KLR ruminations: Sprockets forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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July 26, 2011 5:15 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

I still think I need a VMax, but that's a different story.

Anyhow, I've never owned a dual sport type bike. Not that this ever prevented me from getting my various street bikes down dirt trails I've had no business on. I can't count the number of miles I've walked my Magna or whatever back out of whatever fire road I should never have been on.

So finally, the lightbulb went off. Perhaps I should consider a dual sport type bike. Whoa! there's an idea!

So know I'm nosing around, learning and thinking.

Found an old Yamaha TT600 I could get for probably $600. But that does seem awful dirt bikish. Not sure I want something that high seated and such.

Just ruminating.
July 26, 2011 5:42 a.m. Woody SuperDork

High seated and heavy? Sounds like you don't want a KLR either.

But, KLR guys love 'em...
July 26, 2011 7:48 a.m. Osterkraut SuperDork

KLRs are a bit of a running joke in the dual sport world, but they're damn good for what they are.
July 26, 2011 7:21 p.m. Timeormoney Reader

I too have found myself wanting a KLR, the odd thing is that I cannot seem to find any comparison they do not win. I find that pretty odd after visiting the forums and seeing some of the "engineering" that has gone into these things. Is the basic idea that its a cheap, bullet resistant dual sport and nobody else really makes a competitor? Not bashing the bike but the big changes since its introduction seem to be +.5mm to the spokes, a fairing, an advertised Increase in oil consumption and a revised ride height. Just curious what the learned think.
July 26, 2011 8:01 p.m. ddavidv SuperDork

Own one. I am no bike expert; this is the first one of anything I've had over 350cc so I'm a bad person to ask...but I really like mine. It's a stupid simple bike that just mostly does what you ask of it. It can be lowered if it's too tall. You can change the gearing if you don't like it stock. You can add accessories until your VISA screams "no more!". It will never get any respect from anyone other than another KLR owner. But that's a big community.

The only thing that compares in that price category would be a Suzuki DR650. It's air cooled, costs a little more, is a little harder to find and doesn't have quite the aftermarket the KLR does. It's oriented a bit more towards dirt vs the KLR leans towards road use. Neither is a bad choice.

BMW and KTM make really nice dual sports, but they aren't 4 times the price nicer if you ask me.
July 26, 2011 10:13 p.m. 4eyes HalfDork

I tried both the DR and the KLR, and decided on a WR250R. I'm not loading the bike up for a trans-national camping trip. I just wanted something to go where I like to go, and maybe an overnight camp. The big bikes were just too much of a good thing. YMMV
July 27, 2011 5:03 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

The KLR thoughts don't exactly mean KLR650 exclusively. I am short, and don't relish the idea of wrestling with the weight of one on some of the trails.

So a 250 or 350 would be easier to handle and throw around. But, far less happy traveling at highway speeds on the journey of getting to the mountains and such. Meah, I think I'd rather have more multi-day riding muscle and size.

The wallet will likely dictate what I actually do. As well what shows up on the market or in the neighborhood.

Anyone want to trade a scruffy Yamaha 535? I'll throw in my old CD175 as sweetener, if that matters.
July 27, 2011 6:28 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

I just would like the CD175
July 27, 2011 2:31 p.m. Snowdoggie HalfDork

How about one of these? I just bought a used one from the local Honda dealer that came from a local motorcycle school. It fits on the back bumper of my motorhome and sometimes I even ride it to work.

http://powersports.honda.com/street/motard.aspx
July 27, 2011 3:39 p.m. pilotbraden HalfDork

My Yamaha IT 400 is low, light, street legal and cheap to buy and own (with the exception of the rear shock). It also has a fair amount of power.
July 27, 2011 5:38 p.m. Osterkraut SuperDork

Snowdoggie wrote:

How about one of these? I just bought a used one from the local Honda dealer that came from a local motorcycle school. It fits on the back bumper of my motorhome and sometimes I even ride it to work.

http://powersports.honda.com/street/motard.aspx

I'd pay the extra grand (new) for the WR250X. Goddamn do I hate carbs.
July 27, 2011 6:22 p.m. skierd Dork

In my humble but biased opinion the wr250r and x are the best true.dual sports currently available in the usa. 70mph for highway trips is no problem, virtually.no maintenance, fuel injected, no doohickeys or other reliability mods needed. Ive got 27k+ on mine and other than having the valves done at 25k and getting the suspension rebuilt its never.been apart or seen a service bay. Ridden mine to key west and oklahoma and back on one trip, colorado and back on another. Each was 6600 miles or so. Small and light means its easy on you and its hard parts wear slowly. And wonderful fuel injection. Mine started life as an r but swappd to x wheels and its even better.