What did you do today?

[The Mad King Pepe']

KLRs seem to be hit or miss, some last forever, some end up with broken dohickeys and cracked pistons within a year.  Aslo they have something like 35hp to the wheel and weight about 400lbs ready to ride.  You'll get passed by guys in spandex on bicycles.  

The new 2011 Kawasaki KLR 650: Go Anywhere!
(just slower than a giant sperm)

I haven't heard of any repeat issues on the Versys.  I almost bought a versys, but went off to law school instead.  When I got out I almost bought one again.  I didn't because although the bike is quite nice, it was just a wee bit bland and just a touch cramped for leg and passenger room. 

^^^ That.

If money weren't an issue I'd have snagged an SMR990 (or an SMT990 and then bolted SMR plastic to the nose) I think.  FWIW I played with an SMT's "luggage" and it seemed small and flimsy.  I wouldn't put much value on the stock luggage.  Maybe good for carrying a snack or rain gear, but you aren't gonna haul a couple of dead bodies in the panniers like ya can on a Uly or GS.

As it was, I really wanna pay off my student loans quickly so I tried to keep to a low budget. 

I don't think maintenance/upkeep on the KTM would be all that bad other than keeping fuel in it (they drink gas!).  A friend has one he's ridden all over Europe.   I think he's got 60k miles on it now and no troubles.

I've read up on issues with the 950/990 bikes from here: http://www.ktm950.info/how/ktm_950_issues.html They do seem to be pretty reliable once these are taken care of.

One more to think about is the old-style multistrada.  Its a great bike too and was another I was considering as a lower-budget option.  I actually won an auction for one on ebay (1100S), but reserve wasn't met and seller wasn't interested in moving it.

I like those nice art deco inspired lines, but the suspension seems pretty much on par with any current monster, which isn't enough for DC. Also wind protection isn't that great...

I think what I need is a fun bike with enough engine for some 2-up riding, wind protection for the winter, suspensions for the DC roads pot hole collection, and looks that don't make me want to throw it off a cliff, in flames after taking a dump in its tank.

[bikepilot]

   I like your style.

I was looking for pretty much the exact same thing minus the wind protection

The suspension on the Multi is way better than the monster for rough roads.  Significantly more travel (~6.5" IIRC) and much smoother/softer.  I actually don't care for much wind protection and found the multi had more than i liked.  The S model even has blingy ohlins bits.  In the winter I just wear a wind-proof jacket and, if necessary, a heated vest.  That's been enough to keep me happy year round in DC and Boston, but I've always been quite tolerant of cold (now heat is a different thing).

You can try my buell if you want.  Note though that it has the short/stiff suspension.  If you want a more cushy ride you'd want the X model (mine's an XT).  Even the XT is dramatically smoother than the monster or my TL on DC roads - smooth enough that it suits me fine (I race in the dirt though, so getting bumped around a bit doesn't bother me as much as it might some folks).  My buell came with a big aftermarket mad-stad screen that gave a ton of wind protection.  I took it off, but its an option if you want a buell + loads of wind protection. I really like the looks of the buell uly (have since proto photos first came out), but it is polarizing so you might not, I dunno.  Wife says the pillion seat has so much room she could play a board game back there.  Its def got more room than even my dad's R100RT.  The Buell has very little scheduled maintenance (belt drive and push-rod, hydro valves), but a fair number of problem areas that will probably need attention from time to time.  No major or expensive problem areas on the 2008 and newer models though, just silly stuff like rear wheel bearings, wiring issues, the seat hitting the ECM and cracking it, excessive hot air blowing on your right leg, etc.

Note I still like the DR250 and its no faster, probably even a little slower, than the KLR650, I wouldn't wanna do any 2-up touring on it though.  I still need to fix a wire connector on it so you can take it for a spin (the copper tab on a harness connector female pin broke off all the strange things).

[DRKWNG]

Speaking of issues with Buells...  Talk to Lars about downshifting while in the hills of western VA.   

[Lars D]

I was a zip-tie and a  shoestring away.......

[DRKWNG]

Thinking more "did my motor in" than the brake caliper falling off. 

[Autohag]

Yesterday I bought a garage.  . Oh yeah there's a house snapped on to it too... But I got a garage!

I hope it has a place for your unicorn too.

And enough room for all the

[Slide Panda]

That's a a lot of baby pandas...

So far today I've wanted to reach through a computer screen and the phone to shake and or throttle people. Good times.

[rgramjet]

Terrorized the neighborhood on my sons new to us 1984 KX60!  That thing makes the XR70 seem super tame.

[Autohag]

Terrorized the neighborhood on my sons new to us 1984 KX60!  That thing makes the XR70 seem super tame.

Nice! I started out on an '84 KX80. I remember it being really, really loud. And fun. And, yes, somewhat terrifying for the neighbors.

[rgramjet]

Nice! I started out on an '84 KX80. I remember it being really, really loud. And fun. And, yes, somewhat terrifying for the neighbors.

That little sucker has plenty of chutzpa!

[bikepilot]

I started on an '82 YZ80 (yellow and black, fork mounted radiator), then at 13 decided a CR500 would be better (it wasn't), then a '91 KX80 Big Wheel, then a '90 CR500...

[zooom]

Terrorized the neighborhood on my sons new to us 1984 KX60!  That thing makes the XR70 seem super tame.

yeah...that "on the pipe hit" of a 2 smoke is a huge difference than the ole 4 stroke...does the KX have a disk brake?....

[Statler]

I got the bike a 4-wheeled friend.

unfortunately, it likely means the bike gets ridden less... hope she doesn't get jealous. 

[venomousr1993]

Got to listen to a bunch of grown men cry and whine during a conference call that was supposed to take 15 min.  2HRS later I felt like blowing my head off.

[DRKWNG]

I got the bike a 4-wheeled friend.

unfortunately, it likely means the bike gets ridden less... hope she doesn't get jealous. 

At least it's from the same country.