[Xpress]

One just popped up on CL today, only a couple miles from here (a KLR that is). Going to go check it out later before I make any final decision. Seller said he'd consider lowering his price since the fenders aren't exactly in the best of shape, only around 12k miles. Still don't know the year, or if it's liquid or air cooled, etc. All I know is that' it's relatively stock and in perfectly rideable condition. Will post pics..

[mopar408]

KTM plastic front fender in black looks really nice, not the "duckbill" stocker.
Straight bolt-on swap.

[Xpress]

KTM front fender from what?

[mopar408]

[IMG][/IMG]

STILL kickin my @$$ for selling it.
This was taken just before I took it to Colorado.

[Xpress]

Got to check this KLR out earlier today. Sofar I am liking what I am seeing, owner wants $1900 cash for it, will throw in a helmet and a safety vest.





Still not sure of the year. I keep forgetting to check and ask, but it is a pumper. VERY mechanically sound, rode absolutely awesome and started from cold. Owner claims it has been sitting for 2 months since it last ran, either way it fired right up.

But it does have some broken plastics, so he lowered his price to $1900 (from $2200), not that it matters, I'll be replacing all of the plastics with something other than red.. Has new tires as well.

[Marauder_Pilot]

At that year, as long as it's mechanically sound, year barely matters.

I should get a pic of my '10 tomorrow.

[mopar408]

Originally Posted by Xpress

KTM front fender from what?

Called a SuperMoto. DualStar (others?) have 'em.
Straight swap.

[NaeKid]

Originally Posted by Xpress

I have been considering buying a bike for quite some time now, don't entirely know what I want to go with. I definitely want to try and buy a used bike, and the two bikes I have come down to are either a DRZ400S or a KLR650. Opinions on the bikes? There are more than a handful of each in my area all the time.

My parents think that it would be a wiser idea to finance a brand new bike over getting something used. It's going to be my primary DD to keep miles from being put onto the Jeep, and give me a bit of a break from having to spend so much on gas. We're nearing $5 in some areas for gas and I'd rather pay to have a more reliable mode of transportation.

Part of the reason i want a bike is because I have a lot of buddies that are getting bikes lately, and I feel somewhat left out

This is not a topic to discuss job security or any of that bull ****, keep it out. All I want are opinions on the bikes.

I had the exact same issue not long ago and I had decided that I was going to buy the Suzuki DR400. Then I came across a nice barely used KLR650 and it ended up coming home with me. My buddy snagged the DR650 and he is happy with it, I am happy with my KLR650 - so - my best recommendation to you is to buy whatever you can afford and ride it!!!

[fang_x]

KLR is the bike im going to get once I get my license, easy to work on, built strong, and it will get you from point A to B and down some trails in between!

[NaeKid]

Originally Posted by Xpress

Got to check this KLR out earlier today. Sofar I am liking what I am seeing, owner wants $1900 cash for it, will throw in a helmet and a safety vest.





Still not sure of the year. I keep forgetting to check and ask, but it is a pumper. VERY mechanically sound, rode absolutely awesome and started from cold. Owner claims it has been sitting for 2 months since it last ran, either way it fired right up.

But it does have some broken plastics, so he lowered his price to $1900 (from $2200), not that it matters, I'll be replacing all of the plastics with something other than red.. Has new tires as well.

That looks exactly like my bike - a 2005 model. Over on the KLR650.net/forums website there are two modifications that are highly recommended to be done to any KLR - a Doohickey replacement (timing chain tensioner) and a ThermoBob (radiator bypass). The doohickey takes care of a broken-spring issue and the thermobob takes care of the cylinder-wall wallowing-out ..

If that bike is a good runner, get some replacement plastics from eBay and you are good to have a great ride .. picture is of my bike at Easter this year ....

[Hudson]

Originally Posted by Xpress

But it does have some broken plastics, so he lowered his price to $1900 (from $2200), not that it matters, I'll be replacing all of the plastics with something other than red.. Has new tires as well.

The broken plastics might not matter to YOU, but they might matter. Did you ask him why they're broken?

For all you know the guy dropped the bike, crashed the bike, etc etc and has more damage than what you can see. Is the frame straight, is the rim bent? Etc Etc. I'd be careful.


Did you check to the oil to see if it looks clean?

[NaeKid]

Originally Posted by Hudson

The broken plastics might not matter to YOU, but they might matter. Did you ask him why they're broken?

For all you know the guy dropped the bike, crashed the bike, etc etc and has more damage than what you can see. Is the frame straight, is the rim bent? Etc Etc. I'd be careful.


Did you check to the oil to see if it looks clean?

It is a KLR - it is going to be dropped, parts are going to be broken, it is the nature of the beast. A set of crash-bars and bark-busters like what I have on my bike will help keep the plastics looking decent, keep the radiator from being crushed, keep the side-cases from being smashed, but, trouble can still happen and break it. Aluminum skid-plate to replace the plastic skid-plate will keep the bottom of the motor from being smashed ...

[Xpress]

The bike definitely doesn't show signs of being dropped or crashed. When someone says "broken plastics" that's the first thing I do is check for evidence of it being crashed, dropped, etc. Handlebars are straight, handguards and footpegs don't have scratches on them, swingarm is scratch free and so is the frame. He claims a pipe flew off of a truck and took out the radiator shroud, as well as part of his knee... (says the wife is ordering him to sell it after that)

Front fender is broken as well, not sure if I noted that, but it's evident that it broke from being damaged by the sun. Pretty brittle.

Also I say 2003 because of the tank decals. The lettering doesn't extend onto the tank shrouds. Looks like they switched to that in 2004.

[Hudson]

Originally Posted by NaeKid

It is a KLR - it is going to be dropped, parts are going to be broken, it is the nature of the beast. A set of crash-bars and bark-busters like what I have on my bike will help keep the plastics looking decent, keep the radiator from being crushed, keep the side-cases from being smashed, but, trouble can still happen and break it. Aluminum skid-plate to replace the plastic skid-plate will keep the bottom of the motor from being smashed ...

Yeah, i know. It's just that when it comes to buying things from people i dont know i'm a VERY cautious buyer. I inspect everything, join forums for the item im buying, get their feedback, etc etc before i even consider dealing out cash. I don't know if that's a good thing, or a bad thing, but it seems to keep me from getting into shoddy deals.

as stated in this video at around 1:30 seconds, "I wear protective gear, not because i might fall, but on roads like these i know i will."

YouTube

YouTube

When i was looking for a clean XJ, i checked on Craigslist and found one that looked decent, and it was the strangest thing I've ever experienced. This is probably what made me such a cautious buyer. The guy gave me an address and told me to meet him there. (i was assuming that was his house address.) I get to the address and it's a parking lot of subway. I call the guy and ask him what's up, and he says he will be there in 5 minutes. 15 minutes later a guy pulls up in a BMW and gets out wearing a black coat and sun glasses. In general he just looks like a shady guy. He says, "are you coming to look at the jeep?" I say yes, and he tells me to follow him. Meanwhile his other friend shows up in a Ford F-350. (this guy also looks sketchy.) We follow them up these back roads into the middle of nowhere, and i'm quite concerned. We finally get to where the jeep is and the thing is beat to hell. I explain to the guy that i need to talk to the gf before buying it. (Didn't even have a gf just a way to get out of there fast.) I left that place and never looked back. It was bizarre.

Originally Posted by Xpress

The bike definitely doesn't show signs of being dropped or crashed. When someone says "broken plastics" that's the first thing I do is check for evidence of it being crashed, dropped, etc. Handlebars are straight, handguards and footpegs don't have scratches on them, swingarm is scratch free and so is the frame. He claims a pipe flew off of a truck and took out the radiator shroud, as well as part of his knee... (says the wife is ordering him to sell it after that)

Front fender is broken as well, not sure if I noted that, but it's evident that it broke from being damaged by the sun. Pretty brittle.

Also I say 2003 because of the tank decals. The lettering doesn't extend onto the tank shrouds. Looks like they switched to that in 2004.

Sounds like you sir have found a good deal. I would go for it. Nothing a new plastics kit and a few wrenches can't fix.

[Xpress]

Originally Posted by mopar408

Called a SuperMoto. DualStar (others?) have 'em.
Straight swap.

So this fender then...

http://www.ktm-parts.com/5030801020030.html