[mopar408]

that LOOKS like the one.

[Marauder_Pilot]

Originally Posted by Hudson

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

Drop damage is generally a big deal on most bikes, but on dirt bikes and enduros, it's not as big a deal. Part is because the plastics are really, really durable, and part because...well, any off-road bike will fall over eventually. I've dropped my bike 3 times now. The thing is, dirt bikes generally drop at low speeds-trying to wrestle it around a tight corner or a loose surface or something, and they tip at walking pace (So far, mine's fallen over once the first time I tried sand, once the first time I tried to scoot it across some ice and once when it got stuck in a rut full of gravel and I gassed it too hard trying to get it out)

That's not the universal truth by any means, but it's like buying a Jeep-rash isn't always a sign that it's been seriously abused. It can be, but it shouldn't be the instant turn-off that it is on other bikes (Especially sport bikes-I love looking at bike ads that say 'Low miles, excellent condition, barely ridden!' on a powerful sport bike, where there's a scraped faring, or a faring that looks way newer than the rest-everybody knows what happened there. )

[Xpress]

Has anyone converted their KLR to a supermoto?

I've been browsing around for all kinds of parts today to try to get the bike to sit lighter and lower it down a tad bit. Plastic tank, sleeker fenders, progressive springs, rear shock lowering kit, smaller tires, etc.

[HighFive]

DRZ 400 and KLR650 are nothing alike. There is no comparing. A KLR 650 is kind of like a touring bike, where as a drz 400 is basically a street legal dirtbike. If you want an "in-between" then go with a dr650.

[Hudson]

What do Y'all think of this bike?

http://hartford.craigslist.org/mcy/3003341549.html

[Xpress]

Originally Posted by HighFive

DRZ 400 and KLR650 are nothing alike. There is no comparing. A KLR 650 is kind of like a touring bike, where as a drz 400 is basically a street legal dirtbike. If you want an "in-between" then go with a dr650.

I don't want an inbetween though, I want a larger bike with lots of power and torque. DRZ400's are great bikes but I've been swayed towards the KLR650, mostly because there's a handful of them readily available around town, and in the inexpensive side.

Half the fun is going to be turning it into a supermoto

[Marauder_Pilot]

I've thought about at least fitting supermoto tires to mine. The stock A/Ts are fine on either gravel roads or normal paved roads, but a lot of the roads here are hardpacked, tarred gravel, and, for whatever reason, they bounce and skip all over the place on those roads-makes riding a little...interesting...sometimes.

[Xpress]

Another question. Has anyone fitted some aftermarket headlights to their bike? I plan on ditching the ugly headlight fairing entirely and using some other lights. Vision X Solstice or something similar sized, don't want anything big or bulky. Definitely needs to be BRIGHT but not terribly bright, the thing I hate the most is not being able to see. Don't really want to put an LED light bar on, or some big round lights, definitely want LED though. Probably won't be running high beams, unless I can find a clever way to incorporate highs with an all in one switch (nothing like the bulky OEM column switch).

[NaeKid]

There have been a few SM-conversions (Supermoto or SuperMotard) if you want to run the smaller tires, but, if you really wanted a street-bike, why get the KLR? It is almost like taking a Jeep Rubicon and turning it into a mean-street-machine Joking aside, I have seen some decent SM-conversions and some that look like the mechanic didn't have a clue what they were doing ...

Here is a decent thread on an SM: http://www.klr650.net/forums/showthread.php?t=86346

There are some great fairing conversions for the KLR ...

Vetter:


Britannia:


... and TwistedThrottle has some great LED-lighting kits for it as well.

[modette]

Okay first off KLR's can go down trails, again rider skill is what counts.

On a ride I lead last year.

YouTube

YouTube

On the same ride a dude on a KTM 990 Adventure S model was along. I was on my Honda XR650R.

KLR650 - Very reliable dual sport motorcycle. Newer ones the downside is the plastic is hard and not the ABS style of the older generation so it tends to BREAK when dropped. So buy protection.

DRZ400 - Very nice motorcycle, pretty heavy also. I think it weights more then my XR650R, or about the same with less power. However it be a better STREET motorcycle for carrying items then my bike. However road wise, it be down compared to mine or the KLR650. Top speed will be lacking so long distance will be no fun. Also I believe the seat is a plank, KLR has us both beat here. If I recall right one of the levers (brake or shift) is easy to bend and put a hole through the side case. Some other small issues too. All of which can be addressed.

Plenty of people dual sport the Yamaha WR250...might be a look. More exotic American Beta has some great stuff and they have a program called BYOB. Expect to pay around $10,000 for a beta, or KTM.

By far the KLR650 is known as the poor man's BMW. They keep going, they are great touring bikes, new they are pretty affordable for most people. Parts are abundant.

I would advise to take a look at Thumper Talk or ADVRider. One thing, even a plated bike is sometimes better to trailer it out. I load mine onto the Harbor Freight hitch carrier sometimes...a KLR650 your not doing that with. A DRZ400 you can.

[marksman1941]

My dad had a DRZ 400 and it was a beast. Great power, obviously your gearing is gonna change your top speeds and such. He had it geared way down for trail riding around here (we hit tons of hill climbs; most of our riding was just trying to find a good hill, lol), then geared it up for his Baja ride. It was basically the Baja 1000, but not at a race. They'd still do 90+ the whole day if they had room to haul ***, and his DRZ, which was stock except for the sprockets, WER damper, seat, and exhaust, kept up with everything there. He might have done a bit to suspension too, now that I think about it. Anyways, they're a great bike. Sadly, he just sold his for $1600... He's a pushover when it comes to selling things.

I have no experience with the KLR; I've never even seen one. All I know is the DRZ is a badass bike, and won't let you down.

Edit: My brother had a KTM 540. Seriously badass bike, for most anything you'd want to do. Then he got stupid, sold it, and bought a KTM 540 SX, which is a 520 bored to 540 with a suspension kit on it and a bunch of other stuff. It's blown up every other time he's ridden it. But, it would pull a wheelie at 80mph without even leaning back. The thing has gobs and gobs of power. Might look at the standard 520.

[Mitchell420tj]

I didn't read the whole thread just the first page. I own a klr 650 and I love it, I personally don't know about the sazuki I've never rode one but I'm not the biggest guy and I can manhandle my bike. Ill admit at first there was a few close calls but once u get used to it its awesome, I don't think it would matter wich one u got, as long as its a duel purpose, those are the best begginer bikes in my opinion, my first few months i hit loose gravel a few times and almost dumped it and just thought wow if that was a crotch rocket or a Harley id be dead

[modette]

Originally Posted by Mitchell420tj

I didn't read the whole thread just the first page. I own a klr 650 and I love it, I personally don't know about the sazuki I've never rode one but I'm not the biggest guy and I can manhandle my bike. Ill admit at first there was a few close calls but once u get used to it its awesome, I don't think it would matter wich one u got, as long as its a duel purpose, those are the best begginer bikes in my opinion, my first few months i hit loose gravel a few times and almost dumped it and just thought wow if that was a crotch rocket or a Harley id be dead

I started with a 1999 Kawasaki Ninja EX250, then bought a 2001 Yamaha FZ1 (new)...owned both for bit of time, let a friend and the girlfriend (now wife use the EX250). Then I got out of street riding (well mainly street) a few years back and that is when I went with a plated XR650R.

Considering adding a street bike. Thinking MV Brutale 1090RR, but I don't know. Wife wants to get another bike (she had a 2004 Honda 599) her eye still on a Aprilia Shiver 750. I plan to do the Red Bull Romaniacs (youtube it) so I'm probably getting a Beta next year first, then add the street bike a year or two after that. I never plan to sell another motorcycle, I miss the EX250, was fun showing up liter bikes in the canyons, and I miss my FZ1...LOL

It's not the bike that matters to learn on, its the mentality of the rider. I could ride that Ninja 250 at 100mph all day long....LOL So you can twist a throttle and really fast on anything. If your prone to speed then no a Busa is not for you, if your level headed then it can be a first bike too.

[Xpress]

Originally Posted by NaeKid

There have been a few SM-conversions (Supermoto or SuperMotard) if you want to run the smaller tires, but, if you really wanted a street-bike, why get the KLR? It is almost like taking a Jeep Rubicon and turning it into a mean-street-machine Joking aside, I have seen some decent SM-conversions and some that look like the mechanic didn't have a clue what they were doing ...

Here is a decent thread on an SM: http://www.klr650.net/forums/showthread.php?t=86346

There are some great fairing conversions for the KLR ...

Vetter:


Britannia:


... and TwistedThrottle has some great LED-lighting kits for it as well.

I like round lights and all but I feel that the bike would look better if it had more modern looking lights on it. I have been looking at BajaDesigns' Squadron lights:

http://www.bajadesigns.com/ProductDe...torcycle-Light

Bit pricey but that one light is a good 3x brighter than the stock headlight at about 3/4 the current draw. Either that or replace the fairing with a number plate and go with 2 of those squadron lights mounted on the outside of the forks or something.

Originally Posted by modette

I would advise to take a look at Thumper Talk or ADVRider.

F***. Thumper. Talk. They banned me because a moderator decided that he did not like my opinions on 3 wheelers. They banned a handful of other members who were backing me up. There is nothing but stuck up, arrogant, cocky, young dumb asses on that forum with nothing better to do than ***** and moan about how retarded anything with more than 2 wheels are, how Jeepers are nothing but dumb drunk rednecks, how anybody without a Toyota is a tool, etc.

There is no way in hell I would ever go back to that forum, even if they were to come crawling to me begging for mercy, kiss my *** mother****ers.



Sorry, they bugged the hell out of me, that is my opinion on them

Originally Posted by marksman1941

My dad had a DRZ 400 and it was a beast. Great power, obviously your gearing is gonna change your top speeds and such. He had it geared way down for trail riding around here (we hit tons of hill climbs; most of our riding was just trying to find a good hill, lol), then geared it up for his Baja ride. It was basically the Baja 1000, but not at a race. They'd still do 90+ the whole day if they had room to haul ***, and his DRZ, which was stock except for the sprockets, WER damper, seat, and exhaust, kept up with everything there. He might have done a bit to suspension too, now that I think about it. Anyways, they're a great bike. Sadly, he just sold his for $1600... He's a pushover when it comes to selling things.

I have no experience with the KLR; I've never even seen one. All I know is the DRZ is a badass bike, and won't let you down.

Edit: My brother had a KTM 540. Seriously badass bike, for most anything you'd want to do. Then he got stupid, sold it, and bought a KTM 540 SX, which is a 520 bored to 540 with a suspension kit on it and a bunch of other stuff. It's blown up every other time he's ridden it. But, it would pull a wheelie at 80mph without even leaning back. The thing has gobs and gobs of power. Might look at the standard 520.

I know the DRZ's are great bikes... Once you get past their issues. 3 out of 3 friends have had stator failure issues, at different times on different DRZ's. One has the same problem re-occuring but I think at this point it's operator error.. Searching the web for it produces similar things. It's not that I'm scarred off by replacing the stator, it's that I want a reliable bike I don't have to fix. That doesn't mean I don't want to improve upon its performance and physical appearance

Also, KTM.. No. Just no.

Originally Posted by Mitchell420tj

I didn't read the whole thread just the first page. I own a klr 650 and I love it, I personally don't know about the sazuki I've never rode one but I'm not the biggest guy and I can manhandle my bike. Ill admit at first there was a few close calls but once u get used to it its awesome, I don't think it would matter wich one u got, as long as its a duel purpose, those are the best begginer bikes in my opinion, my first few months i hit loose gravel a few times and almost dumped it and just thought wow if that was a crotch rocket or a Harley id be dead

Just so everyone is aware, it won't be my first bike, not by far. I've had plenty of bikes over the years, but I'm looking for a fun road bike I can go and have fun with my buddies on. Especially since I will be leading the pack since they all have Ninja 250's

[Mitchell420tj]

Originally Posted by modette

I started with a 1999 Kawasaki Ninja EX250, then bought a 2001 Yamaha FZ1 (new)...owned both for bit of time, let a friend and the girlfriend (now wife use the EX250). Then I got out of street riding (well mainly street) a few years back and that is when I went with a plated XR650R.

Considering adding a street bike. Thinking MV Brutale 1090RR, but I don't know. Wife wants to get another bike (she had a 2004 Honda 599) her eye still on a Aprilia Shiver 750. I plan to do the Red Bull Romaniacs (youtube it) so I'm probably getting a Beta next year first, then add the street bike a year or two after that. I never plan to sell another motorcycle, I miss the EX250, was fun showing up liter bikes in the canyons, and I miss my FZ1...LOL

It's not the bike that matters to learn on, its the mentality of the rider. I could ride that Ninja 250 at 100mph all day long....LOL So you can twist a throttle and really fast on anything. If your prone to speed then no a Busa is not for you, if your level headed then it can be a first bike too.

I have to disagree, maby its just the area I live in but I hit a patch of loose gravel and the back end pitched out on me, if I was on anything with street tires I would have hurt myself badly but again, maby there's just lots of gravel in my area, no good for a busa in my opinion