Sell the GS for a KLR and later a Wee Strom: Madness or genius?

[sagerat]

OK, most of my long-distance riding buddies ("Hey, it's a long wknd, let's go to southern Utah and back or maybe Glacier National Park.") have either moved, got new jobs, or had kids.  So I find myself not doing quite as many weeklong, multi-state rides.

Second, my closest Ural riding buddies have bought new KLR's and I've been incredibly impressed with those bikes.  I've ridden them both on road and off and it was an eye-opener.  I've previously done a demo on a Wee Strom and was stunned at how much I loved it.

Third, the Beemer service bills are not to be sneezed at whereas the KLR and Wee Strom are anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 the cost.  (Between wrenching on the Ural and the Slash Six, I like to have one bike that I just drop off and pick up for work.   ).

Finally, I hate debt, especially any that lasts longer than about 12 months.  We owe zip on our credit cards.  The only payment I have is the GS, which is about 1/2 paid off.  But as we've made extra payments, I could sell it, use the surplus to get a KLR and pay it off in a year.  The Wee Strom would come later, perhaps.

My riding is mostly to work and back with long day rides on the wknds and about two to three long wknd rides a year with the occasional weeklnong trip.  I've been doing more and more dirt road riding and have enjoyed it hugely.  I can see myself doing more dual sporting and less sport-touring for the next few years.  So a lighter, cheaper bike makes sense to me.

Of course I could just get an XT225 and really save the bucks.  

Any thoughts?

[Johnny Monsoon]

For what you're wanting, I'd suggest a Versys and a KLX250S.

[Windblown]

Sounds like you have a plan.

I'd love to have a GS, but I wouldn't want to take it places I take the DR-Z.  If more off-road is in the cards then a cheaper to fix and maintain bike makes sense.  From what I hear the KLR is a great all-arounder, the DR-Z is bit more dirt oriented, the lil' XT even more so.

[garry]

Too much overlap between the KLR and Wee Strom IMO. I would get a more dirt-oriented dual-sport to compliment the Wee Strom. In fact, I've done just that and have DRZ400S sharing the garage with my Wee Strom (and a Kawi 636 sportbike).

[Johnny Monsoon]

Too much overlap between the KLR and Wee Strom IMO. I would get a more dirt-oriented dual-sport to compliment the Wee Strom. In fact, I've done just that and have DRZ400S sharing the garage with my Wee Strom (and a Kawi 636 sportbike).

[New England Lockjaw] Ohhh yeaaahh.  Thaat theaaa is a nice staaaable.  Eyup! [/New England Lockjaw]

[sagerat]

The only downsides to the DRZ are twofold, it seems to me.  One, rapping the bejabbers out of it at highway speeds to get to the dirt.  The dirt is close, but not that close, plus I can tour on the KLR but I don't think I could on the DRZ.  Two, the DRZ has great mpg, but a tiny tank so range would be an issue.  I'm used to bikes with 200- 250-mile range, except for the Ural and its 100- 125-mile range.

[jude]

KLR is too close to the Wee, IMO.  Get the Wee for your 80%/LD touring and a DRZ400 for the 20.

BTW, nice predicament to be in!  

[Mr Sunshine]

Which GS do you have?  Maybe I should buy it.    

[garry]

The only downsides to the DRZ are twofold, it seems to me.  One, rapping the bejabbers out of it at highway speeds to get to the dirt.  The dirt is close, but not that close, plus I can tour on the KLR but I don't think I could on the DRZ.  Two, the DRZ has great mpg, but a tiny tank so range would be an issue.  I'm used to bikes with 200- 250-mile range, except for the Ural and its 100- 125-mile range.

The DRZ will happily run all day on the street at an indicated 60-something. Much above 70-something is pushing it IMO. Tops out at 90-something (indicated). I have to ride an hour of faster roads to get to my usual dual-sporting area. No biggie (40-60 miles).

A Clarke 4 gallon tank costs $160 and gives you 200+ mile range. Cheap, easy, effective. Saves weight too.

[phoenix]

As always, too many great bikes to choose from, and too little money.

[sagerat]

Which GS do you have?  Maybe I should buy it.    

2004 GS R1150GS with 22,500 on the clock.  ABS, heated grips, PIAA driving lights, BMW system cases w/reflective strips on the back, Hepco & Becker crashbars, Ankeny rubber is about 1/2 way through tread life.  $10,500 or best offer.

[cultureslayer]

I like them small and light, but I am obviously strange so you might not want to count my opinion.

The KLR would tempt me if I had the leg for it.

[Gaolee]

I like them small and light, but I am obviously strange so you might not want to count my opinion.

The KLR would tempt me if I had the leg for it.

Small and light!  Low mass is its own reward.

[ViffrKlr]

I like them small and light, but I am obviously strange so you might not want to count my opinion.

The KLR would tempt me if I had the leg for it.

it's called lowering links.... up to 3"

[cultureslayer]

it's called lowering links.... up to 3"

But I don't want to make the bike handle like crap.

[MinnGreenGT]

Hmmm... I know/met this guys with this bike you might like...  

[SWriverstone]

Though I'm sure a DRZ-400 is a much better dirtbike than the KLR, I *don't* think there is much overlap between the KLR and Wee Strom. The Wee is much better on the pavement (smoother, faster, even better range)...and there's NO way I'd take a Wee Strom on some of the trails I've ridden the KLR on!

It's a tough call...I mean, with respect to Garry, James, etc. who extol the virtues of the DRZ on the highway, you would NOT do a 5,000-mile tour carrying 80lbs of gear on a DRZ-400. You can easily (and comfortably) do that on a KLR.

Of course the DRZ folks would say "Of course I wouldn't do a 5,000-mile tour on a DRZ---that's what the Wee is for!" Aaahh...but here's where the Wee falls short...because you wouldn't take the Wee on trails you'd take the KLR down.

Bottom line is here: the KLR often gets thrown out as being "too big for dirt, too small for pavement." But the KLR and the BMW F650 are the *only* two bikes out there (IMO) that you can tour long distances on hauling gear *and* ride down some pretty gnarly trails. I didn't say it does either super-well, but it will do both better than a 1200GS, a KTM 950, or any other dual-sport out there. (In other words, the KLR may be a "pig," but it's not half the pig offroad that a 1200GS or KTM950 are!)

Scott

[Windblown]

It's a tough call...I mean, with respect to Garry, James, etc. who extol the virtues of the DRZ on the highway, you would NOT do a 5,000-mile tour carrying 80lbs of gear on a DRZ-400.

Of course the DRZ folks would say "Of course I wouldn't do a 5,000-mile tour on a DRZ---that's what the Wee is for!"

Scott

Correct on both counts.  

BTW, anyone that would take a KLR on a 5000 mile trip with 80 lbs of gear must be nuts!    

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Correct on both counts.  

BTW, anyone that would take a KLR on a 5000 mile trip with 80 lbs of gear must be nuts!    

Whooo hooo! I'm nuts!  

[ol Rocket]

Peter,

Just buy the damn things.  You know you want to.