My KLR 650

[Trip]

Originally Posted by Adeptus_Minor

So, to sum up, this is why people go the route of the Blue Koolaid?

Yep dual sports are better for strictly dirt lol.

[derf]

It really wasnt bad, my main complaint was the grips, at 100 miles my hands were numb, at 200 my hands felt like they were being stung with a thousand needles, at 300 miles it felt like an ugly girl was sticking a thousand needles in my hands. By the time I got back home I was contemplating gnawing my hands off. The grips that it came with were hard as plastic and had fairly large box shapes in them. I replaced them with a nice set of sport touring gel grips right after I got home. it was also missing one bar end so that didnt help either.

The only time I had to really use the brakes was when a cop shot from the right shoulder to the left shoulder without warning and everybody in front of me slammed on their brakes, I slowed down enough to not hit anyone but it was pretty close, and I know that with my cbr I could have easily made the stop.

And the wandering handlebard did suck. It felt like they just started to wander left and right by themselfs, and any inputs from em just made it worse. The only thing that did stop it was me pressing forward on both sides and it caused the front wheel to straighten right up and hold steady.

Oh yeh and it definately doesnt handle like a sport bike, not even close. but I did manage to shoot down a few dirt roads at 40mph which the cbr could never do.

[Mr Lefty]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Holy air brake on those hard bags!

it's a Mule not a Stallion

Originally Posted by derf

Did my first decent ride on it today, Took it up to jersey to get it registered and inspected and return my comcast cable box. It was about 400 miles total and it kicked my ass.

1. 80 is too fast for a klr, 70 is a good speed
2. long highway trip I need a backrest or something to lean against
3. riding next to or passing trucks causes the bars to wander left and right
4. the brakes suck, really suck
5. 35hp is pretty darn slow compared to my cbr
6. the stock grips really suck, really, I wanted to cut my hands off at the end of the ride, I already bought some decent gel grips
7. The bike didnt do bad, but it could use some help to be more comfortable

sounds exactly like the DRZ...
1. 70 is more than enough... just stick to back roads
2. when you pack... put your tent and sleeping bag behind you...
3. don't sit next to cars trucks... pass them
4. they'll always suck.. but ss lines and new pads help
5. yeah going from the RR to the DRZ was a huge wake up... but the DRZ puts a lot more smiles on my face
6. the DRZ's stock grips are horrid. the grip wraps I have though they don't work as heaters anymore (gonna fix that) they pad and insulate my hands. they also increase the grip diameter... awesome for long trips
6. they all do.

Originally Posted by derf

It really wasnt bad, my main complaint was the grips, at 100 miles my hands were numb, at 200 my hands felt like they were being stung with a thousand needles, at 300 miles it felt like an ugly girl was sticking a thousand needles in my hands. By the time I got back home I was contemplating gnawing my hands off. The grips that it came with were hard as plastic and had fairly large box shapes in them. I replaced them with a nice set of sport touring gel grips right after I got home. it was also missing one bar end so that didnt help either.

The only time I had to really use the brakes was when a cop shot from the right shoulder to the left shoulder without warning and everybody in front of me slammed on their brakes, I slowed down enough to not hit anyone but it was pretty close, and I know that with my cbr I could have easily made the stop.

And the wandering handlebard did suck. It felt like they just started to wander left and right by themselfs, and any inputs from em just made it worse. The only thing that did stop it was me pressing forward on both sides and it caused the front wheel to straighten right up and hold steady.

Oh yeh and it definately doesnt handle like a sport bike, not even close. but I did manage to shoot down a few dirt roads at 40mph which the cbr could never do.

keep the KLR in it's element and you'll be happy...out of it... you wont' be

[Trip]

Originally Posted by eBBs15

sounds exactly like the DRZ...

I think this thread pretty soundly makes your decision to keep the DRZ instead of going KLR a good one. Seems like it suffers the same exact issues you have now. Definitely got to get a 800GS, Super Tenere, fugly kawasucki thing, or wee if you want a more highway friendly ride.

[Mr Lefty]

Originally Posted by Trip

I think this thread pretty soundly makes your decision to keep the DRZ instead of going KLR a good one. Seems like it suffers the same exact issues you have now. Definitely got to get a 800GS, Super Tenere, fugly kawasucki thing, or wee if you want a more highway friendly ride.

I'd love to have a Tenere... I wouldn't buy the fugly kawasucki... that thing sucks... I'd love to have that motor in the KLR though.

the F800GS would be awesome but damn... $$$$$


to be honest, I love the DRZ... I just wish it had 6 gears and another 5-10hp.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Originally Posted by eBBs15

to be honest, I love the DRZ... I just wish it had 6 gears and another 5-10hp.

Add another TWF sticker?

[derf]

Originally Posted by eBBs15

I'd love to have a Tenere... I wouldn't buy the fugly kawasucki... that thing sucks... I'd love to have that motor in the KLR though.

the F800GS would be awesome but damn... $$$$$


to be honest, I love the DRZ... I just wish it had 6 gears and another 5-10hp.

Yup I've been drooling over the honda africa twin, the tenere and pretty much th whole GS line of BMW's, however my wallet only allows for the klr

[Homeslice]

I thought it had the SV motor?

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

I thought it had the SV motor?

The KLR is a thumper.

[Trip]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

I thought it had the SV motor?

Originally Posted by Particle Man

The KLR is a thumper.

And a kawasucki, not suzuki.

The versys has the the 650r motor