I've had my ('04) KLR for about a month now, and am getting to where I feel more comfortable on it. I've learned something about these things... My road machine, for serious traveling, is an '09 HD Road King. Comfy seat, windshield, electronic cruise control, etc. For putting on miles, it's a damn nice ride. I'm taking it around Lake Superior in a few weeks, even. And, while I find cruising on the HD to be pleasing and comfy, riding that hard-seated, high and unwieldy, heavy and high-revving KLR is flat out FUN! Since it came to me used, with ~3400 miles on it, and a few minor scratches, the idea of dropping it and scuffing it doesn't bother me at all. I don't care if it gets muddy or dusty. And scootin' down loose gravel at 50-55 miles per hour seems perfectly normal. I spent the long Memorial Day weekend fixing up a garage - roof & siding - so jumped on the klr for an evening ride around 8 pm yesterday. I spent an hour just bopping around on gravel township roads, not going anywhere in particular, and returned home rested and rejuvinated. Who needs a holiday weekend when you have a fun machine? Jon B.
I know what you mean. I picked up my 2010 last Thursday and It rained and snowed until last night. As soon as it quit I was out riding. I have an FZ 1 that is much more powerful and sleek looking, but the KLR is a total blast to ride (big grin factor). Only upgrade (before I took it home) were braided steel brake lines. Engine/Rad gaurds are on order, as well as better hand gaurds, and I put paint protection film on the tank last night before I took it out.
mine is a 89' kler 650 and I dont see much value to it so it is usually the one that gets taken to school, market....wherever. I wont be devestated if I come out and its on its side. We all know its been there before What a great all round tractor!!!
So true. I spent all weekend packing, cleaning, and moving. But even just hoping on it to ride to work this morning was cleansing. You're no KLR rider. What is this paint-protector crap? KLR's are supposed to induce in viewers - it is their built-in, extremely-effective anti-theft device. Anyways, good luck with the KLR! At least you're out there riding, even if it is with paint-protector. Sigh. When I was buying mine the guy sheepishly said on the phone, "It has been down in the woods once, and once in a parking lot." I replied, "Then it IS a KLR! I'll take it." Congrats man!
You have discovered the joy of the KLR. Soon you shall find dust gathering on the HD, of the several bikes in my garage the KLR seems to get the nod 90% of the time.
I too just got a new 2009 KLR 650 and have 3 star crusers I've had the KLR for two weeks and ride alost every day I belong to star riders and have not gone on any of the rides with the guys but this monday I did and all I could think about is I wish I was riding the KLR this is so borring..
Hey Jon (original post guy) you could not have said it better. I have a fellow KLR owner chum that has realized the same thing, he has a massive Yamaha fake Harley that he insists on detailing every time he takes it out and back from a ride. He now prefers to tour with his farkled KLR. The idea or concept of "doing it" on a thumper that weighs as much as a train and cost most of us less than five G's (initially) to get into..... The KLR seems to call to us,... "ride me, abuse me, I like it rough and dirty". A non KLR friend on mine saw my 400 mile bike recently, and said, "jee, you have some scratches on your plastics already". I explained that I earned those, they were mine, and there would be more coming. He did not get it. Congrats on the experience. PRICELESS. FYI, not sure what part of Minnesota you are in, shoot me a PM if you want to go waste some time some day and burn some gas- I am always up for an adventure, day trip, etc. Paul from Elk River.
Welcome jon b to the dark side Go out ride it hard put it away dirty and wash it when it rains. They only get better with age. Can't say that with many bikes. Enjoy
Just bought a set of new tires with heavy duty tubes for less than a new rear would cost for my FJR. The KLR's a hoot.
Heh. The most common comment on my new ride in the work parking lot was "I guess you can't ride that more than ten miles or so" with regard to the seat. "You all ride bicycles right?....this seat is a couch compared to that....there's no problem emptying the tank on this seat." Lots of people don't get dual-sports...I'm really glad they caught my eye and I found this site a bunch of years back.
I find riding with bicycle shorts on under my suit very very comfortable and it stops the monkey butt too. the klr is awsome. all the nay sayers are just jealous they dont have one..ha ha..
