Wilsons Sandbox

The reason I think it may be more than a rumor is because of Kawi and Suzi becoming partners. A new 650 could replace both the aging KLR and the DR on showroom floors. Now the April release date might be imaginary. I'll drop Toby a line and find out if this is just another list prank. R -----Original Message----- From: ken [mailto:ECDSG@...] Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 1:58 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Best 650 might not BE a KLR Two points: First, the best 650single might not be a KLR. KTM is sett o reitroduce the 640 Adventure and that might get punched out 10cc and be the "best" 650.AN XR650R that has a button and is DOT would be considered "the best" by many,many people. An F650 on a diet would be "best" to some... BTW, who's in charge of desiding what 650 is the "best"? Secondly, a guy says that there is a rumor of a new KLR. We have been waiting for a "new" KLR since I was into KLRs about 5 years ago. Never got one. The Concourse was supposed to be "replaced" too. It was augmented. Any way, we get the anual spring "new KLR" rumor going and some other guy says....get this... the anopuncment is going to be made on APRIL FIRST, and we're BUYING it! C'mon fellas. KLRistas are the smartest group in all of motorcycling. IF we get any thing it MIGHT be the KLE 500. Now that would be nice.... Oh, Mark, TY for the carb help. I'm going down tmorrow to look at it. Are you doing your PA tour this year? Ken Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Yahoo! Groups Links

If Kawasaki is interested in fielding a "dual sport" that expands their market they might consider something like a down-CCed KTM 950 Adventurer. Around 50 hp, 337 lbs or less, even better than the KLR as a street bike, and still moderately capable offroad. Adjustable seat height would be good too, maintaining at least 35" on the high side. A lot of people who've tuned into the Paris-Dakar race are going to be attracted to something in the general mold of the KTM 950. Make it cheaper, lighter at 650cc, and possibly more reliable, and I think Kawa would have something. note: the KTM 640s arent called "Adventurers" are they? Also, I didnt think KTM's 640s were sold in the U.S. or are you saying they might start offering them here?

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "ken" wrote: > > Two points: > > First, the best 650single might not be a KLR. KTM is sett o > reitroduce the 640 Adventure and that might get punched out 10cc and > be the "best" 650.AN XR650R that has a button and is DOT would be > considered "the best" by many,many people. An F650 on a diet would > be "best" to some... BTW, who's in charge of desiding what 650 is > the "best"? > > ........................................

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "ken" wrote:

> First, the best 650single might not be a KLR. KTM is sett o > reitroduce the 640 Adventure and that might get punched out 10cc and > be the "best" 650.AN XR650R that has a button and is DOT would be > considered "the best" by many,many people. An F650 on a diet would > be "best" to some... BTW, who's in charge of desiding what 650 is > the "best"? >

Yeah, and if we had some ham, we could have ham and eggs, if we had some eggs.

Answering my own questions: the KTM 640 Adventure bike is not sold in the U.S., not currently anyway. Its specs are pretty close to the KLR's with about 40 claimed ft lbs of torque at 5500 rpm. Weighs 348 dry. Liquid cooled, single cylinder. Somehow the KTM rings out another 5-6 hp--53.6 claimed vs. 48 for the KLR 650. What I like about the KTM 640 especially is its 37.2 inch seat height and clean lines--like a tall street bike. Yet its probably as capable offroad as a KLR. Problem is its expensive, and I at least don't know its reliability track record. And you can't buy one here, thats a problem too. --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "klr250not" wrote:

> > > note: the KTM 640s arent called "Adventurers" are they? Also, I > didnt think KTM's 640s were sold in the U.S. or are you saying

they

> might start offering them here? > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "ken" wrote: > > > > Two points: > > > > First, the best 650single might not be a KLR. KTM is sett o > > reitroduce the 640 Adventure and that might get punched out 10cc > and > > be the "best" 650.AN XR650R that has a button and is DOT would

be

> > considered "the best" by many,many people. An F650 on a diet

would

> > be "best" to some... BTW, who's in charge of desiding what 650

is

> > the "best"? > > > > ........................................

Interesting, its not shown on the KTM's U.S.A. website and is marked "not U.S.A." on their main site. If they are just now beginning to import them, that might answer the question about the new, "best 650 dual sport" someone raised. If its reliable it might be the best, probably one of the most expensive too. "Best" would be evaluated by scoring a max of 40 points for street performance, 40 for offroad performance and 20 for reliability, for a max of 100 total points. --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Sampson" wrote:

> > the KTM 640 Adventure bike is not sold > in the U.S., not currently anyway > > > Oh yes it is----they are arriving in dealers right now-----

very

> few mind you---go to the Advrider site and see for yourself. My

local

> dealer has one. A 2005. > > Mark Sampson

At 9:58 PM +0000 2/23/05, ken wrote:

>Oh, Mark, TY for the carb help. I'm going down tmorrow to look at >it.

No problem, good luck and be sure to take CASH with you. Try to cut him down another $100 by waving the bills under his nose. If he's a hard sell, don't wheel-N-deal too much that you piss him off.

>Are you doing your PA tour this year?

Right now things are just starting to shape up. NOAB '05 is >95% certain. The dates are April 29th - May 1st (2nd for the stragglers). Check http://www.reelrider.com/noab05 starting March 15 for details and updates. Mark

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "ken" wrote:

> > Two points: > BTW, who's in charge of desiding what 650 is > the "best"? >

I am in charge of this. And the answer is KLR650, for today. Anything else on this thread is a troll. MarkB

Streetfighters wrote:

> Don't go there. You all know you've thought about it at least once. > > Seriously, has anyone ever transplanted the KLR motor with a Honda XR650 > motor?

If your going to do a motor transplant, why not just put in a KX 500 engine. Then you don't even need to hop it up, it would have more power than you knew what to do with. Just don't go for top speed in the dirt! Alan Henderson A13 Iowa