A New Toy (KLR650)

**Waihou Thumper** · 12th October 2014, 15:05

You must have a big frikkin garage....
Still, the price you paid for this, you could have bought my DR800s...

**10bikekid** · 12th October 2014, 19:29

Originally Posted by R650R

Sounds like your happy with it. Does it have 6 gears or just 5? As that's the only thing about the DR that I'd like for longer trips is tall top gear for cruising at slightly faster than 99kph.
Would be interesting to have a play on the Marine corps version that runs on diesel although I suspect the conversion is about it being able to run on it and not any performance gain that could be had.
Only another 6hp to be had from the extra weight and crash damage risk of watercooling too.
That's the DRs trump card, reliable (touchwood), can throw it down the road and still ride home with nothing broken, well on the bike anyway.

I don't think anyone is going to argue against the virtues of a DR650 (and I have the 750 Dakar version) but the KLR is a different kettle of fish all together.

I listed all the feature I was looking for at the beginning and to get even close to that the DR would be more expensive and unless you invested in a 4k dakar fairing set up would still not be as good for my purpose's

I simply strolled into the shop signed the papers and rode off (had to put fuel in mind you after it reached reserve at 375km

)

This thing could sing along all day at 130k in complete comfort and is as smooth as butter at that speed, then you can whip up the beach for a bit of an extra thrill, yer the DR might be a bit lighter on its feet there but for my 80% road usage it make sense to give up a touch on the 20% to be more comfortable the rest of the time

PS, am used to a bike 40kg heavier than a KLR so to me the weight was a bonus not an issue (and wouldn't want anything much lighter as it would move around to much for my liking on the road)

**10bikekid** · 12th October 2014, 19:41

Originally Posted by Waihou Thumper

You must have a big frikkin garage....
Still, the price you paid for this, you could have bought my DR800s...

Arh, you only live once man (well at least in this mortal body

) and it wouldn't be 13 as consider that unlucky (you have to buy two at once at 12

0

You don't like your 800 ?

Picture from memory lane to follow

**R650R** · 13th October 2014, 07:41

Originally Posted by 10bikekid

I don't think anyone is going to argue against the virtues of a DR650 (and I have the 750 Dakar version) but the KLR is a different kettle of fish all together.

I listed all the feature I was looking for

The DR would happily cruise at 130 too especially with the flatslide carbie but I don't like to sustain those higher revs for long time and it sounds like the gearing on KLR is about the same too so maybe better balanced/quieter.
Hear you about weight, had a gsxr1100L, sometimes extra weight is better for soaking up all the big bumps/wind etc
Guess I will have to have a go on Waipuks one when he gets it

**Waihou Thumper** · 13th October 2014, 16:42

Originally Posted by 10bikekid

You don't like your 800 ?

If someone offered me a fair price I would let it go....$4800 would do it.
Spread the good work please Mark

**10bikekid** · 13th October 2014, 17:28

Originally Posted by Waihou Thumper

If someone offered me a fair price I would let it go....$4800 would do it.
Spread the good work please Mark

Kripes, is it cosha to change ones name to 15bike

**JATZ** · 13th October 2014, 19:56

Originally Posted by 10bikekid

Kripes, is it cosha to change ones name to 15bike

Absolutely

it's got a nice ring to it.

Congrats on the new Gonzo bike too

**george formby** · 13th October 2014, 20:26

Definitely a mud guard fetish rearing it's head here.

Dunno about the weight / stability thing. The wee DT is like a scalpel up to, er, em, the legal limit. Bounces on gravel ruts, though. The TDM starts to wallow at enthusiastic speeds on private roads. Ahem. Apart from the new rubber it never bounced, anywhere.
Ok, the bigger bikes are more compliant until you go into a corner hard on the anchors and then have to use big throttle. Then they go all drunken hippo.

Just sayin.

**10bikekid** · 13th October 2014, 20:48

Originally Posted by JATZ

Absolutely

it's got a nice ring to it.

Congrats on the new Gonzo bike too

Thanks Fellow DRBig appreciator

Its got similarities only its new, which makes a difference

Its really quite a Good bike and the New Editions mods make it doubly so

PS, think I will stay incognito at 10 for now

**10bikekid** · 22nd November 2014, 21:15

Just saw this thread lots of info http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ders-out-there

Gona try a TKC80 front tire for the Summers powdery sand but hope its close as nice on the road as the OME tires