To KLR or not?

[bwringer]

Make sure you haunt the "Flea Market" over at ADVrider.com -- some of the best deals are found there, and that crowd obviously knows what things are worth, so there's not much BS. If you've narrowed down your list, you can often post a WTB (Want To Buy) ad and get good results.

Also, have you encountered http://www.bikefinds.com/ ? Incredible resource for finding dual-sports and dirtbikes. Mostly CrackList listings, but it'll find great stuff in small-town Craigslists that you'd never find otherwise.

Bikefinds is how I found my KLR650, and I got a great deal on it.

[Joe Nardy]

Here's an '06 DR650 in Chesterton Indiana with aftermarket exhaust, seat, and what looks like a Vapor instrument replacement for $3k.

[Joe Nardy]

Or, if you want to go to the other end of the dual sport spectrum.........Aprilia RXV450.

450cc V-twin, street legal with electric start.

[bwringer]

Or, if you want to go to the other end of the dual sport spectrum.........Aprilia RXV450.

450cc V-twin, street legal with electric start.

Crikey, I didn't think those ever made it to the US in street-legal form!

[marvinsc]

I have no reason to rush, I will know the bike when I see it............I think.

[Cassius086]

Yes, you should most definitely KLR.

Yes, you should KLR

I bought my Pig (I use that term with the utmost amount of affection) in Feb of 2008. It is an '02, and had a mere 3600 miles on the clocks when I bought it.

ZERO problems, and the bike is pushing 50,000 miles. No oil usage.

MUST FIX issues?

-the "doohickey". Engine balancer lever & spring. Do not buy a kit from anyone other than "Eagle Mike". It costs about $140.00ish for ALL the parts (new lever, spring, gaskets and rotor bolt) and the tools (including rotor wrench and rotor puller). Easily done by yourself in your garage in a couple hours. I recommend the kit which uses the "torsion spring".

See here: http://www.eaglemike.com/Complete-le...ols-clkwts.htm

Eagle Mike has tons of other great KLR bits as well.

If you're gonna do much off road, a good aluminum bashplate and bark busters/hand guards are a must.

-The radiator has no side protection, and is therefore very vulnerable to a left side drop. Several manufacturers make a brace.

A couple months after I purchased my KLR, I set off for Alaska and Canada....10,000 miles and not a hiccup. I left on a fresh oil/filter change, took a spare filter and I changed the oil a couple times in Walmart parking lots along the way. I have ridden my KLR EVERYWHERE.

I prefer the "1st generation" KLRs (pre '08). A bit (roughly 25lbs) lighter, better off road manners than the '08-current bikes. The earlier bikes had some front end stability issues at highway speeds sometimes because the the wonky square front fender. I mounted up a KX450F front fender and voila. Problem solved. I have taken my KLR lots of places I probably shouldn't have, but the Pig ate it up with relative aplomb. Has never left me stranded or stuck.

If you get one for mostly commuting and you'll be running at Interstate speeds for an extended period, I'd recommend a 16 tooth counter sprocket (or drop 3 teeth on the rear sprocket for the same effect.) Keeping the bike below 5K will help reduce oil consumption on long trips.

Playing in the sand of the UP in Michigan for the first time. Took awhile to get the hang of such a heavy bike in the sand.



King's Highway north of Charleston, SC



Zooming along a back road...



Columbia Ice fields, Jasper Nat'l Park in Alberta:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b126/Cassius086/Alaska139.jpg

Poker Creek, AK...northern most Border crossing into the US.



Outskirts of Dawson City, Yukon Territory in Canada



The official theme song for the KLR is "Wherever I May Roam".....

[marvinsc]

Watching a nicely farkled one on Ebay now, a few hours away...............

[Highway_Glider]

Did someone mention the "Top of the World Highway"?













I don't need no stinking KLR.



Ribbing aside. The KLR is in my opinion a very good adventure bike.

In my mind it's like a jeep in 1944. Simple, no nonsenses, adequate strength, can do attitude.

Probably my next bike....I need one that is broken-in, cheap and I have to decide on size....I'll know when I see it.

[marvinsc]

The one I was watching sold early, the search continues.....

[marvinsc]

The trigger has been pulled. This followed me home today.





2002 with a long list of upgrades.

[Baatfam]

Enjoy, Scott!

[marvinsc]

The color photographs lighter than it is. It is almost an Army Desert camo Tan in person. It is growing on me...

[GS1150Pilot]

I'm buying one this coming year. One of the best jacks of all trades. Few of us can outride our moderate machines anyway.

[bwringer]

One of us, one of us, gooble gobble...

Sweeeeeeeeeeeet!

Welcome to the club!

[marvinsc]

Went by the Sheriff's office for the $5 inspection and bought 6 month worth of Insurance for $17.30 this afternoon. Perhaps the Courthouse tomorrow to apply for the license. One of these days it will warm up..........