Wilsons Sandbox

What does that mean? k650dsn@... wrote:

> I just read the City Bike review of the BMW F650GS. One line from > the article sums it up well. "In a bar room fight with a KLR650, the > F650GS wouldn't stand a chance." > > Gino > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@... > Let's keep this list SPAM free! > > Visit our site at http://www.egroups.com/group/DSN_klr650 > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@egroups.com

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Toby 'Slide' Lampson wrote:

> What does that mean? > > k650dsn@a... wrote: > > > I just read the City Bike review of the BMW F650GS. One line from > > the article sums it up well. "In a bar room fight with a KLR650,

the

> > F650GS wouldn't stand a chance." > > > > Gino

City Bike riders seem to have a rather creative way of writing (as do most CA residents ) but I would say that what they meant was, that while the F650GS would look chic next to your Audi TT, it would not hold up in the real world like a KLR650 would. Gino

In a message dated 2/14/01 7:08:17 AM Pacific Standard Time, k650dsn@... writes:

> > City Bike riders seem to have a rather creative way of writing (as do > most CA residents ) but I would say that what they meant was, > that while the F650GS would look chic next to your Audi TT, it would > not hold up in the real world like a KLR650 would. > > Gino >

Hey Gino, If your talking current year F650GS, I think you're probably right. They've got "issues" so to speak. But I wouldn't sell the BMW F650 short. The older ones have made their trek to Prudhoe Bay and other such insane places with great results. And the last I heard, Benka was still riding hers around the world. I believe when they get the kinks ironed out of this new GS it will be a fine machine in every respect. Having said that, I choose a KLR over the F650 for the same reason a lot of folks do; money! Dollar for dollar, the KLR comes out the winner. A late model used KLR at $3500-$4000 or a used F650 at $5500-$6500? And let's face it, if you're going adventure touring, which bike would you rather have to fix after a drop? A quick estimate of some very minor paint damage from a tip over on my BMW K1100LT came out to over $500. Right now we can replace every piece of plastic, including the tank, on a KLR for $500. There's been a raging debate within the BMW community from the day the F650 was introduced as to whether or not it was a "real" BMW. For me, that's best answered this way. I was having some maintenance done on my K11 one beautiful summer's day, hanging around the parking lot of the dealership, killing time. I watched as three BMW riders loaded up and headed out on a little adventure that would take them from Virginia to California and back with a number of side trips along the way. It occurred to me as they disappeared down the road, the average age of those bikes was around 25 years... When, or should I say if, the new F650 manages to rack up this kind of history, then it will truly be a BMW. In the meantime, the KLR puts a smile on my face, doesn't cost big bucks, and has a dammed good reputation to boot! Who knows what we'll all be riding 25 years from now? I'll be 85 then; maybe one of those motorized scooters, zipping up and down the halls of the old soldier's home. Cheers, Jess Booth Odenton, MD K11LT KLR650

They must not be looking much farther than 'chic'. Or perhaps they're just impressed by the tractor-like-panache of a KLR. I wonder how they'd rate a bar fight between a GS1150 and a Harley? k650dsn@... wrote:

> --- In DSN_klr650@y..., Toby 'Slide' Lampson wrote: > > What does that mean? > > > > k650dsn@a... wrote: > > > > > I just read the City Bike review of the BMW F650GS. One line from > > > the article sums it up well. "In a bar room fight with a KLR650, > the > > > F650GS wouldn't stand a chance." > > > > > > Gino > > City Bike riders seem to have a rather creative way of writing (as do > most CA residents ) but I would say that what they meant was, > that while the F650GS would look chic next to your Audi TT, it would > not hold up in the real world like a KLR650 would. > > Gino

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., k650dsn@a... wrote:

> I just read the City Bike review of the BMW F650GS. One line from > the article sums it up well. "In a bar room fight with a KLR650,

the

> F650GS wouldn't stand a chance." > > Gino

I can`t speak for the GS model, but I have to disagree in reference to the Dakar model. Regardless of my past comments on the Dakar model, I have since rode a 2001 model,and as much as I hate to admit it, and can`t believe I would ever buy a $7000+ motorcycle, I will be buying a Dakar model this week. Mine didn`t have any of the problems associated with the 2000 models and rides and handles much better than I exspected. A big plus for me is with the GS seat installed, I`m at the same seat height as on my KLR with the custom seat and lowered triple clamps, which really reduced my front tire clearance and skid plate clearance. This has always been a problem for me with the KLR on single track. Not so with the Dakar, with a lower CG and more suspension travel. Considerably more available wattage, more horsepower, not to mention an engine that if it holds up to every other Rotax, will be rock solid reliable. I still have concerns with fuel injection on a bike like this, but I`m willing to try it. I plan on keeping my KLR and will spend the next season comparing them side by side. I love my KLR and will be the first to admit any drawbacks to the Dakar.We`ll see. Skip

> > City Bike riders seem to have a rather creative way of writing (as

do

> most CA residents ) but I would say that what they meant was, > that while the F650GS would look chic next to your Audi TT, it

would

> not hold up in the real world like a KLR650 would. > > Gino

If the KLR had the frame construction and design of the F650GS/Dakar, especially the rectangular tube subframe, we`d all be better off. Super rigid and light. But how it holds up remains to be seen. Skip

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Toby 'Slide' Lampson wrote:

> What does that mean?

"In a bar room fight with a KLR650, the

> > F650GS wouldn't stand a chance."

Specifically, I believe it means that while the F650GS can barely find its way to the ladies room, the KLR can stand on the bar after swilling a pitcher of stout and piss into a bar glass without spilling one drop.

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., k650dsn@a... wrote:

> I just read the City Bike review of the BMW F650GS. One line from > the article sums it up well. "In a bar room fight with a KLR650,

the

> F650GS wouldn't stand a chance." > > Gino

In my humble opinion, comparing these two is like comparing a '75 Chevy Blazer to a new Mercedes SUV - which one costs less, which one would you be more comfortable taking off road, which one can be modified easiest, what's the parts availability? Personally, I'd have more fun in the Blazer - At the beach or in the mountains, top and doors off, and a horse of Coors in the back. "Swede"

I for one would love to hear of your discoveries as you go. At the moment the Dakar is the one in adventure touring to lead us out of the KLR era....especially for average to smaller sized riders. You mention most of the reasons why. When you add a fuel injection(that functions) it provides a whole new dimension for the bike. The bike has stability, economy, power, and handling......all better than a KLR. I've got a new hunch about the future. I think once all these guys on 1100s find out how good these 650's are.....there gonna trade in their bikes. Simply because(exlcuding two up or cross country marathons) the 650 will do anything the larger bikes will do and you'll have more fun doing it....... 'Mark my words, this basic 650 is the SUB of the future.....' -Slide If not, its a good foundation. The LC8 or new light V-twins may rival it but they won't beat it in a versatility sense. This is simply because, you have a bike with (1)economy(50mpg min), that will (2)goat trail AND (3)tour. You won't find 'all' these elements in the coming light V-Twins. Going smaller.....the closest thing is the XR category. these are for weekenders who want to go rugged. The Dakar is for weekenders who wanna go luxury, or Tour...... Going larger?.......I'd buy an aircraft for the same money. Slide out- msfaul@... wrote:

> --- In DSN_klr650@y..., k650dsn@a... wrote: > > I just read the City Bike review of the BMW F650GS. One line from > > the article sums it up well. "In a bar room fight with a KLR650, > the > > F650GS wouldn't stand a chance." > > > > Gino > > I can`t speak for the GS model, but I have to disagree in > reference to the Dakar model. Regardless of my past comments on the > Dakar model, I have since rode a 2001 model,and as much as I hate to > admit it, and can`t believe I would ever buy a $7000+ motorcycle, I > will be buying a Dakar model this week. Mine didn`t have any of the > problems associated with the 2000 models and rides and handles much > better than I exspected. A big plus for me is with the GS seat > installed, I`m at the same seat height as on my KLR with the custom > seat and lowered triple clamps, which really reduced my front tire > clearance and skid plate clearance. This has always been a problem > for me with the KLR on single track. Not so with the Dakar, with a > lower CG and more suspension travel. Considerably more available > wattage, more horsepower, not to mention an engine that if it holds > up to every other Rotax, will be rock solid reliable. I still have > concerns with fuel injection on a bike like this, but I`m willing to > try it. > I plan on keeping my KLR and will spend the next season comparing > them side by side. I love my KLR and will be the first to admit any > drawbacks to the Dakar.We`ll see. > > Skip > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@... > Let's keep this list SPAM free! > > Visit our site at http://www.egroups.com/group/DSN_klr650 > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@egroups.com