Aircooled6racer Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Hello: I was wondering if anyone has or had a Kawasaki KLR 650? I am looking at one to replace a couple of motorcycles after I sell them I am looking for something I can ride a little bit on the street and more on dirt roads etc. Let me know. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokshwn Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Eric, If its going to be primarily dirt roads and a little single track with the points connected by some pavement the KLR is a good pick. Its as reliable as an anvil. I haven't spent a lot of time on one but a buddy has one that he likes pretty well if the trip is staying dirt track oriented, but if there are any stretches of asphalt it gets old in a hurry. However if you are going to be primarily on pavement with a few dirt roads thrown in you might want to look at a Suzuki Vstrom 650 (Wee Strom). Great forum at http://www.advrider.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share Posted April 21, 2010 Craig: I appreciate the info. The funny thing is I have a 2000 Suzuki SV650 naked I am thinking of replacing it with the Kawasaki. The streets around here are not the safest from what I have seen, so I want to go off the beaten path some. The one gun club I shoot at has a long dirt road to it, which would be fun on a dual purpose bike. I also feel better on a dirt bike since I used to race motorcross and race on trails through the woods. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokshwn Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 I have a big VStrom and love it but I don't get off the road too much just some dirt roads here and there. If you are mostly going to be on dirts roads the KLR is a blast and with some soft bags (or hard) you can do a little cross country traveling. If you are looking to just play on dirt with a street legal bike that can get you from the house to the fun, don't overlook an XR650L. If you unCalifornia Emissions the motor and exhaust and firm up the suspension you are pretty close to old school desert bike. Muy fun! They can usually be found used for a song and they haven't been changed much for the past 15 years so there are parts and aftermarket support aplenty. Same goes for the KLR. Really can't go wrong with either one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Gene Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 If I had it to do all over again, I would really consider the KLR. They are a little heavy, but any 650 is going to be over a 200-250 Dual Sport bike. I spend most of my time in cow pastures and in the mountains, so have a 250 Dual Sport. I also think the Triumph Scrambler is WAY COOL! The KLR is a great bike. Heavy enough to feel safe cruising down the road, but you can still hit the sticks. Good suspension, but nothing like a motocross bike. Good Luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billfer Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 You won't find a more dependable ride than the KLR. There is a ton of aftermarket products available to modify them any way you like. The KLR is a bit heavy for off road on anything more than dirt roads or fire roads. I up graded mine with a set of progressive front springs and that helped a bunch for a soft front end. I also did a headlight upgrade and a rear rack upgrade. I also ran tires that were more road worthy than dirt because most of my riding was on the road. They worked fine for the little bit of off road riding I did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebg3 Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 (edited) I bought one new in '05, for work, and it's been a very good bike. It could use a little more power but it does OK hauling me around(255lbs). I changed the stock seat to a Corbin flat seat and when the stock tires wore out, I started running DOT knobbies and they made a huge difference in performance. Other than that, I have had to just do routine maintenance. Change the oil every 1500 miles and you should be good to go. EG Check out KLR650.NET tons of info there. Edited April 21, 2010 by ebg3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briansea2 Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 KTM nuff said Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 I am looking to check one out this week. A local seller had an 07. A semi-local seller has an 08 They changed/updated the bike in 08, btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebg3 Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 KTM nuff said The KTM 950SE would be cool...better suspension and almost 100 HP what's not to like? Oh, except the $12,000-$14,000 price tag! If you shop around, you can get a KLR for $5000 OTD. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Lord Gomer Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 I rode a friend's KLR650 through the streets of San Jose, up into the hills, and on 2 different MX tracks. I was very pleasantly surprised at how well it handled both the street and the dirt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokshwn Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 KTM nuff said The KTM 950SE would be cool...better suspension and almost 100 HP what's not to like? Oh, except the $12,000-$14,000 price tag! If you shop around, you can get a KLR for $5000 OTD. EG Don't forget the KTM maintenance and repairs $$$$$ (anybody got an extra water pump with them), and the lack of dealer support (both our local dealers just folded), they do rip but they are not a ride it and forget it type of bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share Posted April 21, 2010 Hello: There are alot of cool bikes over $10,000 I just got my 1974 Honda XL-175 running after a couple of years sitting Fun little bike that still looks great. I may let my older son ride it soon. I was 12 when I first road it. I could not even touch the ground while riding it. It has been in the family for 34 years. Now to get the SV650 running. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike cyrwus Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 klrs are great ds bikes but a bit of a pig if youre used to fast bikes. Ive had two; and I had a klx650 also; if you can find one of those babys, its the total package, imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 I go to get my 08 KLR tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herky Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 I go to get my 08 KLR tomorrow. Oh, no! The mid-life crisis strikes. I think you will like the KLR, a friend has one as an alternative to his big Harley street bike. KLR, in green, is Kermit and the Harley is Miss Piggy. Have fun, stay alert, ride safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shooterready Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 I owned a KLR 650 back in 94-96. Loved it. Hope to get another some day. Great on the dirt roads, but a bit heavy in the sticks. Did pretty well on the road given its weight. All around great bike especially for the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bofe954 Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Depending on your dirt to pavement ratio DRZ400S isn't a bad way to go either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 I go to get my 08 KLR tomorrow. Oh, no! The mid-life crisis strikes. Next thing you know, I'll be shooting Open. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 Let the good times roll. ...at 55mpg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Lord Gomer Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 Very cool! Get the tikki torches out, fire up the grill, and lets do donuts in the yard! Wait...did you already drop that? Oh...and check the oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gino_aki Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 I sold my 2007 KLR 650 to fix my daughter's car when I should've told her she'd be taking the bus until she could afford another car Great bike if a bit top heavy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebg3 Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 I put about 75 miles on mine today in the field. It is a top heavy bike but it can be very nimble. I rely on mine every day. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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