Posted: 11/8/2007 4:15:49 AM EDT
| HEy guys, seeing gas continueing to climb and thinking about back up transportation.....I used to ride a harley but sold it a couple years back and thinking about a KLR650 as a way to tool around on 4.00 a gallon gas.....I know some of you have one allready, what kind of mileage do you get ?? how impressed are you with the bike ?? |
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I sold mine last year, too heavy for off road, too light for on road. I got blown around like autum leaves in heavy wind and big trucks, it's a really tall bike for street use. when I had it off road it was really squirrely in sand and hard to "throw around" for true off road performance in tricky situations. I suppose if you were just riding in "city traffic" and light trail riding it would be ok. I'm pretty demanding, it didn't impress me so I sold it. |
+1 I had a KLR650 as my first bike. Worked out well but everything above is true. I think I averaged around 50 MPG and lighter folks would probably get more. 
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Depending on your body size and height should be your choice. I used to have a Honda XR650 DS Many many many years ago in my youth. I had it outfitted with a 5 gal aftermkt tank and I drove 22mls one way to work combo hwy mls/city/back road through and around Princeton Univerisity area. Anybody who knows that area knows it's deer country and dark as hell at night. I was about 6'3 at the time and never had a problem with trucks on the hwy. IT'S CALLED DRAFTING ! ! ! !  Best of luck with your decision. |
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Consider a Suzuki DR 650 - seats a little lower, air cooled simplicity. Don't know about mileage - probably in the 50's if you are sparing with the throttle. If you ride back and forth to work on the road only, look also at the Kawasaki Ninja 500 - old school but a big tank, and easy to ride. A Suzuki GS 500 is very similar. All these are in the same price range of around 4 - 5,000 bucks if you shop them. May can do better. |
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I agree walk on by the KLR650, waaaaaaaaaaay to heavy and under suspended for offroad use. A friend of mine had one and I took it for a spin and almost endeoed it when it bottomed hard on a small drop off. It was also scary in ther washboards. If you have one sell it or get some heavy (much heavier) front springs, and thicker oil on the rear a new shock with heavy springs. Now you see why I say if you have one sell it if not dont buy it they just take to much to make offroad worthy. Like said above a DRZ or KTM is impossible to beat. Dont be misled by the 650 is better. If your wanting it primarly for offroad a mddle weight (450) cant be beat. They are light, dont have all the crank intria and weight to deal with. If funds are tight a Older Honda XRL or XL are very hard to beat. There are pros and cons to the air cooled-liquid cooled debate while a ac is simpler a lc can be ran in much hotter temps at slow speeds. Flame away its just my experiance from riding amd desert racing dirt bikes for 30 years. |
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Bought one new 2007 in April and have saved a ton of cash riding it instead of driving my Tacoma. Actually, the bike is kinda free when you consider the savings in gas. Scary. I get about 50 MPG. If you want a balls to the wall off road machine, don't get one. If you want an 80 MPH interstate eater, don't get one. If you want a bike that can tool around town easily, or commute to work on, and then casually and leisurely ride into the mountains and up fire trails on the weekends, it's the perfect bike. The KLR doesn't really do anything exceptionally well, but it can do a little bit of everything. And that in itself is an attribute you either understand and appreciate, or don't. Google top gun motorcycles and multi surface motorcycling. Great sights with lots of info. You originally stated you were interested in saving cash on gas costs. That was primarily why I bought mine, and I would make the same choice again, after 2000 miles and 7 months down the road. It's a lot of fun to ride. For perspective this is my 3rd bike. I had a 650 Suzuki street bike in the 80's, and a Honda CX-500 in the 90's. And just for info's sake, if you think you might be wanting something a bit more street oriented, I'd also check out the new 2008 Kawasaki Versys. 60 MPG, and probably still lower insurance as they are marketing it as a dualsport, but god know s how they can say that... 
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The KLR is a state of the art dual purpose motorcycle one of the finest on the market. Unlike most which are 80%/20% road vs trail either or, it is truly closer to 50/50. Its not surprising you get the comments too heavy off road and too light on road but it truly is in a nitch almost its own. I've taken a two bike approach one for street and one dual purpose 80% off road. I chose the Yamaha TW200.  As you can see the bikes heavy tires combined with low gearing makes it better than average for an off road dual purpose. It on road definately isn't interstate suitable but does excellent on two lanes with speeds around 60-65 mph. Gas millage is 75 mpg. Its lower seat height makes it a tad more friendly in inner city traffic riding than traditional dual purposes. I'm very pleased with this bike but my expectations were off road and back road. Of the 80/20 road strong bikes, my preference is the V-Storm 1000. It definitely isn't a hill climber but a bike you wouldn't hesitate taking long distance interstate or back dirt roads. The KLR being 50/50 is more of a short range interstate on one extreme and light trail on the other end. It will eat dirt roads like pavement. Not a hill climber, its better than average in the dirt. Like I said truly a nitch to its own. If you like the 50/50 concept, I would suggest you look at the fairly new KLR250. Not quite as interstate capable as its big brother it edges the KLR650 off road which I give a 60/40 once again a nitch to its own. Tj |
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TJ, +1 on the TW200, or the "Dub" as we call it. I have two of them, one for me and one for the wife. My hotdog friends like to rib me about it, but I do love this bike! Thought as another "Dub" owner. you might be interested in this: TW200 Forums |
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TJ, Rode one of those for the MC safety class, I was very impressed. The only thing I would add, is that the choice for a KLR can also be dictated by how tall you are. I'm 6'2" and have a 36" inseam. On most cruisers, my knees are somewhere next to my ears. The TW was not bad, but I kinda felt like a monkey getting intimate with a football on it...  Though maybe it wasn't as bad as that, I am used to the size of my KLR.
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The KLR is the AR of the motorcycle world. TONS of aftermarket parts available. Pretty much a bomb proof moto. Large gas tank, decent ergos, and reliability. It does everything well; but nothing great. I won't sell mine any time soon. NN ETA: www.klr650.net if you need some more input |
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I would not dispute any of the comments made thus far, they're all correct. I know that may sound confusing; everyone is telling you what works for them and that is what is right for them. You need to take some factors into consideration such as your physical size and what you want or need the bike to be for you. Give us some more details and we could probably point you in the right direction. One thing to remember, is that it is very likely that you will still have to compromise something if you are going to own only one bike. Because there are not any bikes available that do everything great. So... Use Offroad vs. Onroad? Typical conditions of trail/environment or types of roads/speed? Type of riding - Leasure trailriding, agressive offroad, cruising, commuting, putting around the neibothood, etc... Your height, weight, physical condition? Budget? There is alot of variables. For me, I'm 6'4" 300lbs and enjoy riding single track and logging trails, but like to have the ability to travel legally on forest and paved roads as well as travel at interstate speeds if necessary. Onroad 30% vs. offroad 70%. I like the large flat seat, tall height, and power of the KLR650. I have made modifications to the suspension to support my weight and riding style. I would not recommend the KLR to just anyone. I know a lot of people who own them and it works great for some, but not so well for others. There was a forum as well KLR650.com, you might see if it still exists. |
I think the Dual Purpose bikes are a compromise by definition. Like most purchases one must not only weigh immediate needs but how it fits into your future plans. For example a more off road trail rider less interstate better suited my needs since I planed on having a second interstate competent motorcycle. Someone looking for an interstate capable with some off road ability may chose something like a BMW or V Storm while someone more into about as much half and half as possible very happy with the KLR 650. There's degrees between those even like the 400s. I find the new Versys Kawasaki an interesting 80/20 mid size which is highway competent and though dirt road competent not really a trail rider but adds a bit more sports bike performance. Tj |