Anybody ride a KLR 650 ?

[monster2b]

So I went into the local Japanese motorcycle shop on Tuesday, because I've been thinking about a bike I can do trips on to Mexico and maybe a little fire road action. Also I have a long commute and don't want to run up too many miles on the duc.   

They were selling the KLR's for $4099.  I have bicycles more expensive than that.  I've checked ADV rider and know guys ride these bike around the world. So does anybody have one? How do they handle in the dirt? What upgrades need to be done to make it a decent bike. This would be in addition to the Monster and definitely not a replacement.

[Speeddog]

I'm assuming the KLR in question was the new model?

A good buddy of mine had a first-gen KLR.
Pretty heavy for a dirt bike, but with DOT knobbies and some suspension work, it was plenty fast off-road.
Even with the 50/50 dirt/street tires, it was decent in the dirt.

For best dirt performance, TKC-80's or similar tires are the good setup.
They don't last real long on the pavement.

It'll suck in deep sand or mud, just 'cause it's so heavy.

My Gran Canyon works good off road with TKC-80's, considering it's every bit of 500 lbs.
It's a total bytch in a deep sand two-track.

[sally101]

Had one.. Great bike for the money.. The Ninja 250 of enduros. You see them all over Baja.. Mostly the 250's though.

The 650 can go anywhere, but it's a bit heavy to be a REAL dirt bike.

KLR650.net is the best resource.

Replace the "Doohicky"... You'll read about that on the forum.  

[akmnstr]

Is that price for a new one, or at least to most recent iteration?  We have a couple of dual sport bikes and have considered and ridden KLRs.  I think there a better 650 singles but if that is one of the new KLRs I'd be all over it.  The old KLRs had the worst brakes in the MC industry in modern times, a bouncy suspension, the doohicky issue, skinny flexible fork tubes, and are too heavy.  Most of those issues (except the weight) were addressed in the latest version.  Not a lot of power, but there is all you need for adventure riding around the world. 

[monster2b]

Thanks guys yeah that is for a new 2009 model. I agree they are heavy and would rather go with the 250, but I don't have a means of towing it to a destination and would prefer to ride anyway.

Doo hickey? Ok I'll read about it.  I would prefer the bmw 800 gs, but for the time being can't beat 4k for a new bike.

[akmnstr]

So it is a 2009.  Way cool.  For that price you could ride it to Alaska next summer and sell it for a grand more than you paid for it.  A free dual sport vacation.  Then continue saving for that 800 beemer.  I too have a bad jones for the gs800. 

[Porsche Monkey]

That doohicky thingy is something to do with the timing chain tensioner and they are failure prone.  There is a company that makes an upgraded part for dirt cheap.  I will eventually be in the market for a KLR or similar dual sport.   

[dennisd]

If you plan on doing much off roading (I'm talking trails not gravel roads) then I'd suggest the older version.  I had an '08 that I put more money into with crash protection, and luggage.  The first couple of times I took it out I thought to myself "why did I get this bike, my two Suzuki DR350S will do almost as good on pavement and MUCH better off road."  Most people that have had the older version KLR and then "upgraded" to the new said they preferred the older for any off pavement.

If you will be doing mostly pavement then the '08+ is better but then again, for mostly pavement, there are better choices out there.  After 3,000 miles, I traded the KLR for an '09 Versys.  I can still do some gravel roads but the Versys is MUCH better on pavement than the KLR.  Keep in mind; I have quite a lot of dirt riding experience so I can handle gravel roads better than most people on the Versys.

I guess to shorten this up:  the older version KLR is OK on pavement but better when doing trails while the new version is better on pavement and so-so for gravel but is not the greatest on trails.  If you plan on doing lots of trail riding but still want long distance highway speed you might want to also check out the Suzuki DR650.

BTW, I believe the doo-hickey issue was supposed to have been cured on the '08+ version KLR.

[Mike Qube]

I've been thinking about one of these myself. Not a new one, definitely one that a few years old. There's some really good deals on craigslist on them. Just saw a 2004 for about $2200.

[Speeddog]

On my buddy's gen1, his muffler fell apart on the inside, resulting in about 10% power on the freeway.

Also, the intake valves wore through the hardfacing, resulting in it being nearly impossible to start when cold, as the valves were open just a wee bit.

No idea at what mileage these happened....

[LA]

Very good motorcycles.  For that price, sounds like a deal.  It's amazing how fast they will eat up a paved mountain road too.  Handle very well.

LA

[RetroSBK]

Great bike, and an incredible touring bike.

One of the counter gusy at my buddies shop in Livermore, ca did a 20+ day ride to Alaska (and I mean north alaska, north of yellow knife) all alone on a KLR. One flat, 12 days of rain, and no breakdowns, had a blast doing it! Oh to be 19 again!

[motolocopat]

For what you descirbed as your objective there is probably not a better bike.......certainly not at the price range. Lots of touring companies use them and they have certainly proved theirselves over the years. You can find parts to them ANYWHERE also and the tires/tubes are standard 18" & 21" so they are easy to come buy on the road as well. All you need it to be able to do is to get down crappy roads, maybe a real easy trail and have enough power to not get your run over from the rear on the highways. It will do that.

I picked up a used 05 KTM 950 Adventure with the big bags on it. It is certainly better two up and on the highways than the KLR. It still does quite good on gravel roads... they are both pigs on real trails although the nod would have to go to the KLR on trails and real bad, as in abandoned, roads. You might consider the 950 if it $6000-8000 is within your range and you might want to bring a little lady along..... or just throw a little senorita on the back [moto]

ADVRIDER is the best place for knowledge on any sort of Adventure riding.

[hbliam]

Mine blew up on the freeway near Beach and the 405. I remember because I left it in the center near a spot barely big enough for it and then ran across to get to a call box (pre cell phone, '93 or so) lady on the call box says, "Don't run back across." No shit!  Engine fix was more then the bike was worth.

[monster2b]

Thanks for the responses. Truth is I would like the KLX 250 for trail riding and the KLR for trips up the coast, Baja and Utah runs. But since my wife and wallet can only handle one bike right now and the price is right I make this my "Christmas present"...