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Am I NUTS or what?

5K views 19 replies 17 participants last post by  Heretic 
#1 ·
Total newbie! Did the MSF basic course, learned alot and had a blast. Well worth the time & money. Now I am looking at the klr650 & klx250s. They both fit well, I'm 5'11" & 170. Interested in back highways & forest service type roads, no technical or serious off road. I live in a rural area. Am I delusional or is the klr a bit much to start with? Or would the klx250s be better for a year & lots of miles to get the experience, then move up? Really like the feel of the klr & klx. Oh yea, I'm a 65 y.o. retired professional pilot who isn't ready to be done with adventure/fun.
 
#2 ·
Personally, and this is just me, I would go for the KLX if I was you :). They're both fantastic bikes but if your just starting out in dual sporting the KLX will be a much more user friendly bike. The KLR is kind of a top heavy beasty until you get used to it. I'd ride the KLX for a year and then if you want to go to the KLR you could probably sell the KLX for close to what you paid for it. Or, you might really enjoy the KLX and stick with it. A friend has one and he absolutely loves it, great bikes!

Oh, and welcome to the forums! :)
 
#3 ·
+ 1!

I have a KLR250 (predecessor to the KLX250S, in a way) and now also a KLR650; obtained in that order.

An undeniable fact; a 250 is EASIER to pick up than a 650! (Even backing up to it and doing the "dead lift" routine, the "baby steps," and so on.)

While the 650's the choice, when tooling down the pavement, I'd have to say the 250's the more versatile.

Yet, you can't go WRONG with either.

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

Then again, if I were shopping for a 250, I'd have to take a look at the Yamaha WR250R, today; fuel injection, advanced suspension over the KL's . . . YMMV!
 
#4 ·
Welcome, I would tend to agree with 650Stew. I am 66 and about your size. I took the course three years ago and bought a used KLR. I had ridden smaller dirtbikes moving cattle through sandhills and sagebrush but it had been a long time. I went with the 650 for more highway riding, but it is a bit heavy and a little spooky on gravel for my skill level. Good luck and be safe
 
#5 ·
I would agree with the aboves. I've got about 100 pounds on you, but I've ridden 250 dual sports (never owned one) in the past and for 90% of the riding I do, I wish I had one, although I would keep the KLR for riding to work. There are a lot of spots around here where a 250 would be just the ticket, especially when riding alone: much easier to manage if you dump on a hill, get stuck in the mud, etc. I'm always looking and if I ever find a good deal on a 250, I'll most likely try to pick one up. Plus, might get me a riding partner because I have a few friends who can ride but don't own motorcycles anymore.
 
#6 ·
ShadetreeAZ, as far as your sanity goes, this is your first post... we need more to go on! I can echo all of the above except that I have 30 lbs and 4" on you. I currently ride a 650 but am keeping my eyes open for a lighter 250 - 400cc just to screw around on. The 650 is perfect for road and most trail riding, but unless you really need the load hauling capacity, a 250 would be a blast and really whet your appetite for more. Who says you can only have one bike in the stable anyway?!! Keep your adventure dreams alive and be safe.
 
#7 ·
Not sure I agree with the more conservative point of view here..as pilots we tend to. Take care of ourselves a bit above the average. Sooooo do not tell me how old you are.rather, tell me the shape you are in. If my suspicions are correct I would strongly suggest the KLR,BUT KEEP THE FACTORY TYRES on it for 30 hrs. Of riding. Read like pilots do and your experiences will be blessed.
 
#8 ·
my first motorcylce was my klr. however im 6'3 160ish 24 yrs old. ive never ridden the 250 but i think either way you go it will be good. it just depends on what style of riding your doing. the klr does fine on gravel/dirt roads just have to get used to it. if your doing some serious offroad i would go with the 250. just for picking it up reasonability the klr is a bit much on an incline when its on its side. either way i wish you luck and look forward to some pics. btw the first motorcycle i ever rode was a 42 flathead suicide shift...interesting first ride :)
 
#9 ·
Experience counts! That's exactly why I asked you guys. In aviation we learn much from the stuff others did that cost them much (often lives), I'm thinking motorcycles are no different. I really appreciate the guidance and wisdom from your collective experience. Just trying to do it right and not become a statistic for the naysayer's. I'll post on the move when it happens. Thanks.
 
#10 ·
250 until u learn to ride dirt. i m your size and i can abuse my klr off road now, but it took me several years to get there. wish i spent some time on a 250-450 dirt bike first. my next bike will be yam wrf450
 
#11 ·
i have owned a 2009 klx250s and now own a 2011 klr650 (8th bike). The klx250s was a very fun bike and would be really great to learn on. It was light, handled great, quick enough to keep up with traffic, and got great mpgs (average 75mpgs over 2500 miles). However, if you are going to do any highway riding, keep in mind the klx will do 90 mph on a flat road with no wind, but you will be scared out of your mind 65 plus. the front tire wobbles like crazy at those speeds, so basically you need to consider the klx a 65 or slower bike, the klr will do 75 before noticeable wobble and even faster if you change the front fender (think sail). Also the klx has no wind protection and the range is only about 100-120 miles before fill up. Off road the STOCK klx is no better than the klr except when you lose control it is easier to recover, but with a better set of tires the klx will be much better. On road both are very flickable and both can dive deep into turns but the klr will be much better for 40-60 mph roads with lots of hills as the klx can run out of power going up high speed hills. the klr is way better in terms of comfort, you name it, the klr is better (seat, wind protection, legroom, vibration, etc). I have averaged 55 mpgs on the klr in 2400 miles, if mpgs matter to you.
 
#12 ·
I'd say the answer really comes down to how much time you anticipate spending at 65MPH and above, and how much fuel range you are looking for (KLX only has a 2 gallon tank.) KLX has a much nicer suspension, and should be much cheaper on consumables like fuel and tires.
 
#13 ·
I'm also enjoying my retirement on motorcycles. I've been riding bikes for 46 years and have been on most types and sizes. In 2008 I bought a new KLR 650 and rode it happily for 2 years and then made a mistake of trying a friends KLX250s. That little bike is just plain fun. It is real easy to handle and will go anywhere. With a few mild suspension and carb mods this little bike will exceed most riders abilities by a long shot.
 
#14 ·
I agree with the consensus for the most part.

Though for your needs: "Interested in back highways & forest service type roads, no technical or serious off road," the KLR is a good match.

Really I think it is a matter of if you feel comfortable with the weight/height. You can get a lowering link too....that could help.
 
#15 · (Edited)
UPDATE: I have gone NUTS! Took delivery of the KLX250s on March 8 and currently have 855 miles under my rump. Roughly 60% has been off pavement on F.S. roads or jeep trails. I live 1 mile from a two lane hwy (az89a) that twists and turns to the crest before descending on the other side. Several side F.S. roads to travel from desert to pines. Got what I think is pretty good protective gear although I don't have protect pants yet. Having a blast! I can't think of anything you can do by yourself or with someone else that is more fun, well maybe a couple of things. A KLR may happen in a year or so, cause the distant destinations beckon.
 
#18 ·
I grew up in the 70-80's. My first bike was a new 1979 Suzuki KE 185. I'm 48 now. I bought a 2012 KLR, and my only gripe is the height of the seat, but I bought a Corbin seat that dropped the height. I spent 40 miles on it today, off and on following my wife on her marathon trail. Yes It's a reach to get on and off for at least 20 times today, but I would prefer the power of the 650 to the alternative. Also consider depreciation, trading in your old bike, etc. I'd go with the bigger bike.
 
#19 ·
650 for me...

I'm a dirt noob, too, age 57 with a 28 inch inseam. Best I could do on my klr before lowering it was dangle wistfully above the floor. Two-inch lowering brackets and a Corbin seat got me down on the balls of my feet and made me very happy.

I agree that the klr is a tad top heavy, yet I'd have to say that it's all kinda relative. I started riding again (after almost 40 years) a couple of years back on a big touring bike (the mother of all misatkes) so I thought I might be able to bench press the klr the first time I straddled it. My son claimed the Rite of First Drop, tipping it over in the driveway. I was astounded that with a twist of the handlebars and a couple of deep grunts I could stand it right up.

I honestly haven't tried the Kawasaki 250, but have spent a little time on three other 250s, one dirt and two street. I gotta say that there just wasn't enough oompff to haul my ample backside up the Tennessee hills on any of them unless I dropped into lower gears than I wanted. The 650 might have been a tad more than I needed, but for the hills, riding to and from work, and a some fairly easy offroad ventures it just seemed the best way to go. I absolutely love it and am glad I made that choice.
 
#20 ·
The KLR650 was and still is my first and only bike. I'm about the same height and weight as you. But unlike you, I was not able to take the MSF course (due to my remote location), and had to learn and pass the test on my own. I learned on the KLR... so it can be done.
 
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