KLR 650...

[ashman]

They are nice bikes,



They make around 70 HP at the crank and weight around 460lbs.  It shouldn't be to much as long as you know that there is going to be a learning curve with a bike that weighs more and has almost double the power.

Dude, I just test drove a Bandit 600S yesterday that I'm trying to buy, it was like a refined version of the GS. Very fun, nice power band, good suspension, and not bad looking.

-Ash

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[5

[debtman7]

The bandit might be a bit much bike at this point too though, similar power to the SV... Right now I'm leaning towards something cheap I can ride for a year and sell, then go for V-Strom, SV, Ninja 650, something like that.

Not sure about this one: http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/340680001.html

Could make a decent project. Cheap. I could fix it up and probably make money on it in a year. Depends on how much needs done though, the guy says he's pretty sure it needs ignition coils. Also missing the windscreen, a turn signal is broken off and he says the plastic is pretty messed up, looks like it was laid over, and it would need new tires. Not sure if it's worth that much work for $800.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[4

[linuxman2003]

your 6 foot and the KLR is a no go?  aw comeon  I'm 5' 7" 125lbs  and I rode the last man standing course on the red river in texas with no problems! granted I've been on dirtbikes since i was 8... anyways - the KLR is great for street riding - VERY manuverable in emergency situations, I've gone through a few ditches at 50+ mph with few problems thanks to stupid drivers before... The acceleration of the new KLR (08+) is a lot better than the older model, Mine was a 2000 and had right about 40hp, not sure about the tourque. (loads of low end thats for sure). If you are going to be doing more street riding than anything, I would suggest the V-strom or the SV as suggested.... personally I like the strom more because its got the big windshield.

[debtman7]

Yeah, I didn't expect to have any problems on the KLR, odd... Probably managable, but taller than I'm comfortable with at this point...

Found a dealer about 1.5 hours away that's clearing out ninja 650r's for $5,599... Tempting...

Still not sure about that much bike with 2 weeks of riding experience though.

[Egaeus]

To be honest, my impression is that at this point in your riding career, you really want something that you can put miles on, not a project bike. IMHO, the most important thing is to ride, as much as you can. You're still becoming a motorcyclist, and if you end up trading a solid, running bike for something that needs work in the garage, a lot of the season may just disappear, other interests come up... it might not even happen.

I think that's exactly the case with a LOT of bikes you see for sale, the current owner figured fixing one up would be deal, ended up working on it instead of riding, or maybe even just planning instead of working on it...  over time it got sidelined as he was distracted by events or other interests, and before you know it he's selling the bike with no real plans for another. Another ex-rider... another guy, among thousands, who just looks sort of wistfully at you in the parking lots, or from his cage as you ride by. The object of the game is not to become one of those.

Can't be emphasized enough.  I haven't kept track, but I'm willing to conservatively estimate that I've spent about 20 times more time fixing than riding.  Don't get a project bike unless you have another to ride.