non klr, posers?

[Craig Kahler]

I am considering getting another bike for strictly highway use, All day interstate cruising. But, I don't want a big expensive Goldwing kind of bike. I would like to stay on the small side, but still be comfortable. I'm thinking under 750cc, under 500lb, less than 10 years old. How is a Vulcan 500 or 600 shadow on the highway? Any other suggestions? Craig [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jim Fortner]

Used Suzuki DL650 Jim

On Sat, Feb 5, 2011 at 4:48 PM, Craig Kahler wrote: > > > I am considering getting another bike for strictly highway use, All day > interstate cruising. > But, I don't want a big expensive Goldwing kind of bike. > I would like to stay on the small side, but still be comfortable. > I'm thinking under 750cc, under 500lb, less than 10 years old. > How is a Vulcan 500 or 600 shadow on the highway? Any other suggestions? > > Craig > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Eddie]

I second the motion for a used DL650 V-Strom. I've had two SV650s and one DL1000. The DL650 is the best of both: Sweetheart of an engine in a long distance comfortable frame. It gets good mpg and has a large fuel tank,too. I've also owned two Kaw. 454Ltds. They were very close to the Vulcan 500 (belt driven vs. v's chain + a few ccs less displacement.) Neat for shorter hops. They'd get tiring on longer runs. Ditto the 600 Shadow(It's a 4 speed. Yuck!) eddie

> [Original Message] > From: Craig Kahler > To: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com> > Date: 2/5/2011 5:48:22 PM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR Interstate cruiser > > I am considering getting another bike for strictly highway use, All day

interstate cruising.

> But, I don't want a big expensive Goldwing kind of bike. > I would like to stay on the small side, but still be comfortable. > I'm thinking under 750cc, under 500lb, less than 10 years old. > How is a Vulcan 500 or 600 shadow on the highway? Any other suggestions? > > Craig > >

[Jud]

BMW K75RT or K75S. The RT especially gives good weather protection, a neutral riding position, and probably would come with BMW's excellent hard luggage. Might even have a Corbin seat already on it. They only made them from 1985 to 1995, but the 750 triple was the best of BMW's K bikes. The DL650 is not a bad idea, but after spending a day on one, it seemed kind of bland and I was not that fond of it. It is hard to beat the way a BMW feels just going down the road.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Craig Kahler wrote: > > I am considering getting another bike for strictly highway use, All day interstate cruising. > But, I don't want a big expensive Goldwing kind of bike. > I would like to stay on the small side, but still be comfortable. > I'm thinking under 750cc, under 500lb, less than 10 years old. > How is a Vulcan 500 or 600 shadow on the highway? Any other suggestions? > > Craig > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Mark Harris]

I agree that a used Suzuki DL650 would be the better highway than any cruiser like a Vulcan. The DL650 has an adjustable windscreen and aftermarket sources like Twisted Throttle for many nice add-ons (farkles) and a superior engine and riding position. Often we have a DL650 ride with larger bikes in the Sierra Nevada Red Riders and it does fine keeping up no matter how straight or curvey the road. Mark in Nevada waiting for more snow melt in the Sierras. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

[spike55_bmw]

Craig: My one buddy has a 4 yr old DL650 (2005 bought new left over in 06) and he has 90,000+ miles on it (live in Pennsylvania so we can't ride everyday of the year). He's trading it in on the Yamaha Super Tenere he ordered that comes in this May / June. My point is that he was able to run the DL650 all over the place, Iron Butt, Colorado, etc and he's about 6'1" 190#. A DL650 seems pretty good. Other riders that had the DL1000 said that it was a little too big for gravel road riding. Don R100, A6F

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Craig Kahler wrote: > > I am considering getting another bike for strictly highway use, All day interstate cruising. > But, I don't want a big expensive Goldwing kind of bike. > I would like to stay on the small side, but still be comfortable. > I'm thinking under 750cc, under 500lb, less than 10 years old. > How is a Vulcan 500 or 600 shadow on the highway? Any other suggestions? > > Craig > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Jim Fortner]

The old BMWs recommended could be bought very reasonably with reasonable operating costs. The DLs are a bit bland until customized. Much like KLRs. Sent from a very small computer

On Feb 5, 2011, at 9:33 PM, "Jud" wrote: > BMW K75RT or K75S. The RT especially gives good weather protection, a neutral riding position, and probably would come with BMW's excellent hard luggage. Might even have a Corbin seat already on it. They only made them from 1985 to 1995, but the 750 triple was the best of BMW's K bikes. > > The DL650 is not a bad idea, but after spending a day on one, it seemed kind of bland and I was not that fond of it. It is hard to beat the way a BMW feels just going down the road. > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Craig Kahler wrote: > > > > I am considering getting another bike for strictly highway use, All day interstate cruising. > > But, I don't want a big expensive Goldwing kind of bike. > > I would like to stay on the small side, but still be comfortable. > > I'm thinking under 750cc, under 500lb, less than 10 years old. > > How is a Vulcan 500 or 600 shadow on the highway? Any other suggestions? > > > > Craig > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[spike55_bmw]

As a current owner of a 30 yr old BMW R100 (bought it 10 yrs ago)where I can do most of the adjustments and minior to mid-level repairs (carry tools & parts in my saddlebag), I'm not sure buying an aging K75 is all that wise. Sure, they are supposed to be very smooth and but its going to be a 15-20 yr old bike and more complicated than my old twin (fuel injection, etc). Probably not going to find parts easily or quickly while on a trip. It's hard enough finding a Kawi dealer and even then they have to order. I was surprised to see that Sturgis has a BMW dealer. I'd stick with a more current make and model that can more easily be supported by a dealer in all of the major cities rather than going with the iconic K75. If you run the two-lane back roads, which are more fun than the interstate, a KLR650 is a nice bike. Don R100, A6F

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Jim Fortner wrote: > > The old BMWs recommended could be bought very reasonably with reasonable operating costs. The DLs are a bit bland until customized. Much like KLRs. > > Sent from a very small computer > > On Feb 5, 2011, at 9:33 PM, "Jud" wrote: > > > BMW K75RT or K75S. The RT especially gives good weather protection, a neutral riding position, and probably would come with BMW's excellent hard luggage. Might even have a Corbin seat already on it. They only made them from 1985 to 1995, but the 750 triple was the best of BMW's K bikes. > > > > The DL650 is not a bad idea, but after spending a day on one, it seemed kind of bland and I was not that fond of it. It is hard to beat the way a BMW feels just going down the road. > > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Craig Kahler wrote: > > > > > > I am considering getting another bike for strictly highway use, All day interstate cruising. > > > But, I don't want a big expensive Goldwing kind of bike. > > > I would like to stay on the small side, but still be comfortable. > > > I'm thinking under 750cc, under 500lb, less than 10 years old. > > > How is a Vulcan 500 or 600 shadow on the highway? Any other suggestions? > > > > > > Craig > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "spike55_bmw" wrote:

> If you run the two-lane back roads, which are more fun than the interstate, a KLR650 is a nice bike. > > Don R100, A6F

It has not been mentioned how far on the intestate you are riding.... I like the way Don thinks; I started down that process (looking for a dedicated road bike) by buying a 2d set of wheels, then equipped with 90/10 tires (D607). It has it own brake disc and carrier group with a different sprocket size. etc. Total cost ~$500. Then a well farkled KLR bike came in view; in followed me home, thinking I would keep one for 90% road, one for 90% gravel. And still had a second set of wheels to play with. That morphed into adding a KLR250 for my son, who physically grew and grew...who now is taller than I and could flat-foot the KLR650 at age 14. So 'I' lose a KLR and gain a riding partner. smile. All that said, the KLR is no Gold Wing (wink), or BMW, or even that revered DL650; it is what it is: a Dual Sport Bike that is even more versatile if you have a second set of wheels/tires (or just change the tires for that special occasion. yuck) for less than $500. For less than 1 hour of prep, change the wheels out and you have a very nice distance bike; amazingly smooth when equipped with true street tires; you take away the D606, Maxxis, K270 tires and replace with a near sport-bike tire it will really surprise you. If changing wheels is not your bag, well, for less than $2500, you can get an entire KLR650 bike. KiLeRista Tengai Mark Van H. tells of super buys on some of his bikes and still gets many, many miles of service from them. Budget = $500 for a set of wheels/tires. A little more flush = $2500 for a nice bike. shrug. Something not previously mentioned = the big plus for having two KLR-650's is the commonality of parts. It was a big feature for me, due to my more remote location and my new-to-me (fully licensed at 14y/o) 9th-grade riding partner that will be with me for at least 3 more years. Additionally, the pre08' Tupperware bikes with bark-busters installed won't scare you if you drop it. And if you ride a KLR very long. You will drop it. Not only do I 'Believe' that, I have seen it done. Why, I have even seen it done twice at the same spot; once on the R. side, once on the L. side. (No, not me!) If you are looking for that special interstate bike, I would consider adding a second set of wheels/tires. Unless of course, you have an itch for a second/third/fourth/+++ bike, then a second set of wheels probably will not scratch that itch. revmaaatin.

[sopris_2000]

I can respond to the the Shadow. Last summer I found a 2002 Honda Shadow Ace 750, here in western Colorado with 7700 miles. I got it for $2000, a steal of a deal for a bike in exquisite condition. My wife and I each have KlR's we've owned for 5 years and have ridden them through Canada, Mexico and Central America. We are vertically challenged and the KLR's are still tall even though they've been farkeled to death, mainly thanks to Fred. But the opportunity to get my wife a low bike ( that means no more high kick to get on) makes my wife happy when she's just riding to town or locally. The Ace has great power and is not loud. After the 650's I would not go with anything less than 750 for highway riding. The extra power is pretty fun. Now I live at 6500' and I know I lose power here, but power is power and we all know the KLR's just get us by. And just like the KLR's, the Shadow needs a lot of farkeling. But after farkeling the 2 KLR's, my wife can spend the cash to put her accessories on. The KLR's are far and away a better mountain twisty bike than the Shadow. Where we live we have lots of twisties, but still, because my wife is an accomplished rider, she can tame the Shadow to a point on the twisties. Straight aways, I continue to tell her to use her throttle. It really is different to have a throttle that is not wide open and nothing left.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Craig Kahler wrote: > > I am considering getting another bike for strictly highway use, All day interstate cruising. > But, I don't want a big expensive Goldwing kind of bike. > I would like to stay on the small side, but still be comfortable. > I'm thinking under 750cc, under 500lb, less than 10 years old. > How is a Vulcan 500 or 600 shadow on the highway? Any other suggestions? > > Craig > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >