dumped the bike - 9/21/12

DSN_KLR650
ron criswell
Posts: 1118
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2000 5:09 pm

small bore adventure bike solution

Post by ron criswell » Sun Dec 02, 2012 5:50 pm

Guys I don't know if you get tired of the bike mags always trying to push us into bikes other than the KLR for the best all around go anywhere bike. A test in this months Cycle World putting 4 bikes in that category....but not the KLR. The choices were: BMW 700 GS, Honda NC700X, Kawasaki Versys (I have one and love it-but don't take where I have had the KLR). And Suzuki VStrom 650. All great bikes....and all more expensive than KLR's. I would take none of these where I have taken my KLR. They have more power.....but never have I had a problem with the KLR power....except maybe passing a double logging truck in Mexico at 7000 ft elevation (another story). I tell people my KLR is more comfortable in leg room and seating position than my 2001 Concours or Versys....with a Corbin. I have done numerous 730 mile days, ridden on mud, sand and rock. Maintenance is fairly easy. Friends who ride more expensive mounts say "that thing must beat you to death." Errrr.....no......I took a good ride a couple days ago.....and realized once again of what a great choice I made, 14 years ago. 55,000 on the clock and running fine. Criswell Sent from my iPad

Eddie
Posts: 472
Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2000 9:42 am

small bore adventure bike solution

Post by Eddie » Mon Dec 03, 2012 6:45 am

Ron, I couldn't agree with you more. I've had (have) bigger, more powerful, bikes than the 09' I recently sold. But, yes. It was just as comfortable on longer rides and did everything I expected of it. Off road excursions around here are far and between. So, it made sense that I have a more street oriented bike. Hence two Transalps(65k miles total), a DL1000(36k), the briefly-owned DL650( ----- Original Message ----- From: Ron Criswell To: DSN Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2012 6:50 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Small bore Adventure bike solution Guys I don't know if you get tired of the bike mags always trying to push us into bikes other than the KLR for the best all around go anywhere bike. A test in this months Cycle World putting 4 bikes in that category....but not the KLR. The choices were: BMW 700 GS, Honda NC700X, Kawasaki Versys (I have one and love it-but don't take where I have had the KLR). And Suzuki VStrom 650. All great bikes....and all more expensive than KLR's. I would take none of these where I have taken my KLR. They have more power.....but never have I had a problem with the KLR power....except maybe passing a double logging truck in Mexico at 7000 ft elevation (another story). I tell people my KLR is more comfortable in leg room and seating position than my 2001 Concours or Versys....with a Corbin. I have done numerous 730 mile days, ridden on mud, sand and rock. Maintenance is fairly easy. Friends who ride more expensive mounts say "that thing must beat you to death." Errrr.....no......I took a good ride a couple days ago.....and realized once again of what a great choice I made, 14 years ago. 55,000 on the clock and running fine. Criswell Sent from my iPad [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]