Buying a dual purpose bike

[Paladin]

Yep KTM is what the klr will be replaced with when I have finished with it.
At the risk of being excommunicated from the klr brotherhood, the new generation klrs just don't do it for me at the moment. KTM def does.

Unless you're Woodman...
He's slowly finishing his KLR off

See Fran, he has a cunning plan to finish off the KLR and get a KTM!!! Which might also be a cunning plan to makes us all jealous!

[mazz1972]

The GPZ500 engine on the KLE is pretty well known as well, I believe. But I've read a new lightweight exhaust is the first upgrade for a KLE and it's lot more pricey than the above.

ABout the KLE500....

Someone said in another post it's gutless and compared it to a DRZ400. Yes the DRZ400 is probably faster but they are totally different bikes - KLE far more road oriented. Depends what you are going for I guess. Hubby has a DRZ400 and a XT660X and he loved riding the KLE because it's so smooth to ride with the parallel twin motor.

The dorky looking windscreen works a treat and the bike is brilliant in the wind.

Pic of mine attached. As I'm short, the front forks were slid up through the clamps, and less air in the forks, so it's looking a bit squat (standard seat height 850mm).

Weighs in at 181kg dry, and it's top heavy which I hated, but you are taller than me so would handle it better.

Downside: lots of plastic to break in a good off (one side of mine came pre-broken so I didn't have to christen it).

I've just traded my KLE as it was just too tall and heavy for me.

[chasio]

ABout the KLE500....

Someone said in another post it's gutless and compared it to a DRZ400. Yes the DRZ400 is probably faster but they are totally different bikes - KLE far more road oriented. Depends what you are going for I guess. Hubby has a DRZ400 and a XT660X and he loved riding the KLE because it's so smooth to ride with the parallel twin motor.

The dorky looking windscreen works a treat and the bike is brilliant in the wind.

Pic of mine attached. As I'm short, the front forks were slid up through the clamps, and less air in the forks, so it's looking a bit squat (standard seat height 850mm).

Weighs in at 181kg dry, and it's top heavy which I hated, but you are taller than me so would handle it better.

Downside: lots of plastic to break in a good off (one side of mine came pre-broken so I didn't have to christen it).

I've just traded my KLE as it was just too tall and heavy for me.

That's useful info, thanks . It might not be too tall - I just need to find one nearer than Whangarei so I can find out!

The fact that it is good in the wind would be very useful as I cross the Harbour Bridge twice most days and the winter can get... interesting.

Probably has a similar amount of plastic to an XF650, at a guess!

Cheers - Chasio

[Woodman]

Unless you're Woodman...
He's slowly finishing his KLR off

heeey, where are we gonna start the "fence of shame" that we were talking about at the laidback.
For yous not in the loop it will be a fence(maybe) with all the broken parts from our bikes hangin on it. Similar to the bra fence down south.

[JATZ]

heeey, where are we gonna start the "fence of shame" that we were talking about at the laidback.
For yous not in the loop it will be a fence(maybe) with all the broken parts from our bikes hangin on it. Similar to the bra fence down south.

YOUR PLACE

[NordieBoy]

heeey, where are we gonna start the "fence of shame" that we were talking about at the laidback.
For yous not in the loop it will be a fence(maybe) with all the broken parts from our bikes hangin on it. Similar to the bra fence down south.

And for the DR's?

A nail on the fencepost of shame to hang the...
Ummm....
.
.
.
Looks like we need to fall off more often Jatz.

[mazz1972]

That's useful info, thanks . It might not be too tall - I just need to find one nearer than Whangarei so I can find out!

The fact that it is good in the wind would be very useful as I cross the Harbour Bridge twice most days and the winter can get... interesting.

Probably has a similar amount of plastic to an XF650, at a guess!

Cheers - Chasio

PM me if you want to look at some decent photos of my KLE - I took a heap as I was going to list it on Trademe.

I recently spent ages researching dual purpose bikes as I wasn't happy with my KLE. I came up with the same short list as you.

The XF650 is a bit shorter (820mm seat height) and lighter (168kg) than the KLE but I didn't look at one in the "flesh" as I wanted something a bit newer - I think 2003 was the last year of production but the only one down here for sale was a 90's model. An Aprillia Pegaso made my list but again none around here to look at and a bit pricey anyway. I tried an older Cagiva Canyon 600 but it was awful.

KLR650's are just too big so a DR650 was the only other option - I thought after the aerodynamics and smoothness of the KLE, I would not enjoy the DR. However I rode one on Sunday and I was surprised how much I liked it.

[Paladin]

........

KLR650's are just too big so a DR650 was the only other option - I thought after the aerodynamics and smoothness of the KLE, I would not enjoy the DR. However I rode one on Sunday and I was surprised how much I liked it.

Another one sees the light!!!!

[mazz1972]

Another one sees the light!!!!

Um yep....but I didn't buy one.....I've gone to the dark side

If I was in the market I'd be gagging for this one http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=209496727

[pete376403]

And for the DR's?

A nail on the fencepost of shame to hang the...
Ummm....

paladins crankcases?

KLRs tend to break the less important bits. So far I haven't broken anything that cant be repaired with duct tape.

[pete376403]

Another one sees the light!!!!

So soon you forget... just a few weeks ago the Kawi was the love of your life

[warewolf]

AND don't forget Husaberg....
I just put the new chain on my KTM, 520 chain size, the same as the Husaberg that came with the bike,

Didn't forget the 'Bergs. They are now owned (partially?) by KTM and they are commonising the ancilliaries with the rest of the KTM bikes.

A mate has recently acquired a 'Berg. His comment: feck it's nice working on a Euro bike again!! If you like good design, the 'Bergs excel to the point of a) making me jealous, and b) wishing they did some of that stuff to the KTMs!!

[warewolf]

The new injected WR250R

Yep, I have always liked where they are headed with that bike. Now they need to do it (successfully) to the 450 and people will really sit up and take notice.

Interesting thing about the service intervals. When I bought my '92 TDM, it advertised 24,000km valve check intervals. Upon querying my dealer about it, they reckoned they weren't game to risk it, and suggested a more traditional schedule.

[warewolf]

heeey, where are we gonna start the "fence of shame"

Somewhere on the Maungatapu?

A bit like hanging wabbits on the fence, as a warning to the rest of them??

[Paladin]

Um yep....but I didn't buy one.....I've gone to the dark side

If I was in the market I'd be gagging for this one http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=209496727

Oh so close, but yet so far! I'll pray for your soul my son!

paladins crankcases?

KLRs tend to break the less important bits. So far I haven't broken anything that cant be repaired with duct tape.

I think my head will probably be on the fence of shame for that whole "no bashplate" fiasco! Still, lesson learned, being super careful aint enuff and its just not worth risking your bike if you're not loaded with dosh!

No, I refuse to rise to the duct tape baiting! I'm saying nothing!

So soon you forget... just a few weeks ago the Kawi was the love of your life

But that was a KLX - a great little bike to get you started on adv/offroad riding if all you've got is a 6L!
I will say that the KLX was WAY prettier than the DR for sure. DR's aren't the most modern lookin machine, but in the end I bought mine for what it can do for me with where I'm at, not its looks, although I tried hard to get a look I liked by going all black! Oh no, maybe I am headed to the dark side!