Klr 650
- Thread starter upcruiser
- Start date
RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
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. 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! They are very capable bikes!
Dont forget the Honda XR650L!
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
. 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! They are very capable bikes!perterra said:
Dont forget the Honda XR650L!
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RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
Evans said:Here'a link to pics of my 07' Blackie.... I love the bike !!!
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!
Evans
New member
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.....
http://www.klr650.net/forums/index.php
You should be able to find some riders in your area on there.....
ChuckB
Expedition Leader
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.
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.
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Look at my screen name....
Actually, I dont have the KLR anymore.... but I would own another.
Go for it yo.
Actually, I dont have the KLR anymore.... but I would own another.
Go for it yo.
Colorado Ron
Explorer
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.
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.
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.