[chillout]

Bought a 2014 KLR 650 new edition and rode it 45 miles today without dropping it, yea!! Last time I rode a bike was 1981 and have been riding ATV's. Polaris ATV trained me that the left lever is the brake and was an
"o crap" moment the first time I grabbed the left lever and there was no brakes. I do feel like a little kid getting on because I have to stand on the foot peg to get my leg over the seat. Sunny day, 65 degrees, great way to start riding again.

 

[SkiBumBrian]

Welcome to the forums! I miss going to the Texas Motorplex for the drag races when I lived in Dallas. Have fun out there, lots of really good guys on here. Helpful too. After you earn the right to post pics lets see that new beauty..... Don't forget to participate in our Bike of the Month thread too, you could be on the next calendar!

 

[klr4evr]

Welcome to our little corner of the Net, the home of the world's most dedicated KLR 650 owners.

Reading is fun, but being involved is way better! Make us your online KLR 650 source.

Share your views, spread the word and bring your friends.

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your KLR. You'll be able to show it off once you have 15 forum posts behind you.

Enjoy.

PS - If you haven't done so already please fill in your Location in the User CP under Edit Your Details.

.

 

[Michael67]

Did you get a chance to sit on a basic 2014? How different is the new seat design on the New Edition?

 

[planalp]

Good deal! Welcome to the forum and enjoy that new ride!

Unsolicited advice: give yourself some time to unlearn your ATV ways and get your muscle memory programmed for the brakes.

Go find a place where there's no traffic and it's safe and practice full-braking force in a straight line at increasing speeds until you work up to highway speeds. Get a feel for the lever, pedal and front suspension until you're able to come to a dead stop as fast as you possibly can at any speed so you'll know what the brakes are and aren't capable of.

 

[masterlink]

Welcome, I completely agree with what Planalp said. Then,also, practice SLOW speed circles and figure eights!
Enjoy!

 

[chillout]

Did you get a chance to sit on a basic 2014? How different is the new seat design on the New Edition?

Michael,

Sorry I have nothing to compare. The last dirt bike I owned was in 1981.
I got the '14 New Edition because of the suspension upgrade and I liked the black/grey. I can tell you after riding it for about 4 hours, this bike will never carry me to Alaska and back to Texas.

Jim

 

[chillout]

Guys, I took your advice and rode to a lakeside development to practice slow tight turns. Most streets are cul de sacs and marked as "NO OUTLET" and while turning around on a gravel road one of the home-owners came running into the street screaming at me, "can't you read?" I stopped not knowing what he was talking about and asked him what was wrong, he told me the entry to his street (public) was marked "NO OUTLET'' and I shouldn't drive down it. Since I was wearing a full face helmet, and protected, I told him to go make love to himself. I had forgotten how some people don't like motorcycles, and we are not welcome on their roads. Two houses down a neighbor was working in his yard and was laughing at him and waved at me as I went by. Nice sunny day for a ride around the lake.

 

[masterlink]

Curious, why not take bike to Alaska? Having ridden to Alaska and all over the NWT of Canada, it's the bike I wish I had been on up there.
Thanks!

 

[Savage]

WELCOME! None of us want to hear about your 65 degree weather though. LOL j/k

 

[SkiBumBrian]

65? Try 75 or 83 last week....

 

[chillout]

I know, isn't this weather crazy? Yesterday morning it was 18 degrees, and tomorrow it is predicted to be in the mid 70's. 2 weeks ago I was dragging off broken tree branches from my front yard due to the ice damage.