Going Green New Meaning

[HoebSTer]

Its not what you may think. With the recent further delay of the Tenere, I couldn't sit this summer out of riding. I bought an 06 Kawasaki KLR650 for $3400. Its pretty clean only 1300 miles on it and has a fully loaded extra set of wheels with knobbies' Yippee. I am going to sell the extra set of wheels. Then sell the bike this fall.I will post pics later.

 

[trinc4me]

Its not what you may think. With the recent further delay of the Tenere, I couldn't sit this summer out of riding. I bought an 06 Kawasaki KLR650 for $3400. Its pretty clean only 1300 miles on it and has a fully loaded extra set of wheels with knobbies' Yippee. I am going to sell the extra set of wheels. Then sell the bike this fall.I will post pics later.

I"m happy for you Jeff.....good deal!

 

[Koinz]

Good for you Jeff, that'll keep your bike anxieties to a minimum

 

[motocephalic]

I was looking at one about an hour ago. I am torn between a couple of bikes. I am looking at an SV 650 as well. I know that motor better. Congrats on your purchase, hope you have a great summer of riding.

 

[mobyfubar]

Welcome back to the road, Jeff! I really like my KLR, I think you'll have fun on it.

I'm about to sell mine to a friend, because I really need the space back in the garage, but I am going to miss it.

 

[motocephalic]

Welcome back to the road, Jeff! I really like my KLR, I think you'll have fun on it.

I'm about to sell mine to a friend, because I really need the space back in the garage, but I am going to miss it.

How does the KLR do on the highway? Can it keep up with traffic at 75? I live right smack in the city and have to do 80 to get out of here.

 

[tubebender]

KLR's are pretty much out of breath at 75 mph. (GPS indicated). Yes, it will go faster, but slowly. The biggest restriction is the head; buying an aftermarket exhaust is a waste of money. There are a few low dollar tweaks that improve throttle response, gas mileage, and low and mid range rideablity.

That being said, they are a good, affordable, low maintenance bike that excels at nothing but does everything reasonably well. I bought mine new in 2005 and don't plan on selling it. Mainly because I've put a ton of money into making it go faster, handle better, blah, blah, blah.

Here's the other site I hang out in.
http://www.klr650.net/forums/index.php

 

[motocephalic]

KLR's are pretty much out of breath at 75 mph. (GPS indicated). Yes, it will go faster, but slowly. The biggest restriction is the head; buying an aftermarket exhaust is a waste of money. There are a few low dollar tweaks that improve throttle response, gas mileage, and low and mid range rideablity.

That being said, they are a good, affordable, low maintenance bike that excels at nothing but does everything reasonably well. I bought mine new in 2005 and don't plan on selling it. Mainly because I've put a ton of money into making it go faster, handle better, blah, blah, blah.

Here's the other site I hang out in.
http://www.klr650.net/forums/index.php

thanks, that is exactly what I needed to know. I need a faster machine then.

 

[Ollie]

Congrats Hoebster, I was wondering how you were going to make it to November without a ride. At that price you might just keep it, beat the hell out of it and spare the tenere.

 

[markjenn]

KLRs are the two-wheel equivalent of a Jeep CJ for all the good and bad that entails. Great choice for a holdover bike - you may be surprised how it grows on you and occupy a permanent place in your garage. I'll always have a single in the stable and love my DRZ.

- Mark

 

[eemsreno]

I had to come up with a bike to ride to Alaska this summer. So yesterday I found a 2006 V-Strom 650. That has less than 10,000 miles an was $3,600. This is the first DL 650 I have road. I was very impressed. I think it will do the summer job just fine then I can sell it or maybe lower it so the wife can ride it. Looks like I might need some Happy Trails on it and some crash bars. Does any DL 650 owners out there know if they run all the time with 3 heat bars showing. Here is some pictures we had a blast coming home on dirt and some mud.

 

[eemsreno]

Lost my pictures

 

[eemsreno]

OK one at a time

 

[eemsreno]

One more

 

[Bugsy]

I own both the DL1000 and the DL650 and both bike operate at three bars. There have been cold days (27 Degrees F) when it would only rise to two bars. We (Girlfriend and I) did a road trip down the west coast and were caught in stop-n-go traffic on a hot summer day in Portland, Oregon, and neither bike exceeded three bars.

I think you will be very happy with the DL650. I actually like the DL650 better than the DL1000. It has a much smoother motor, which doesn't seem to lack power. The bike is easily capable of 90mph all day long on the highway with rider and gear. You will also find they are a rock solid bike. They may not have all the extras like the Tenere, but they are extremely reliable.

 

[eemsreno]

I sure am having trouble putting pictures on lately sorry

 

[eemsreno]

Bugsy
thanks for the info
I haven't read of one person that doesn't like the V-Stoms, thats why I got this one to fill the gap for a ride to Alaska. I was really planning on being on my Super Tenere but it's not going to be.

 

[colorider]

I own both the DL1000 and the DL650 and both bike operate at three bars. There have been cold days (27 Degrees F) when it would only rise to two bars. We (Girlfriend and I) did a road trip down the west coast and were caught in stop-n-go traffic on a hot summer day in Portland, Oregon, and neither bike exceeded three bars.

I think you will be very happy with the DL650. I actually like the DL650 better than the DL1000. It has a much smoother motor, which doesn't seem to lack power. The bike is easily capable of 90mph all day long on the highway with rider and gear. You will also find they are a rock solid bike. They may not have all the extras like the Tenere, but they are extremely reliable.

My experience and opinion of the DL's as well. Like you - I preferred my DL650 over my DL1000.

Jeff - great choice!

 

[motocephalic]

I had to come up with a bike to ride to Alaska this summer. So yesterday I found a 2006 V-Strom 650. That has less than 10,000 miles an was $3,600. This is the first DL 650 I have road. I was very impressed. I think it will do the summer job just fine then I can sell it or maybe lower it so the wife can ride it. Looks like I might need some Happy Trails on it and some crash bars. Does any DL 650 owners out there know if they run all the time with 3 heat bars showing. Here is some pictures we had a blast coming home on dirt and some mud.

you can run that DL all day 14 hours a day, at 6000 RPM and do it week after week with 3 bars. Yes it is a very dependable motor. If I could find one for that price, I would have it in my drive.

 

[markjenn]

Does any DL 650 owners out there know if they run all the time with 3 heat bars showing.

Another confirmation that 3-bars is more or less normal. The 1000's run a little cooler on the gage.

Just sold my DL650. A bit frumpy and certainly not anything to write home about in the dirt, but you can argue that it is one of the best all-around bikes every made. Extremely economical and stone-ax reliable too. I loved mine. With ABS now available on the new ones, you can make a strong case that it is 95% of a S10 at 65% of the cost. I better stop talking or I'll talk myself into a new ABS at my local dealer. If Suzuki would just "butch" the bike up a bit like BMW does with the Adventure (bigger tank, wire/tubeless wheels, integrated guards) and update the styling, I'd be back into the fold.

- Mark