nklr test... my posts aren't posting.

[weazoe2000]

Hi all, I'm interested in a KLR 650 but in reading through the lists here, I see a continuing theme in regards to the machines aparent lack of power. So before I buy I'd like to ask you owners a couple of questons: 1. How much power does the KLR actually have? I'd think a four valve 650 would be pushing quite a bit. 2. Subjectively, I know a bike without a lot of horsepower but with a good power band can feel like it has a lot of get-up and go. How does the bike feel to you? Is there enough power? 3. And finaly, are there readily available enhancements that substantially improve engine performance? Any answers you can give will be very much appreciated. Thanx.

[Mark Sampson]

1. How much power does the KLR actually have? I'd think a four valve 650 would be pushing quite a bit. I don't know the actual HP rating of the KLR-----but my seat of the pants comparison leads me to believe it has the lowest HP of any bike in its class----(650)---and I've probably ridden them all. My BMW F650 would blow it in the weeds. But-------it's plenty for me for what I do with mine---but I'm not happy unless my tires are off pavement. 2. Subjectively, I know a bike without a lot of horsepower but with a good power band can feel like it has a lot of get-up and go. How does the bike feel to you? Is there enough power? Plenty of power for me. I don't like riding a bike that when you wack the throttle it may jump out from under you. "A lot of get up and go"----the KLR does not have. 3. And finaly, are there readily available enhancements that substantially improve engine performance? I think you could spend lots of money on the motor-----with hardly any results. I see lots of people make their bikes louder and think they have lots more power----they don't. But overall------its a nice sweet motor---although very dated----and if you can keep your doohickey under control------it will last a very long time. What you need to do is ride one and judge for yourself. Any answers you can give will be very much appreciated. Thanx. You are so welcome !! Mark Sampson www.bigdogsdventures.com

[billshel2003]

For the displacement, it may seem a little slow. It is somewhat detuned. But, this is what you do for durability, at a reasonable price. It reminds me of the early 70's Honda four strokes. Not that exciting, but they they would outlast all of the two strokes screaming around. Test ride one, see for yourself. At 170 lbs (me), I can get into a whole lot of trouble on mine, on and off road. Bill --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "weazoe2000" wrote:

> Hi all, > I'm interested in a KLR 650 but in reading through the lists here, I > see a continuing theme in regards to the machines aparent lack of > power. So before I buy I'd like to ask you owners a couple of > questons: > 1. How much power does the KLR actually have? I'd think a four valve > 650 would be pushing quite a bit. > 2. Subjectively, I know a bike without a lot of horsepower but with

a

> good power band can feel like it has a lot of get-up and go. How

does

> the bike feel to you? Is there enough power? > 3. And finaly, are there readily available enhancements that > substantially improve engine performance? > Any answers you can give will be very much appreciated. Thanx.

[Sam Teel]

I've had my A12 about a month now. Before that I had a Yahama 750, a Honda 750K, and a Triumph Datona 500. The KLR has less power and speed than either of the 750's (duh) but it's power is USEFUL for what I do. And what I do is wander. Wander around town, wander around in the country and wander about the states of Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. I rode 250 miles yesterday (about 600 in the last 3 days) riding with my niece on her Harley 883. At NO time did she pull away from me (and she ain't no old lady rider) We rode 70-80 on the interstate and cruised at 65 on the two lanes. No problem at all. Passing slow cagers is just a twist away. With the few mods the respected PO (David Gay) made, the bike runs strong and lifts the front with throttle only in 1st. It has all the power I need. I am surprised how much this bike reminds me of my teen years on the Triumph. Similiar power, vibration and braking. I may have just been more bold 30 years ago but it seems like the Triumph handled the corners better than the KLR. Often the rear end feels loose if I push it. Maybe the new Kenda 761's will help that. We rode west from Memphis to Shiloh National park on highway 57 yesterday. Super ride, warm, dry and not much traffic. We ate at the "Catfish Hotel" - great food. As we were dismounting, 16 big twins roar down the asphalt/gravel road leading to the resturant. At least a quarter million bucks worth of hardware sitting there in a row a couple of spaces down from the KLR and Carole's Sportster. (I took a picture) While we were eating, some folks were outside looking at the bikes. Of all those bikes, the KLR got the most attention! Several times I found myself thinking, "what the hell are they looking at?". At the last gas stop (Carole had to get gas THREE times to go 250 miles!) we agreed that this was the best ride either of us had done since we got our bikes. Sam, Wandering about life. From: "weazoe2000" Subject: KLR & horsepower SNIP 2. Subjectively, I know a bike without a lot of horsepower but with a good power band can feel like it has a lot of get-up and go. How does the bike feel to you? Is there enough power?

[Gary Charpentier]

(...with apologies to Morpheus.) The KLR: Do you want to know What It Is? The KLR is a utility motorcycle. It is very much the Jeep CJ of the motorcycle world. It will go most anywhere with the right tires, will do the legal speed limit anywhere in the US, though extended cruising above 70mph feels a bit "busy" with the stock gearing. It is not a sportbike or an enduro racer. It is an economical adventure tourer. It has exceptional range and luggage carrying capacity, and can be configured for anything from serious off-road exploring to moderate sport-touring on pavement. It has all the capability you need for any legal, non-competition riding. It is very simple to repair and maintain. With the doohickey mod, it will last a long time. With the lowest purchase price in it's class, it has exceptional value. The only real limitation is it's ability to carry two people at high speed or in challenging terrain. If you want to ride two-up, you're better off with a liter-class bike. I think that about covers it. But you really have to ride one to see if it's right for you. =gc= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion.yahoo.com/

[Mark Sampson]

Very well put Gary !! Mark Sampson www.bigdogadventures.com The KLR: Do you want to know What It Is? The KLR is a utility motorcycle. It is very much the Jeep CJ of the motorcycle world. It will go most anywhere with the right tires, will do the legal speed limit anywhere in the US, though extended cruising above 70mph feels a bit "busy" with the stock gearing. It is not a sportbike or an enduro racer. It is an economical adventure tourer. It has exceptional range and luggage carrying capacity, and can be configured for anything from serious off-road exploring to moderate sport-touring on pavement. It has all the capability you need for any legal, non-competition riding. It is very simple to repair and maintain. With the doohickey mod, it will last a long time. With the lowest purchase price in it's class, it has exceptional value. The only real limitation is it's ability to carry two people at high speed or in challenging terrain. If you want to ride two-up, you're better off with a liter-class bike. I think that about covers it. But you really have to ride one to see if it's right for you. =gc= __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion.yahoo.com/ List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Ed Snow]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Gary Charpentier wrote:

> (...with apologies to Morpheus.) > > The KLR: Do you want to know What It Is?

You outta be writing ad's for Kawasaki. Ed

[Keith Saltzer]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Sampson" wrote:

> > > Very well put Gary !! > Mark Sampson > www.bigdogadventures.com > > > > The KLR: Do you want to know What It Is? > > The KLR is a utility motorcycle. It is very much the Jeep CJ of the > motorcycle world. It will go most anywhere with the right tires,

will

> do the legal speed limit anywhere in the US, though extended

cruising

> above 70mph feels a bit "busy" with the stock gearing. It is not a > sportbike or an enduro racer. It is an economical adventure tourer.

It

> has exceptional range and luggage carrying capacity, and can be > configured for anything from serious off-road exploring to moderate > sport-touring on pavement. It has all the capability you need for

any

> legal, non-competition riding. > > It is very simple to repair and maintain. With the doohickey mod, it > will last a long time. With the lowest purchase price in it's

class, it

> has exceptional value. The only real limitation is it's ability to > carry two people at high speed or in challenging terrain. If you

want

> to ride two-up, you're better off with a liter-class bike. I think

that

> about covers it. But you really have to ride one to see if it's

right

> for you. > > =gc=

Yes, very good. But you forgot one thing. Put Avon Gripsters on front and rear, and have alot of fun passing everything in sight, on the really tight and twisty stuff. MrMoose A8 (Barbie and Ken special)

[kcuf_oohay_666]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "weazoe2000" wrote:

> Hi all, > I'm interested in a KLR 650 but in reading through the lists here, I > see a continuing theme in regards to the machines aparent lack of > power. So before I buy I'd like to ask you owners a couple of > questons: > 1. How much power does the KLR actually have? I'd think a four valve > 650 would be pushing quite a bit. > 2. Subjectively, I know a bike without a lot of horsepower but with

a

> good power band can feel like it has a lot of get-up and go. How

does

> the bike feel to you? Is there enough power? > 3. And finaly, are there readily available enhancements that > substantially improve engine performance? > Any answers you can give will be very much appreciated. Thanx.

If it's your first bike than it has more than enough power to get you in trouble. At times I wish it had more power but I NEVER NEEDED it! I can keep up with the 883 Harley and give a 1200 Harley a good run for it's money in the canyons

[Don Bittle]

> > The KLR is a utility motorcycle.

Just think of it as a John Deere. I have two JD stickers on my front fender. This is really an ice-breaker for conversation. don