dual sport capabilities?

Message

Gadjet · #11 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 3:43 pm

You're right Geoff, about the stock tires on the KLR being 'less than ideal' in mud.

I found that they were actually really good in hardpack and light sand, and did reasonably well on pavement.

I ran a Maxxis C6006 50/50 tire for a short period of time (<2000km) and found it to be really good on gravel and handled exceptionally well on pavement (for a knobby tire), but it absolutely sucked in loose sand and dirt - the only time I've really come close to going down in the dirt was with this tire, and that was due to it hooking up on alternate sides coming out of a ditch - threw the bike sideways when I crested the top.

I'm currently running Kenda K761 tires front and rear on my KLR, and I love them. they are more purely a street tire, but the rear can handle light sand and dirt relatively well, but gets a bit squirrely on gravel roads. I don't know how the front will do, as the last time I ran a 761 rear I still had the stock dunlop front tire on the bike (18000km and finally decided to change it out - still has about 1000km of life left in it at least)

As for the KLR being top heavy and hard to handle (or pick up), that's a load of crap - mostly

Yes, it can be top heavy when the tank is full, but it certainly isn't hard to manage. The wide bars make it very easy to control the bike, whether you are moving through traffic in town or cruising down a rough trail. I'm not a very big guy (5'8", 150lbs) and I have no problem handling this bike. Did I mention that I had never ridden any kind of dirt bike before I got my KLR a year ago?

The bike is very easy to pick up, if you know how to do it. I'm not a very strong guy by any means, but I can pick my bike up in under 10 seconds without breaking a sweat.

So can my girlfriend.

As a full on trailbike, I wouldn't choose the KLR, but if you are looking to go blasting along fireroads or through similar places, it really is a good solid bike that can take a beating.

Check out the KLR specific forums at http://www.klr650.net for more knowledge about the venerable KLR than you can shake a stick at.

definitely check out the ride videos there as well, for some truly amazing footage of just what the KLR650 is capable of.

BuzZz · #12 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:12 pm

MotoF150 wrote:Mr Buzz he's looking for a street legal dual sport bike, KTM only makes a 950 that costs $12K, maybe you should read the question he asks before you insert ur foot in ur mouth

http://www.bikez.com/bike/index.php?bike=23039

http://www.bikez.com/bike/index.php?bike=23041

What's that Nancy? You have to speak up, I can't hear you with your head shoved up your azz.

If you can bring yourself to buy used (I realize this is likely beneath you, but the O.P. may not have the same hang-up) the 400, 450, 520/525 RXC's are awesome offroad bikes that are also street legal.

#13 Unread post by **Jamers!** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:26 pm

BuzZz wrote:
If you can bring yourself to buy used (I realize this is likely beneath you, but the O.P. may not have the same hang-up) the 400, 450, 520/525 RXC's are awesome offroad bikes that are also street legal.

the OP would love to buy new, just cant

, then agian not having to deal with break in procedures and comprehensive insurance is a plus to me

JWF

BuzZz · #14 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 8:04 pm

Then a used RXC is a definate option. Quality bikes, built with top-shelf parts and far ahead of thier time in the dual sport realm. And used they will be a bit more than a comparable Japanese bike of the same ear, but the difference will be less than what is buying either bike new.

The only problem is they ain't as easy to find as japanese D/S's.... less bikes sold at the time, and those what got 'em, tend to want to keep 'em.

Tue Jun 27, 2006 5:24 am

JWF505 wrote:the OP would love to buy new, just cant , then agian not having to deal with break in procedures and comprehensive insurance is a plus to me

JWF

Kawasaki Good Times Credit Card (the kwak financing bs) doesn't even require insurance to purchase a bike. Just an FYI.

#16 Unread post by **Jamers!** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 5:49 am

GeoffEX650R wrote:
JWF505 wrote:the OP would love to buy new, just cant , then agian not having to deal with break in procedures and comprehensive insurance is a plus to me

JWF
Kawasaki Good Times Credit Card (the kwak financing bs) doesn't even require insurance to purchase a bike. Just an FYI.

true, but if you finance it, which i probably would have to, you would need comprehensive insurance because you do not own it.

JWF

MotoF150 · Wed Jun 28, 2006 12:41 pm

If you do own a Suzuki DRZ400 you will be respected by the serious off road dirt bike riders, its the only true dirt bike thats street legal you can buy. Chop the back fender and install street legal knobbies and it looks like a motocrosser. Another bike is the new Kawasaki 250 thats street legal, I seen one in action and I was impressed, except for the rattling rear fender that hangs down low.

Fri Jun 30, 2006 5:59 am

JWF505 wrote:
GeoffEX650R wrote:
JWF505 wrote:the OP would love to buy new, just cant , then agian not having to deal with break in procedures and comprehensive insurance is a plus to me

JWF
Kawasaki Good Times Credit Card (the kwak financing bs) doesn't even require insurance to purchase a bike. Just an FYI.

true, but if you finance it, which i probably would have to, you would need comprehensive insurance because you do not own it.

JWF

Nope. I financed my bike with kawa. I have state mins. No comp/collision either. And it's ridden.

NorthernPete · Fri Jun 30, 2006 9:39 am

the only time you should need full coverage for insurance would be if you were leasing. financing they shouldnt care....

#20 Unread post by **Big B** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 9:58 am

NorthernPete wrote:the only time you should need full coverage for insurance would be if you were leasing. financing they shouldnt care....

depends where you are, in wisconsin it's required if you're financing.