Perhaps the ideal road biased adv bike?

**BMWST?** · 1st July 2009, 22:24

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-226556562.htm

**Eddieb** · 1st July 2009, 22:45

Various reports I've read indicate they are actually fairly good, built to a price but capable enough considering that.

**warewolf** · 2nd July 2009, 11:01

Originally Posted by Eddieb

built to a price but capable enough considering that.

Just like the DR, KLR and pretty much any jap adventure-ish bike, eh?

**Oscar** · 2nd July 2009, 11:04

Originally Posted by BMWST?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-226556562.htm

For the money, no competition.

**XF650** · 2nd July 2009, 20:20

Originally Posted by Oscar

For the money, no competition.

I think there is good competition in this bracket....... and I own one.

**YellowDog** · 2nd July 2009, 20:33

I've ridden the Kwaka version and did like it very much.

My last bike was a Freewind, which was also a great all rounder.

**monkeymcbean** · 2nd July 2009, 20:50

Originally Posted by YellowDog

I've ridden the Kwaka version and did like it very much.

My last bike was a

Freewind

, which was also a great all rounder.

Aaah some marketing departments have such a great sense of humour!

**newbould** · 2nd July 2009, 20:54

Originally Posted by Eddieb

Various reports I've read indicate they are actually fairly good, built to a price but capable enough considering that.

The yanks don't seem impressed

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bi...-2005-current/

but if Yellow dog says its Ok then its Ok

**RedKLR650** · 2nd July 2009, 22:56

Originally Posted by BMWST?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-226556562.htm

Actually they're not that flash in my (humble) opinion.....

a mate used to have one ( actually I thought this was his old one, but he put the dent in the tank on the other side near the top )

We used to swap bikes a bit on rides and it was a poor cousin to the KLR, fairly gutless by comparison ( Yes, I realise it's a smaller engine ) and LOTS more fairing to injure in a drop......

To be honest, if I couldn't have the KLR, I'd rather a DR than the KLE ( Did I REALLY say that ? )

Stu

**Oscar** · 3rd July 2009, 10:48

Originally Posted by XF650

I think there is good competition in this bracket....... and I own one.

Can you buy a Freewind for 5k?

**RedKLR650** · 3rd July 2009, 10:51

Originally Posted by Oscar

Can you buy a Freewind for 5k?

No, but you can't buy a new KLE for that either

Saying that, there are 2x KLR650's on TardME for around 5.5 k at present

Cheers, Stu

**chasio** · 3rd July 2009, 13:20

Originally Posted by Oscar

Can you buy a Freewind for 5k?

I just bought my 2002 Freewind for $5.5k from a dealer with 21k on the clock with scottoiler, centre stand and hard luggage.

I can't compare to other bikes, but I really like mine and they also have the advantage over the KLE of more stock power, ready tunability and adjustable ride height (once or twice I've wished I had lowered mine).

I know TSMJ picked one up for a fair bit less a while back, so it does happen.

One thing I can certainly vouch for is the tremendous helpfulness of other Freewind owners on KB. Diamond geezers.

Cheers - Chasio

**YellowDog** · 3rd July 2009, 14:06

All I said was that I had ridden (not owned) said Kwaka.

It was very easy to ride, especially around town.

Anyone considering any new bike should give it a good ride for themselves and make up their own minds.

Here's my 1999 Freewind, which I wasn't about to sell in favour of a similar bike:

**XF650** · 3rd July 2009, 17:08

Originally Posted by Oscar

Can you buy a Freewind for 5k?

Yip - prices seem to vary between 4.5k & 5.5k
One advantage the KLE has over the XF in rough going is 21" front wheel. But if we are talking about being more road biased then the XF's 19" is better for hard cornering on seal.