info needed/wanted on a KLR 650

[thegubner]

Thinking about getting this as I fancy a change.
Its a KLR 650 tengai, has anyone ever had/ridden one, if so whats your opinion.
I know they dont exactly look pretty, but i would probably matt black it and go for a semi mad max/ super moto look with it.
And any information would be good as I have never seen or heard of one before.

answers on a postcard to ........ well me

cheers in advance

Andy

[Rookie]

Looks fine as it is IMO, you don't really buy one because you want a pretty bike.

[KevTM]

well from what i've heard KLR250's are pretty good, should say the 650 would be more useable on the road and i wouldn't bother with a respray, just get it muddy!

[Richie-ninja]

I would love it.. Its different..
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[G]

Opinions - if you posted a more useful thread title you'd get more useful replies .

Only bothered to click 'cos I'm quite bored at work .

Had a KLR and they make good road bikes; decent power for that style and have to be going fairly fast before they get a weave on. They are a desert-rally style bike which means it's not ideal for UK green lanes. You can use it for such, but then you could use a fireblade if you wanted (though I would choose the KLR over a blade at least ).
A lot heavier than the 250 I believe.

[Finglonga]

The KLR600 is allot better than the 650, had both and the 650 is way to lardy. The 600 is what a big trials bike should be. If you get one make sure the carb has a heater as they suffer from carb icing even on warmish damp mornings.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[G]

Wouldn't like to try trials on the KLR600, even if it is a fair bit lighter than the 650 . I had a DR600 which is similar to the 600cc KLR and it was much better off road but not as good on road.

[thegubner]

hmm yeah, couldnt see it being a top trials bike either

[cc123]

I'm sure Stinkwheel has one.................waits on SW coming along and telling me he's not but sure he has.
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Old bikes >>> https://www.bikepics.com/members/cc123/

[Finglonga]

[thegubner]

any one got any idea on top speed, and what the acceleration is like?

[Finglonga]

[cc123]

[athelstan]

I had one for years and spent nothing on it apart from the usual oil changes etc. I love the throb of a big single (oh er 'ark at 'er!). I missed it so much that last week I bought another big single - an Aprilia Pegaso Trail.

[G]

If you're bothered by top speed or acceleration, get a different bike.

Acceleration will feel good compared to a 125, but that's not saying much for bikes. Will still be poor compared to something like a bandit 600. Initial acceleration will be ok, but you'll have to change up much sooner than similar cc road bikes.
Top speed is around 100 I'd say. However mine developed a weave from about 85 which required some force to keep steady. Only found out about the top speed because a two-up zx7 left the airfield I was at, at the same time. I was determined not to let them get away, but this did require ducking right down with throttle wound fully open.

[thegubner]

im not too bothered about top speed, was just wondering, the fastest bike i have ridden is my gpz 500 anyway, so i was wondering what it would be like compared to that. It wont put me off being slower, i was just wondering what to expect, I'll probably only have it for a year anyway, its just for a change if you know what i mean, as for the wobble is it possible to put steering dampers on? would it make a difference on such a big heavy bike?


I take it going to be a lot more comfortable than what im used to, my fingers allways go numb on the geeperz and me hands ache, im only 5 foot seven, is that a wee bit too short for the KLR?

should of put all this in me first post really but i have never been known as a great thinker

[G]

MY KLR vibrated quite badly - heavy bar end weights probably useful (single 650cc piston going up and down is never going to be smooth).
It probably will be a bit of a struggle at your height for slow speed stuff - especially because it's heavy as well as tall. Once you're going, it should be fine.

It will be slower than your GPZ I reckon, due to having less power and having weight higher up.

Steering damper may even make that kind of wobble worse, I'd just live with it.
Something like the KLE500 might be more suitable.
At the speeds we're talking about getting a wobble on, my cheap helmet would compress against my head leaving a gap at the back thanks to the wind blast; ok, a bad choice of helmet, but also not that comfortable a position to be in!
Doing 150mph on my zx9 with ear plugs and a doubble-bubble felt quite a lot slower than doing 85-90 on the KLR I'd say.

[thegubner]

that sounds good, thats why i wanted a change, i want something demanding without being a sports bike, so its sounds pretty good to me.



thanks for the replies

[Finglonga]

[G]

A lot of trail bikes do that due to geometry, tyre sizes etc.

[thegubner]

Makes it sound like fun

[UKRobT309]

KLR650 is a great bike in my humble opinion. I had one (it was a 2002 C8). Only thing i can think to watch for is the generator and the top end otherwise theyre pretty indistructable. Bit ploddy and heavy but you'll still be riding it when all the KTM's, Husabergs etc etc have died and been buried.
Oh, top speed is about a ton but your better off sticking around 70 to 75 if going anywhere. Keep the oil fresh to.
https://www.klr650.net/forums/index.php
Theres a good forum for info on the KLR. Some good people on their to considering theyre Yanks
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[thegubner]

nice one, thanks very much

[stinkwheel]

I don't have one but my mate did. He toured Australia on it then shipped it back here. It landed up matt black with a tengi tank on it.

I struggled to keep up with him on the twisties on my GPZ500, mind you, he's a better rider than me.

The weave is because of the front mudguard acting like a sail.
Big Chris and the KLR adventure.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[thegubner]

bloody hell what a read, your mate made that sound absolutely fucking brilliant