Topic: My Wife’s KLR650

[BenelliSEI]

Sorting ownerships, plate stickers and insurance this week. Realized my wife never rode her KLR650 last year. Rolled it out, drained the tank and flushed the carb/float bowl by running new gas through (from my remote bottle). Had to use my Mity-Vac on the vacuum petcock......

Battery installed, it fired instantly, ran smooth. Short ride around the local roads, runs like a champ. We bought two of these bikes, New in 2008. My red one has three times the mileage her’s has. Great bikes, but I think this one is headed out the door.......

[Terry in Australia]

Looks great mate, I've only heard good things about them, and am thinking I wouldn't mind one for a daily commuter. I loved my XR500RE for it's light weight and powerful engine, but it could be a pig to start (kick start only) so I need something relatively light, but with plenty of torque, and an electric starter, which is especially handy if I stall it at the lights. It's a pity we live so far apart, that beauty would be a good pick up.

[BenelliSEI]

Terry...... I call mine “the taxi”. It’s in the garage and my old JEEP goes to the barn soon. Use it all summer, super reliable and really fun to ride. Starts on the button, and handles great on the gravel roads around our place!

Trouble is, my cb’s get left behind. I often think I should sell my KLR too, f I really want a o get back on the old 750’s.......

[Terry in Australia]

Don't overthink it mate, enjoy them both, that's what I try to do. Currently my K2 bitsa has a serious gearbox issue which will require a full strip to see what's happened before I can ride it again, and I'm in the middle of another Kawasaki build, but I'm looking forward to getting back into the saddle and putting up some miles on it when the weather warms up a tad. In the meantime, I'm riding the Harley, the VFR750, and in the next week or two, my Triumph Rocket III. It's nice to have choices......

[dave500]

any dual purpose bike of that capacity like yours is as good as a sports bike for normal people?they steer stop n go so well,plus reliable and probably built a little tougher?

[ekpent]

  Better keep it around in case you get another wife       I would like one of those in my stable sometime also. I have a XL600R Honda enduro but have not worked out all the wrinkles yet and it is kick start also. Not a great rep for being easy starters.

[BenelliSEI]

Dave...... it’s also got long travel, comfortable suspension, excellent brakes and decent performance. Not selling mine, for sure!

[Terry in Australia]

  Better keep it around in case you get another wife       I would like one of those in my stable sometime also. I have a XL600R Honda enduro but have not worked out all the wrinkles yet and it is kick start also. Not a great rep for being easy starters.

Very true Eric, the only time mine started first kick from cold was the day I sold it. The new owner was really impressed, whereas, I was really happy to say goodbye to it, as much fun as it was when it was going, I had a permanent bruise under my foot from when the pr1ck of a thing kicked back.

My big black Kawasaki with it's 13.5:1 Moriwaki 1100cc pistons is just as painful, but at least I can replace the chopped crank and install a starter motor, the only bike (apart from my CB750) that starts easy on the kicker is my grotty XS650.

[BenelliSEI]

The KLR is the exact opposite..... it has NO kicker!

[BenelliSEI]

Turns out I‘m buying a sticker and insurance. The Lady thinks she wants to get back riding again! No argument from me...... go figure!

[Terry in Australia]

Nothing wrong with that mate, if nothing else, it'll be a good back up for you when you wear yours out.

[Stev-o]

I have two friends with KLR's, one is female, great bikes!

[BenelliSEI]

I lowered her’s about 2” and installed a Corbin “flat” seat. When we first bought them, spent 45 days touring New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Quebec and Labrador. Fantastic bikes, I’m happy to keep it. And her too. We’ve been together for almost 50 years and she’s only sat on the back of my motorcycle twice. Both times, her’s was at the side of the road with a flat tire.

[Terry in Australia]

I lowered her’s about 2” and installed a Corbin “flat” seat. When we first bought them, spent 45 days touring New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Quebec and Labrador. Fantastic bikes, I’m happy to keep it. And her too. We’ve been together for almost 50 years and she’s only sat on the back of my motorcycle twice. Both times, her’s was at the side of the road with a flat tire.

So, you don't think she let her tyre down, on purpose..........?

[BenelliSEI]

Nope..... she hates riding/ driving as a passenger. I like it, I make sure half the vehicles are registered in her name, so I only need 1/2 the excuses.......

[ekpent]

  Congrats on the long marriage.  She sounds like a real keeper !  If I turned a bike over to my wife it would not end pretty and it wouldn't take long 

[70CB750]

The KLR650 was in production like 30 years without major changes, Kawa must been doing something right 

[BenelliSEI]

Put 100+ miles on mine today. Truly a great bike. 1/2 the ride was on gavel and that bike just eats it up. To bad my twin cylinder Lawn Tractor sounds better!

My buddy on his 1200 cc Triumph adventure bike was behind me and he constantly reminds me to flash my brake lights! The KLR virtually stops when you shut down the throttle and if you add a few downshifts you really only need brakes for the last 5’. Drives him nuts. I may get one of those motion sensor switches that operate the brake light on deceleration......?