The tank is different primarily in its venting....the emissions equipment is very minor...some hoses and a couple of canisters, all easily dealt with. The primary handicap is that the emissions equipped bike can flood easier and make starting more difficult.> > What does the California version, designated L I believe,have that > > the regular models don't. Is this undesireable? Is it a > performance robber? Or is there really not much of a difference? I > ask because I've heard that the L models still wind up at dealers in > other parts of the country.
no, you should use good sense. There are a couple of important maintenance items that should be checked and wouldn't be by the average cycle owner who didn't bother to obtain or read the owner's manual. Same is true for service. One is the balancer chain mechanism, the other is the valves (actually this is a regular maintenance item on all bikes but because on the KLR it involves pulling the tank and a few other things I suspect it is more easily avoided in the conscience of the person uncommitted to maintainance). So, I would ask the owner about maintainance and after they tell you it has been maintained. Ask them at what intervals and what was done. Take a look at receipts and see if either of the two are listed. If they aren't ask about them. If you get a puzzled look on the balancer chain question it doesn't mean that the bike is a mess...it just means that it hasn't been maintained the way it was designed. I would hold out for one that was well-maintained and looks like it. You can tell tired iron at a glance... Kurt> > Secondly, other than the usual things to look for and be wary of > when buying a used bike, are there quirks particular to the KLR that > should be checked before I buy. Or are the things just bulletproof, > and I should settle for low milage, shut-up, and buy?!