where's all the KLR's?

[Munkey]

Do I spy tassels?

 

[wralyn]

Do I spy tassels?

On the VTX...yes.

[Laminar]

[wralyn]

 

He's also got the matching keychain. There's nothing more annoying than getting slapped by unnecessary tassels whipping in the wind.

[JB1290]

Dumb question... How are the KLR's at highway speeds? Just curious how they feel at 65 to 75 MPH on the freeway.

[hppants]

A KLR is still on my list of bikes to own one day.  I like the idea of riding to the trail, and taking off into the wilderness.

[fishmeister]

[wralyn]

Dumb question... How are the KLR's at highway speeds? Just curious how they feel at 65 to 75 MPH on the freeway.

I can only speak for the pre-08 models, but that is the main reason I got the NH. The KLR is great for around town commuting and has no problems keeping up in highway traffic, but anything over 60ish and the front fender and my big body catch wind like a sail. It was a lot of fun at Deal's Gap, but the ride there and back (from the motel) made me wish I was on a VTX (tassels and all). You can modify the fender and change the windscreen, but you might as well get a Wee to begin with and have the extra power too.

[coffee_brake]

Hubby like the KLR at speed just fine, but....it hasn't much speed! It CAN cruise at 80 all day but it hasn't got all that much power at that speed.
Hubby got a Concours like mine for longer road trips and very cold weather, but will ALWAYS choose the KLR whenever possible. He just likes it.

[Bad Boy]

I picked up a 05 KLR650 three years ago for adventure riding.  We would highway for an hour or two and and spend the day on gravel forest service and logging roads, spectacular scenery in the mountains of Western Washington.  The KLR is a mediocre bike in every way and is capable of almost anything.  

It is not a bad highway machine, cruise at 80 mph no problem, rpms not too high, vibration is tolerable.  I would take one cross country.  It accelerates like a Corolla but will take you as fast as you need to go.  Over 6 gallons of gas is a real plus for us out in the west US.  Plenty of load capacity and aftermarket support for luggage and accessories.  It is best suited for gravel roads.  Soft long travel suspension soaks up bumps, a bit wallowy on pavement.  There is something about dual sports that are extremely fun in the twistys.  Their relatively light weight and wide bars make them great to throw into tight curves and the KLR is no exception, just keep the throttle pegged and don't slow down.  The brakes are also quite soft, not bad when slowing on gravel, don't expect to stop suddenly on pavement.

Dual sports are a compromise between the opposite needs of a road and dirt bike.  The KLR makes a much better road bike than a dirt bike.  As long as we stuck to the well graded gravel the KLR did fine.  We too often strayed off the road and the KLR's 400 lbs plus gear and high seat quickly turned into a liability.  It was way to much work to keep up right and when it falls things break.  Build quality and design are significantly below that of the Hondas I am used to.  Many of the known weaknesses are documented and can be corrected with much effort.  I would still like a more durable machine when riding a day or twos walk from civilization.  It is a cheap bike, both a pro and a con, for $3K-$6k one could own an adventure bike.

For exploring gravel roads and taking the freeway to get there the KLR is a fun ride, the jeep of bikes.  

[Bad Boy]

So here is the new adventure bike, '08 DRZ400S.  I decided I liked straying off the beaten path and could sacrifice a bit of freeway comfort for increased dirt fun, the KLR had to go.  The DRZ will still cruise up to 80 mph and tops out around 95.  Over 70 mph it starts spinning pretty fast and sounds like it, smooth though, I shove in the earplugs and it takes it quite well.  With a shorter stroke engine the DRZ redlines at 10k compaired to 7.5k on the KLR so the max. hp is 33 and 34 respectively.  I can put up with the higher revs, what I really love is losing over a 100 lbs compaired to my ex.  At 310 lbs wet it's no mx bike but I can now comfortably do occasional single track, cross ditches, or hop a log.  It took a bit mods for the DRZ to do the job for me, 4 gallon tank, skid plate, hand guards, radiator guards, engine side cover guards, side bag luggage rack.  I still need a wider seat for long distance riding.  I find the suspension, brakes, and general build quality much more acceptable.

We do frequent day ride in western Washington State
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EjD4mua5KC4bb1T9_GjTkV2KspBwc6dUeVbyljjlI3o?feat=embedwebsite
This year our big trip was a 9 day adventure ride through the "Oregon Back Country Discovery Route"
http://www.treknow.com/obcdr/
1000 miles of spectacular gravel roads plus 1000 miles of pavement to get there and back.  An epic adventure for sure.  For 2011 I am planning a similar adventure through Washington State
http://www.wbcdr.com/

[tomb raider]

Nice Bad Boy, I'm thinking of selling my DRZ, great bike but not being rode. Looks like a down tree ? How do those skins work on dirt ?

Edit: OK now I've watched the video and want to keep it. Great tune and ride. Was that you in front ?  Hey, what kinda of video camera did you use ?

[Bad Boy]

Nice Bad Boy, I'm thinking of selling my DRZ, great bike but not being rode. Looks like a down tree ? How do those skins work on dirt ?

Edit: OK now I've watched the video and want to keep it. Great tune and ride. Was that you in front ?  Hey, what kinda of video camera did you use ?

I hope you do keep the DRZ.  Dual sporting is a whole new world in motorcycling.  If you need some motivation try hooking up with others on the ADVrider web site.  There is a thread for Where to Meet ADV Riders - North Sound and another thread for - South Sound.  We have some of the best riding right here in our back yard.

Don't know about video cameras, I was just posing out front for the camera.  The stock tires performed OK in the video, a decent street/dirt compromise, I am going to try Michelin 606s next for more dirt grip. 

I hope to see you Tomb Raider either on the road or in the dirt.

[Hondo]

A newer image of mine in Moab -

[tomb raider]

In the Army, we had our food come to the field in them Side bags. Cool ride Hondo.