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.

[sagerat]

True enough; I just don't want the extra payments.  

Normally, I either buy a used bike outright or a new bike with enough down that I can pay it off in two years at the maximum.  I only did the two bike payments once and that was a mistake I'll never repeat.

I made an exception for the GS, which I bought used but sans my normal whopping down payment.  So until the GS sells, I probably won't be buying the pluckly Kawi unless I can overcome my cheapskate ways.  

[ol Rocket]

Aw, my friend, you forget the BB factor.  Wasn't the love of your life going to support your expensive habits out of the goodness of her heart?


Or has reality kicked in?

[county]

Keep the GS.  Good road bike.

Sell that ural, with the sidecar it's not really a bike anyway.  More of a Polish Miata.

[Mike-H]

Go with what works for you....I've got a buddy that has 2 KLR's.....he & his girlfriend have been all over South America on them (where goat trails are considered highways).....so anyone who thinks they suck should have their off road skills upgraded..... basically bulletproof....& inexpensive when compared to KTM's & BMW's.....that should make you go hummmm.......good luck.....

[Rincewind]

Triumph Scrambler  

[Max Wedge]

Madness or genius, hmmm.....

Funny thing is, I was thinking about this same thing the other day, but only in reverse. I love my FZ for commuting and such, and my KLX for off-road/back roads. But I tend not to drive long distances on back roads with the FZ, which I miss, and I don't get on the single tracks with the KLX too much unless I trailer it somewhere. That means I have to switch bikes depending on terrain.
 So.... would a big GS do it all? My road tours, daily commutes with gravel road detours, fire trails and the occasion single track?

What is the definition of madness?

[sagerat]

A GS, given your dirt skills, would truly do it all.  They are amazing bikes and I've ambushed more than one sportbike in the twisties.  "ve also done long tours on it and been very comfy.

But as a newbie dirt rider, a 550-pound bike that costs in the low five figures, ummm, not a good combo.  Better the more dirt-oriented KLR which is mucho lighter.  I thought about the KLX but whatever replaces my GS will double as my road bike/touring bike, so that knocks out the 250.

Sell the Ural?    Sorry, it's a year-round joy.  When the snow flies around here and my other bikes are hooked to their battery chargers, I just throw a lap robe on the sidecar and proceed onward.

Triumph Scrambler, mmm, tasty but loses out on touring aspect due to lack of luggage.

[Rincewind]

Triumph Scrambler, mmm, tasty but loses out on touring aspect due to lack of luggage.

Hepco and Becker has side and rear luggage racks available (through twisted throttle, for instance), so that argument doesn't hold.  

Really, I'm just sayin' what I'd prefer - do whatever will trip your trigger.

[Max Wedge]

Been thinking about an Ural too. At least for those 20 to -20 degree days. But it's a little further down my list.

Tell you what- I'll toss in a Jeep, and we can trade transportation for a month or so to find out who's mad.  

[sagerat]

Hepco and Becker has side and rear luggage racks available (through twisted throttle, for instance), so that argument doesn't hold.  

Rincewind, Hey, thanks I did not know that.    When I asked last year at the Triumph dealership they didn't mention that as an option.  Those Scramblers in red and white are gorgeous.  

Max, my cage is a Jeep Wrangler, but thanks for the offer.  I've got heated grips on the Ural and plug-ins for my electric jacket and gloves, so I've been OK down to O degrees Fahrenheit.  The icing of the carbs was somewhat novel, but fuel additives cures that woe.

[motocardio]

I have owned two KLRs, one DL 650, 4 GSs, and one DRZ.  I currently ride a SM 610 out fitted with IMS and other neat stuff.  My experience is the DL 650 is no off road bike, way to heavy. But it is a super sport tourer/road bike.  I had better luck off road with the big R1100GS and a R100GS-PD then I had with the DL.  The KLRs went most every place I wanted to go, including long bits of pavement to get to most of those places.  The KLR is like the old Beemers, kind of a flexy flyer as it moves down the fast road. I liked the KLR the best of all my DSs for getting on those single track rides.  Especially if I carried only a couple gallons in the tank.  The Husky is a KLR on steroids and handles way better than the Kawi ever dreamed of.  It also is just as good on dirt/gravel roads with Avons.  No single track though.  

[Corwin]

I have a KLR with about 20 000 km on it.  I do almost exactly the kind of riding you do, daily short commutes, occasional all day trips, and a long trip once a year.  The KLR has done all this admirably.  It is good in traffic due to riding position and very good maneuverability.  It handles well on twisties.  It can get up to about 150 km/h on the freeway.  All day rides are possible, and there are tons of luggage options.  If you are going to use it off road, it's a good bike to have.  My riding isn't enough off road, so I will be getting rid of the KRL this year and will probably get an FZ6.  

I find the seat gets very uncomfortable after 3-4 hours.  If I was to keep the KLR, I would definitely invest in a better seat.  The strock front suspension is crap.  It is very soft, especially for a 200+ lb guy like myself.  I have upgraded this.  Stock brakes are adequate, but I upgraded to a lager rotor and braided line.  
Maintenance is easy, especially since you already have quite a bit of knowledge.  The engine technology is more than 20 years old and there aren't any fancy computer chips to worry about.  

KLR650.net has tons of info on the KLR, mods, etc.  Some of the guys on that site have taken the KLR on trips spanning many countries.  

[SWriverstone]

When I bought my KLR, a big plus is the GIGANTIC aftermarket support, as well as probably the single greatest body of online/offline maintenance knowledge available for any bike out there. I wanted to do my own maintenance on the KLR...and in addition to several big forums dedicated to the bike (KLR650.net and KLRWorld.com), there are countless "fan" websites with detailed how-to's, some of them brilliantly developed with beautiful, step-by-step photos, etc. There are excellent books (Clymer) as well as DVDs on things like doing the valves.

I'm certainly not suggesting there isn't lots of info available for other bikes too...but by virtue of it being around unchanged for 20 years, I'd bet there is more support out there for the KLR than any other bike. Add the fact that *every* (and I mean *every*) possible flaw in the KLR has long since been found and bombproof remedies manufactured or devised...and you can't beat it's reliability.

As plenty of others have said, the stock KLR has weaknesses...but new front springs for $75, a new doohickey for $100, a near rear spring for $75, braided steel front brake line for (not sure?) $100...and you've just overcome 95% of the bike's biggest weaknesses.

---
As for the DL650's offroad inability...I continue to be unsure about this. I don't plan to take mine offroad (the KLR is for that)...but I hear 50/50 conflicting reports about the Wee offroad...many people say it's a pig...but plenty of folks ride 'em on gnarly single track with a pair of good knobbies, as well as ride them around the world. So who knows? (I guess it's all in your ability.)

Scott

[Grainbelt]

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

+1

I have a Ninja650R for touring and am searching for a small dual sport for local commuting / offroad abuse.