Wouldn't take much arm twisting to convince Ginger, she's already jobless. Don't know if I have it in me to survive some crazy year long trip or not, always an intriguing fantasy!
If you could find one of these, then youd be set up !! Rode one way back along time ago @ Bike week in Daytona - Great bike, good power, simply awesome brakes -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_TDM
But really, the KLR is a great bike, as long as your not expecting it to be anything other than a single cyclinder dual sport bike -
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I've actually considered a V-Strom, it's more of an adventure-TOURER though and I already have a touring bike. Would like to go more ADVENTURE I think.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2ohno
If you could find one of these, then youd be set up !! Rode one way back along time ago @ Bike week in Daytona - Great bike, good power, simply awesome brakes -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_TDM
But really, the KLR is a great bike, as long as your not expecting it to be anything other than a single cyclinder dual sport bike -
That old Yamaha is cool, have never seen one of those. You never know, I might end up with a KLR and armor it up with metal boxes and crash bars, maybe paint it camo. Loved the looks of that diesel KLR that never has made it to production.
I've never ridden a KLR, might be a good low cost option to get into the adventure bike world though and see if I like it. There's an '08 with 1200 miles for sale locally for $4500...http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/mcy/1095628946.html
Funny yo uput the AT up, have you looked for a Transalp ?
That would be a cool ride wouldn't it? Just searched the country on CL, looks like only about 5 for sale nationwide and none within 1000 miles. Guess I could fly to Texas and ride home...
What kind of adventure riding are you and Gin considering? The ADV world can be broken down into two basic groups IMO.
1. ADV Tourers such as the 1200GS, Strom, Stelvio etc...
2. ADV sport: F650GS (dirt version), KLR, DR650, TDM
You really need to consider the weight of these bikes based on your intended riding terrain. If off-road is at all in your considerations, then start a heavy weight-lifting regimen if you should decide on a Strom, 1200GS or the like and plan to off-road it.
The KLR is a great all-rounder, but still heavy compared to the likes of the DR-650. If you plan on mixing "some" distance w/ "some" light off-roading, the KLR will be a good fit, but the DR will be just as good, if not better (it is lighter). If you are leaning more towards the distance vs. off-road, the KLR slips into the better fit category and you can throw in the Transalp, TDM into the mix.
Just remember, if it falls over and noone is around to hear it, you STILL have to pick that beitch up.
I'm thinking Adventure Sport, we'd ride them out to Iowa and enjoy the dirt and gravel roads, tour around the midwest, fantasize about riding to Guatemala, that sort of thing.
I talked to the owner of the '08 KLR in Bloomington, may take a run down there this week to check it out. Sounds like brand new and I think somewhat negotiable price.
Ok, I went by the dealer this afternoon and sat on a new KLR. I like the redesign a lot, bike looks great and fits me well. The one in the showroom was red, there was a used blue '08 outside in the rain that was just like the one I've found on CL. Not a fan of the bright blue, but got to looking at it and realized that under the decals the upper fairing is silver, lower fairing is black and the tank is silver. Could change out the front fender, rear fender and side covers and easily change the bike's color. Priced out the parts, only about $400 to replace the blue plastic with black and I'd have a cool custom black and silver bike.
The new '09 was $5599, the used '08 was $5300 with 4900 miles. Makes the '08 with 1200 miles for $4500 look pretty darn good.
I'm leaning toward selling the FJR and buying the KLR for myself and the F650FS for Ginger, could buy both bikes with basically no money out of pocket. At least until the mods start, hard bags run $800-$1000/pair new.
Imagine the decals gone and the fenders and side panels black...
What kind of adventure riding are you and Gin considering?
1. ADV Tourers such as the 1200GS, Strom, Stelvio etc...
2. ADV sport: F650GS (dirt version), KLR, DR650, TDM
You really need to consider the weight of these bikes based on your intended riding terrain. If off-road is at all in your considerations, then start a heavy weight-lifting regimen if you should decide on a Strom, 1200GS or the like and plan to off-road it.
.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sbeau1960
I'm thinking Adventure Sport, we'd ride them out to Iowa and enjoy the dirt and gravel roads, tour around the midwest, fantasize about riding to Guatemala, that sort of thing.
I'm with James here, Scott. You really need to pin down what you are going to do with these bikes, maybe not so much for you, but for Ginger.
How comfortable is she riding in dirt and gravel??
She needs to answer that question before y'all pick her bike.
A rookie on dirt is going to have a tough time on a BMW.
I'm just looking after Gin here, I'm not worried about you.
I'm with James here, Scott. You really need to pin down what you are going to do with these bikes, maybe not so much for you, but for Ginger.
How comfortable is she riding in dirt and gravel??
She needs to answer that question before y'all pick her bike.
A rookie on dirt is going to have a tough time on a BMW.
I'm just looking after Gin here, I'm not worried about you.
I hear ya Kristen. Time in the dirt would be a small percentage of the bikes use, most of the time she'd be on the street. She's pretty limited due to her height, really the G650GS lowered is about the only dual sport that she can ride. I'm talking about riding the occasional dirt road or across trails in fields, not climbing deserted fire roads in the mountains. We live in the midwest and all, our toughest stuff is pretty mild. Gin grew up riding dirt bikes, I think she'd do fine.
She's pretty limited due to her height, really the G650GS lowered is about the only dual sport that she can ride. .
Yeah, BMW is really going after that market. Kind of ridiculous how tall some of the dual sports are.
But there is always the Sherpa! Not that I would do any long distance rides on it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ajcombs
I don't know anyone that started riding on dirt roads on a bmw
I seem to remember YOU on a Sherpa, before that BMW, gone for hours and hours....
Yeah, BMW is really going after that market. Kind of ridiculous how tall some of the dual sports are.
But there is always the Sherpa! Not that I would do any long distance rides on it.
I seem to remember YOU on a Sherpa, before that BMW, gone for hours and hours....
yeah i still hold you responsible for that day of misery that made me go and buy a dual sport
My opinion on the KLR is as long as your expectations are reasonable it wont be a disappointment. I dumped $$ into suspension and misc. kitting and had great fun on it but in the end it didn't live here very long.
Aside from price the F800GS leads the pack for my next bike.
My opinion on the KLR is as long as your expectations are reasonable it wont be a disappointment. I dumped $$ into suspension and misc. kitting and had great fun on it but in the end it didn't live here very long.
Aside from price the F800GS leads the pack for my next bike.
Well you all know that I don't buy something thinking I'll keep it a lifetime anyway, tend to get bored easily and move on to the next great thing. I think I can enjoy a KLR for awhile, the new design appeals to me much more than the trusty original and I can get it outfitted to suit me for minimal investment. Someday when the F800GS has been out a few years and is somewhat more affordable on the used market I'd love to have one....
Got an appt to go see the '08 KLR in the morning, guess I'd better go buy a ramp for my Toyota today.
Gin gets home Friday, we're busy Saturday, think we might head to Detroit on Sunday to check out the '06 F650GS. When I decide to do something I want to make it happen now!
Got an appt to go see the '08 KLR in the morning, guess I'd better go buy a ramp for my Toyota today.
Gin gets home Friday, we're busy Saturday, think we might head to Detroit on Sunday to check out the '06 F650GS. When I decide to do something I want to make it happen now!
Be very careful how you load that bike into the bed of your Tacoma. Because of the composite beds, the tailgate has very little supporting structure to it and some have been known to bend under heavy loading. Check your clearances as well. The KLR is a LONG bike and may put all the stress on the edge of the tailgate. Notice where the cable is that supports the weight on the tailgate as well. It is not positioned far enough back to properly support.
Be very careful how you load that bike into the bed of your Tacoma. Because of the composite beds, the tailgate has very little supporting structure to it and some have been known to bend under heavy loading. Check your clearances as well. The KLR is a LONG bike and may put all the stress on the edge of the tailgate. Notice where the cable is that supports the weight on the tailgate as well. It is not positioned far enough back to properly support.
Thanks James, I've read about the weak tailgate on the Tacoma. I'll put a piece of plywood across it before I load the bike. It is a 6' bed though, don't you think that the KLR will fit completely inside the bed at an angle?
Thanks James, I've read about the weak tailgate on the Tacoma. I'll put a piece of plywood across it before I load the bike. It is a 6' bed though, don't you think that the KLR will fit completely inside the bed at an angle?
Perhaps at an angle. IIRC, my KLR was nearly 90 inches stem to stern and I don't remember the length of the tire's contact. Just a reminder of caution is all. I have carried my 600RR in the bed with no issues, but it is a much shorter wheelbase and lighter.
Perhaps at an angle. IIRC, my KLR was nearly 90 inches stem to stern and I don't remember the length of the tire's contact. Just a reminder of caution is all. I have carried my 600RR in the bed with no issues, but it is a much shorter wheelbase and lighter.
It's only 45 miles to Bloomington, not too bad, I think it'll be fine. Worst case scenario I ride the KLR home and pick up my truck later.
Now the F650GS in Detroit, that we'll need to load in the Tacoma.
So I have an 11am appt to check out the Bloomington KLR tomorrow. The owner disclosed today that it has a 3" crack in the fairing, "he doesn't know how it got there". Guess that's a bargaining point.
Can't go see the Detroit F650GS until the week after next due to the owner's and our travel schedules. Hope it's still there.
I just realized I'm talking about selling 6 cylinders worth of motorcycles (FJR and Vulcan 500) and getting 2 cylinders in return (KLR and F650GS).
Or 200hp for 94hp to put it another way.
And in the end your wifey will out run you with the bmw it's proven Go ahead ask me how i know Just sayin maybe you should look for a used dakar at least you could arrive at the starbucks stylin" together
...
it's proven 
Go ahead ask me how i know 
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