Nelson Rideouts - Where next?

**JATZ** · 19th September 2010, 09:11

Originally Posted by Woodman

He was trying to wheelie it. He also pulled a wheeie on the 690 that made JC have a heart flutter, mind you I thought it was going to go over too.

Oh yeah, Jatz what was that you were saying about klrs??? hhmmmm??

Pads fit Padmei. How much??

KLR's are a good bike....... there I said it

Despite all the design faults and the fact they're butt fuckin ugly, I s'pose they are a true dual purpose bike. notice I didn't say ...sport...
I still wouldn't own one though, I have some dignity

Let the debate continue

**umopom** · 19th September 2010, 09:54

Another good day, thanks Padmei - the bike swap thing is a useful way of of reminding us why we have got what we have got if that makes sense - would be good to do it again some time soon?
Cheers
JC

**NordieBoy** · 19th September 2010, 12:20

The tracks separated out.
Shows each ones length etc.

**warewolf** · 19th September 2010, 16:00

The 690 makes power everywhere, ergonomically/handling-wise was the best out there partly because it's got nuffin' up front getting in the way. Although the 640A has weight and bulk up front (had a full tank, too) the steering/front end is precise but you can feel the inertia in the big tank/headlights. The 690 has the precision with no heavy crap up front to slow the bike's reaction... luvverly, but the suspension was a bit choppy for my lesser weight.

The R80GS was a sweet bike, definitely in its element bopping along gravel roads. Is such a low-rider it needs tassles, conchs & arseless chaps. Probably my pick for the gravel/tour bike, of that bunch. Didn't shake/vibrate as badly as I remember the R100's doing.

The DR Big was a surprise - after the KTMs the best of the bunch, IMHO. Surprising given the age/era of the bike, but perhaps shouldn't be given the rallye-raid heritage. Makes power like the KTMs - grunty but more power chimes in the more you rev it. Had the tidiest, narrowest seating position, most trail-like but the wide tank forward of the seated position made standing difficult for me. Fairly smooth, hard to say if it vibrated more or less than the 640, probably less. Ergos good, everything just fell to hand (one bar more easily than the other though). Hides its weight well.

KLR... umm agricultural. Seemed rough and vague. Would've thought it would be "tighter" than the Big, maybe more time to get used to it I'd feel different about it. Ergos set up all wrong for this little black duck: seat vs bars vs front wheel arrangement all out of whack. Given I'm closer to woodman's build than Jatz's, I would have thought the Big would be all awkward and the KLR reasonably close... nup. Different strokes for different folks.

**Woodman** · 19th September 2010, 17:48

Yup, the Big did feel surprisingly modern in its ergos, or maybe I am used to the klrs "agricultural"feel.

I am sure WW that if you had a day on my klr you would appreciate its "just waft along and see what happens" qualitys.

**Padmei** · 19th September 2010, 17:57

Agricultural? Agricultural??? How dare you Ww. I'm getting a fish out of the freezer & am unsure if I thaw it out before slapping you with it

Went for a ride this avo in the forest & the KLR turned into a plough on a couple of steep hills- I'm knackered

**Padmei** · 19th September 2010, 17:58

Originally Posted by Woodman

Yup, the Big did feel surprisingly modern in its ergos, or maybe I am used to the klrs "agricultural"feel.

I am sure WW that if you had a day on my klr you would appreciate its "just waft along and see what happens" qualitys.

Lets not get too carried away with the compliments on the big otherwise someones head will begin to you know what

**dino3310** · 19th September 2010, 18:11

Originally Posted by Padmei

Lets not get too carried away with the compliments on the big otherwise someones head will begin to you know what

like the signature below sez

**Woodman** · 19th September 2010, 18:32

Originally Posted by Padmei

Agricultural? Agricultural??? How dare you Ww. I'm getting a fish out of the freezer & am unsure if I thaw it out before slapping you with it

Went for a ride this avo in the forest & the KLR turned into a plough on a couple of steep hills- I'm knackered

Farm bike will now be added to the looong list of uses for a klr.

Actually farm implement will also be added .