Good Bye & Thank You

[Fred W]

Realistically there will be no decision until next year as I have plenty of other irons in the fire presently. And thank you all for the suggestions and the KLR guidance. I was unaware of the oil issue on some so that is solid info. I'll spend some quality time at the KLR forum(s) and get a feel for things the way I did here. And will certainly look at a V-Strom as well as I have read very good things there as well. How good or bad is the KLR 2 up? NOt for long journeys but as a rec thing? My wife liket to ride a few times a season and will miss the FJR. She is not a big woman so I am think that will help but they don't look particularly two rider friendly.

KLR Forum is a good one. Lot's of info and, like here, a few alarmists reporting a falling sky. Lots of Vstrom info out there too.

The KLR is a great jackknife of a bike. It will do everything, but it won't carve a turkey very well, if you catch my drift. On road excursions with a 650 single cylinder is not a joy, IMO. The forte of the KLR is on the dirtier side. Its on street performance is not nearly as enjoyable as a V-strom. And, if you intend on 2-upping at all, the V-strom would be the clear choice. For dirt roads and fire trails either bike would be fine. But for the more gnarly single track or real off-roading in the woods the KLR would take the clear advantage.

I currently have both a Vstrom (the man size 1000cc version) and an Aprilia Pegaso 650cc single with DOT knobbys, which is a fairly close equivalent to the KLR. Either bike can be used in the same general scenarios, but the fun factor increases within their own areas of strength. Still there is a great degree of overlap, and I tend not to ride "real off road" all that much, so eventually the 650cc single will go away and be replaced by something that is not so redundant with the Vstrom.

 

[DragonflyTN]

Realistically there will be no decision until next year as I have plenty of other irons in the fire presently. And thank you all for the suggestions and the KLR guidance. I was unaware of the oil issue on some so that is solid info. I'll spend some quality time at the KLR forum(s) and get a feel for things the way I did here. And will certainly look at a V-Strom as well as I have read very good things there as well. How good or bad is the KLR 2 up? NOt for long journeys but as a rec thing? My wife liket to ride a few times a season and will miss the FJR. She is not a big woman so I am think that will help but they don't look particularly two rider friendly.

Nervous, I have both an 2005 FJR and 2011 KLR currently. This is my second KLR, and it's set up mostly for off road, but works fine on pavement too. Last week I rode my KLR to Lexington, KY (about 240 miles) for the Motorcycle Sport Touring Association (https://www.ridemsta.com) - which every FJR owner should be a member of by the way - and spent the week riding around KY back roads and fire trails. In total about 1,100 miles, with about 80% of that on some sort of pavement.

Pros:

1. Go anywhere except rock-hopping or tree-climbing.

2. Easy to ride at reasonable speeds and lean angles.

3. Pretty darn comfortable as a touring bike with an aftermarket seat.

4. Will carry your 200 lb self, your 125 lb girlfriend, and her 80 lbs of luggage at the same time.

5. Can keep up with sport bikes in the curves.

Cons:

1. Will NOT be happy about carrying your 200 lb self, your 125 lb girlfriend, and her 80 lbs of luggage - you probably won't do it but once.

2. Passing on hills makes your butt pucker unless you have a mile of clear road.

3. Yes, you can keep up with sport bikes, but it's a ton of work. You will be dog-ass tired and ready for bed while the other guys are still drinking beer.

4. Doesn't do emergency braking. Actually, it does, it's just that the front end dives so much you are always in danger of a stoppie.

I recently rode a Super Tenere and I was much impressed with that bike. Not light, but soooooooooo much better than the KLR everywhere except trails.

 

[Fred W]

Selecting an ADV type bike (or any bike actually) is all about compromises.

There is a lot of middle ground between a KLR650 and a Super Tenare.

Have fun shopping and test riding. It's one of the few times that guys actually enjoy going shopping!