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Average Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 9:59:41 AM
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Looking at these, if you do not know why read the other post  . Brother in-law and I are both looking at Dual Sports...not just because of the ticket but because we are tired of reading about people getting run over daily on the CO Sportbike Forum. But I will admit the ticket is a wakeup call to me that I do tend to push things and maybe it is time to settle down and be here a long time for the wife and future children. Kawasaki KLR650 (Newer model) - Big tank, large aftermarket support, and overall a well known bike for cheap adventurist on a budget. 
Honda XR650L - More old school, has not been updated, cost more then the KLR, however looks to be a better offroad/trail bike. Smaller gas tank is a problem (IMS sells a 4 Gallon one), and I think the seat is less comfy too. However still a bullet proof engine from what I hear. 
Honda XR650R - I once read on the Adventure forum this is the bike to get if you can plate it (no problem here). Better for off road, still could handle the streets at legal speeds  . I hear it holds a small amount of oil, thus oil changes every 1,000 miles is needed. I see you can get a 6 Gallon fuel tank, but it looks funky. So I'm not sure if this is the animal for me. 
What will let me ride it all day, still hit dirt roads and maybe easy trails. What will let me explore far away lands, and is the best bang for the buck? I got the old FZ1 up on Craigslist, and right now I'm leaning towards a Kawasaki KLR650. Big tank, pretty comfy, lots of aftermarket support, and overall a sound bike. Plus at $5,299MSRP how can you go wrong?
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 11:27:50 AM
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Modette, I'm sure pleased that you have decided to slow down a little.
I was pretty hard on you in my comments about your 132 MPH ticket but I must admit, I used to go way too fast when I was young and wild as a buck. The only difference is the fastest thing at that time was a 650 twin. It went fast for the time but not 132 +. Thank Goodness.
Be safe and take care of the wife and future children.
caseysanta 
Ride a lot, ride safe
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Advanced Member
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That KLR650 gives me a tingly feeling. I love my Strom but I bet I would like the KLR too.
Torqueman
Battle Creek, MI
V-Strom 06
Goldwing 03
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/7/2008 4:20:21 PM
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| I would go with the KLR650, I have owned one in the past and I never had any issues with the bike. I did every service my self and I can honestly say that it was one of the easiest bikes to work on. I worked for a messenger company for 5 years and rode the KLR for 3 of those 5 years. Happy to say that it never skipped a beat all it "asked" for was it's oil changes and a fresh set of rubber. I rode an average of 250 miles a day in L.A's concrete jungle with the occational ride up PCH. Well, that's my 2cents hope it was of some help you. Good luck. k.
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/14/2008 8:43:11 PM
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| 250 mi/day, 5days/wk, 50wk/yr, 3 yr = 187,500 mi.
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/27/2008 10:22:03 PM
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Modette,
Interesting thinking. I had the Busa and an XR650L. The XR I added a 4 gallon tank to, supertrapp exhaust, baja kit and rejetted for altitude. The seat is a one hour seat. The bike is very good offroad. Modified it would do 70 to 80 on the interstate and you did have to make reservations to pass on two laners. I rode the XR on some back roads near Pagosa and had a ball. I do not know that much about the 650R nor the KLR. The KLR always looked heavy for offroading, suffering from the GS syndrome. It does look very comfortable and the price is right. Check out some of the stuff from BMW and KTM as well. These bikes are not about HP and I know you will miss it. Good luck on this quest.
Phil
Phil
Moriarty, NM
07 BMW K1200R
MOA# 13006
Hummer H3
http://motokoffee.com/
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/11/2008 9:02:29 PM
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| The KLR was 428 lbs. in last year's July issue, compared with the GS's 536 lbs. (Sept 2008 issue, the one you all should be receiving soon). I would say that's heavy for a dirt bike, but a comparative featherweight next to the GS. I would get a KLR in a New York minute (because it's cheap and bulletproof) but I am s-h-o-r-t. Or, at least, my inseams are.
Ride safe,
Franke
Saving for a Ninja 650
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