[Redpill]

Hello everyone. I have joined this forum to hopefully gain some knowledge about KLR's, to help push me over the fence on purchasing one. A little bit about me.......I'm a big guy at 6'6 300lbs. (I have lost 30lbs and hopefully will loose about 30lbs more). I currently ride a 1987 XR600R that I have titled for street. I love the bike, and wanted one for many years. I have found that any kind of extended riding is not fun at all. The small tank limits my excursions off road to about 80 miles. Riding it on the interstate is awful. It has plenty of power, but the wind and seat just doesn't cut it.

I'm approaching 40 years old faster than I want too, but I faced reality and I know its gonna happen. Kick starting the 600 isn't to bad the first 10 times you do it in a day, but the next 10 kills your knees. I want a bike that is electric start, has extended range(fuel wise), and is comfortable on 3 hour road trips, and 6 hour off road trips. I have been looking at the XL650R, DS 650, and the KLR. I have basically crossed the Honda off the list because of the tank size.(I do like the seat height.) I've never had experience with Suzuki so the DS is falling off the radar also. I have had three Kawasaki's in my life. One KLT 200, Brute force 650, and a dirt bike. Some of my equipment at work have Kawasaki engines. I feel comfortable with the Quality of Kawasaki. That being said I have never had a bit of trouble out of the Honda's I have owned.

I just wanted to introduce myself, and welcome any and all comments related to reassuring my thoughts about purchasing a 2012 KLR.

Thanks,
REDPILL

 

[RLF]

Welcome! I think all of the major brands are build good so it just comes down to what you want and what they offer.
I have had 5 Honda (4 street and 1 XL250) Loved them! My 2011 KLR is my second Kawasaki and for the what it does you can't beat it. I'm 52 and plan to ride it for many years to come.
Again Welcome and enjoy!

 

[rico2072]

Bienvenido.
I wouldn't worry about the gas tank so much, you can always get an aftermarket one.

 

[CraigES]

My previous bike was a 1983 XL600R. I loved the bike, but it damm near broke my leg while trying to start it a few years ago. That's when I started looking for something different and settled on the KLR. It's simple, the KLR is more road worthy than the XL and the XL is/was better in the dirt than the KLR. I haven't taken my KLR on any long distance adventure trips, but a do use it for a short commute and cruising forest roads. Great bike for what I use it for. For you comparison, I'm 50 years, 6' 2", 235lb.

 

[Redpill]

Wow great comparison CraigES! I really appreciate you telling me that. Like you, I love my XR, but the kick starting gets old after a while!

Thanks to everyone for the welcomes, and I hope to have a KLR in the next month or two.

REDPILL