Swappies - looking for a 650

[marks]

Anyway I found a KLE500 which is "just" short enough for me.

where are the photos????

[Gizzit]

I was looking around for a "slightly used" DR650, ........ Our last experience of upholsterer vs bike seat here in nz was a disaster. Anyway I found a KLE500 which is "just" short enough for me and the seat is very plush.

Where did your "last disastrous experience" happen with an upholsterer ?
Just curious.

[pete376403]

Thanks Pete

Apart from the oil consumption I am very happy with the bike - Its a really close fit for what I intend to use it for. I am worried that if I go into 'battle' mode over the oil consumption issue it will sour my attitude towards the bike and I will end up getting pissed off and selling it. I think I will live with things as they are for a bit and do a few longer trips etc and then sometime in the new year have a 685 kit put in.

well thats me too - I love the bike and am not in the least interested in having them take it back. If I can get the rings done under warranty then that will be fine.
I'd also like to get the 685 kit but that's money that could be spent on other things such as tyres and gas to go places

[mazz1972]

where are the photos????

Here she is.....this is her good side

[mazz1972]

Where did your "last disastrous experience" happen with an upholsterer ?
Just curious.

Maybe we were expecting a bit much, so maybe not fair to say, the chap has been in business for many years and was recommended by our bike mechanic who's had plenty of great jobs done by him. Was down this way anyway.

It was an effort to make a DRZ400 plank seat a little softer. Soon after ended up getting an whole new aftermarket seat anyway as the brackets on the original seat broke one to many times to fix again.

[NordieBoy]

Here she is.....this is her good side

That looks very capable.
A twin cylinder FreeWind.

[NordieBoy]

Oh and how do less dirt worthy bikes get bashplates when the DR doesn't

[mazz1972]

That looks very capable.
A twin cylinder FreeWind.

Nordie, it probably is with a better rider on it! Hubby rather quite likes it.

It's wider, taller and much heavier than what I'm used to...will take me a while to "conquer" it.

Two great days for riding this weekend and I have the lurgy

It does have a pretty grunty bash plate.

[NordieBoy]

Yeah the XF, KLE, KLR and other more road biased bikes all seem to have a good bash plate.
Even my Nordwest motard has one factory.

[CRM]

Back on Subject - my Gas Gas and aforementioned swappies... Just found out the base gasket needs replacing as does the front wheel bearing. Ordered parts through NV motorcylces in Morrinsville (I was down there checking out the 450 Pamperas on Monday). They have parts in Auckland warehouse so should be up in the next day or two - sweet . Very reasonable price too I think, $6.90 for the gasket and $28.00 for the bearing.

They were saying when i was down there that Gas Gas has got their act together now for parts so no excuses for not buying a Gaser.

I liked the 450 pamp - obviously not your full-on enduro (you get the 450 FSE for that with fuel injection, adjustable forks etc) but lighter and lower and quieter than my old DRZ400. At $8000 for runout/new one a pretty sweet deal.

[mazz1972]

Back on Subject

Are you hinting ever so slightly that your thread may have been hijacked?

Nah....never....not possible....ok maybe just a little....

Good luck with the Gas Gas. Any thoughts on what to replace it with yet?

[CRM]

Are you hinting ever so slightly that your thread may have been hijacked?

Nah....never....not possible....ok maybe just a little....

Good luck with the Gas Gas. Any thoughts on what to replace it with yet?

Yeah subtle hint there Looking at the DR650 / KLR650 controversy. The old KLR's look ugly, and I can't afford a new one, so I guess default is an older DR650. I see you have a KLE500 - you don't see many around. i had a ride on a KLE400 a couple of years ago and it seemed a nice smaller adventure bike. What are the 500s like?

[mazz1972]

Yeah subtle hint there Looking at the DR650 / KLR650 controversy. The old KLR's look ugly, and I can't afford a new one, so I guess default is an older DR650. I see you have a KLE500 - you don't see many around. i had a ride on a KLE400 a couple of years ago and it seemed a nice smaller adventure bike. What are the 500s like?

I reckon you'll find a pretty nice DR650 with a budget of $6K.

No, don't see many KLE500's around. Despite owning one I'm not the best person to ask, only ridden it twice, only done about 100 km's so far. After riding a 250 Sherpa for 2 years, it's a real step up in height and power, and it will take me a while to get as much confidence as I had on Sherp. Hubby has ridden it more, and he really likes it - nice smooth acceleration. A friend who has a DR650 rode it (before I did if you please) and both he & hubby said the DR650 has more low end power but the KLE would definately win out top end. It's definately a lot more "roady" than a DR.

There's too much to break on the KLE if it ends up taking soil samples - the other side of the bike (now shown in photo) needs a bit of fibreglass, bog, and paint on one of the fairings - she's was bit smunched by previous owner.

If I didn't get the KLE I would still be looking for a black DR650 which was my original choice - just happened to see the KLE.