Goodbye KTM hello KLR

[Norbert]

The 2012 VStrom 650 Adventure looks like a great deal....!

 

[The Hill Boys]

If I were you I would base my decision on how/what the bike will be used for. If you intend on commuting more then going off road, klr. If you plan on spending more time off road then on road, dr. If you want to take long trips to go off road, as in a long ride to get to the place where the pavement ends, klr. If it will be short rides to where the pavement ends, dr. From things ive read, and people ive talked too thats the case for them as well. Of course that's just my opinion but either of the bikes would be great choices, both being pretty much bulletproof as well.

Thanks. I think we are reading the same things. Prior to buying the FZ6's, I had gone down this same road. I had a VStrom 650. Super comfy on the road, really doesn't belong off road. I have always been more dirt oriented, and have a collection of off road only bikes to fill that need.

Last year, we did a ride east of town here that was primarily only dirt bikes. We did have one guy come on a newer KLR. While we all trucked our bikes/gear, etc out there, unloaded, etc, he road out there ready to go. He didn't have a lot of off road experience and struggled through some tough spots. All in all, I was very impressed.

My biggest thing is that I'm 48 years old and not getting any younger. A lot of the riding I do will be solo. I keep telling myself I want something that can handle more technical off road conditions, but then have to ask myself honestly, if I would tackle such obstacles by myself. The answer is obviously no.

Ok, you convinced me to refocus my search.

 

[ChevyFazer]

Thanks. I think we are reading the same things. Prior to buying the FZ6's, I had gone down this same road. I had a VStrom 650. Super comfy on the road, really doesn't belong off road. I have always been more dirt oriented, and have a collection of off road only bikes to fill that need.

Last year, we did a ride east of town here that was primarily only dirt bikes. We did have one guy come on a newer KLR. While we all trucked our bikes/gear, etc out there, unloaded, etc, he road out there ready to go. He didn't have a lot of off road experience and struggled through some tough spots. All in all, I was very impressed.

My biggest thing is that I'm 48 years old and not getting any younger. A lot of the riding I do will be solo. I keep telling myself I want something that can handle more technical off road conditions, but then have to ask myself honestly, if I would tackle such obstacles by myself. The answer is obviously no.

Ok, you convinced me to refocus my search.

Lol I had a v-strom before the fz6 too, but get this, the guy I traded with was handicap and i believe he said he was 47years old, and when I say handicapped his left leg above the ankle was amputated and he had a prosthetic, he was very open about it and I've know some people who are just the opposite. But he had a aftermarket shifter on the klr and used the heel of his prosthetic to shift, he wouldn't in an way let his disability or age hinder him from continuing to ride on and off road. He was looking for something better suited for off road and the ktm fit that bill perfectly. We had a couple conversations on the phone before I rode out to his house to do the swap and I made sure to tell him that the ktm was a left hand kick bike, no electric start, and even told him that it can be a brute to start, but he wasn't phased by that at all and through all the conversations we had he never once mentioned that he was handicapped, so when we met I was a little surprised that he was looking for a bike such as the ktm. I must have asked him numerous times if he was sure that he was ok with the deal seeing how it was his left leg and a left side kickstart bike. But he was 100% confident, walked over to the left of the bike, released the kick lever and started it with his right foot standing on the ground, adapt and overcome!!! He truly was a inspiring individual.

 

[The Hill Boys]

Lol I had a v-strom before the fz6 too, but get this, the guy I traded with was handicap and i believe he said he was 47years old, and when I say handicapped his left leg above the ankle was amputated and he had a prosthetic, he was very open about it and I've know some people who are just the opposite. But he had a aftermarket shifter on the klr and used the heel of his prosthetic to shift, he wouldn't in an way let his disability or age hinder him from continuing to ride on and off road. He was looking for something better suited for off road and the ktm fit that bill perfectly. We had a couple conversations on the phone before I rode out to his house to do the swap and I made sure to tell him that the ktm was a left hand kick bike, no electric start, and even told him that it can be a brute to start, but he wasn't phased by that at all and through all the conversations we had he never once mentioned that he was handicapped, so when we met I was a little surprised that he was looking for a bike such as the ktm. I must have asked him numerous times if he was sure that he was ok with the deal seeing how it was his left leg and a left side kickstart bike. But he was 100% confident, walked over to the left of the bike, released the kick lever and started it with his right foot standing on the ground, adapt and overcome!!! He truly was a inspiring individual.

That's awesome!

 

[ChevyFazer]

Now it's a KLR!!!!

And it's amazing what you can find when your not looking for anything

 

[The Hill Boys]

Now it's a KLR!!!!

And it's amazing what you can find when your not looking for anything

There you go! I went out for a little ride this afternoon and there is a local tag game where you are supposed to take a pic of your bike next to a barn. I found one (as close as we get here in the desert) but it involved going down a gravel road. Since I recently spent the better part of a day getting the FZ6 spit polished, there was no way in heck I was heading down that road. Hence, my need for a dual sport. Congrats and enjoy. Just keep it to yourself from now on!:rockon: