Want to get into riding, need a bike...

[MarcFJ60]

I never thought I would utter these words . . .

You need a KLR.

Here's why:

They are cheap and plentiful. Once you get a better idea what you want, you can sell it for little/no loss.

For a guy your size, it's a great fit. The DR650 is a great bike, but bigger folks don't seem to like the fit as much. I'm 5'8" and and the DR650 fits me well. The DRZ400 may fit a bit better, but won't be as good on the road and the seat is a torture device. I owned a DRZ and I'm not sure how well it would fit somebody 7" taller than me. The XRL is a great choice, but they generally aren't as easily found or as cheap as a KLR.

The KLR is set up well right out of the box. Big tank, decent seat, some wind protection. Great after market and good support online.

The KLR is versatile (as are the other bikes mentioned). But it sounds like for the riding you would be doing and your size, it's added weight won't be a burden.

A 650 thumper (single) is a good size for a bike that isn't trying to be a woods bike. It can handle single track (slowly) but handles the highway well. It's not too big especially for your size, but can give you a good idea if you want to downsize (or upsize) your next bike.

Sweet mercy, did I just actually recommend a KLR??:Wow1:

Please note, this may not be your last bike. If you see a great deal on something, jump on it. If nothing else it helps you learn what you REALLY want. (which is why I no longer have my DRZ). If you get a bike cheap enough, you don't take a loss when getting bike #2.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Sweet mercy, did I just actually recommend a KLR??:Wow1:

Please note, this may not be your last bike. If you see a great deal on something, jump on it. If nothing else it helps you learn what you REALLY want. (which is why I no longer have my DRZ). If you get a bike cheap enough, you don't take a loss when getting bike #2.

Good points about the KLR. They are great bikes.

I've put 11k on my XRL (all on long trips) and it has been an excellent bike.

I forgot to mention earlier that I'm 5'11 160lbs with FULL gear. And could handle the KLR when I was re learning. I'm now a much better rider and my bike of choice is an XR400.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Why do I keep reading such sarcastic comments about the KRL's? Are they the bikes everyone loves to hate or what?

Keep the comments coming. I'm doing lots of reading about all the bikes mentioned. Turns out another buddy has a 2000 DRZ400 that he would let go around $2k. I really like the looks of the KLR though.

 

[goodtimes]

Why do I keep reading such sarcastic comments about the KRL's? Are they the bikes everyone loves to hate or what?

Yes. You either love or hate KLRs. Nothing in between.

I fall into the latter category. I don't think anyone could have built a more uninspiring bike. They are butt-ugly (both new and old), they barely have enough power to get out of their own way once you get them up to freeway speeds (and that is one of the major points of having that big of a bike -- being able to ride it on the freeway), the suspension is worse than other big dual sports (all of the big bikes need some work -- even the KTMs, although they [KTM] are much better than most), they rattle your teeth out (every single I have ever ridden gets buzzy, but there are much smoother bikes out there than the KLR), the maintenance interval isn't great, the fuel economy isn't great . . . really, I don't find anything about the KLR to be 'great', other than the cost.

Now, don't get me wrong -- IMO, the KLRs are *good* bikes, but not *great* bikes, and certainly not the *best* bike.

(we all know that there is no such thing as the *best* bike . . .)

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Now, don't get me wrong -- IMO, the KLRs are *good* bikes, but not *great* bikes, and certainly not the *best* bike.

(we all know that there is no such thing as the *best* bike . . .)

Good points. But the KLR is a good *big* beginners bike. AND they arent as bad as you make them seem.

 

[lake_bueller]

It's because the KLR is built by Kawasaki. None of their bikes are inspiring or well built. And you get what you pay for. Unfortunately, there aren't many true dual sport bikes on the market.

If you can pick up a low mileage DRZ for a good price, I'd go that route. They are much more versatile. You can run with the dirt tires or a quick swap out of parts and have a great supermoto-inspired street bike.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

My KLR..... best 50/50 long distance tourer (that I've owned).

My Vstrom 650...

My XRL

Ridden across US, to and from Mexico (twice), and many other trips.:Wow1:

The DRZ400

My new mistress.... XR400.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Getting ready to put a deposit down on a 2000 DRZ400S with 6700 miles on it. Looks like it's got a few minor mods but nothing crazy. Guy's looking to get $2k right now, which seems like a really good deal to me. Looks like it has everything except the mirrors and possibly DOT tires to make it street legal in MD which should be easy to correct.

Thoughts?

 

[goodtimes]

Good points. But the KLR is a good *big* beginners bike. AND they arent as bad as you make them seem.

You're right, they aren't all that bad, and I don't actually *hate* them -- I'm just rather indifferent to them. IMO they are *good* bikes, regardless of the rider being a noob or not. Plenty of spare parts out there for them, plenty of people who love them, and plenty of aftermarket support for them.

I just find them about as inspiring as a 6 year old Camry. Of course, there are quite obviously a bunch of people who disagree with me . . . after all, the model is still alive after how many years?

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

You're right, they aren't all that bad, and I don't actually *hate* them -- I'm just rather indifferent to them. IMO they are *good* bikes, regardless of the rider being a noob or not. Plenty of spare parts out there for them, plenty of people who love them, and plenty of aftermarket support for them.

I just find them about as inspiring as a 6 year old Camry. Of course, there are quite obviously a bunch of people who disagree with me . . . after all, the model is still alive after how many years?

I see you have a beemer, what is that the new 800GS? Now thats a bike right there, if the price tag doesnt make you go coo coo.

The KLR is a big heavy bike for sure. But there are worse bikes on the market.

 

[goodtimes]

I see you have a beemer, what is that the new 800GS? Now thats a bike right there, if the price tag doesnt make you go coo coo.

The KLR is a big heavy bike for sure. But there are worse bikes on the market.

Yes, 800GS. Fun bike, but like all other big dual sports, it needs a bit of suspension work before it gets pushed to hard in the dirt.

It is a vast improvement over the 650GS (2007) that I had prior to it. The 650 was fun, but lacked the power I wanted on the freeway. The little Rotax thumper only put out 52 (?) hp -- once loaded down with rider + a couple weeks worth of camping gear, it was pretty much doing all it could to keep up with the 80mph drivers in the slow lane on the freeway. If I wanted or needed to get around anyone, it took some time. The 800 has another 30+hp on tap, so it doesn't suffer in the same regard.

Of course, now that I said that, it is probably easier to see why I find the KLR uninspiring. If 50 some odd hp in the 650GS didn't do it for me, 30 some odd hp in a KLR certainly won't either!

 

[MarcFJ60]

Check out Thumpertalk.com for DRZ info. Lots of great info there. Here was my 2002 before I sold it:

(Yes, this is the second thread in one day in which I put my DRZ porn)

The sarcastic comments are just that - jokes. Just like people drinking the KTM orange Kool Aid. KLRs are fun to make fun of because they have a VERY large ownership base and an ownership base that generally loves their bike. Much like the KTM Kool Aid, many people have sipped the KLR Kool Aid :sombrero:

Like most other dual sport bikes, they fit a particular niche. If you fit that niche (less MX, more fire road and highway), the KLR may be a great bike for you. I'm not in that niche, and also enjoy making KLR jokes, but they are a very good bike for their niche. I think even the biggest KLR haters would agree with that.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Thanks for the advice guys. I firmly believe in getting something I can ride now, and not something I have to grow into. I've tried that approach before with other things, and have ended up very frustrated in the process. I want to enjoy it and have fun, and trade up when the time comes. I'm not gonna stress over a couple hundred bucks if I'm gonna struggle riding it and not have fun.

I'd also like to help my buddy out if what he has fits my needs and is fairly priced. I just don't know that much about bikes and am looking to the wisdom of those who do.

Arya ,I was out of bikes for about 25 years and come back into them via a Honda XR650L.
First couple of rides were a bit shaky but now I feel quite comfortable on it. I did a 60 mph blast along a beach last weekend and I am now getting ready to sell it for a large road bike.
Im tall ,about the same as you and riding bikes that are too small/low is not safe.
I take it your not a young kid,so you ll have the maturity to use the power of a large bike safely.
Maybe your buddy would let you borrow the bike for a day or 2 so you will know for sure

 

[Katoomer]

I am here to settle this - DO NOT get a heavy bike, KLR 650 is 400+ pounds, DRZ is almost 300lbs, Yamaha WR250 (great bike but still 300lbs) ie. might as well get a KTM 690, it's 300 lbs. Scratch all those, get the lightest damn bike you can find which would be the Yamaha XT225, it is like 230lbs, great bike great reputation, super cheap, you can get like '04s for $1500. Dont even get the new XT250, why, its 300lbs.

Think of it like this, go get the XT225 and strap 75lbs of dumbells on it if you want a heavy bike. I hear DRZs handle about as bad as XR400s off road. If you want something with the power of the 400cc motors, get a KTM 250 (4-stroke), same power, less weight, handling between the two will be insanely different - ktms will make you a better rider - set up different, way more suspension (which saves ***, trust me).

I would get the KTM 250 if you can find a good used one at good price, the XT225 is a great bike also and cheap and already tagged. I personally have a 1987 Yamaha TT225 which is the exact bike sans lights and tag, but the TT-R225s are not the same as the XT225, the TT-R is like 300lbs too. I keep the TT225 around for people to learn on, it's 222 pounds, little lighter than the XT. I've personally rode a Yamaha WR250, nice bike, fuel injection is nice esp if in the mountains, bike seems pretty street bike though, weak suspension, no bottom end power and 300 lbs still which mean an XT225 plus 60 lbs of camping gear.

KTM 250 XCF-W - 101.6 kg (223.98 lbs) (the four-stroke one) approx. 35 HP
XT225 - 238 lbs
DR-Z 400S- 291.0 pounds, Measured horsepower: 32.5 bhp @ 7850 rpm
klr 650 - 387.0 pounds
KTM 690 Enduro - 305.3 pounds
WR250R - 295.0 pounds


http://www.xt225.com/

Finally, you'll want to consider maintenance. If you want zero maintenance, get the XT225, The KTM 250 is going to require more frequent oil changes and have to keep valves adjusted. Just depends if you plan to ride off road or on road more. Dirt/Street%: 90/10% get the KTM 250 - 70/30 get the XT225 - 50/50 DR-Z or KTM 690 - 10/90 KLR650 DR650 GS650 KTM690 KTM640. The thing is, if you ride a lot of road you'll want more motor (KTM640 or 690).

 

[scarysharkface]

Yes, 800GS. Fun bike, but like all other big dual sports, it needs a bit of suspension work before it gets pushed to hard in the dirt.

It is a vast improvement over the 650GS (2007) that I had prior to it. The 650 was fun, but lacked the power I wanted on the freeway. The little Rotax thumper only put out 52 (?) hp -- once loaded down with rider + a couple weeks worth of camping gear, it was pretty much doing all it could to keep up with the 80mph drivers in the slow lane on the freeway. If I wanted or needed to get around anyone, it took some time. The 800 has another 30+hp on tap, so it doesn't suffer in the same regard.

Of course, now that I said that, it is probably easier to see why I find the KLR uninspiring. If 50 some odd hp in the 650GS didn't do it for me, 30 some odd hp in a KLR certainly won't either!

My KLR will do 85 (real GPS speed, not speedo-fiction) mph all day long, loaded-up for 3 weeks on the road. I've got a 14t countershaft sprocket, which makes it a bit more eager on the highway as well as off-road... :bike_rider:

A fork brace is the single best performance investment I've made on that bike. Progressive springs up front have treated me well also, but that fork brace is worth double the money or more..

I've also got the DR350, which is my new love-affair bike and only weighs about 260 pounds. It does not enjoy highway speeds at all though.

John