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Old 10-22-2012, 04:11 PM   #1
T-FAST
 
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Member from the Deep South
Hi! Name is Trevor. I am from Harlingen TX. Gonna be a newbie rider. I am currently looking to buy a KLR 650 for my first bike. I have had my motorcycle license for the past 3 years and have taken a basic MSF class. Looking forward to getting on the saddle. Thanks

**Found this KLR, what do you guys think? Good deal, I'd personally feel comfortable at $1900? I'm gonna check it out this weekend. Anything I should look out for? http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/mcy/3330425330.html
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Old 10-22-2012, 08:04 PM   #2
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Welcome to the site!

Ask if the "doo hickey" has been done. That is a VERY common and important mod done to most KLRs.

Ask if the valves have been inspected/adjusted. That should have been done around the 8K mile mark. If it was, what results? Any adjustments made?

Visually inspect brake pads. They should be 1/16" or thicker. Thin ones will need replacing soon.

Visually inspect brake hoses. Does the rubber have cracks in it? Any sign of leakage? Replacing hoses (with stainless lines) is not a big deal.

Visually inspect radiator on left side. It is VERY common for them to get banged up in a drop. Many bent fins can affect cooling.

Look for cracks in sidewall of tire. Those tires look old and may have some dry rot. A new set can set you back $200-300 even if you install them yourself, more if you have a shop do it for you.

Ask that the engine be cold when you arrive to see it. Cold = ambient temperature and not recently running. When it is started, note how well it starts/cranks. Slow crank may mean weak battery. Long cranking or having to try multiple times may indicate carb trouble. Once engine warms, turn off choke and listen to idle. Is it consistent or does it stumble? Blip the throttle a few times. Does it rev freely or does it hesitate and stumble. Stumbling may indicate carb issues (jetting/clogging). Ask if there has been any changes made to the stock jetting in the carb, air filter and airbox. If it runs fine, changes are not a problem, you just want to know what has been done to it.

All that mismatched bodywork makes me think the bike has been down pretty good a few times. Look to see if handle bars look straight and perpendicular to front wheel. Have the owner hold the bike straight up, then look at it from the rear. Does the rear look cocked or twisted at all? If so, it is likely the sub frame is bent. This is common from the bike getting dropped.

Visually inspect the chain and sprockets. Tap the side plates of the chain. If you hear a lot of rattling, then the O-rings are likely shot and the chain will need replacing. Sprocket teeth should not be bent one way, as if the tip were bent over by the chain pulling on them. Also, ask if it is stock gearing (15 tooth front, 45 tooth rear). 14 front is common for more serious dual sport riding. 16 is common for people that like to commute.

Getting an old KLR can be a good bargain. It can also not be so good depending on condition and what needs to be done to it to get it up to speed (time and more money). Many times, you will be better off buying a slightly more expensive but newer bike and not having to worry about so many of the age related maintenance issues. There have been some seriously smoking deals on KLRs lately.
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Lies are fragile. They require constant attentiveness to keep them alive. The exposure of a single truth can rip through an ocean of lies, evaporating it instantly. - Brandon Smith

If you want government to intervene domestically, you’re a liberal. If you want government to intervene overseas, you’re a conservative. If you want government to intervene everywhere, you’re a moderate. If you don’t want government to intervene anywhere, you’re an extremist. — Joe Sobran

It is no crime to be ignorant of economics, which is, after all, a specialized discipline and one that most people consider to be a ‘dismal science.' But it is totally irresponsible to have a loud and vociferous opinion on economic subjects while remaining in this state of ignorance. – Murray N. Rothbard

When one possessed of the Truth suffers from a heavy heart he is susceptible to a more dangerous affliction — the craving for power to eradicate error, to cause Truth to triumph by force. - Frank Chodorov

Where politicians flourish, long history has harshly taught us, people and their liberty wither. Where the state is god and the "public interest" worshipped, individual man will be found bleeding upon the altar. - Karl Hess

The accepted wisdom is that without the state, society would collapse into lawlessness and crime. In fact, lawlessness and crime define the very nature of the state and the society organized by it. - Bionic Mosquito

But the myth of the rule of law does more than render the people submissive to state authority; it also turns them into the state's accomplices in the exercise of its power. For people who would ordinarily consider it a great evil to deprive individuals of their rights or oppress politically powerless minority groups will respond with patriotic fervor when these same actions are described as upholding the rule of law. - John Hasnas
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Old 10-22-2012, 08:13 PM   #3
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Re: Member from the Deep South
Thanks for all the info! What would you pay? I'm trying to stay on the cheaper side as I am gonna have to spend money on the suspension cause of my weight..
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Old 10-22-2012, 08:20 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by T-FAST View Post
Thanks for all the info! What would you pay? I'm trying to stay on the cheaper side as I am gonna have to spend money on the suspension cause of my weight..
Hard to say without seeing it in person. There are so many good bikes out there in excellent condition with low miles that my preference is to pay a bit more for one of them rather than get a cheap one in so so condition. That said, suspension upgrades on the KLR are not expensive. Just swapping out front/rear springs and using a slightly heavier fork oil can make a big difference and only costs a few hundred bucks if you do it yourself. It is not hard. Although, when I swapped my rear spring, the local shop did it for me at no charge. I had no way to compress everything to get the old spring off the shock. It took them all of five minutes.
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Total Forum Supporter Donations For May: $733.91 - Previous Month: $1119.01 - Record High: Feb 09 $1360.84

The number one rule for this forum!
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Eph 4:29 (NIV)
Think before you post. Leave out the vulgarity, personal attacks and foul language!

Quote:
Lies are fragile. They require constant attentiveness to keep them alive. The exposure of a single truth can rip through an ocean of lies, evaporating it instantly. - Brandon Smith

If you want government to intervene domestically, you’re a liberal. If you want government to intervene overseas, you’re a conservative. If you want government to intervene everywhere, you’re a moderate. If you don’t want government to intervene anywhere, you’re an extremist. — Joe Sobran

It is no crime to be ignorant of economics, which is, after all, a specialized discipline and one that most people consider to be a ‘dismal science.' But it is totally irresponsible to have a loud and vociferous opinion on economic subjects while remaining in this state of ignorance. – Murray N. Rothbard

When one possessed of the Truth suffers from a heavy heart he is susceptible to a more dangerous affliction — the craving for power to eradicate error, to cause Truth to triumph by force. - Frank Chodorov

Where politicians flourish, long history has harshly taught us, people and their liberty wither. Where the state is god and the "public interest" worshipped, individual man will be found bleeding upon the altar. - Karl Hess

The accepted wisdom is that without the state, society would collapse into lawlessness and crime. In fact, lawlessness and crime define the very nature of the state and the society organized by it. - Bionic Mosquito

But the myth of the rule of law does more than render the people submissive to state authority; it also turns them into the state's accomplices in the exercise of its power. For people who would ordinarily consider it a great evil to deprive individuals of their rights or oppress politically powerless minority groups will respond with patriotic fervor when these same actions are described as upholding the rule of law. - John Hasnas
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Old 10-22-2012, 08:47 PM   #5
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Re: Member from the Deep South
I am an Auto technician, future engineer, so working on stuff is not a problem for me. I am just looking for a good deal, on a decent bike that I can beat on and learn on without the fear of anything happening to it.
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Old 10-22-2012, 10:41 PM   #6
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Re: Member from the Deep South
KLR fits your needs. Do some online comparison shopping to figure out a decent price. Consider Scott's points and go for it.
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Old 10-22-2012, 10:45 PM   #7
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Thank ya! Yep Scotts post will not go in vain
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Old 10-22-2012, 10:56 PM   #8
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What resources do I have to find a bike for sale in Texas besides Craigslist and the forum?
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Old 10-23-2012, 10:02 AM   #9
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cycletrader.com
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Old 10-23-2012, 10:28 AM   #10
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Re: Member from the Deep South
For what it is worth.... I recently paid about $4200 for a 2007 KLR650 with just 300 miles from a dealer. Twice as much as the one you are looking at but not that more if it needs work.
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Old 10-23-2012, 12:34 PM   #11
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Re: Member from the Deep South
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What resources do I have to find a bike for sale in Texas besides Craigslist and the forum?
www.klr650.net
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Total Forum Supporter Donations For May: $733.91 - Previous Month: $1119.01 - Record High: Feb 09 $1360.84

The number one rule for this forum!
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Eph 4:29 (NIV)
Think before you post. Leave out the vulgarity, personal attacks and foul language!

Quote:
Lies are fragile. They require constant attentiveness to keep them alive. The exposure of a single truth can rip through an ocean of lies, evaporating it instantly. - Brandon Smith

If you want government to intervene domestically, you’re a liberal. If you want government to intervene overseas, you’re a conservative. If you want government to intervene everywhere, you’re a moderate. If you don’t want government to intervene anywhere, you’re an extremist. — Joe Sobran

It is no crime to be ignorant of economics, which is, after all, a specialized discipline and one that most people consider to be a ‘dismal science.' But it is totally irresponsible to have a loud and vociferous opinion on economic subjects while remaining in this state of ignorance. – Murray N. Rothbard

When one possessed of the Truth suffers from a heavy heart he is susceptible to a more dangerous affliction — the craving for power to eradicate error, to cause Truth to triumph by force. - Frank Chodorov

Where politicians flourish, long history has harshly taught us, people and their liberty wither. Where the state is god and the "public interest" worshipped, individual man will be found bleeding upon the altar. - Karl Hess

The accepted wisdom is that without the state, society would collapse into lawlessness and crime. In fact, lawlessness and crime define the very nature of the state and the society organized by it. - Bionic Mosquito

But the myth of the rule of law does more than render the people submissive to state authority; it also turns them into the state's accomplices in the exercise of its power. For people who would ordinarily consider it a great evil to deprive individuals of their rights or oppress politically powerless minority groups will respond with patriotic fervor when these same actions are described as upholding the rule of law. - John Hasnas
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Old 10-23-2012, 02:34 PM   #12
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Re: Member from the Deep South
^ Already a member
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Old 10-23-2012, 02:52 PM   #13
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Re: Member from the Deep South
What about advrider.com?

Usually lots of KLRs for sale there, but they will be scattered all over the place and not just Texas (like KLR650.net)
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Total Forum Supporter Donations For May: $733.91 - Previous Month: $1119.01 - Record High: Feb 09 $1360.84

The number one rule for this forum!
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Eph 4:29 (NIV)
Think before you post. Leave out the vulgarity, personal attacks and foul language!

Quote:
Lies are fragile. They require constant attentiveness to keep them alive. The exposure of a single truth can rip through an ocean of lies, evaporating it instantly. - Brandon Smith

If you want government to intervene domestically, you’re a liberal. If you want government to intervene overseas, you’re a conservative. If you want government to intervene everywhere, you’re a moderate. If you don’t want government to intervene anywhere, you’re an extremist. — Joe Sobran

It is no crime to be ignorant of economics, which is, after all, a specialized discipline and one that most people consider to be a ‘dismal science.' But it is totally irresponsible to have a loud and vociferous opinion on economic subjects while remaining in this state of ignorance. – Murray N. Rothbard

When one possessed of the Truth suffers from a heavy heart he is susceptible to a more dangerous affliction — the craving for power to eradicate error, to cause Truth to triumph by force. - Frank Chodorov

Where politicians flourish, long history has harshly taught us, people and their liberty wither. Where the state is god and the "public interest" worshipped, individual man will be found bleeding upon the altar. - Karl Hess

The accepted wisdom is that without the state, society would collapse into lawlessness and crime. In fact, lawlessness and crime define the very nature of the state and the society organized by it. - Bionic Mosquito

But the myth of the rule of law does more than render the people submissive to state authority; it also turns them into the state's accomplices in the exercise of its power. For people who would ordinarily consider it a great evil to deprive individuals of their rights or oppress politically powerless minority groups will respond with patriotic fervor when these same actions are described as upholding the rule of law. - John Hasnas
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Old 10-23-2012, 02:55 PM   #14
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I will check it out. Again, thanks for the advice.
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Old 11-10-2012, 10:29 AM   #15
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Re: Member from the Deep South
Bought a zrx-1100 that was for sale on this site. Thanks Robert for everything!!! Really love it!


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