I may defect for a KLR 650

Yeah, great. Have you read about the problems with their ABS?

[rewindgy]

If anyone has riden a Beemer in the ugly back roads they will yearn for a KLR in about 2 seconds! Even with the tank full which makes the KLR fairly top heavy it is No comparison to the Beemer!! I have lots of buddies with KLR's and quite a few with the Beemer's - and on the Highway and packed Dirt roads there is no way a KLR keeps up - put them on a Gravel road or Trunk Road and it's bye bye Beemer!! We were on a path called the "Powder Face Trail" in the Rocky Mountains ( which is 45 minutes away from Calgary) and both of the Beemer guys were plain and simple bagged by the time we had gone 60 km. One had just gotten rid of his Killer and was not so happy with his GS1200 choice! He now has a 650 Beemer - told him he should have waited for the 800!! But still he is happy with it! All except you can pick up a new 650 Killer for $6200 Cdn and he paid $10000 for his Beemer. I'm not convinced you get $3800 more fun on the Beemer?? IMHO

From what I've heard the 800 BMW isn't worth beans in the rough either, and way overpriced.

[ponch]

I go on gravel roads with my Nomad...

Originally Posted by rewindgy

If anyone has riden a Beemer in the ugly back roads they will yearn for a KLR in about 2 seconds! Even with the tank full which makes the KLR fairly top heavy it is No comparison to the Beemer!! I have lots of buddies with KLR's and quite a few with the Beemer's - and on the Highway and packed Dirt roads there is no way a KLR keeps up - put them on a Gravel road or Trunk Road and it's bye bye Beemer!! We were on a path called the "Powder Face Trail" in the Rocky Mountains ( which is 45 minutes away from Calgary) and both of the Beemer guys were plain and simple bagged by the time we had gone 60 km. One had just gotten rid of his Killer and was not so happy with his GS1200 choice! He now has a 650 Beemer - told him he should have waited for the 800!! But still he is happy with it! All except you can pick up a new 650 Killer for $6200 Cdn and he paid $10000 for his Beemer. I'm not convinced you get $3800 more fun on the Beemer?? IMHO

[ponch]

no I haven't

Originally Posted by caddmannq

Yeah, great. Have you read about the problems with their ABS?

Originally Posted by caddmannq

Yeah, great. Have you read about the problems with their ABS?

Originally Posted by ponch

no I haven't

Evidently the system detects any loss of rear traction during braking and drops the brake pressure for a second so you don't...well...don't whatever. I can't imagine why it works that way. Folks have reported that when braking on dry asphalt, if your rear tire goes over a small but sudden drop in the pavement (like an uneven pavement joint or a tiny pothole) it drops the braking suddenly and completely for a second.

This has come at a surprise to at least one guy I know from Motorcycle USA, when he was entering a gas station at moderate speed, went over a tiny drop in th concrete, and his brakes took a vacation long enough to double his predicted stopping distance and almost send him into a car parked at the pumps.

What's your take on linked brakes... I loved it on my old Guzzi, although I developed a bad habit of over using the rear brake...

My opinion is that it would be a convenience I could get used too, but eventually you can get too lazy to go for the front brake. One day when you really need to, you won't get to it in time because you've developed a habit of not using the lever, and *boom*. Yer Down.

My thoughts exactly...

[beezer]

Not to start any trouble or anything but I think Harleys are way overpriced for what you get

Originally Posted by beezer

Not to start any trouble or anything but I think Harleys are way overpriced for what you get

You sure? ;)


M.S.R.P. * $28,495.00



MSRP standard / two-tone: $12,999 / $13,199

[buck]

Originally Posted by 4E

Barb and I bought a couple DL650's (V-Stroms) last year and we've been exploring dirt roads all over the SW....you can see some pics at the "Rides" album in the Photobucket link: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ree/Escalante/


We love the WeeStroms...

Jack 4E..great pics..some of he best I've seen. Where are the pics from...souhern Utah? I'm becoming convinced that a dual sport is definately in my fuure. As a camper/backpacker, the asphalt doesn' provide the experience I'm looking for. Buck

[buck]

Originally Posted by Aj

G'day Buck, saw the "Defect for KLR650" and lept into the post hoping everyone was begging you not to Jump!! then noticed your keeping the Nomad. pheeewww! Any bike you get joy from is fine, a 125 trail on the freeway is downright dangerous, same as a Nomad on a gravel trail going up a hill side. Horses for courses I say. :)

G'day mate to you as well. I'm contemplaing a ride in Australia or the south island of New Zealand and thought the KLR 650 might be a good choice. I've backpacked New Zealand and thought a combinaiton of dual sport and camping could be a good trip . You are correct....the joy is in riding. Buckl

[ponch]

The only bike I have ridden with linked brakes was a victory vision. I found them soft, vague and weak.

Originally Posted by machodc

What's your take on linked brakes... I loved it on my old Guzzi, although I developed a bad habit of over using the rear brake...

[ponch]

I wonder if they fixed it. That sucks.

Originally Posted by caddmannq

Evidently the system detects any loss of rear traction during braking and drops the brake pressure for a second so you don't...well...don't whatever. I can't imagine why it works that way. Folks have reported that when braking on dry asphalt, if your rear tire goes over a small but sudden drop in the pavement (like an uneven pavement joint or a tiny pothole) it drops the braking suddenly and completely for a second.

This has come at a surprise to at least one guy I know from Motorcycle USA, when he was entering a gas station at moderate speed, went over a tiny drop in th concrete, and his brakes took a vacation long enough to double his predicted stopping distance and almost send him into a car parked at the pumps.