KLR650 reviews please

**murhf3** · 25th February 2009, 08:36

Can anyone tell me what these are like, to ride 75% road, 25% off on shingle roads Thinkin of buying one as I like the big singles.

**Waxxa** · 25th February 2009, 09:48

I had a '92 model and went everywhere with it, tracks, beach, fields, gravel roads etc. A good set of Cross-tyres and you can't go wrong.
They are not a fast bike but will do 120k on motorway comfortably and i had a fuel range of 420k+.
I had absolutely no problems with the bike for 14 years and then the niggles crept in.
I would have bought the later model but they have increased the height and I can't touch the ground (i'm a short arse).
I enjoyed my KLR

**warewolf** · 25th February 2009, 12:31

Search, there's been lots of discussion here, eg Tiresome DR vs KLR comparisons. Also search advrider.com (use google).

**Woodman** · 25th February 2009, 12:44

Originally Posted by murhf3

Can anyone tell me what these are like, to ride 75% road, 25% off on shingle roads Thinkin of buying one as I like the big singles.

I got an 05 and its great.
If you really are just riding tar and gravel then nothing will break unless you fall off.
If you go further off road you will need a good bashplate, replace the rear brake bracket before the standard one breaks, also the gear lever, learn how to align your front end, and firm the front up as well.

They not real powerful but have a very even power band, but handle on gravel way better with a lot of revs on. To be honest the only time weight is an issue is when picking it up or dragging it out of ditches etc.

Just enjoy it, and do not take too much notice of all the internet sights as there are so many of them out there that of course there are a lot of problems listed. i am just glad i got the KLR b4 i got a computer.

my $.002

Probarbly the most versatile bike there is straight off the shop floor.

**murhf3** · 25th February 2009, 14:46

I.ve taken nearly all enduro singles [except the KTMs] for test rides and value for money the klr seems the best, the xt an dr,s dn.t have as much off road protection. The new KLR I took for a ride seems to have plenty of grunt.
Thanks for the threads plp

**pete376403** · 25th February 2009, 19:23

Hell of a lot of fun. they don't do any one thing exceptionally well, but they do most things pretty well. Road handling, especially on the '08 and later, is a lot better than you would expect. Off road - well they are quite heavy (190kgs with a full tank) so you're not going to chuck it round like a KDX 200 but check out the pics in the Southern Coast adventure ride thread - a couple of KLRs went everywhere that much more specialised dirt bikes did.

Doubt if there is much more bang for the buck ($9890 new) at the mo'.

**NordieBoy** · 25th February 2009, 20:56

Originally Posted by murhf3

I.ve taken nearly all enduro singles [except the KTMs] for test rides and value for money the klr seems the best, the xt an dr,s dn.t have as much off road protection. The new KLR I took for a ride seems to have plenty of grunt.
Thanks for the threads plp

The DR dosn't really have anything vulnerable to protect.
Bash plate and hand guards and you're there.

The more off road you're looking at the more to the DR I'd lean.
The more road, the more toward the new KLR.

I'd get a 2nd hand DR650 with less than 30000km for around $4000 and go from there.

**Padmei** · 25th February 2009, 21:05

What year are you looking at? Some early 08s are oil burners. I like mine a lot.

**pete376403** · 25th February 2009, 21:36

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-204661032.htm

Only mildly thrashed on Sundays by an old lady rider...

**marks** · 26th February 2009, 06:59

Originally Posted by pete376403

.... by an old lady rider...

There will be a day of reckoning

**awayatc** · 26th February 2009, 07:09

by all accounts a very capable bike....some parts of the world are all pro KLR, some lean more towards DR....

But don't you think the KLR is UGLY..?

**Woodman** · 26th February 2009, 09:43

Originally Posted by awayatc

by all accounts a very capable bike....some parts of the world are all pro KLR, some lean more towards DR....

But don't you think the KLR is UGLY..?

From some angles they are less than pretty yes.

You just gotta park them well.

**pete376403** · 26th February 2009, 16:14

From the riders viewpoint they look good. What spectators think doesn't really matter, but if you are worried about what they might think, get a Harley and parade up and down Ponsonby.

**Woodman** · 26th February 2009, 16:38

Originally Posted by pete376403

From the riders viewpoint they look good. What spectators think doesn't really matter, but if you are worried about what they might think, get a Harley and parade up and down Ponsonby.

yes, maybe you could get some tassles for the handlebars, and a KLR branded jacket, tee shirt ,pants , boots, and sunglasses ensemble and splash on some klr aftershave, and strap a wee leather bag stuffed with tissue in front of the headlight.
Then adopt a badass atitude

and forget how to wave, then it won't matter how ugly your bike is.