My Dual Sport Search Has Ended Here

[XLR8]

Probably old news. Thanks to my friend E because I didn't even know there was an update planned.

At first I wanted a GS then yesterday it was a 990 adventure, however, it's going to be this:

http://motorcycledaily.com/23september06_klr650.htm

Nice eh? It will work.  

[R.Markus]

I wasn't sure about it at first, they took some of the offroad worthiness out of it. I'd like to see one in person. But in reallity, I think it will be a fine machine. The updates seem to look good and add a bigger fairing. I'd venture that it will keep up with the likes of the F650GS and be a good highway machine to boot. Less expensive than the 640 Adventure (and BMW, thought hey lowered the MSRP on the 650GS models) and lower maintenance also.

I say it may be a good choice.

[bluesurf]

The difference between a 990's off-road capabilities and a next-gen KLR are light-years apart.  Be sure you get what's going to be able to take you where you want to go, and imo erring on the side of dirt cability is most always better these days.

[R.Markus]

Living in Idaho I would err on the side of dirt worthiness also. The KLR, even the updated one, isn't even close to the other two bikes you were looking into. You can research online all you want, getting out and sitting on them and possibly getting a test ride or two is the ony way to make a final decision.



(My parents are from Pocatello BTW, we used to visit there every year...love it out there.)

[Mr Sunshine]

Probably old news. Thanks to my friend E because I didn't even know there was an update planned.

At first I wanted a GS then yesterday it was a 990 adventure, however, it's going to be this:

http://motorcycledaily.com/23september06_klr650.htm

Nice eh? It will work.  

Hey I told you about this at the WCRM 3.5
Posted on: January 24, 2007, 11:23:47 pm

Living in Idaho I would err on the side of dirt worthiness also. The KLR, even the updated one, isn't even close to the other two bikes you were looking into. You can research online all you want, getting out and sitting on them and possibly getting a test ride or two is the ony way to make a final decision.



(My parents are from Pocatello BTW, we used to visit there every year...love it out there.)

The KLR is a much better dirt bike than the huge GS.

[speedjunkie]

Still looks to be overweight, undersprung, and underpowered.  Main difference is reduced offroad capabilities, and they weren't awe inspiring before!    Appearance is nice.  I owned one, won't be owning another tho.  To each his own.  



Mike

[XLR8]

Living in Idaho I would err on the side of dirt worthiness also. The KLR, even the updated one, isn't even close to the other two bikes you were looking into. You can research online all you want, getting out and sitting on them and possibly getting a test ride or two is the ony way to make a final decision.

(My parents are from Pocatello BTW, we used to visit there every year...love it out there.)

I understand what everyone is saying but I'm not talking about trail riding or going off any sweet jumps. I'm talking fire roads, jeep roads and that sort of stuff.

The 990 is miles apart in speed and performance but I don't see it going that many more places than the KLR. The 990 is also pretty big if not bigger and heavier. Don't get me wrong, I like the 990 a lot but the practical side of me likes the KLR.

Also, if you are familiar with Idaho, you know that you'll need a bike with some range. I was considering a Suzuki DR-Z but it doesn't hold enough fuel. You can ride hundreds of miles through the mountains here - and no go juice.

[XLR8]

Still looks to be overweight, undersprung, and underpowered.  Main difference is reduced offroad capabilities, and they weren't awe inspiring before!    Appearance is nice.  I owned one, won't be owning another tho.  To each his own.  

Mike

Oh...you're one of those snobby dirt bike riders.    

[XLR8]

Hey I told you about this at the WCRM 3.5
Posted on: January 24, 2007, 11:23:47 pm

The KLR is a much better dirt bike than the huge GS.

I think I remember that you mentioned it. Was that during all those drinks at the hotel? Nawww man I don't remember any of that stuff. Last I remember you were headed to watch MotoGP at like 2AM or something like that.  

[XLR8]

The difference between a 990's off-road capabilities and a next-gen KLR are light-years apart.  Be sure you get what's going to be able to take you where you want to go, and imo erring on the side of dirt cability is most always better these days.

Do you like your KLR if you still have it?

[bluesurf]

Do you like your KLR if you still have it?

I do still have it, for a few more days, and do like it.  I like the DR-Z more, however.

[SWriverstone]

Sometimes I think people forget that a KLR was designed from the ground up to be a COMPROMISE between pavement and dirt—and as such, it excels, and has few (if any) equals, epecially in terms of value.

Further, it's important to note that the KLR has been PROVEN. People have ridden them RTW and all kinds of sick and remote places—and rarely had a complaint.

When people say "the KLR is a crappy dirt bike," I say...DUH!!!! It's not supposed to be a "dirtbike."
When people say "the KLR is crappy on the highway," I say...DUH!!!! It's not supposed to be a "highway bike."
When people say "you'd be better off with a real dirtbike and a sportbike," I say...DUH!!! Of course two bikes are better than one!

I'm just amazed that the concept of "compromise" is so alien to so many people. If you *want* the KLR to be a dirt bike, then don't get one! If you *want* the KLR to be a street bike, then don't get one!

On the other hand, if you want a bike that doesn't excel at any one thing...but does them all reasonably well, there is no better VALUE than the KLR.

'Nuff said.  

Scott

[R.Markus]

The KLR is a much better dirt bike than the huge GS.

Obviously, but I wasn't comparing dirt worthiness of either bike...I was just saying the KLR is very different than the other two bikes he was looking at.

[SLK50]

The KLR's "value" card has been over-played. Owners spend the equivelent of the bike's purchase price making it suitable to their intentions. Scott spent thousands before he rode it out of his development. A better value would be a bike that performs well out of the box. A KTM 950 would eclipse the KLR both on and off the road and to me would seem the better value because it is already capable of doing what the KLR only alludes to. The KLR has succeeded because untill recently most manuf. have largely ignored the category. The "New" KLR will continue that success because many riders aren't willing to drop 10-15 large on a bike they may dump in a creek. And no, it won't be any more capable than the old one. In spite of that, I still want one. There probably isn't any better bike for riding any appreciable distances on dirt or gravel roads. IMHO, YMMV
By the way, major kudos to Scott for actually doing what the rest of dream of.

[R.Markus]

By the way, major kudos to Scott for actually doing what the rest of dream of.

Who is Scott (I assume SWriverstone) and what did he do?

[XLR8]

The KLR's "value" card has been over-played. Owners spend the equivelent of the bike's purchase price making it suitable to their intentions. Scott spent thousands before he rode it out of his development. A better value would be a bike that performs well out of the box. A KTM 950 would eclipse the KLR both on and off the road and to me would seem the better value because it is already capable of doing what the KLR only alludes to. The KLR has succeeded because untill recently most manuf. have largely ignored the category. The "New" KLR will continue that success because many riders aren't willing to drop 10-15 large on a bike they may dump in a creek. And no, it won't be any more capable than the old one. In spite of that, I still want one. There probably isn't any better bike for riding any appreciable distances on dirt or gravel roads. IMHO, YMMV
By the way, major kudos to Scott for actually doing what the rest of dream of.

I keep hearing how the KTM will be so much better. How so? It's not any more trail worthy. So how would it better? I think some owners of the KTM and the GS must cringe at the fact that a bike exists for 1/3 the cost that does what the majority of people do on their expensive dual sports anyway - ride dirt roads.

[SWriverstone]

The KLR's "value" card has been over-played. Owners spend the equivelent of the bike's purchase price making it suitable to their intentions. Scott spent thousands before he rode it out of his development. A better value would be a bike that performs well out of the box. A KTM 950 would eclipse the KLR both on and off the road and to me would seem the better value because it is already capable of doing what the KLR only alludes to. The KLR has succeeded because untill recently most manuf. have largely ignored the category. The "New" KLR will continue that success because many riders aren't willing to drop 10-15 large on a bike they may dump in a creek. And no, it won't be any more capable than the old one. In spite of that, I still want one. There probably isn't any better bike for riding any appreciable distances on dirt or gravel roads. IMHO, YMMV
By the way, major kudos to Scott for actually doing what the rest of dream of.

Yep, that's me.   And it's true—I did spend around $2,500 on my KLR before riding it to Newfoundland. But that made my final sunk cost on the bike only $7,500 (I paid $5K for the bike "used" with about 400 miles)...which is still less than a new F650 and WAY less than a KTM950 (right?).

I've certainly never denied the KLR has some weaknesses that make the mods almost a necessity if you're going to do any serious travel on it. But one doesn't have to spend money on the extras—there are plenty of KLRs out there that have 75,000 miles on them, stock.

So is the KLR's value card overplayed? Yeah, maybe, a bit. But I still think it beats the other bikes, even with $2,500 worth of mods!  

Scott

EDIT: I should add that the KTM950 is definitely a better bike than the KLR in many ways! But...I absolutely think a fully modded KLR is every bit the equal of an F650 (for less $$)...and probably more trouble-free.

[R.Markus]

Yep, that's me.   And it's true—I did spend around $2,500 on my KLR before riding it to Newfoundland. But that made my final sunk cost on the bike only $7,500 (I paid $5K for the bike "used" with about 400 miles)...which is still less than a new F650 and WAY less than a KTM950 (right?).

EDIT: I should add that the KTM950 is definitely a better bike than the KLR in many ways! But...I absolutely think a fully modded KLR is every bit the equal of an F650 (for less $$)...and probably more trouble-free.

The KTM 950's MSRP is $13999, so yes it is a lot cheaper...but you are comparing two very different bikes anyway (and i'm not saying one is more dirt worthy then the other, they are just two different styles of machine). A modded KLR like yours would suit someone quite well.

[etachell]

I'll put a KLR up against a GS in the dirt any day of the week.

[SLK50]

 "I'm talking fire roads, jeep roads and that sort of stuff.
 The 990 is also pretty big if not bigger and heavier.
 the practical side of me likes the KLR.
 you'll need a bike with some range. "



Getting back on point, for the qualities your looking for: riding on dirt or gravel roads, decent fuel range,
not too big or heavy, practicality, etc. you'd be hard pressed to do much better than the KLR.
I too have been shopping for a bike with these same attributes and keep coming back to the KLR.
With that settled, what's the best tires for riding on hard packed dirt, loose shale and gravel?