Took one for a ride today!

**Gizzit** · 26th January 2008, 18:40

I finally got to ride a KLR. I went to Shaws Motorcycles in Whg today, and took an 06 KLR for a short ride.
I was only able to take it out for a short ride, because of time constraints, but enough to find that it is a really enjoyable bike to ride.

First off, I stalled in second gear after pulling out of the driveway out onto the road. I wasn't used to the revs, and while just leaning and turning left ... I stalled it! The good thing was ... I just put my foot down and held the bike up, no problem. If that had happened on my CB1300S, I would have been limping back to the shop to get help to pick it up !! lol

Anyway .. once I got used to the clutch take up, and the feel of the bike in traffic, I got out onto the southern highway, and opened her up a little. It got to the speed limit really easily, and went on up to 120 and felt very comfortable at that speed for cruising. Unfortunately as I had to have the bike back by a certain time, I wasn't able to take it for a good blat through the twisties, but had enough of a taste to know that it is a fun bike to ride.

One thing I noticed however, was a slightly vague kind of feeling at around 130 - 140k. I think it was the 21" wheel with "skinny" tyre on it. I wasn't used to the different feel out front. Might have a lot to do with weight as well. Another thing I noticed was how soft the seat was, and I know I wouldn't be going too far on that without getting a pretty sore butt. Also ... crap brakes. I know I'm used to using one finger front braking on the CB, as it has awesome brakes ... but really noticed the difference having to really grab a handfull and stand on the back brake as well, to scrub off speed in a hurry. Big difference in brakes though, so it was very noticeably different from the CB!

I realy liked the sit up riding position. It suited me perfectly. However, as I'm 5' 10", I would have liked to have it sitting a little lower, as I was only really able to get the ball of each foot on the ground. I didn't find the bike to be too heavy though, so it wasn't a real problem. It could be an issue in the rough ... maybe.

All in all, I think that the KLR is a really good bike. It's the first big single I have ridden in a really long time, and I'm looking forward to getting on an 08 model KLR now.

And ... I will hopefully be able to chuck my leg over a DR as well for a comparison, as there is one at the local Suzook agent at the moment. It will be interesting to see how it goes.

**carver** · 26th January 2008, 18:43

these bikes are rubbish

**dino3310** · 26th January 2008, 18:52

i've heard they've got a bloody good donkey in them,but to me they just butt ugly.deffinately try the DR you can lower the seat height it only takes a few mins.i found the DR a lot easier to throw around.
are you looking at buying one?

**Gizzit** · 26th January 2008, 18:58

Originally Posted by dino3310

i've heard they've got a bloody good donkey in them,but to me they just butt ugly.deffinately try the DR you can lower the seat height it only takes a few mins.i found the DR a lot easier to throw around.
are you looking at buying one?

Yes I'm certainly looking at a 650 adventure style bike. I'm not interested in real off road riding. 90% will be sealed road, with 10% gravel, dirt road, with maybe some easy trail. The 08 KLR is my intended bike, but am open to trying others around that kind of price range. The DR and the KLR are very reasonably priced.

**dino3310** · 26th January 2008, 19:29

nice one mate,theres a lot of gravel and adventure riding to be done up there.

**tri boy** · 26th January 2008, 19:30

Originally Posted by carver

these bikes are rubbish

I guess a model that has evolved over 20+ yrs is total shit aye?
A model that has travelled the globe in all sorts of climate extremes, and carried many happy rider to far off places, (as opposed to doing a few wheelies and skids in the local paddock).
Looks like we have a new contender for lame reporter on KB.

**trustme** · 26th January 2008, 19:40

The KLR is under rated. I ride with a mate who has one , we all ride bigger & so called better bikes but most guys struggle to keep up in the tighter stuff, effective cruising speed is 120/125 kph so you are not likely to lose your license . I call it his LAY Z BOY, it is just so easy & comfortable to ride on seal or offroad. Better tyres & some suspension work will fix the vague feeling More & more my mates 990 ADV stays in the garage while the 15 year old KLR goes on a run & the bugger doesnt seem to be any slower unless we want to sit at over 140 where it runs out of legs
Has a big following as a budget round the world tourer they are bullet proof once the cam chain tensioner has been modded .

**Gizzit** · 26th January 2008, 19:44

Originally Posted by tri boy

I guess a model that has evolved over 20+ yrs is total shit aye?
A model that has travelled the globe in all sorts of climate extremes, and carried many happy rider to far off places, (as opposed to doing a few wheelies and skids in the local paddock).
Looks like we have a new contender for lame reporter on KB.

I wasn't going to bother replying to his comment ..... didn't think it worth it

Better to concern myself with what matters ... these dual purpose bikes are great bikes !! Different bikes for different riders .... no big deal eh !! We just enjoy riding !!!!

**timg** · 26th January 2008, 19:47

Originally Posted by Gizzit

Yes I'm certainly looking at a 650 adventure style bike. I'm not interested in real off road riding. 90% will be sealed road, with 10% gravel, dirt road, with maybe some easy trail. The 08 KLR is my intended bike, but am open to trying others around that kind of price range. The DR and the KLR are very reasonably priced.

Hi, At 10% gravel, dirt road, with maybe some easy trail maybe you should be considering something at the other end of the 'adventure' spectrum and a little more road orientated? V Strom, Transalp, BMW's etc? Transalp with twin front disks has awesome brakes and is very planted on the road at all speeds and very capable on gravel/dirt roads etc. V Strom is a little more road orientated than the TA. Cheers, Tim

**Gizzit** · 26th January 2008, 19:51

Originally Posted by trustme

The KLR is under rated.

Has a big following as a budget round the world tourer they are bullet proof once the cam chain tensioner has been modded .

They are underated ...... in NZ, but loved in many other countries, especially USA.

And with regards the "doohickey", I believe its fixed in the 08 model, along with the brakes and seat .... apart from many other improvements. I think it looks like a top contender for a lazy tourer, scratcher, commuter, ... do anything kind of bike.

**Gizzit** · 26th January 2008, 19:58

Originally Posted by timg

Hi, At 10% gravel, dirt road, with maybe some easy trail maybe you should be considering something at the other end of the 'adventure' spectrum and a little more road orientated? V Strom, Transalp, BMW's etc? Transalp with twin front disks has awesome brakes and is very planted on the road at all speeds and very capable on gravel/dirt roads etc. V Strom is a little more road orientated than the TA. Cheers, Tim

No arguments with you on those other bikes Tim. They are all real good bikes. However, I like the idea of a big single (the bmw is, I know), and they are all much dearer and probably more sophisticated than either the DR or KLR. I like the idea of keeping it simple ... and I would rather buy a new bike for under $10K and afford to add or change bits, and still have change from the price of any of the others.
Thanks for the input.

**trustme** · 26th January 2008, 20:15

When does the new Tenere come out ,it might be worth the wait

**Gizzit** · 26th January 2008, 20:23

Originally Posted by trustme

When does the new Tenere come out ,it might be worth the wait

I have seen a link to that bike somewhere else on here. It looks like a real nice bike. I think someone mentioned that it isn't coming to NZ or Aus.

**pete376403** · 26th January 2008, 20:28

The seat, forks, fairing, wheels, brakes, lights, luggage rack, instruments, exhaust, cylinder head & doohickey have been improved on the '08. The rest is more or less the same. Test riding an '06 model will give you a taste, but you really need to try the '08.

Seat height issue - lowering links for the rear are readily available off the 'net, and the forks can be dropped through the triple clamps a bit.

Doohickey = balancer chain tensioner, not cam chain.

As for the Tenere - when I bought my '08 KLR it was $9k8 on the road. The same shop (Motorad) had a second hand XT660 for $12k. IF the Tenere makes it here it's I reckon going to be priced in the $13 -14 range at minimum.