KLR - Yes, the KLR

[JTT]

Originally Posted by danketchpel

I have a KLR and a Vee, not a bad combo. I think I'd suggest a clean used Wee for your first and only bike to have in the garage. Compared to the KLR it's suitably modern with fuel injection and 6 gears, MUCH smoother, close to 2x the power, much better on the road but still capable off the pavement up to a point. I've done 400 mile days on both bikes and only care to repeat it on the Vee.

The price on a used Wee won't be that much more but you'd be getting nearly 2x the bike and you would most likely want to keep it longer.

I'm trying to figure out if it makes sense to sell both the KLR & Vee and replace them with either a Tiger 800XC or Tenere, it's turning out to be a harder decision than I thought. I've ridden both the Tiger & Tenere.

I'm in much the same boat, only with a KLR and a 2003 Tiger. I got the Tiger to make long superslab hauls more tolerable and love it, but can't bring myself to get rid of the KLR. I've done repeated 500 mile days on my KLR and would do it again in a heartbeat.

The joy of the KLR is they are easy and cheap to own. I think it would be a wise place to start back into the sport again. It's light years ahead of what you rode 20+ yrs ago, and since you haven't been spoiled by the "bling" of $15K machinery you won't even miss it.

An added plus is you can privately smile knowing that you likely paid less for your whole bike than that GS guy spent on his/her routine maintenance in the past year.

[ddavidv]

Originally Posted by danketchpel

I have a KLR and a Vee, not a bad combo. I think I'd suggest a clean used Wee for your first and only bike to have in the garage. Compared to the KLR it's suitably modern with fuel injection and 6 gears, MUCH smoother, close to 2x the power, much better on the road but still capable off the pavement up to a point. I've done 400 mile days on both bikes and only care to repeat it on the Vee.

The price on a used Wee won't be that much more but you'd be getting nearly 2x the bike and you would most likely want to keep it longer.

I totally agree...but for this guy who is returning to riding after a long vacation, I don't think the Wee would be a good bike to start on. The KLR is lighter (though not 'light') and much easier to handle. And he will drop it, so having something easier to pick back up would be a plus.

[nelseixas]

Originally Posted by WestVirginia

Greetings Beastie Boys:

Ok, there is snow on the ground here in West Virginia so I'm daydreaming about buying my first bike in 20 years.

Top contenders (this will change every five minutes) are the Tiger 800XC and Tenere.

The best bike is the one will do better what you'll want to do most of the time. Hard off road? Soft off road? Streets? Or highway?

Tenere or Tiger 800XC will take you anywhere. Tiger is faster and its seats height is shorter than Tenere's (it might be a concern if you aren't too tall) and is more expensive. Tenere's minimum ground clearance is bigger than Tiger, but Tiger's suspensions travel are the bigger. Besides, Tiger have upside down front suspension. They have almost the same weight and both are comfortable for crossing the world.

None of the two bikes are difficult to ride, so IMHO Tiger is a better bike and you'll just have to take it easy until you get used to it.

Originally Posted by WestVirginia

The question is, should I (or anyone) buy a new KLR to get back into the scene and learn Motorcycle Maintenance 101 - or jump right into the beastie dream bike?

I guess you should not worry about maintenance if you just don't have a bike. Buy what you need and what you want. By the way, KLR is a damn good bike, but it seems it's not what you are looking for.

I hope I might be helpful.