I'll throw this in front of the superior brain trust at TWT for opinons & ideas.
I currently ride a 2008 KLR with ammo-panniers, enhanced electrics, Corbin seat, bash plate, KTM fender & a few other bits & bobs I've done myself. My favorite kind of riding is class 1/2 off-road and backroads trips on-road and I'm not frightened of racking up some solid miles in a day. The idea of trailering a bike to a destination is not something I would ever entertain.
Here's what I like about my KLR:
- low seat hight (I have a 30" inseam)
- somewhat lightweight (I'm 165lbs)
- nice off road manners
- cheap, reliable & easy to maintain
And here's what I don't like:
- long distances are not it's forte
- limited power
- good highway gearing = poor dirt road gearing, where is 6th gear?
Here are the mods I would probably do if I decide to keep the KLR:
- 705cc kit
- pipe/jet kit
- lightweight aluminium panniers (my homebrews are heavy)
- engine guards
- lightweight Kreiga rear rack/bag
- uprated rear suspension
OK you say, what's wrong with that. Well then (along with that guy on CL) I have a $9,000 KLR and if I'm going to spend that maybe I should be looking at something else? So here I am looking for guidance & recommendations. Maybe the 800cc BMW or Tiger? Is there anything else I might be missing or should I bite the bullet & make an ultimate KLR knowing I'll eat most of the cost come time to sell?
I currently ride a 2008 KLR with ammo-panniers, enhanced electrics, Corbin seat, bash plate, KTM fender & a few other bits & bobs I've done myself. My favorite kind of riding is class 1/2 off-road and backroads trips on-road and I'm not frightened of racking up some solid miles in a day. The idea of trailering a bike to a destination is not something I would ever entertain.
Here's what I like about my KLR:
- low seat hight (I have a 30" inseam)
- somewhat lightweight (I'm 165lbs)
- nice off road manners
- cheap, reliable & easy to maintain
And here's what I don't like:
- long distances are not it's forte
- limited power
- good highway gearing = poor dirt road gearing, where is 6th gear?
Here are the mods I would probably do if I decide to keep the KLR:
- 705cc kit
- pipe/jet kit
- lightweight aluminium panniers (my homebrews are heavy)
- engine guards
- lightweight Kreiga rear rack/bag
- uprated rear suspension
OK you say, what's wrong with that. Well then (along with that guy on CL) I have a $9,000 KLR and if I'm going to spend that maybe I should be looking at something else? So here I am looking for guidance & recommendations. Maybe the 800cc BMW or Tiger? Is there anything else I might be missing or should I bite the bullet & make an ultimate KLR knowing I'll eat most of the cost come time to sell?