K11 Owners Group

Off the grid · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject: Doing some research on a Dualie

A bit away from an actual purchase, but am collecting data.

What would be the best, cheapest strongest 650 DS bike for a friggin big, Shrek sized bastid like me?

I prefer bulletproof, simple stuff on the lower end of the price range.

Would be about 60% road, 40% dirt. Want plenty of low-end grunt. I don't care much about road manners. I have the LT for that.

And something where parts and farkles are readily available.

Thoughts?
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
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2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

BlackHoof · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject:

Dave,

Kawasaki KLR, is the DS for you. Check out thumpers at ADV riders
site. Bullet proof, farkles galore, in production since dinosaur eggs.

My .02 worth. Cool

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Kent

'93 K1100LT- Blurple Colored
Lucky # 887
'27 Bugatti Replica/Kit Car-Dark Purple
'05 Suzuki Brugman/Russell Seat...

Off the grid · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:34 pm Post subject:

Yeah been over there almost every day, so much friggin data to read.

You can spend an entire day just reading threads.

I heard the KLR is heavy, slow, and more road-oriented than dirt oriented.

Also, been said that the rear subframe is weak and the bike is just a pig, has like 30hp. Crying or Very sad

I understand that I would have to do some suspension work on any bike I buy, but I guess I want the best "dirt" DS for my size.

Out of the DS650, KLR and XR650L.

Been leaning towards the XR, but some negatives to that bike too.
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Das Boot · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:24 pm Post subject:

Grid,

2o years ago I would have told you to get a R80GS. The bikes were rock solid, and you couldn't give them away, esp if you had the lobster red seat. Nowdays, they are totally beat and cannibalized and getting rediculous amounts of money for them. KTM 640 Duke, would be my choice Idea

Although in your case, I would lean towards a bigger twin Dual Sport. Seeing that your going to be putting money into in from the start in suspension, you might as well have the ponies to back it up.

I am glad that you didnt mention the BMW 650's. I have ridden them all and as much as I hate to say it, I think they run for do-do. And I am NOT a big guy and weigh 170lbs. A kid on a 250 Ninja, would hand it to you on the roads or on the dirt if you were on one of the Beemers. Laughing

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Dom

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:43 pm Post subject:

I've been toying with the idea fo getting a dual sport too. I'd recommend going out and test riding some. I'd go with the lightest bike that find fits your needs. A Susuki DR500 might even work if you're just planning to use it mostly for off-road use.

But I claim no expertise in the dual sport arean so I may be smoking crack.

But i do know that test riding is the best way to find what works for you.....
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
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IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
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Das Boot · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:02 pm Post subject:

I am with Duck as far as test riding! Esp if have never been on a big thumper before. The power band or lack there of, is very wierd if your not use to singles. IMHO they are very unrefined compared to their twin counterpart.
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Dom

Das Boot · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject:

Almost forgot,

I know I am dated; with ideas like an R80GS, White Power instead of WP, ( no wonder why I couldn't find those springs.) I thought of a good one a Honda Transalp, 650 twin, made for the states in 89 and 90 only, but still have a great reputation for on/off road use. A good friend of mine had one for many years and didnt do much of anything as far as maintenance and the bike ran like a top.
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Dom

John Clauss · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:32 am Post subject:

The KLR also has the infamous "Doohickey" problem which is still rearing up even on the new for 2008 reworked KLR. Have you looked at the FS800 GS? Looks like it could be the ticket.
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1997 K1100LT
1975 R75/6

It will bring you so close to nausea, it will make you sick! - Big Al

Carl · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:40 am Post subject: DS

OTG, my vote would be the DR650. I just picked one up last Sat, an 05' with 1300 miles on it. I already have a DR350 and a DRZ400S and this DR650 is the easiest and most versitle one to ride. Of course the 350 and the 400 are better off road, but the 650 does well off road and very well on road. And it is simple, air cooled with screw adjusted valves and a great reliability reputation.
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Carl

Off the grid · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:23 am Post subject:

Went to the Kawi dealer today just to pick up some stuff, they had an 08 KLR bone stock with a sticker price of 4350. Was listed as 1000 off the MSRP of 5,349.

This one.

I would have bought it on the spot, but I made a deal with the wife....only one bike till we buy a house.

Dammit.

I shouldn't go into dealers. Been thinking about that bike all day. Crying or Very sad

But I did get to ride today, so it's all good.

Specs:
Engine Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve single
Displacement 651cc
Bore x stroke 100mm x 83mm
Compression ratio 9.8:1
Carburetion Keihin CVK40
Transmission Five-speed
Final drive O-ring chain
Frame Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel
Rake 28 degrees
Front suspension 41mm telescopic fork, 7.9 inches of travel
Rear suspension UNI-TRAK single-shock system with five-way preload and stepless rebound damping, 7.3 inches of travel
Front tire 90/90-21
Rear tire 130/80-17
Front brake 280mm petal disc with hydraulic dual-piston caliper
Rear brake 240mm petal disc with hydraulic dual-piston caliper
Overall length 90.3 inches
Overall width 37.8 inches
Overall height 53.1 inches
Seat height 35 inches
Wheelbase 58.3 inches
Ground clearance 8.3 inches
Fuel capacity 6.1 gallons
Dry weight 386 pounds
MSRP $5,349
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

DetroitDan · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:14 pm Post subject:

I have an old DR650 - Kick only. I love it!

My normal ride to work (the back way) is 10 miles at 75mph, 7 miles of bad dirt roads, 19 miles of poor to fair secondary.

It's a blast! On the pavement @ 60 -- hit gravel shoulder, just to make some dust, then back on the asphalt.

The '90 has a BIG tank, and I usually get 51-55 mpg.

I put about 4k miles on it, and ride it most of the winter. But, I found out that ice is not nearly as much fun as I thought it would be. No falls, but some heavy-duty butterflies!

I bought it last summer with 1.8k miles (appears to be actual). Put an ebay rear shock, fork seals, and Metzler karoo(i think that's what it's called), and did performed maintenance.

In all, I have about $1,300 in it - Very cheap fun!

My 11-year old and I go geocaching on it, but wife prefers the K or R.

I added a tall windshield for the winter.

The kick start is a little rough with 15w-40 @ 25'F. It takes a few tries to keep in running at low temps.

Twice, I've got in over my head off-road. It's a handfull for a 50-year old guy, when it's full of gas and buried to the skid plate in swampy clay!

The stock gearing is a little high for slow trail riding.

Nice, tall, long bike! I'm a little over 6' and can look over the top of most cars.

Definitely a fun adventure ride!
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