KLR's Anyone?

[yankeerider]

I still have an 09 KLR-650 that I use regularly for a work bike. It's farkled out about as much as it can be and pretty much can carry a Buick if I need too. As far as comfort goes, It fits me well. I've done a few 3500+ mile rides and a 6,000 miler (with extra oil) ((OK lots of oil)) and have no comfort issues except for wind noise. I had MAJOR electrical problems in the most remote parts of Labrador the first year until I rewired the whole frigging bike. You have no idea how close this bike almost became part of the Atlantic Ocean.(smiles) It's been reliable as a morning dump since then. Did a valve adjustment at 17,000 miles. It was a little tight so new shims brought it back to happy "slappy valves".

Although I have the S10 now, I still like to ride the KLR and at almost 40,000 miles, it's still fun. If it had just 3X the power it'd be my first choice.

 

[Ryan G.]

I have a 89 with lots of miles on it. It looks pitiful next to my 2014 S10. But it runs great and it would take me to Alaska tomarrow if I wanted. The old ones aren't worth much anymore and you can buy 3 new ones for the price of the S10.
Since I can only get 2 weeks off from work which is not enough time for any good trips from the east coast, my plan is to ride the KLR for the 2 weeks and store it for awhile until I can get another 2 weeks off to ride it again. I did this before with my Vstrom which I took to Alaska from the Baja amd back home again. The KLR is kind of a desposible bike.
I still have a lot of respect for the KLR.

 

[Chuck B]

I have a 92 and an 08 KLR. Completely different bikes than the S10 thus they still have a place in the garage though I'm contemplating doing some drastic changes to the 08. I take the 92 85% of the time when choosing between the two.

 

[low drag]

I started out with a 2013 KLR a year ago April. I picked up an S10 in June. I like them both but need to sell the KLR, just not enough room in the garage. I took her out for a spin this past weekend just to get the fluids moving in case I not a nibble at the yard sale last weekend. I have plenty of trail, trip farkles as well as doing the Doo......

If I had the room I'd keep her for sure.

 

[advswede1981]

I don't miss my KLR at all. All sizzle and no steak!

 

[tomatocity]

Have a 2005 purchased in 2006. I added about 40,000 miles. June 2011 parked it in the garage and it still is there. Someday.

 

[trikepilot]

I got a 2005 KLR in 2007 as my first bike of any kind at age 37. I put close to 20k on it in 5 years and bought a Tenere. I kept the KLR for a bit thinking I would strip everything off and turn it into my dirt machine. Then I found that the Tenere was as good or better offroad despite the increase in size. So I sold the KLR and bought a WRR.

Four of my main riding partners have new generation KLRs. I have alot of love and respect for the KLR and the intro to ADV riding that it gave me but I am not at all sorry to have moved on. I rode a 2012 last weekend a bit when I swapped bikes to let my buddy try out the WRR and I was underwhelmed after 15 minutes of riding. Now, one of my riding buddies in WV has the 688 kit installed and that KLR is a different beast altogether.

 

[Koinz]

My son bought an 03 from an inmate at advrider. It has all the mods and runs pretty good considering its a higher mileage bike.
Doesn't burn any oil surprisingly, has a larger front brake rotor, a Corbin seat and progressive springs. He likes it for what it is, but wishes it had more power.

 

[offcamber]

I have an 06 I bought used about 2 and half years ago.....thing was in perfect condition with only 9K on the OD.

I call him Kermit....cus its not easy being green

 

[West]

I still have an 01'. For short jaunts, especially around town (Eugene is "bicycle" friendly=average moving speed 15mph) the KLR is always the first choice. I've owned KLR's since 93'. Oregon is blessed with an extreme variety of riding/adv touring and the KLR fits it best in my book. If I had to pair down from 7 bikes to one.....I'd keep the KLR. O

 

[Tyke]

I'm a self confessed Kawasaki nut, and have had many over the years, but never a KLR

I had this one (KDX) though, which aint much good for touring but is a blast if your up for it ::015::

 

[hANNAbONE]

owned an '05 & totally farkled '09.

Hated the fact that Mama Kawa didn't ever fix the oil/rings problem at higher *read +5000 rpms*

My '09 was drinking oil at anything over 5k and I hated it.

Kawa knew the problem and kept manufacturing these heavy pieces of lead without an easy fix.

Never again. Oh -- and I'm part of the class action suit too.

 

[k woo]

I had a 2010 oil burner, enjoyed every mile I put on it. Traded it on my Tenere and have never looked back.

 

[VAT]

Got the 98' KLR sitting next to the Super T. Bought the KLR from a friend year & a half ago to make last years trip (NM & AZ - 2400miles). Dressed her out with all the goodies & loaded her up with gear. Plan was we all (4 of us) ride the KLR's for another 2 to 3 years and then upgrade to the adventure bikes. They decided at the last minute to go buy V-Strom 650's. ASS CLOWNS ::007::! The KLR & I rode our ass' off and kept up with those V-Strom's but, at times (on the long stretches of highway) it was a whooping (no 6th gear) ::002::. I was impressed with the V-Strom's off road (mining roads) ability......thank goodness for stout skid plates. After we got back I knew it was time to start working on the wife & plant the Super T bug in her mind . I had been looking at them prior to getting the KLR so, she already had an idea what my plan was. Last November she decided it was time for her to upgrade to a bigger bike (V-Star 950)........I went in for the kill and left the dealer with the V-Star & the Super T ::012::. I still ride both but, the Super T gets more attention. It's funny....my buddies gave me crap about weight of the Super T but, after having both.....the Super T may be heavier but, it handles & feels so good (even loaded down - on & off road). Now they are looking at the Triumph's. Whatever........This years trip they can try to get up with me ::26::.

 

[Clifford]

I have two!
First one I bought an 06 new and used it for commuting after I totaled my Crotch Rocket. I've put close to 90 K miles on it so far. Did a round trip commute of 80 miles a day. Added an IMS tank and only bought gas once a week.

Ridden it on most of the good American Trail Routes. TAT, CDR, Natchez Trace and even did the Dragon two up a few times.
Been to Canada on it, East and Left Coast too! Bored to 685, polished and balanced. All the Mod's and it still runs strong and is very comfortable. Farkeled out the Wazoo! Love that bike! Traded some work for a sidecar to put on it this Spring but have yet to put it on.

The other is a 2002 converted to diesel. A local guy did the conversion. When I got it, I tweaked it a bit (cough)! It only has 10 HP so it's not a road rash threat. 55 MPH is top speed on flat ground! But, it get 120 MPG all day and can be started and run without a battery. It has electric start, but I can rope started it if I want or need to. Will even run on WVO and WMO ir Whiskey if I'm so inclined to waste good whiskey!
It's my TEOTWAWKI machine. Well, one of them!

Blows a lot of minds when I pull up to the Truck Stop Diesel Pump to get Fuel right next to the big rigs!!!!!

Love my S Ten, but those KLR are cockroaches. Just too hard to kill off.