Wilsons Sandbox

On 7/13/06 1:20 PM, "Gerald Sdoutz" wrote: > Jud, > > Do you have the 640 or the 950. I was drooling over a 950 the other day, and > wouldn t mind some opinions on it. > > Thx. > > > > From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf > Of Jud Jones > Sent: July 12, 2006 5:38 PM > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: NKLR tested a Buell Ulysses Saturday > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com , Don > S wrote: >> > >> > Now that I've had the KLR for a few months and enjoy it immensely, I kind >> of have an > itch to try something else in multi surface bikes. I would of course keep the > KLR. >> > >> > I've done a little research on the KTM. Despite being outrageously over >> priced, they > also have shortcomings. From what I've read, the horsepower advantage is > somewhat > diminished by excessive vibrations. And, with vibration, comes problems such > as > discomfort, pieces falling off and metal fatigue. I understand that the KTM is > built of > superior components but it does exact an exorbitant premium for them. I doubt > that I > would sacrifice comfort for an additional 10 to 15 h.p. and better off road > manners. >> > >> > I haven't done much research on the BMW GS650 but in the ubiquitous >> arrogant > Teutonic fashion, owning the blue and white badge, will set one back the > equivalent of > almost two KLRs. >> > >> > The KLR is a bargain. It is not a conglomeration of premium components to >> dazzle > technophiles. It is however, a very capable machine. I have said it before. > The KLR is one > of the rare examples of a product the is equal to more than the sum of it's > parts. I'm not > certain that can be said of the KTM or BMW. > >> > >> > I still have not completely ruled out one of the above German bikes. Simply >> because > there is very little else other than the DR650 that would suite my needs. A > plus for the > KTM is that they are sold by the local Kawasaki dealer. Maybe they'll let me > take an LC640 > out for a try. >> > > > Don't rule out the KTM for vibes until you ride one. I have had one for about > a month ('01 > Adventure, got it with 4800 miles, have put another thousand on). The first > time I rode it, I > thought my fillings would vibrate out. But today, I put a couple hundred miles > on it, and > scarcely noticed the vibration. There is almost none through the bars, btw. A > lot comes > through the pegs, so the boots you wear make a big difference. Other owners > have told > me that the bike smooths out as it runs in, so that could be part of it, too. > I find the bike > extremely comfortable; mine came with an '03 "comfort" seat. > > There are plenty of niggles. The oil filler is hidden behind one of the fuel > lines, so that > filling or even checking the oil requires the dexterity of a contortionist > safecracker. The oil > change procedure looks as if it could require over an hour. > > The power is what every KLR owner wishes for, and the boingers are better out > of the box > than you could ever massage the KLR into. I don't think it will prove nearly > as friendly as > the KLR, but it sure is fun. > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]