Best complement to a feej

[chivvalry]

I hope the pictorial helped

VERY much so. I was actually quite surprised that the wee is not capable of those hill climbs and found the video really helpful as well.

Do you think that a KLR could have made those climbs?

 

[chivvalry]

I also ride an 89 honda TransAlp, it's a 600 V twin. Heavy enough for the highway , but will single track with ease.

I'm betting that we have considerably different definitions of "Single Track" in various parts of the country .

This is what New Hampshire single track looks like

(note the close spaced pilings at the trail's entrance to restrict quads):

Awesome vids... that is NOT the sort of stuff I would ever even think about taking a KLR let along a weestrom into. Now, dcarver's stuff? Yes, I would have expected both a KLR and wee to handle that.

 

[Fred W]

Now, dcarver's stuff? Yes, I would have expected both a KLR and wee to handle that.

Me too. That looks pretty tame in the pictures. I'm thinking it must be just too loose for the heavier bikes.

And Carver has TKC 80's on his little wee-wee. Forget about it on regular dual sport tires.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Now, dcarver's stuff? Yes, I would have expected both a KLR and wee to handle that.

Me too. That looks pretty tame in the pictures. I'm thinking it must be just too loose for the heavier bikes.

And Carver has TKC 80's on his little wee-wee. Forget about it on regular dual sport tires.

I've ridden worse than Carver's example on the KLR with D606 knobbies. When I had stocker tires on it I slid downhill before taking a nap. Traded tires and upgraded my technique and no-problemo on similar or worse logging roads. For what it's worth. Lighter is better in dirt, heavier and plush saddle is better on highway -- no free lunches.

 

[dcarver]

I hope the pictorial helped

VERY much so. I was actually quite surprised that the wee is not capable of those hill climbs and found the video really helpful as well.

Do you think that a KLR could have made those climbs?

Yes. The first video doesn't capture how steep the hill really was. Going back down it was nearly at lockup front and rear, ABS turned off. The second hill, the pix, absolutely yes. The killer thing is lack of ground clearance on the Wee. In the video, I bashed a rock, kicking the front end, stopping all momentum which is mandatory for big bikes on hills. Speaking of which, it took me about 20 minutes to get the Wee turned back around.

Now, dcarver's stuff? Yes, I would have expected both a KLR and wee to handle that.

Me too. That looks pretty tame in the pictures. I'm thinking it must be just too loose for the heavier bikes.

And Carver has TKC 80's on his little wee-wee. Forget about it on regular dual sport tires.

Absolutely true.

Now, dcarver's stuff? Yes, I would have expected both a KLR and wee to handle that.

Me too. That looks pretty tame in the pictures. I'm thinking it must be just too loose for the heavier bikes.

And Carver has TKC 80's on his little wee-wee. Forget about it on regular dual sport tires.

I've ridden worse than Carver's example on the KLR with D606 knobbies. When I had stocker tires on it I slid downhill before taking a nap. Traded tires and upgraded my technique and no-problemo on similar or worse logging roads. For what it's worth. Lighter is better in dirt, heavier and plush saddle is better on highway -- no free lunches.

That about sums it up.

There's a local guy who has Suzook 400 and he rides the wheels off that thing. He has done a SS1k, been to nearly every state in the union (on that bike) and expects to turn 100k next month. He also rides pretty good off-road with too, so it can be done.

If I had $$ it would be the KTM 690R, hands down.

 

[Bustanut joker]

I got drunk and complemented on how sexy me scoot looked once...

Ended up naked, in a compromising position with the tailpipe.

 

[FastSpy]

I added a Husky TE630 to compliment my 2010 FJR..

Gorgeous pics... Looks like that is more in the klr class than the vstrom class, yes?

That's way beyond the KLR class. It's more in line with the KTM class.

That Husky and Mr Bills' KTM are true dirt bikes that can be ridden on the road. Great in the dirt, not so much on road.

I have no problem what so ever cruising at 80 mph on the freeway with my TE630. It has a very wide ratio gear box that allows slow crawl speeds yet easy highway/freeway crusing. The only issue I've had at 80 mph for any length of time is the wind protection... thats it. I've knocked off many many 300 mile days that include both dirt road/ single track and some freeway.

 

[Fred W]

Yabbut, at 80 all the Honda Civic and Toyota Prius Hybrids are blowing right by you...

Seriously, the thing I didn't like about my KLR on the highway (for the short time that I owned it) wasn't that it couldn't keep up. It's that it didn't feel good when it was.

 

[dcarver]

I have buds who ride xr650's.

They carefully measured chain length vs. cs sprocket size to determine optimum cs sprockets for hiway and offroad use that didn't require resizing the chain each time. They run pretty comfie at 80 on hiway then for offroad it's an easy cs sprocket change for crawl speeds.

Pretty good compromise and food for thought.

 

[chivvalry]

I think this thread has been (and continues to be) extremely helpful. I was thinking the wee or KLR would be the best fit for what I wanted to do and was, and kinda still am, waffling between which "flavor" of DS would be the right flavor for me. I was thinking that the wee would be better for the all round adventure touring that I desire to do... but I can't shake loose the desire to get more "adventure" out of that experience than I now think the wee can give me. I mean, I think now that I would rather have a bike that can handle dirtier dirt than the wee can do... not like those New Hampshire single track vids... but at least the hill climbs that dcarver was showing the wee failing on.

If I didn't have the FJR I think the wee would probably win the decision... but with the FJR I'm thinking a dirtier bike like the KLR "class" is a better choice.

So now I start thinking "KLR". Then you guys throw in the husky TE630 ($7000, obviously talking new prices here) which looks pretty attractive and the KTM 690R ($10000!!!) which is a real sweet spec'd bike except for the $$$$ and the xr650 ($6500) and then of course there is the DR650 ($6000)... which seems good as well.. The KLR is likely one of the cheapest at around $6000, looks like best wind protection, good size tank, lots of accessories, etc. etc. It seems more a touring dirt bike than the others... excepting the wee of course.

Is the KLR the RIGHT compromise? Seems to be... tell me why not?

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Here's some links that may help:

https://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496904&highlight=690r

https://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=543487&highlight=690r

 

[HotRodZilla]

I think this thread has been (and continues to be) extremely helpful. I was thinking the wee or KLR would be the best fit for what I wanted to do and was, and kinda still am, waffling between which "flavor" of DS would be the right flavor for me. I was thinking that the wee would be better for the all round adventure touring that I desire to do... but I can't shake loose the desire to get more "adventure" out of that experience than I now think the wee can give me. I mean, I think now that I would rather have a bike that can handle dirtier dirt than the wee can do... not like those New Hampshire single track vids... but at least the hill climbs that dcarver was showing the wee failing on.

If I didn't have the FJR I think the wee would probably win the decision... but with the FJR I'm thinking a dirtier bike like the KLR "class" is a better choice.

So now I start thinking "KLR". Then you guys throw in the husky TE630 ($7000, obviously talking new prices here) which looks pretty attractive and the KTM 690R ($10000!!!) which is a real sweet spec'd bike except for the $$$$ and the xr650 ($6500) and then of course there is the DR650 ($6000)... which seems good as well.. The KLR is likely one of the cheapest at around $6000, looks like best wind protection, good size tank, lots of accessories, etc. etc. It seems more a touring dirt bike than the others... excepting the wee of course.

Is the KLR the RIGHT compromise? Seems to be... tell me why not?

Let me be very clear. I sold my KLR because of MY inability to deal with it on the highway. If I had the ability to just slow down and be more patient, it would have been fine. I'm one of those that when I'm done riding the fun stuff for the day, I want to get the Hell home. I never had a comfort issue on that bike, except for the wind sometimes. Stock, out of the box, the seat is one of the most comfortable you will find on that kind of bike.

The KLR's off-road ability was great for what it was. No offense, but those that claim a KLR will not handle sand, mud, or technical riding have probably never ridden one and are just talking about what they heard. With the Dunlop D606s and aftermarket suspension, the bike performed admirably. My KLR was held back by my inability as a rider...Not the bikes inability to do things. We climbed sandy hills, rode huge rocks, forged very deep mud and water, and had a blast. One of my best friends has a 2007 KLR with D606s and is way more capable than me. When I followed him and followed his instructions, I was way better.

The Huskys and KTMs are cool, but remember this...A KLR comes with a 5 gallon tank; good for about 250 miles of riding. The KTM and Husky are something like 3.6 gallons and use fuel fast. The last big dirt ride I did on the KLR was in April of this year when a bunch of friends and I rode the forest area around Magdalena, NM. There was one guy on a Husky that had to carry extra fuel cans to stay riding. He also had a hellavua time with his fuel injection doing something werid at our elevation...

If you really want to try a KLR, it is so close to free that you shouldn't avoid it. Go buy a used one. Great low mileage KLRs can be found for between 2 and 3 thousand dollars. Put good tires on it, and order some progressive springs for the front. Then proceed to ride the piss out of it. If you're happy, great. If not, sell it for what you paid for it. All you're out is a set of tires that cost around $100.

When it comes to opinions on KLRs and similar bikes, ONLY listen to those that have actually ridden or owned one. Everyone else is listening to rumor and really has no idea.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

... There was one guy on a Husky that had to carry extra fuel cans to stay riding...

Here is a good option if you have to carry extra fuel:

https://www.rotopax.com/Gasoline/

 

[chivvalry]

Let me be very clear. I sold my KLR because of MY inability to deal with it on the highway. If I had the ability to just slow down and be more patient, it would have been fine. I'm one of those that when I'm done riding the fun stuff for the day, I want to get the Hell home. I never had a comfort issue on that bike, except for the wind sometimes. Stock, out of the box, the seat is one of the most comfortable you will find on that kind of bike.

The KLR's off-road ability was great for what it was. No offense, but those that claim a KLR will not handle sand, mud, or technical riding have probably never ridden one and are just talking about what they heard. With the Dunlop D606s and aftermarket suspension, the bike performed admirably. My KLR was held back by my inability as a rider...Not the bikes inability to do things. We climbed sandy hills, rode huge rocks, forged very deep mud and water, and had a blast. One of my best friends has a 2007 KLR with D606s and is way more capable than me. When I followed him and followed his instructions, I was way better.

The Huskys and KTMs are cool, but remember this...A KLR comes with a 5 gallon tank; good for about 250 miles of riding. The KTM and Husky are something like 3.6 gallons and use fuel fast. The last big dirt ride I did on the KLR was in April of this year when a bunch of friends and I rode the forest area around Magdalena, NM. There was one guy on a Husky that had to carry extra fuel cans to stay riding. He also had a hellavua time with his fuel injection doing something werid at our elevation...

If you really want to try a KLR, it is so close to free that you shouldn't avoid it. Go buy a used one. Great low mileage KLRs can be found for between 2 and 3 thousand dollars. Put good tires on it, and order some progressive springs for the front. Then proceed to ride the piss out of it. If you're happy, great. If not, sell it for what you paid for it. All you're out is a set of tires that cost around $100.

When it comes to opinions on KLRs and similar bikes, ONLY listen to those that have actually ridden or owned one. Everyone else is listening to rumor and really has no idea.

That sounds like damned good advice. I think the 2008+ bikes have progressive front springs and some other significant improvements so I will begin the long hunt for a cheap ass used 2008+ KLR.

 

[chivvalry]

... There was one guy on a Husky that had to carry extra fuel cans to stay riding...

Here is a good option if you have to carry extra fuel:

https://www.rotopax.com/Gasoline/

Those look pretty cool.

 

[Fred W]

Is the KLR the RIGHT compromise?

There is only one person that can answer that.

 

[chivvalry]

Is the KLR the RIGHT compromise?

There is only one person that can answer that.

...and only after he buys one and rides the **** out of it...

 

[FastSpy]

Yabbut, at 80 all the Honda Civic and Toyota Prius Hybrids are blowing right by you...

Seriously, the thing I didn't like about my KLR on the highway (for the short time that I owned it) wasn't that it couldn't keep up. It's that it didn't feel good when it was.

I can certianly tell you haven't been on a TE630. That is not max speed (80mph)that is cruising with ease speed and a Prius or Civic would be a spec in the mirror if you wanted them to be.

In fact.. you may find the FJR lagging up to 70 mph from off the line. I've got both and know.

 

[HotRodZilla]

... There was one guy on a Husky that had to carry extra fuel cans to stay riding...

Here is a good option if you have to carry extra fuel:

https://www.rotopax.com/Gasoline/

Ha...Those are EXACTLY what the guy on the Husky and another guy on a big KTM were using. After about 40 miles of rough stuff, the mounts on the Husky began to tear and he had to figure out a 550 cord/bungle fix. Dealing with that along with being stressed out all day about running out of fuel made the Husky rider miserable.

The range of the KLR was phenomenal. I never worried about fuel in that thing.

 

[beemerdons]

Let me be very clear. I sold my KLR because of MY being a raging ****** with an infected gash. If I had the ability to just go straight and be more patient, it'd have been fine.

When it comes to opinions on KLRs and similar bikes, ONLY listen to those that have actually ridden or owned one. Everyone else is listening to rumor and really has no idea.

Fixed.