My bride bought me a new bike today!!

[smitty141]

My wife thought I was having some kind of mental breakdown... I told here I was in need... she said I thought I took care of that need last night :dribble: .... I told her I was in need if a dual-sport gravel road type bike... She said a FJR, Yamaha WR 450 f is not enough... I said not really..... This is what she bought me.. Do I have a great bride or what!!! :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

It is a 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650....... Smitty

 

[dcarver]

You freaking DAWG you! Evidently, your signature line 'taking a look' works well. Congrats Smitty! Now that she's spent all the $$ you made slaving in Barabus' garage, you ready for more abuse? LOL. Looks like you need to sell me that old POS blue thing for cheap...

 

[twowheelnut]

Cool! But ya gotta ask yourself: Just how long was that oil light on in her car?!

:lol:

 

[Indian Scout]

It is a 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650....... Smitty

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Congrat on the new addition, and you better hang on to that better half. She's a rare one.

:clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

 

[Barabus]

Well, that will be fun. I have been thinking the same myself. Kudos to Mrs. Smitty.

 

[KSFJR]

Welcome to the club. These bikes are enjoyable in their own way. I use mine almost every day around town and the 60 mile one way trip to my farm which requires gravel roads once there. The upright riding position, wide handlebars, and light weight makes them easy to maneuver in traffic and they have enough acceleration to easily leave cars at stoplight. Additionally, you have a $5,000 vs a $13,000 bike sitting around the parking lot all day exposed to all kinds of abuse.

One thing about dual sports is you can go ride all of the gravel back roads and some limited off road riding. Some buddies of mine have done the Moab, UT thing on KLR's and they work fine with that 6 gal plus fuel tank.

Now you have to begin farkling all over again as they have an unvelievable variety of add-ons.

I guess now FJRocket, WheatonFJR, and the others will have to get one to keep "down" with the rest of us.

Now, how about a "Gravel Hooterville 400?"

 

[petey]

Welcome to the club.I guess now FJRocket, WheatonFJR, and the others will have to get one to keep "down" with the rest of us.

Now, how about a "Gravel Hooterville 400?"

Smitty, congrats on the new ride. :clapping:

Boy, if only my legs where two inches longer. :angry2: What is the seat height on those baby's, 34"-35"? Yeah, and even with a 2" lowering kit, it still would be out of my reach. :dribble:

 

[wheatonFJR]

Congratulations Smitty!! That sure is something! The fact that you can ride the wheels off that thing and not pose...that thing is definitely gonna be put through its paces soon I bet.

Your wife is definitely a keeper! We are all jealous of you with your wife's "sensibilities" towards motorcycling.

...I guess now FJRocket, WheatonFJR, and the others will have to get one to keep "down" with the rest of us...

Shoot...I can't afford farkles let alone another bike. The FJR is it for me - and I'm fine with that believe me.

Besides, you guys would just leave me in the dust - like usual.

 

[panayoti]

congratualtions. I have been thinking about a dual sport thumper myself. There is an interseting looking ride in AR , see info below:

Eureka Springs, Arkansas, 5th Annual Hillbilly Dual sport Tour, March 30-31 2007

Short ride Thursday afternoon, 60 miles maybe. Main rides are Friday and Saturday.

The ride this year will be similar to last year, but with some different roads and trails. Approx. 200-210

miles per day and any dual sport bike with knobs or at least 50-50

tires will be fine .

Location is the Travelers Inn 1 800 643 5566, same as last year. Rate is 42$ for a double room.

We will have the use of the meeting room again for breakfast and gatherings.

tell them you are part of the dual sport group (motorcycle scum) and we will be put in the building next to the meeting room.

I realize this is early, but people have been asking so I went

ahead and picked a date. Mark you calenders and come join me in Eureka,

David Hemphill

GPS ROUTES click to download----> Eureka Springs GPS Routes

found this on the ride oklahome site.

 

[okmac]

How about a bunch of us get together and buy Smitty's wife a plane ticket to come up here and teach our wives how to treat their husbands. :yahoo:

Mac

 

[dabayliner]

<_< Be careful..... If she talks to our wives she may take the bike back......

Also, What is she greasing the skids for??? Probably Vacation property, New car, New house..... The list is endless...

 

[twowheelnut]

Priorities...

As I was kissing the wife goodbye this AM, I spotted yet another new water fountain thingy :gah: - this makes three about the house - at which I groaned, "What, another lame water fountain thingy?"

My luverly's reply? "It helps with the Feng Shui. You know, just like in the garage with that new bike."

D'oh!

Lesson learned and filed. :guiltysmiley:

 

[FJRocket]

Welcome to the club.I guess now FJRocket, WheatonFJR, and the others will have to get one to keep "down" with the rest of us.

Now, how about a "Gravel Hooterville 400?"

Smitty, congrats on the new ride. :clapping:

Boy, if only my legs where two inches longer. :angry2: What is the seat height on those baby's, 34"-35"? Yeah, and even with a 2" lowering kit, it still would be out of my reach. :dribble:

Oh, I've had that urge for years. When I took my FJR to a Yammy/Kawi stealer to have tires changed, I climbed up on a KLR. It was pretty and sat real nice. Reminded me of the enduro days 30 years ago. Problem was the PEGS were a bit of a stretch, and the ground was no where in site. Yeah, I know you can lower them 2 inches, but that still doesn't get me all the way there. Hate to buy a 5 grand bike, then turn around and HAVE to throw a ton of suspension money at one. Perhaps I should just learn to jump off the thing at stop lights. Heck, they are dual sports.... when I stop, I can just fall over. Maybe I'll keep my eye on ThumperTalk and eBay and see if a used, lowered one comes up. ITMT, I'll stick with my slightly lowered "dual sport" WR250F (until I find a 450 replacement). Definitely not a cross country machine, but sure is fun in the dirt and for bopping around nearby.

Congrats Smitty! Sweet looking machine. I like the silver and black more than any other color scheme I've seen yet.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Cool! But ya gotta ask yourself: Just how long was that oil light on in her car?!
:lol:

heh...

"By the way honey, I ran into a car the other day..oh yes, and I accidently let the insurance lapse."

 

[FJRocket]

Ok, Smitty is a bad influence. I am jonesing (again) for a (lowered) KLR. The fever is back. Chester loves his. Smitty loves his new one. I looked at them a couple years ago. Still think they are too tall. But Bronce said the bars are clear of the fork tubes, so in a pinch you can raise the tubes in the triple clamps a BUNCH. There's a guy on eBay that sells everything from 1 to 3.5 inch lowering dogbones. 2 inch reduction sounds reasonable. Anyone done this without haveing the forks rebuilt, just raised? If the seat is at 35 inches, drop two, add sag, and I think I can almost get good footing. And since it really isn't a full blown dirt bike, I probably won't need a good foot down very often. I'm willing to try it.

I went out and went railing around on my road worthy WR250F yesterday. Put the "dual sport" stock wheels and tires on the bike. What a hoot. Felt like I was going like 100 out in the country. I was probably maxed out at 70 or so. And I was OH so tempted just to pull off the gravel roads and go hill climbing. Man, it was a blast. Of course the 250 feels like a toy. And all she's got isn't very much, but still a blast. I can only imagine what doing the same thing on a 650 would feel like.

So now the search begins again. Not many KLRs out there used right now. Didn't see any of them lowered. Lots of old stock, 2007 and 2006s out there. Waiting to hear from some stealerships. I know Smitty('s bride) got a fabulous deal. Trying to see if I can get the same somewhere closer than 526 miles.

This thread is a little stealthy based on the name, and I know I'm taking it off topic...sorta. Any you guys want to add some KLR input? Otherwise I may just start a new thread. Yeah, I'm already a member of ADVrider and ThumperTalk.

Oh, and I made the mistake of watching a show about the Baja 1K on Saturday night. That did NOT help any. In fact, I went down to the garage afterwards and started prepping the twofiddy for riding. WOOHOO!!!!

 

[KSFJR]

Ok, Smitty is a bad influence. I am jonesing (again) for a (lowered) KLR. The fever is back. Chester loves his. Smitty loves his new one. I looked at them a couple years ago. Still think they are too tall. But Bronce said the bars are clear of the fork tubes, so in a pinch you can raise the tubes in the triple clamps a BUNCH. There's a guy on eBay that sells everything from 1 to 3.5 inch lowering dogbones. 2 inch reduction sounds reasonable. Anyone done this without haveing the forks rebuilt, just raised? If the seat is at 35 inches, drop two, add sag, and I think I can almost get good footing. And since it really isn't a full blown dirt bike, I probably won't need a good foot down very often. I'm willing to try it.

I used to ride with a bunch of dual sport guys in the Flint Hills of Kansas and one of the gals was about your height and she had hers lowered and had zero problems.

I also have a KTM LC4 dual sport and they are taller yet. One of the guys was about 5' 7" or so and rode a KTM LC4 He would run along and jump on getting started and would jump off when he would stop. He wasn't about to lower that bike and I have to respect his tenacity.

I have a Corbin flat seat for my KLR which accentuates the height but is very comfortable. I just sent it to Smitty to see how he likes it. They have a "dished" seat which is a littly lower that factory from what I understand.

Chester

 

[FJRay]

Lowering the KLR takes a matter of minutes and less than 100$ for the links. I have a 30 inch inseam and have no trouble with mine although I have a fair amount of mass to help out. I lowered it for awhile but found I liked the way it handles better at the stock setting. I think the lowering links arew still around here and they could be had cheap. I was going to sell the bike but it is just too much fun so I will keep it for awhile.

 

[FJRocket]

Lowering the KLR takes a matter of minutes and less than 100$ for the links. I have a 30 inch inseam and have no trouble with mine although I have a fair amount of mass to help out. I lowered it for awhile but found I liked the way it handles better at the stock setting. I think the lowering links arew still around here and they could be had cheap. I was going to sell the bike but it is just too much fun so I will keep it for awhile.

A guy in Indiana sells various KLR (and other) "links" for $30 shipped through eBay.

Still emailing between dealers trying to find a deal as sweet as Smitty('s Bride). I'm within 250 dollars and 300 miles closer. Also, evidently Kawasaki has their own "YES" which is the "Good Times" extended warranty. They want about 8 bills for it retail for 48 months and I see a couple dealers selling it for $350. Working to get that down, too.

A lot of dealers are closed today, so maybe I'll hear from some more tomorrow. I emailed 10 within about 200 miles. We'll see what happens.

Anyone else want to share KLR stories? I'm all ears. Regrettably not all legs.... :glare: