Any of you fellas had experience with the ol' KLR?

I'm thinkin of gettin one as a cheap adventure bike.

thanx

Rock solid as a motorcycle.......not sure on the adventure definition though?? It's heavy for a dirt bike but light as a street unit.

If your local dealer is anything like ours, he'll be blowing out the 07's ($4800/cheap) as fast as he can because the new 08's should be on land by June.

Had one, Loved that thing. I put like 40k miles on it. The only problem i had with mine was the strange exhaust noise. Kawasaki replaced it like three times, before i had a friend of mine build a custom exhaust with a Yosh pipe. I miss that thing. Very fun bike.
I actually have a friends KLR in my garage right now, just doin maintenance on it.


:wink:

Thanks guys

[quote="nedragr"]Rock solid as a motorcycle.......not sure on the adventure definition though?? quote]

Well, I'm thinking big miles on 95% seal road and the rest gravel and abit of dirt.

PSYCHO, there's a ton of info on that bike on advrider.com. Check under the thumpers section :wink:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/

[quote="PSYCHO"]Thanks guys

If I was limited to just one ride, one motercycle, I would have to keep my KLR. 8) Doesn't really standout in any catagory outside of being there everytime I need her.

What - for those moments you might spot a particularly attractive woolly one on the side of the road - and have to go bush chasing her down

I had my heart on getting a KLR650. Then I started shopping around and reading about all the 650's. That got me to start thinking about the DR650. The I went to my dealer and the KLR and the DR were sittin there side by side. The KLR looked about 10 years older than the DR. So I bought 2 DR's. One for me, one for my wife.

What I like about the DR over the KLR
1. less weight
2. adjustable valves, no shims required
3. no "dohickey" replacement
4. aluminum swingarm
5. better brakes
6. found the FSM free online :wink:
7. Could be lowered easily with parts existing on the bike. (handy for the inseam challenged)
8. stouter forks

What I liked about the KLR over the DR
1. Bigger tank for better range
2. better stock seat

In the end, there really isn't any price difference once outfitted to your personal preference. Either one will be a fun bike and I am sure I would be just as happy owning the KLR. I will never be w/o a dualsport again.

The fun doesn't end where the pavement ends.


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The DR is pretty good on road too 8)

With the stock Trailwings, the DR can embarass a lot of sportbikes in the tight twisties.

I have nothing to compare it to, but I'm very happy with mine. I always take it up north on vacation. I replaced my SP500 with it because I wanted something with on/off road capability. Just don't take it in the sand :) Now if only I would getting around to replacing the new Doohickey that's been sitting here for over a year!

Oh yea, a pretty informative KLR forum:
http://www.klr650.net/forums/

Don't let the Doo HickeyMod scare ya away from the KLR.
(KLR'Weaklink/counter balencer chain adjustment/manual.)
We've never had a failure on one yet. I see alot of talk about it, so I brought it up with the ol man at the shop???

He insists that it's from overtighing the bolt and it ends up snapping off.

Kirk........hold onto to your DooHickey you might never need it.
DooHickey
http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/parts_frames.html

That is a good looking bike Kirk. I would like to ride one just to make a comparison. The seat on the DR was horrible but the replacment Corbin really makes a big diffrence.

Thanks for the feedback guys (even you Wayde :roll: )

I hadn't really thought of a DR :idea:

The big tank on the KLR is an attraction.

I'm gonna have to do some thinkin

A quick look has found the dr having a 13l tank v 23l on the klr
also the klr has an elec start.
dr 6kg lighter

Don't be a dork......get a Honda. :P

No interest in this model Psyco?? Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke Parallel Twin I've always wanted one. :? Maybe because we don't get them over here. :( I was really hoping kawy would drop the new 650 motor in.
http://www.kawasaki.com.au/au/all_pr...le500/main.htm

Aqualine (an Australian company) makes an 8.9 :shock: gallon tank for the DR650. That would give a usable range over 400 miles.

Yes, both the KLR and the DR are electric start.

Cool, that looks like a fun adventure touring bike! Reminds me of this old Honda Dominator that I borrowed for a tour and learned that bikes like these make for great tour bikes as long as you have good waterproof gear. That Kawi looks awesome.

Nedragr, yeah the KLE500 does appeal, especially being a twin(probably abit smoother), but it's heavier than the KLR and also only has a 15L tank.

Miklos, I have since found out the DR has an elec leg :oops: and a 8.9 gal tank?? :D Woah

Kiwi, I've allready got a honda. :D

Ah just behold that NZ background..... 8)

Damn I miss the rides down there. :(