Klr 650

[upcruiser]

I want a bike so bad right now its killing me! haha I've been perusing info online for the last month or so and really seem to gravitate towards the KLR650. It seems like a bike that works great mainly because it is ok at basically everything. The support network for it seems great, they seem simple to upkeep, and long lived as well. I'd love a Bimmer of course, but for a guy a tight budget, seems like a lot of possibility with the KLR. What are your opinnions/experiences with it?

[Ursidae69]

I had a KLR that I sold right before I bought the Tacoma in 2004. I had to free up some $$. I miss that bike, they are a lot of fun.

[upcruiser]

Sharp looking bike. What type of mileage were you getting with yours on the road? Range? Did you do much in the way of long trips with it?

I've been torn with getting something more dirt oriented since my background was in motocross, supercross, and harescrambles, but more recently feel like I want something that will tour nicely but still get me down more technical stuff too. Seems the KLR is a pretty good compromise. I don't need to prove anything hauling *** anymore.

[Ursidae69]

It's been a while, but I recall the mileage being pretty variable, but up near 30- 35mpg. On longer trips my hands would go numb since it was a single stroke, at highway speed the vibration is intense. I had fun off-road with it, but it was only the second bike ever, so I wasn't very skilled with my driving. I'd hit sand and I'd hit the deck. Suprised I never got hurt as much as I dumped it in sand (very sandy around here). When I get my next bike one of these days, I'd like to find a dirt-bike class or something like that to teach me how to ride off the pavement better.

[Ursidae69]

You know, I just remembered that in 2004 I saw this KLR down in Baja at Gonzaga Bay. They are awesome machines!

EDIT: I made the picture smaller, sorry about the first one that was huge.

[Hltoppr]

The KLRs are great all around bikes..IIRC they turn in about 40-50mpg, which is about right for a 650 single. They're cheap to buy and run, and in North America you can get parts no problemo. I rode one in Mulege and it seemed more top heavy than my XR650L, but definitely had better highway manners, too!

Longevity seems to be the single issue with most thumpers....20K seems to be high mileage on these machines before you need head work etc.

You can find 'em for under $2K, and a nice one for 3-4K!

-H-

[perterra]

The folks I know who ride Killers, get mileage from upper 30's to upper 60's depending on speed and conditions. They dont lend theirselves to hopping up, you generally do nothing but kill your mileage and make it louder. They have a super support network. You can find everything from custom long range seats to 7 gallon fuel tanks, taller windshields and custom altenator windings to give you a little more juice.

No matter what, make sure you do the doohickey modifaction. (cam chain tensioner, thats what its called LOL) Doohickey dies, best case your walking, worst case your motor will shell out.

http://www.klrog.com/TheKLR6502.asp
http://www.klr650.marknet.us/

[upcruiser]

It's been a while, but I recall the mileage being pretty variable, but up near 30- 35mpg. On longer trips my hands would go numb since it was a single stroke, at highway speed the vibration is intense. I had fun off-road with it, but it was only the second bike ever, so I wasn't very skilled with my driving. I'd hit sand and I'd hit the deck. Suprised I never got hurt as much as I dumped it in sand (very sandy around here). When I get my next bike one of these days, I'd like to find a dirt-bike class or something like that to teach me how to ride off the pavement better.

I was reading on the advrider site about people complaining about the hand numbness on the road. Interesting, sounds like there are some things you can due to dampen the handlebar vibrations.

[Ursidae69]

Another link: http://klr650.net/forums/

[upcruiser]

The folks I know who ride Killers, get mileage from upper 30's to upper 60's depending on speed and conditions. They dont lend theirselves to hopping up, you generally do nothing but kill your mileage and make it louder. They have a super support network. You can find everything from custom long range seats to 7 gallon fuel tanks, taller windshields and custom altenator windings to give you a little more juice.

No matter what, make sure you do the doohickey modifaction. (cam chain tensioner, thats what its called LOL) Doohickey dies, best case your walking, worst case your motor will shell out.

http://www.klrog.com/TheKLR6502.asp
http://www.klr650.marknet.us/

Ah, that's what the doohickey mod is, I see it referred to in alot of threads. Thanks!

[upcruiser]

Another link: http://klr650.net/forums/
There we go. I think any question I could ever ask is answered there. Thanks!

I'm finding it bizarre though that after 20 years of production, Kawasaki hasn't fixed the doohickey problem.

[perterra]

I'm pretty jealous. I want a KLR but until my current bike is paid off, I'm outta luck.

Good luck and enjoy.

[upcruiser]

no need to be jealous yet, I'm looking more realistically at next spring. I got a couple of projects I'm trying to do before then that I need to button up before I jump into anything new. And at that point, I'm probably going to be shopping for something used and on the cheaper side of the spectrum, needing some minor work maybe even.

[18seeds]

I was thinking of getting the klr but as a beginner i thought it was too much bike for me to handle. After doing more research i learned that they really aren't best suited for offroad ruff trailriding. I have decided on buying a yamaha wr450 and buying a dualsport kit to make it street legal.

I think the killer is great for fireroads and highway use but I plan on never taking it on the highway and riding some ruff trails.

Whatever you end up with. Good luck, i've had the itch for a while also.

[upcruiser]

Yeah, I'd be using it for exploring all of the dirt backroads around the Upper Peninsula here, for buzzing around town, and I'd like to do some longer trips. I dream of doing a cross country ride via highway 2 like in Zen and the Art of Motorcyle Maint. :jumping: I'm thinking my uses would probably cover the entire spectrum. I'm fine compromising the offroad ability in order to do it all. Like I said before, for me, I'm not looking to go blasting off doubles and skipping across whoopdees. A nice tourer is more of my syle these days. I think that for a dirt focused vehicle, that is streetable for short durations, your plan sounds pretty spot on.

[perterra]

Yeah, I'd be using it for exploring all of the dirt backroads around the Upper Peninsula here, for buzzing around town, and I'd like to do some longer trips. I dream of doing a cross country ride via highway 2 like in Zen and the Art of Motorcyle Maint. :jumping: I'm thinking my uses would probably cover the entire spectrum. I'm fine compromising the offroad ability in order to do it all. Like I said before, for me, I'm not looking to go blasting off doubles and skipping across whoopdees. A nice tourer is more of my syle these days. I think that for a dirt focused vehicle, that is streetable for short durations, your plan sounds pretty spot on.


KLR should do that admirably. Others you see pulling double duty are the Suzuki DR650, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 and the KTM Adventure 640. The DR650 needs moe fuel capicity but thats doable.

[Boston Mangler]

I just did a 150 mile trip with a guy on a KLR today! Very nice bike! He had a cool cage protector thing around the front of it that protected the radiator in the event of a crash and the cage had some highway pegs mounted to it. Pretty cool setup indeed! It even had an electric fan to aid in the cooling! I wish i had given the big KLR a closer look when i was shopping! :(

They are BIG bikes and when the trail got twisty/tighter he was having a hard time with it (cant hold it against him though, since it was his FIRST time in the dirt :D. Other then that, it was most impressive and looked much more comfortable on the freeway then mine did! It also comes with a 5+ gallon tank stock! :D They are very capable bikes!


KLR should do that admirably. Others you see pulling double duty are the Suzuki DR650, the Suzuki V-Strom 650 and the KTM Adventure 640. The DR650 needs moe fuel capicity but thats doable.

Dont forget the Honda XR650L! :D

[Evans]

Here'a link to pics of my 07' Blackie.... I love the bike !!!

http://thumb12.webshots.net/t/30/31/1/45/71/2592145710047548412CiXFFH_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/album/553280640USjTrJ)

[Boston Mangler]

Here'a link to pics of my 07' Blackie.... I love the bike !!!

http://thumb12.webshots.net/t/30/31/1/45/71/2592145710047548412CiXFFH_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/album/553280640USjTrJ)

Nice bike Evans! Where ya at? I am in San Diego and have been riding every weekend. If your local, gimme a shout!

My new riding partner has a KLR and i wish i had looked more closely at them when i was shopping! Now that he has knobbies on it, it is super capable on and off road and a very well thought out design!

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/ride.gif

[Evans]

All the way on the other coast... check out this place....

http://www.klr650.net/forums/index.php

You should be able to find some riders in your area on there.....

[ChuckB]

I know this is a semi-old thread but it I felt I should resurrect it instead of start a new thread.

I am looking at a KLR 650 for my FIRST bike. I found it literally across the street from where I live last night. Its an '06 w/ 2200 miles. The guy is offering a helmet and jacket with it for $4500.
Based on reading this thread it sounds like this would be a good first bike as I don't plan on doing technical trails and want to just focus on learning how to ride first.


(edit)
I guess that I should add that this would be mostly an island cruiser and weekend toy, with occasional communting to work about 20 miles. I would love to get a BMW but I think this is a good place to start. Just wanted to make sure I'm not crazy...

(edit edit)
After reading some other threads, I would also like the wife to come along as well from time to time.

[Hltoppr]

That would make an excellent first bike for that purpose! Price is good too. Helmets are kinda like climb equipment though....I'd only use a used helmet as a spare....but it's definitely better than no helmet at all...

-H-

[ChuckB]

I agree about the helmet. I also need to research about riding gear, as I want to be as safe as possible and I don't want to be frugal in that department...

[LaOutbackTrail]

Look at my screen name....:)

Actually, I dont have the KLR anymore.... but I would own another.

Go for it yo.

[upcruiser]

Wow, the new KLR is really calling my name. I'm thinking about swinging by the local Kaw dealer tomorrow to see what the 411 is on them.

http://www.klr650.net/2008_kawasaki_klr650_review/ride_pics/ride1.jpg
http://www.klr650.net/2008_kawasaki_klr650_review/ride_pics/ride4.jpg
http://www.klr650.net/2008_kawasaki_klr650_review/ride_pics/ride3.jpg

[upcruiser]

Took a peak at the local bike shop today. They had a red '08 in stock. Damn. I shouldn't have done that. $5,400 out the door. From what I've read online, there are a lot of folks who had to order their bikes and are waiting. Hmmm. The wheels are turning.

[ChuckB]

I'm going to check them out today today :bike_rider: :drool:

[Colorado Ron]

if you look closely at the last pic, the clearance isnt all that great. He is not leaning over that far, but looks to be scraping already. Even though the 08 is sweet looking, there have been complaints that its 40 lbs heavier but has the same drivetrain. Just a heads up.

[ChuckB]

I just got back from looking at them...Man the '08s look sweet in person!!!

It does look like his foot is scraping the ground though in the last pic. I'm holding off for now, need to sell the LX first. But, I was really close to signing on the dotted line!!

[sobiloff]

Actual weighing of the 2008 vs. the earlier models shows only a 17 lb increase in weight, not 40. :-) Also, Big K massaged the head and promises a little more horsepower, but we're still waiting for dyno results.

As for ground clearance, the effective ground clearance is about the same between 2007 and 2008 models as well. The earlier bikes had very soft suspensions, the '08s lost a little travel but have stiffer springs so the static sag isn't as great as before. The net result is a wash.

The biggest bummer about the new model is that it uses sportbike-style painted plastic for the bodywork. We're already seeing reports where this stuff is breaking quite badly in very low-speed falls. The old stuff was color-impregnated PU and could bend like crazy without breaking or looking too bad. This doesn't matter much if you're a pavement-only rider, but off-pavement folks tend to fall down a bit more often.

Oh, and 20K isn't the lifespan of the engine--it's closer to 60 or 80K if you change the oil every 2,000 miles. The bike is very hard on its oil (mechanical shearing reduces the viscosity quite rapidly).

If my '99 KLR died tomorrow I'd probably get in line for an '08, but I'd also really hope that someone would come out with aftermarket PU bodywork ASAP, too.

[upcruiser]

There is already a company out there with a fairing protector and I'm sure more will be available shortly. I think the added protection that the fairing gives from weather and bugs makes up for a bit more fragility offroad.

And Chuck, I agree. I thought the red '08 that I saw yesterday looked way better in person the the photos that I saw.

[805gregg]

I don't want to dampen your spirits but I owned a KLR for 10,000 miles. Never did find out what it was good for, bad on road bad off road, save you money for a Suzuki Wee strom 650 cc but about 70 hp and v-twin engine, will do about everything a KLR will do but much more comfortable.

[ChuckB]

I'm going to look at an '06 tomorrow morning. If everthing looks kosher and he's willing to budge on the price a little I'm going to make an offer.

[upcruiser]

I don't want to dampen your spirits but I owned a KLR for 10,000 miles. Never did find out what it was good for, bad on road bad off road, save you money for a Suzuki Wee strom 650 cc but about 70 hp and v-twin engine, will do about everything a KLR will do but much more comfortable.

The Zuk is more then I want to spend for a new bike plus from everything I've heard not as capable offroad. Not that the KLR is spectacular either, but I think for the $, especially with the new upgrades, its really hard to beat.

[upcruiser]

I'm going to look at an '06 tomorrow morning. If everthing looks kosher and he's willing to budge on the price a little I'm going to make an offer.

Chuck, have you had a chance to ride any KLR's yet?

[ChuckB]

No, not yet. I'm not currently licensed, nor ever ridden any bike at all. I just signed up for the MSF class next month... Call me crazy, but I believe that I found a good deal and I don't think that I can pass it up.

[ChuckB]

Just got back from looking at the bike. It was in excellent condition. I made an offer. I just have to wait to see if the first guy that looked at it is still interested. Hopefully, will know later today or tomorrow.