new guy wants to get a dual-sport, needs help

[Ed Boyd]

RE: new guy wants to get a dual-sport, needs help Hey new guy, I just went through this process and ended up with a '96 KLX 650 R (dirt model that was has the Baja Designs dual sport conversion on it making it street legal). There is a KLX 650 model that is street legal from the factory, has electric start, street lighting, battery, and a rear rack. If you're going to do long highway trips, or stay on the pavement mainly, the KLR is the way to go. If you want to rip in the dirt primarily, the KLX is the way to go. I love the KLX, but it isn't very comfortable on the highway. It keeps up with highway traffic no problem, you just catch a lot of wind, and it vibrates a decent amount. This hasn't stopped me from commuting 32 miles each way on 2 lane highway 15 miles (45-60 mph) and then about 15 miles of super slab (at about 70-80 mph) back and forth to work. And it cranks around the bends. It definitely rocks in the dirt. And since there is a 15,000 acre state forest about 2 miles from my driveway, I have plenty of land to explore! My first choice was a KLR, but I couldn't find one in my price range. 2nd choice was the street legal KLX, third choice was the dirt only KLX. I ended up with the dirt model KLX converted for street and I love it. Many things came together when I made this decision. The KLX was available, they are generally cheaper then the KLR, but were originally priced higher then the KLR I believe. They have better suspension, frame, and engine too. :^) And this one was mint, with minimal mileage at a good price. And the guy offered to drop it off at my house! Check out the archives http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 for great discussions about the differences between the KLR and the KLX, or get in touch with me. Search on KLX and it will return a bunch of great emails. I cut and pasted a lot of notes about the KLX and can share them with you. Good luck, Ed '96 KLX 650 R '82 Katana 1000 Duvall, WA