suffer from weak charging systems. This means you are limited in accessories you can run, such as aux lights, heated clothing etc. They both also suffer from soft suspensions. I would highly recommend the Progressive upgrade to the front suspension and a rear upgrade might benefit you as well. The front can be done for under $100 and is well worth it. I have done both my bikes. The rear is more expensive, but worth considering after you have ridden the bike for a while. If you are truly going to be 99% street and plan on any distances I would go with the BMW. If you plan on mostly short (under 200 or so miles) trips and there is the possibility of anything more rugged than a gravel road in your plans I would get the KLR. In my opinion, you really can't go wrong with either one. BTW, I am 6' and 175lbs. Dave

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Artie Turner wrote: > I've got the fever to try the dual-sport bikes, but none of the Dallas > area dealers has a KLR650 in stock. I'd read so much about the KLR on > the internet, I had to see one, so I struck up a conversation with a > total stranger just so I could see how KLR650 would fit me. I'm 6'1' - > 190, and although it was a little hard to get my leg over, the > suspension sank a couple of inches as I sat down and my feet were flat > on the ground while my knees were slightly bent. It felt lighter than > any bike I'd been on except for my old Honda 150. > > I've never been on a real dirt bike, and I'm looking for a 99% urban > commuter street bike with the occasional dirt/gravel road, stream > crossing, and/or cow pasture > > The local BWM dealer has an immaculate '95 R100GS with bags. 55k miles. > Asking $5k. Strangely enough, the blue book for that model is even less > than $5k. > > I test drove the GS for 15 minutes on broad, low-traffic streets. This > is a big, powerful bike. Seems even taller than the KLR. > > Which would you rather have for about the same money: a new KLR650 or a > like-new R100GS? > > Thanks, > > Artie

[PRBKLR@cs.com]

Artie, you'll get numerous opinions just based on New vs. Used anything. Personally, for the same money, I prefer the new KLR, which is under warranty for at least a year, aftermarket parts are readily available, parts are readily available, parts are far less expensive,and service is nowhere near as expensive for a Kawi as it would be for the BMW. My .02.. Paul A13 Frisco, Tx Artie Turner wrote:

>The local BWM dealer has an immaculate '95 R100GS with bags. 55k miles. >Asking $5k. Strangely enough, the blue book for that model is even less >than $5k. > >I test drove the GS for 15 minutes on broad, low-traffic streets. This >is a big, powerful bike. Seems even taller than the KLR. > >Which would you rather have for about the same money: a new KLR650 or a >like-new R100GS? > >Thanks, > >Artie >

[kilrcalikawi]

I agree the KLR will be much cheaper in the long run. Trev

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., PRBKLR@c... wrote: > Artie, you'll get numerous opinions just based on New vs. Used anything. Personally, for the same money, I prefer the new KLR, which is under warranty for at least a year, aftermarket parts are readily available, parts are readily available, parts are far less expensive,and service is nowhere near as expensive for a Kawi as it would be for the BMW. > > My .02.. > > Paul > A13 > Frisco, Tx > > Artie Turner wrote: > > >The local BWM dealer has an immaculate '95 R100GS with bags. 55k miles. > >Asking $5k. Strangely enough, the blue book for that model is even less > >than $5k. > > > >I test drove the GS for 15 minutes on broad, low-traffic streets. This > >is a big, powerful bike. Seems even taller than the KLR. > > > >Which would you rather have for about the same money: a new KLR650 or a > >like-new R100GS? > > > >Thanks, > > > >Artie > >

[Woode]

Artie, One other bike you might look at is the Cagiva Gran Canyon. I'm looking to buy one soon myself. For the type and speed of riding I like to do I'm finding the KLR just a bit lacking. I really like my '98 KLR, great for around town and the occaisional squirt down gravel roads and such, but out on the highway if I encounter winds that are not directly in front or behind me I'm tending to get blown around a bit. But maintenance wise, availability of parts and accessories, general knowledge (like this list) the KLR is great. When on the hiway I tend to ride in the 70+ mph range, YMMV at a more sedate speed. A downside to the Cagiva is the lack of dealer support, Cagiva was bought out my Piaggio and is in a bit of a turmoil right now. The upside is the motor is a Ducati 900cc so parts and knowledge availability for it is quite plentiful. I believe there are a couple of 'New' '99 and '00 Gran Canyons up in the Dallas area ( I live in Austin so I have been looking there as well). Pricing is around the $6500 to $7000 range for the 'New' bikes. But that is getting you a bigger, more powerful fuel injected motor and typically hard luggage as well. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing but praise for the KLR and my highway riding style is a bit out of the intent for the KLR. If you are going to be putting a lot of miles on at higher hiway speeds, or doing a lot of longer distance touring (on the road) I would look at the big trailies like the Beemer, the Cagiva and possibly the Triumph Tiger. For anything else you are going to be hard pressed to beat the KLR. Just a little something to throw into the mix and only my $.02 worth. good luck on your decision, woode Date: Fri, 09 Aug 2002 08:14:43 -0500 From: Artie Turner Subject: New KLR650 vs used R100GS : which would you choose? I've got the fever to try the dual-sport bikes, but none of the Dallas area dealers has a KLR650 in stock. I'd read so much about the KLR on the internet, I had to see one, so I struck up a conversation with a total stranger just so I could see how KLR650 would fit me. I'm 6'1' - 190, and although it was a little hard to get my leg over, the suspension sank a couple of inches as I sat down and my feet were flat on the ground while my knees were slightly bent. It felt lighter than any bike I'd been on except for my old Honda 150. I've never been on a real dirt bike, and I'm looking for a 99% urban commuter street bike with the occasional dirt/gravel road, stream crossing, and/or cow pasture The local BWM dealer has an immaculate '95 R100GS with bags. 55k miles. Asking $5k. Strangely enough, the blue book for that model is even less than $5k. I test drove the GS for 15 minutes on broad, low-traffic streets. This is a big, powerful bike. Seems even taller than the KLR. Which would you rather have for about the same money: a new KLR650 or a like-new R100GS? Thanks, Artie

[judjonzz]

I relocated mine onto the bottom holes, just as you suggest, after the tire started to chew up the dealer's nameplate and bend my license plate. Worked fine - for a while. However, a week of forest roads in the Big Horns and Wind River did a number on the inner fender. The last 1/14" of the inner fender , to which the license bracket bolts, is now hanging by a shred of plastic. I'm thinking the inner fender has outlived its usefulness, and the plate will have to move to the outer fender, under the taillight. One obvious bodge is to bolt the stock bracket to the fender; which seems simple but inelegant. Drilling the fender for tie wraps has more pose value, undermined perhaps by the presence of actual turn signals, and a VIN that matches up with the plate. So, any ideas? And what about the inner fender? Dremel and tin snips to excise the visible parts, or is it worth the trouble to disassemble everything back there and extract it properly? I may have asked a similar question a few months ago, but now I have to do something, so any suggestion is gratefully received. -- In DSN_klr650@y..., "jayhummm" wrote:

> I just slid the license plate up on the bracket, using the bottom > holes instead of the top ones. You have to bend the top of the

plate

> a little bit so that it clears the light. > > Jay in PA > A15 > > --- In DSN_klr650@y..., "kfali" wrote: > > Ok, I have successfully bent my number plate towards the

inside of

> > the rear tire, it has acquired a nice smooth curve. This

happened

> > while I jumped off of a sidewalk, and yes in Manhattan

actually!

> > Devon I have seen your numberplate on top of ur rear fender,

is it

> > screwed in or something else. > > What would be a good place to mount it so I can jump from

even

> higher > > sidewalks. > > > > Kfali > > > > * I got a head shake from a cop on a horse while I was

jumping off

> > the sidewalk. Between 58 st and 5th ave.