Keeping the KLR

[Johnny Monsoon]

Preface:
I eventually sold the KLR, but for reasons completely unrelated to the bike.  I put both of my bikes up for sale at the same time and the KLR sold in 5 minutes.  I had hoped that the other one would sell first, but that isn't the way it worked out.  I've been pining for a KRL (or another dual sport) for some time now, and I thought this particular post might be of some benefit concerning the KLR and inexpensive dual sports in general.  This was originally posted on AdventureRider.com, so any references to 'this site' means www.advrider.com

I've been advertising it for sale. You all know this. A week ago I fired up the bike to let the engine run a bit. It started on the first crank, just like clockwork. That prompted me to ask myself a question; "Why am I selling it?"

My answers varied; and to be honest more than a few stemmed from this site and general disdain of the KLR from other dual-sporters weighed on me... The KLR was the antique in the crowd. It isn't as good on the highway as a GS. It isn't as dirtworthy as the DR. It doesn't have the suspension the Katoomers have. It makes rather wimpy power, the brakes arne't anything to mention in polite company, the bike has a weak headlight and a variety of other shortcut issues. Yes, there are plenty of reasons not to buy one, much less keep one. I'd pretty much decided to try to unload this sorry excuse for a motorcycle.

I rode it a few days ago strictly to keep things moving; I don't believe in winterizing if it can be avoided. I hadn't ridden it in about a month. All of a sudden, most of those horrible shortcomings didn't matter. The vibeyness on the highway wasn't a big deal (I really didn't find it to be annoying- and was actually struck again at how smooth a thumper could be); nor was being able to reach warp-speed. The bike was fun, and for some reason the brakes seemed just fine and stopped me right where and when I'd wanted to stop. Best bike ever? Not by a long shot. I just realized that the bike, despite it's flaws, is a ton of fun.

I took it out yesterday, again, to see if I was just deluded. Turns out the bike was still a lot of fun; at least as much fun as it was the day before. I was fortunate enough to see a construction site that was in the early stages- clearing trees (downed trees everywhere), gravel layments for rudimentary entrances, deep, soft soil/clay/mud. I thought twice about heading into it. I knew I wouldn't be able to say the most the bike had been on was a gravel road. Then I thought "What the hell, it's MY bike, I can ride it when and where I want!" So I did. I don't have any clue as to how the other DS machines in this category perform, but the KLR did everything I asked it to, and did it with total ease. Maybe other folks would find it wanting, but for epic trips to the middle of nowhere I think it would do as well as any. I'm sure it would be a lot easier to manage offroad than a big GS, but I also know it wouldn't have the road prowess of the bigger bike (nor the pricetag). The KLR, king of compromise, suits me fine.

I'll be dumping money into it of course- all the countless farkles must be had if I'm to really make it an impressive bike (for no particular reason other than to do it).

Trust me fellas, I know what the KLR is not; but I've come to realize that I also think few others really know what the KLR is. It is the promise of adventure for the father of two, who doesn't make much money for defending his country, and frankly doesn't have much time to ride beyond getting to and from work. It is a quick escape that lets me go wherever I want to go, and should the adventure overwhelm the bike, well, I can live with the consequences.

For as much as I'd love to be throwing social shin-digs while swilling in expensive red wines and imported bries before heading out on a whirwind adventure through Europe on my Tiger/GS/whatever, I can't. I can't afford it. Then again, I am military man, and this is, really, military hardware; so in one sense it is a true reflection of at least part of what makes me, well, me!

So, for the time being anyway, I'll be keeping my trusty KLR.

[Willie G]

Glad to hear you've reached a decision, since I've been trying to make the same one...still leaning towards selling, but then I look at the dirt road in front of the house and....well, you know.

 

[Johnny Monsoon]

Glad to hear you've reached a decision, since I've been trying to make the same one...still leaning towards selling, but then I look at the dirt road in front of the house and....well, you know.

 

I'd keep it; or at least plan to replace it with another DS bike.  Once you go DS...

[n7myr]

sounds like you have made the best choice for you. I have always said it would be a strange world if we all liked the same thing. everyone I work with that rides, rides a Harley. but then they only ride 100 miles a year. for me I would not want one as a gift, but to those who like, knock yourself out. I was just telling my wife yesterday I should sell my KLR, seems with 4 bikes I do not have the time to ride them all. BUT
all 4 of them are better at something than the others are, and the klr is sure lots of fun, but since the good dirt is 50 miles away and it seems I don't have or don't take the time to go there, for the most part the klr just sits way to much and when I get to thinking about plates, insurance ect it seems that I should either quit my job and ride more or scale back on how full the garage is. will I sell? won't I sell? who knows. probably won't do anything and when I make enough time to enjoy then so be it. The klr for me does not do anything real well, but it does all pretty well. have had mine on trails and on long trips and it does both pretty well. you sure can't say that about all bikes. try and take my zx10 on any sort of trail. no thanks

[Johnny Monsoon]

sounds like you have made the best choice for you. I have always said it would be a strange world if we all liked the same thing. everyone I work with that rides, rides a Harley. but then they only ride 100 miles a year. for me I would not want one as a gift, but to those who like, knock yourself out. I was just telling my wife yesterday I should sell my KLR, seems with 4 bikes I do not have the time to ride them all. BUT
all 4 of them are better at something than the others are, and the klr is sure lots of fun, but since the good dirt is 50 miles away and it seems I don't have or don't take the time to go there, for the most part the klr just sits way to much and when I get to thinking about plates, insurance ect it seems that I should either quit my job and ride more or scale back on how full the garage is. will I sell? won't I sell? who knows. probably won't do anything and when I make enough time to enjoy then so be it. The klr for me does not do anything real well, but it does all pretty well. have had mine on trails and on long trips and it does both pretty well. you sure can't say that about all bikes. try and take my zx10 on any sort of trail. no thanks

I had a KLR, XX, and a pair of TT-R125s in my garage when I decided I needed to sell the big bikes to save money.  I love my XX and my dirtbikes, but the KLR was the right bike for my daily jaunt to work, or just out to pick up this and that.  It was my knockaround bike.  I felt guilty abusing the XX for a 4 mile ride, and the TTRs couldn't be ridden on the road anyway.  So, the KLR was the real universal tool in my garage.  

As time has passed, I realized that while I love the XX, I honestly just have more fun on a DS bike (since I really do more commuting than anything else).  With that in mind, I think the XX is going back up for sale.  Then again, who knows...  I, like most here, believe that a garage full of bikes is always the best option.  I just hate the neglect that some bikes will get in that situation.