Hey guys. I did the intro over a year ago (quoted below so I don't have to
cover old ground), and wasn't able to get the bike like I had planned.
But two things have changed since then. First, gas went north of $3 a
gallon. And second (don't know why I didn't think of this a year ago) but my
savings compared to driving my car ALSO means that my wife can ferry the
kids around in my car instead of the gas hog Yukon XL when I'm on my bike.
More savings! We were spending $485 a month on average for our petrol.
Soooo, I took the plunge and am now a VERY proud owner of a 2008 KLR650.
Green (natch, it's faster!).
I had a great experience at Siloam Springs Cycle in Siloam Springs Arkansas.
My "powercheck" from E-Loan could only go so high. I started throwing on
alot of stuff and thought I could take things off if needed when they
tallied it all up. I added an additional 2 years warranty, a folding
aluminum ramp, 2 helmets, fancy/smancy factory saddle bags and trunk bag, 3
oil filters and a service manual. They totaled it all up and I was $270
over. I offered to start putting stuff back and they said wait. They spent
thirty minutes spreading out discounts across the various accessories and
the bike. I ended up getting 20% off my accessories, no handling and setup
fee and a free tie downs. In the end I didn't have to put anything back. The
bags and manual are backordered, not sure when they will come in. I loaded
up the bike in the truck and drove it home. Got home too late to ride it. I
didn't want to take it on the hour commute to work since I wanted to follow
the motoman's method of breaking in the bike's engine.
The next day I took off work to get my motorcycle endorsement. It was an all
day affair. I had to drive to Tahlequah twice. But that windy road from
where I live that snakes around the Illinois river is perfect for break in
riding and it is simply gorgeous. I rawhided the bike pretty good. After the
first trip to Tahlequah to take the written, I drove it home and changed the
oil. Lot's of metal bits where the filter is. Cool. It had 40 miles on it.
More than the 20, but I couldn't get around it. I then drove it back for the
riding portion. It was awkward to show up in the parking lot riding the bike
and the examiner is already in the lot waiting for me. He didn't say
anything. I guess he's used to people riding to the test! I then had to go
to the DMV and get the license. The bike as a blast. It has tons more power
than my last dual purpose (an old Yamaha DT 125). It really handles great on
the dirt roads leading to my house. I am loving this bike! I drew some
stares. I guess a new bike will do it. Plus it's not every day you see a
priest wearing clericals driving around on a bike. Kinda funny.
My dad sold his bike, a BMW RT1100 some years back so he gave me his sweet
riding jacket. It has a removable liner and there are front and back vents
that can be unzipped in warm weather. He gave me his Beemer touring boots
which is nice. Saves me alot of money. I did buy some nice leather riding
gloves with gel in the palms to help the vibration. N.B. The problem with
the vibrating mirrors I have long heard about is still a problem in the
2008. I can tell that it's a vehicle behind me, but I couldn't tell you if
it's a cop or not. May need to save for some XL650 mirrors.
I bought some
Frogtogs (rainsuit) so precip won't keep me from my commute. Oh, I mentioned
the financial angle. Bottom line, it's pretty much revenue neutral when you
factor in everything. When the bike is paid for, then the savings will drop
straight to the bottom line. However, when it's paid for, it will probably
be time for a new one! This has been a long time coming. I have had to
overcome alot to get it. The latest temptation by Satan (heh) was for a
friend to offer his 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1400 with 9K miles on it for about
the same money for the KLR. I actually agonized for about 12 hours. I woke
and realized that I would have to be on crack to pick a cruiser over the
KLR. The Intruder would not double for deer hunting like the KLR!
) I'm
just glad it wasn't an ST100 he tried to tempt me with. Cruisers just have
never held much fascination with me.
Anyway, I just wanted to chime in and say that I'm now among the few, the
proud, the KLR owners. I wanted also to be able to begin posting comments
and questions, but didn't think I should until I unlurked and reintroduced
myself. This list is fabulous. Not only a superb resource, but a great place
of fellowship and understanding. You understand where another KLR owner is
coming from unlike non riders or even other riders who only ride other types
of bikes. I look forward to the many discussions to come.
Don+
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Don Pendergraft" April
10, 2006
Greetings to you all. I grew up riding dual purpose bikes. My first was a
1978 Honda MT 125. I was 13 years old. I then moved on to the superior
Yamaha DT 125. It gave me freedom to go virtually anywhere. Me and my
friends were wanna-be Motocross stars, so they were perfect for that and we
road the trails at the side of the road as fast as the traffic to get to
school or wherever. In Oklahoma, we were restricted to 125's until age 16.
So we were all jealous when a friend of mine bought a used Suzuki 185 enduro
and smoked us all with ease. He didn't care that it wasn't legal for him to
ride the 185.
) Later in college, I got a street bike (1986 Honda
Interceptor 700cc). That was my last motorcycle and I'm now 41 years old.
Every few years I would get to ride someone else's bike and I found that it's
no big deal to pick it right back up again. So now that it's time for me to
finally get a bike, I knew my first choice would be a dual-purpose bike.
Specifically, the KLR 650. Lots of reasons. The KLR is cheaper than a street
bike, plus I have to drive over 3 miles of dirt just to get to the nearest
paved road from my house. Sure, a street bike can do that, but you would
have to go very slowly. I remember FLYING down dirt roads on my old enduro
(that's what we used to call them). Maybe I'm impatient, but I hate putting
down the dirt road. I fly when in my old truck. I only go slow in a car.
Plus I would love to explore the back 40. Guys bring their 4 wheelers
hunting, but I'm thinking that I need to figure out a way to strap a deer to
the back of my bike.
) Anyway, the KLR is the bike for me. The mortgage
refinance that is allowing me to do this should close in about 3 weeks. My
local dealer is out of KLR's right now, but expects to get some at the end
of May. Great timing. What an awesome time of the year to get one!
Here's something that bugs me, though there seems to be no getting around:
the cost of ownership beyond the initial purchase. Not gas and plugs, but
the list is still amazing: helmets, jacket, gloves, security device (lock of
some kind), tank bags, bungees, tie downs, ramp, stand, lots of tools I know
I don't now have (torque wrenchs, etc), various part upgrades(doo-hickey
upgrade, magnetic low profile oil drain plug, XR650 mirrors, etc),battery
charger/trickler, etc, etc, ad infinitum. Wow. It adds up. And I
support afamily of six, so it
's going to be very tough. Plus, I'm in the middle of nowhere. I'm jealous
of you guys who can simply go to some "tech day" and get so much
accomplished AND get to hang out with other KLR fanatics.
) There's also
the issue of maintenance. Everyone seems to recommend doing it yourself. I'm
moderately mechanically inclined, but I'm not a mechanic. I also do not have
a garage. We have a couple of sheds for lawnmowers, bikes, etc and they are
both stuffed. I would have to do maintenance on the front porch with poor
lighting, and whatever weather conditions that may exist. Not optimal at
all. I'm jealous of the guys who have a nice indoor well-lit place with tons
of tools, stands, etc. Oh well. My hope is that it is at least doable.
OK, the last two grafs where negative, but they won't stop me from getting a
KLR. It's just been an eye-opener as I have done my homework. I simply
cannot wait to "join the club". I'm a lurker on email lists mostly,but I'm
sure I will have a lot of questions, especially at first. I will of course
check the FAQ and the archives before posting a question. Nice to meet you
guys (apologies if there are any female KLR riders on this list!).
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