400 Miles Later Was It a Mistake? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

**drgibson** · 04-08-2008, 02:11 PM

Well I now have over 400 miles on the KLR, I am working on a ride report for when the break in period is over and I can run it through its paces. But after 400 miles you have a good idea of how a bike will meet your expectations.

So was it a mistake to trade off “M” a fast muscle cruiser full of attitude and a love for the road for bike that was designed with compromise as the theme? The Suzuki M95 was a great road bike, it got reasonable gas mileage (just a tick under 40 mpg), it looked and sounded mean, there was more then enough power, and it was a comfortable cruiser.

In contrast the KLR is a light high seated bike that looks to be better suited for trail riding then for the road. A dirt bike with a fairing which make it look a little cumbersome and heavy. It doesn’t look like it would be fun to sit on for a 300 mile jaunt and the fairing looks utterly useless except as a design queue. The sound it emits doesn’t exactly inspire respect. Riding late one night tooling through a field the rabbits just laughed at the bike not the least bit afraid.

After 400 miles here is what I can tell you, first at 350 miles I finally decided to fill the bike up, it had not yet hit reserve. It took 5.5 gallons that is 63 mpg, I imagine that will go down some after the break in period is over and I can actually ride with the flow of traffic.

On the road that little fairing is very impressive, no it doesn’t keep the wind off but it does reduce buffeting to nil. It has a very smooth ride much smoother then “M” had and in the twisties it is very capable and sure footed. Acceleration, well being limited to 4k it is hard to tell, but I can tell you that when you hit 3K it is like flipping a switch, almost like an old 2 stroke. None the less it gets up to speed quite nicely.

Off Road, I haven’t had a lot of time to play off road and there isn’t much trail riding around here, but I have tooled around and over some rough ground, taken it over a few small hills, through some mud and across gravel and sand. For the most part it handles these things well. I have to remember certain things like getting the weight off the front wheel when in the mud, sand, and gravel but even when I didn’t still handled well. Up hill so far has been point it and go nothing to tax it at all.

To this point I am very pleased, it is a fun bike to jump on and just go exploring. In traffic it is much easier to handle then “M” was. With the tail bag it has even become a grocery getter.

Dawgfan72 · 04-08-2008, 02:46 PM

Why such a drastic change? Was it merely for the gas mileage or just a change of pace?

pinky44 · 04-08-2008, 02:48 PM

Just enjoy.

**drgibson** · 04-08-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawgfan72

Why such a drastic change? Was it merely for the gas mileage or just a change of pace?

"M" was the first cruiser I bought/rode most of my other bikes were dual sports or standards. I bought the M95 so both me and the wife could take trips on it but due to an accident she is unable to ride any more. So I went back to something smaller, less expensive, and good for commuting on.

**intimid8er** · 04-08-2008, 03:05 PM

Sounds good Don.

I've had my eyes peeled for a used one for quite some time. You know...just to pick up. But I'd rather suspect there's a reason that they're pretty scarce on the used market....They're all being ridden.

Dawgfan72 · 04-08-2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgibson

"M" was the first cruiser I bought/rode most of my other bikes were dual sports or standards. I bought the M95 so both me and the wife could take trips on it but due to an accident she is unable to ride any more. So I went back to something smaller, less expensive, and good for commuting on.

Ok, just wondering.

I'm still a newbie so I haven't read about the accident or maybe you hadn't publicized it. Regardless, I hope your wife is okay.

I'm actually going to ride tomorrow for the first time since my stupid spill.

Enjoy the KLR, they do look like a lot of fun.

frostbitevinnie · 04-08-2008, 05:43 PM

Like I said befor Don, it won't be your last bike. I think you made a good choice.

amvince · 04-08-2008, 06:37 PM

Sounds like your very happy with yours. I was tempted the other day at the dealer but my wife looked some sense into me by showing me my wallet.

omegajim · 04-08-2008, 08:15 PM

63 MILES PER GALLON!

that's pretty persuasive.

Low&Slow · 04-08-2008, 10:15 PM

I had the chance to really look one over in the show room while I was waiting for my bike to role out. I have to admit, I took a little mental vacation on that bike.

the_privateer · 04-09-2008, 12:56 AM

I think a corbin seat and new exhaust could expel any doubt you may have

KD57 · 04-09-2008, 11:28 AM

Do the mods to it and it will be even quicker. Is it still all stock?

**drgibson** · 04-09-2008, 12:24 PM

Yeah, I'm broke, so it is still stock.

04-08-2008, 02:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	400 Miles Later Was It a Mistake? Well I now have over 400 miles on the KLR, I am working on a ride report for when the break in period is over and I can run it through its paces. But after 400 miles you have a good idea of how a bike will meet your expectations. So was it a mistake to trade off “M” a fast muscle cruiser full of attitude and a love for the road for bike that was designed with compromise as the theme? The Suzuki M95 was a great road bike, it got reasonable gas mileage (just a tick under 40 mpg), it looked and sounded mean, there was more then enough power, and it was a comfortable cruiser. In contrast the KLR is a light high seated bike that looks to be better suited for trail riding then for the road. A dirt bike with a fairing which make it look a little cumbersome and heavy. It doesn’t look like it would be fun to sit on for a 300 mile jaunt and the fairing looks utterly useless except as a design queue. The sound it emits doesn’t exactly inspire respect. Riding late one night tooling through a field the rabbits just laughed at the bike not the least bit afraid. After 400 miles here is what I can tell you, first at 350 miles I finally decided to fill the bike up, it had not yet hit reserve. It took 5.5 gallons that is 63 mpg, I imagine that will go down some after the break in period is over and I can actually ride with the flow of traffic. On the road that little fairing is very impressive, no it doesn’t keep the wind off but it does reduce buffeting to nil. It has a very smooth ride much smoother then “M” had and in the twisties it is very capable and sure footed. Acceleration, well being limited to 4k it is hard to tell, but I can tell you that when you hit 3K it is like flipping a switch, almost like an old 2 stroke. None the less it gets up to speed quite nicely. Off Road, I haven’t had a lot of time to play off road and there isn’t much trail riding around here, but I have tooled around and over some rough ground, taken it over a few small hills, through some mud and across gravel and sand. For the most part it handles these things well. I have to remember certain things like getting the weight off the front wheel when in the mud, sand, and gravel but even when I didn’t still handled well. Up hill so far has been point it and go nothing to tax it at all. To this point I am very pleased, it is a fun bike to jump on and just go exploring. In traffic it is much easier to handle then “M” was. With the tail bag it has even become a grocery getter. __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

04-08-2008, 02:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
pinky44 Fourth gear and illegal Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 1983 GS 550m kat / 1991 GSX 600f Location: Nottingham,England Posts: 701	Just enjoy. __________________ Whatever you ride ride safe and keep the rubber on the ground and the shiny side up.

04-08-2008, 03:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
intimid8er It's A Conspiracy Joined: May 2005 Bike: '06 XB12X Location: 30 41'47.99" N 83 11'26.54" W Hold My Beer Posts: 10,092	Sounds good Don. I've had my eyes peeled for a used one for quite some time. You know...just to pick up. But I'd rather suspect there's a reason that they're pretty scarce on the used market....They're all being ridden. __________________ Song Pick of the Week 12/03 Booker T and the MG's - Green Onions Bonus for Buster The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight I had no idea 20% ABV beer could get me drunk so fast!

04-08-2008, 05:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
frostbitevinnie In The Zone Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 07' C90T 76' MT250 Location: 3rd house NW of the Depot Posts: 2,727	Like I said befor Don, it won't be your last bike. I think you made a good choice. __________________ I set up a by knot of soups that valid terrific, and can be made in big batches and frozen. Is there any interest? Karri Tamsin

04-08-2008, 06:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
amvince Sit speling cheker Joined: Jan 2008 Bike: 07 M50 Black, 06 Ninja 250 Blue Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 1,820	Sounds like your very happy with yours. I was tempted the other day at the dealer but my wife looked some sense into me by showing me my wallet. __________________ "ALL I CAN DO IS WHAT I CAN DO"

04-08-2008, 02:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dawgfan72 Seat Tester Joined: Jan 2008 Bike: '02 V-Star 1100 Classic, slightly scarred Location: Dallas,GA Posts: 68	Why such a drastic change? Was it merely for the gas mileage or just a change of pace?

04-08-2008, 08:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
omegajim M-J.Com Lifetime Achievement Award Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 1980 Yamaha XS850 Location: Washington County, WI Posts: 6,544	63 MILES PER GALLON! that's pretty persuasive. __________________ "FREE TIBET!"* With purchase of one Tibet of equal or greater value.

04-08-2008, 10:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
Low&Slow Fifth gear streak Joined: Sep 2006 Bike: 07 Vulcan 1600 Classic Location: Bell City, Louisiana Posts: 1,491	I had the chance to really look one over in the show room while I was waiting for my bike to role out. I have to admit, I took a little mental vacation on that bike. __________________ I believe that sex is the most beautiful, wholesome, natural thing money can buy.Steve Martin

04-09-2008, 12:56 AM	#11 (permalink)
the_privateer Clunked into first gear Joined: Jul 2006 Bike: 2000 yz125 race prepped Location: bentonville, arkansas, us Posts: 230	I think a corbin seat and new exhaust could expel any doubt you may have

04-09-2008, 11:28 AM	#12 (permalink)
KD57 In The Zone Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2008 ZZR600 Location: Under a rock in Texas Posts: 2,581	Do the mods to it and it will be even quicker. Is it still all stock? __________________ The "other" ZZR rider.

04-09-2008, 12:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	Yeah, I'm broke, so it is still stock. __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

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