Wilsons Sandbox

>>So, has anyone else sold a Concours or other sport/touring bike to make

the KLR their primary ride? Any regrets?

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "David C." wrote:

> So, has anyone else sold a Concours or other sport/touring bike to > make the KLR their primary ride? Any regrets?

I sold my Concours because the seating position simply didn't work for me, I have bad knees and I literally could not walk after spending all day riding the Connie. Regrets? Well, compared to a KLR it goes like a scalded cat, and it handles like an overweight Ninja, but in the end a Connie is just overkill for short commutes, which is all I could use it for (due to the knee issue) so it was no good for me. I find that with tank panniers and a handlebar-mounted windshield I get as good of weather protection from the KLR as I got from the Connie, I just don't have those handy fairing nooks to stuff my gloves and earplugs and random other miscellaneous into. And the seating position is *much* more comfortable on the KLR -- with the Happy Trails highway pegs, I can lay my legs out enough that my knees don't suffer, and with the Corbin flat seat, there is enough distance between the pegs and my butt that even where I can't lay my legs out my knees don't suffer much. I've looked at other motorcycles, but simply can't seem to find anything else as comfortable for me to ride as a KLR. So despite its many weaknesses (weak engine, weak electrical system, weak suspension, etc.), the KLR is "it" for me, indeed, thinking of moving on to the '08 model for the better headlights and just because my KLR is getting up in mileage to the point where I won't trust it on long trips shortly. -E

While it wasn't "the plan", I think I'll be in the same boat you are... I've got an '05 FJR with 35k miles on it, farkled out in a major way. I haven't cranked it over since the KLR and doubt I will unless someone convinces me to do a two week cross country trip or smthng. There's a national FJR rally in July that I'm signed up for, but I'll probably sell the Feej after that. The K simply does everything I need a bike to do. Yes, the FJR will do warp speed in the blink of an eye, but I rarely have the opportunity to make use of that. I can probably squeek a little more "grunt" out of the K, but I'm already pretty content with the performance of the stock K. It'll run just about any reasonable speed on the highway, which is all I need. I just don't see a reason to have a bunch of cash tied up in a bike I don't need... especially when that cash can be used to make the KLR a LOT more comfortable and easily switchable from commuter and dirter to tourer, depending on "the requirement of the week". --Jonathan "smthng" Kalmes

On Sun, May 4, 2008 at 4:34 PM, David C. wrote: > In addition to my '88 KLR I have a 2000 Concours. I got the Concours > in 2001, to replace a succession of Airhead BMWs, as I wanted > something a little more reliable and high tech than the old > Airheads. The Concours has been a good bike, reliable, not horribly > difficult to work on, not too high tech. There's also a huge support > group in COG. However, since getting my '88 KLR two years ago, I > find myself riding the KLR more and the Concours (much) less. Today > I finished my annual and four year periodic service on the Concours, > and I noticed I only put 700 miles on it last year. In addition, the > service has eaten up most of three weekends, and a big part of that > is removing and replacing stuff (gas tanks, tupperware, bags > mufflers, brakes, etc) that have nothing to do with the actual > service. The tupperware is a particular pain to deal with. The > advantages of the Connie are it's great weather protection and > relative comfort; I've done a BBG and numerous 600+ mile days on > it. I have it set up with a Russell seat, extra lights, heated > grips, etc, and it's a great LD bike. On the other hand, it's a big, > heavy pig, it's relatively hard on tires (unless you run GL1500 > tires, and then you give up traction), and there is a lot going on > under all that plastic. > > On the other hand, the KLR seems to do about 90% of everything I need > to do with a motorcycle. The seating position is actually more > comfortable than the Concours, and I suspect if I added a flat Corbin > seat (a Russell on a KLR is just wrong) I wouldn't have any trouble > doing big miles if need be. The KLR is simple, easy to work on, gets > good mileage, and with the IMS tank I have on it, has excellent > range. If I sold the Concours I could easily afford a newer, lower > mileage KLR, and keep the '88 for a spare or sell it for more farkles. > > So, has anyone else sold a Concours or other sport/touring bike to > make the KLR their primary ride? Any regrets? Anyone want a well > maintained, relatively low mileage (26K) Concours with all the farkles? > > (The alternative is to sell them both and get a V-Strom....) > > Thanks > Dave C > > > > ------------------------------------ > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > -- --Jonathan "smthng" Kalmes Springfield, VA 2005 Yamaha FJR1300ABS - "Blue Bayou" 2006 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon - "Teflon" 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 - It's here, but it hasn't earned a name yet. http://smthng.info "Look, the truth is, I've been trying to save the world, one person at a time, but, I'm meant for smthng bigger. Smthng important. I know it now."

Well, I guess I'll chime in, despite not having a Concours. I will admit having lusted after one, though! But then if I got one, that would put one more bike in the garage and I'd still be riding the KLR most of the time. I was out on a 150 mile ride on my ZRX today, and although I had a great deal of fun, riding the KLR at speeds below 55 is just as much, or more enjoyable. And, that's why the ZRX sits most of the time and the KLR is out and about. Mike

----- Original Message ----- From: mikeypep To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 11:41 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Concours regrets? I've got to weigh in on this one. I picked a Connie last fall, and I'm absolutely thrilled with the power and the sound but I find that I am always anxious to get off and park it. I then hop on the KLR and ride some more. Its just plain comfortable. While the power isn't impressive, its best described as "adequate". I don't think I'll ever do any serious touring so the KLR is just right. Just what does one do after a KLR? Maybe a Weestrom, maybe a Versys, but then maybe not!

Hi David, First, I should tell everyone that I do not own a KLR. Yet. Maybe tomorrow, maybe another month or so, but I expect to have one shortly. In 2004 I bought a '95 Connie that was owned by the local chapter president of COG. It was a very clean and low mileage bike, and he had a few nice farkles on it. My previous bike was a '82 Honda GL-500, so the power of the Connie was intoxicating. My wife and I took a couple 2-up short trips on it, and she loved riding on the back. Then I tired to take a long trip - I'm talking IBA length, 1K + miles in 24 hours. I made it about 400 before bailing. My shoulders and hands were numb, and I had to stop frequently to try and get the blood flowing again. The hihgh-frequency vibrations absolutly killed me. I later found that on of the center carb-to-airbox boots was off and that carb was filthy, but by then had lost confidence in the big Connie. As has been mentioned, it's not the most flickable bike in the world either. I sold the Connie to buy a new for '04 DL650. I missed the power of the Connie, but pretty much nothing else. My wife and I did a 800+ mile trip in 2 days, and other than it being overly hot (nothing to do with the bike) had a great time. I took it to Hyder, AK in '04, doing a SS1K+ on the way home with my buddy Ted (also on a '04 DL650), and rode it in the Utah 1088 LD rally. I put about 9K on the bike in '04. I sold the V-Strom in early '06 (not pertenint to this story) bought a '06 Goldwing, put 38.5K on it in about 1 1/2 years, and sold it in December. In the garage now is a '03 Aprilia Tuono for me and a '99 Ninja 250 for my wife. The KLR would be a perfect addition for commuting (which is fun on the Tuono, but I am going to loose my license....), poking around dirt roads, and maybe some adventure touring (Prudohe Bay in '10?) The Tuono is fun on weekend rides with my buddies and ultra-light naked sport touring - I'll be doing the Utah 1088 on it in June. Bottom line - I think the V-Strom 650 is one of the best bikes on the market today. If I didn't have the Tuono, I'd buy another DL650, put a skid plate, crash bars, my alluminum paniers on some Happy Trails racks and about a dozen electrical farkles and ride the snot out of it. My buddy Ted? he's been to Prudohe Bay on his '04 and he and his wife 2-upped all the way through Mexico, Central America and 1/2 way through South America on it. He sold it to some sucker that ended up totaling it, and Ted just bought a '08 DL650 with ABS. On the other hand, if you love the KLR's and plan on more 'dirty' trips, you can't go wrong sticking with KLR's. Maybe sell the Connie and pick up a low-mileage '07 and farkle away. Regards, Ken

On 5/4/08, David C. wrote: > > In addition to my '88 KLR I have a 2000 Concours. I got the Concours > in 2001, to replace a succession of Airhead BMWs, as I wanted > something a little more reliable and high tech than the old > Airheads. The Concours has been a good bike, reliable, not horribly > difficult to work on, not too high tech. There's also a huge support > group in COG. However, since getting my '88 KLR two years ago, I > find myself riding the KLR more and the Concours (much) less. Today > I finished my annual and four year periodic service on the Concours, > and I noticed I only put 700 miles on it last year. In addition, the > service has eaten up most of three weekends, and a big part of that > is removing and replacing stuff (gas tanks, tupperware, bags > mufflers, brakes, etc) that have nothing to do with the actual > service. The tupperware is a particular pain to deal with. The > advantages of the Connie are it's great weather protection and > relative comfort; I've done a BBG and numerous 600+ mile days on > it. I have it set up with a Russell seat, extra lights, heated > grips, etc, and it's a great LD bike. On the other hand, it's a big, > heavy pig, it's relatively hard on tires (unless you run GL1500 > tires, and then you give up traction), and there is a lot going on > under all that plastic. > > On the other hand, the KLR seems to do about 90% of everything I need > to do with a motorcycle. The seating position is actually more > comfortable than the Concours, and I suspect if I added a flat Corbin > seat (a Russell on a KLR is just wrong) I wouldn't have any trouble > doing big miles if need be. The KLR is simple, easy to work on, gets > good mileage, and with the IMS tank I have on it, has excellent > range. If I sold the Concours I could easily afford a newer, lower > mileage KLR, and keep the '88 for a spare or sell it for more farkles. > > So, has anyone else sold a Concours or other sport/touring bike to > make the KLR their primary ride? Any regrets? Anyone want a well > maintained, relatively low mileage (26K) Concours with all the farkles? > > (The alternative is to sell them both and get a V-Strom....) > > Thanks > Dave C > > > -- Ken Morton IBR '03, '07 IBA 257 '03 Aprilia Tuono "Bunny" [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I agree that the WeeStrom is one of the best all-around bikes on the market today. I looked long at hard at the Connie before buying the Wee and I don't regret choosing the WeeStrom. It's a very comfortable bike, I did 700 miles on mine in the first day of ownership. But even with the addition of a skidplate, crashbars and knobbier rubber it's still no KLR offroad. It has cast wheels that are comparatively fragile, the bodywork on the bike is expensive and easy to damage. It's also hard to thread through obstructions offroad when you can't see the front tire for the bodywork. I love my Wee but didn't consider selling the KLR to get it. If circumstances ever forced me to get down to just one bike for everything I would have to keep the KLR and send the Wee on to a new owner. From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Dread Pirate Kermit Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 21:04 To: David C. Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com; Puget_Sound_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Concours regrets? Hi David, First, I should tell everyone that I do not own a KLR. Yet. Maybe tomorrow, maybe another month or so, but I expect to have one shortly. In 2004 I bought a '95 Connie that was owned by the local chapter president of COG. It was a very clean and low mileage bike, and he had a few nice farkles on it. My previous bike was a '82 Honda GL-500, so the power of the Connie was intoxicating. My wife and I took a couple 2-up short trips on it, and she loved riding on the back. Then I tired to take a long trip - I'm talking IBA length, 1K + miles in 24 hours. I made it about 400 before bailing. My shoulders and hands were numb, and I had to stop frequently to try and get the blood flowing again. The hihgh-frequency vibrations absolutly killed me. I later found that on of the center carb-to-airbox boots was off and that carb was filthy, but by then had lost confidence in the big Connie. As has been mentioned, it's not the most flickable bike in the world either. I sold the Connie to buy a new for '04 DL650. I missed the power of the Connie, but pretty much nothing else. My wife and I did a 800+ mile trip in 2 days, and other than it being overly hot (nothing to do with the bike) had a great time. I took it to Hyder, AK in '04, doing a SS1K+ on the way home with my buddy Ted (also on a '04 DL650), and rode it in the Utah 1088 LD rally. I put about 9K on the bike in '04. I sold the V-Strom in early '06 (not pertenint to this story) bought a '06 Goldwing, put 38.5K on it in about 1 1/2 years, and sold it in December. In the garage now is a '03 Aprilia Tuono for me and a '99 Ninja 250 for my wife. The KLR would be a perfect addition for commuting (which is fun on the Tuono, but I am going to loose my license....), poking around dirt roads, and maybe some adventure touring (Prudohe Bay in '10?) The Tuono is fun on weekend rides with my buddies and ultra-light naked sport touring - I'll be doing the Utah 1088 on it in June. Bottom line - I think the V-Strom 650 is one of the best bikes on the market today. If I didn't have the Tuono, I'd buy another DL650, put a skid plate, crash bars, my alluminum paniers on some Happy Trails racks and about a dozen electrical farkles and ride the snot out of it. My buddy Ted? he's been to Prudohe Bay on his '04 and he and his wife 2-upped all the way through Mexico, Central America and 1/2 way through South America on it. He sold it to some sucker that ended up totaling it, and Ted just bought a '08 DL650 with ABS. On the other hand, if you love the KLR's and plan on more 'dirty' trips, you can't go wrong sticking with KLR's. Maybe sell the Connie and pick up a low-mileage '07 and farkle away. Regards, Ken On 5/4/08, David C. > wrote:

> > In addition to my '88 KLR I have a 2000 Concours. I got the Concours > in 2001, to replace a succession of Airhead BMWs, as I wanted > something a little more reliable and high tech than the old > Airheads. The Concours has been a good bike, reliable, not horribly > difficult to work on, not too high tech. There's also a huge support > group in COG. However, since getting my '88 KLR two years ago, I > find myself riding the KLR more and the Concours (much) less. Today > I finished my annual and four year periodic service on the Concours, > and I noticed I only put 700 miles on it last year. In addition, the > service has eaten up most of three weekends, and a big part of that > is removing and replacing stuff (gas tanks, tupperware, bags > mufflers, brakes, etc) that have nothing to do with the actual > service. The tupperware is a particular pain to deal with. The > advantages of the Connie are it's great weather protection and > relative comfort; I've done a BBG and numerous 600+ mile days on > it. I have it set up with a Russell seat, extra lights, heated > grips, etc, and it's a great LD bike. On the other hand, it's a big, > heavy pig, it's relatively hard on tires (unless you run GL1500 > tires, and then you give up traction), and there is a lot going on > under all that plastic. > > On the other hand, the KLR seems to do about 90% of everything I need > to do with a motorcycle. The seating position is actually more > comfortable than the Concours, and I suspect if I added a flat Corbin > seat (a Russell on a KLR is just wrong) I wouldn't have any trouble > doing big miles if need be. The KLR is simple, easy to work on, gets > good mileage, and with the IMS tank I have on it, has excellent > range. If I sold the Concours I could easily afford a newer, lower > mileage KLR, and keep the '88 for a spare or sell it for more farkles. > > So, has anyone else sold a Concours or other sport/touring bike to > make the KLR their primary ride? Any regrets? Anyone want a well > maintained, relatively low mileage (26K) Concours with all the farkles? > > (The alternative is to sell them both and get a V-Strom....) > > Thanks > Dave C > > >

-- Ken Morton IBR '03, '07 IBA 257 '03 Aprilia Tuono "Bunny" [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have an 01 Connie and love the look of the bike and the sound but it is heavy and I did have to lower the pegs and raise the bars for reasons others have talked about. I have 47,000 miles on it but have the same on the KLR. People who are not KLRistas think I am full of it when I say the KLR is more comfortable on the road. I have done 989 miles in one day on the Connie ......... but in the last 3 years have rode the KLR from Chama New Mexico to Dallas area in one day. A pretty fare haul on a semi dirt bike. I cruise at about the same speed (80 indicated) on either bike. The Connie has a much better passing capability for sure but sometimes think of trading it for a Versey or a Buell Ulysses........ but why? They are both paid for. There are no perfect bikes out there that will do anything ....but the KLR comes close (and it is cheap). I have picked up the Connie by myself after knocking it over in the drive probably aided by adrenaline shock. Plastic is expensive. It took 3 of us to pick up my KLR on the White Rim last year (full tank pointing downhill). Criswell

On May 5, 2008, at 2:06 AM, thewildmanrides650 wrote: > Just picked up a connie with low miles,just could'nt resist it.the > bike seems to cause a little discumfort to my old body,but im gona try > to bear it as i crack the throttle and smile.the connie has a great > faring and wind sheild, but it puts a little heat on my lower legs and > feet.will be great cold weather bike.also love the two up ability of > this bike.If anyone has a link to the storz bar addapters for the > connie i will be puting ape hangers on it soon. also need to drop the > pegs a couple inches if anybody has a link for that.I don't think the > 08 KLR can be replaced for pure cumfort in the ride position and > handling in all conditions.I traded the 07 vstrom for the klr and have > been happy ever since.I think if you tear the faring off the vstrom > and put a klr seat on it,and modify the handlebars the vsrom would be > a great bike.just was'nt willing to do all that to a new bike.Have not > tried the goldwing yet. > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]