Bye bye KLX, hello new ride
 

So after quite a few seasons on my SF KLX it was time to replace it with something a bit bigger... a DL650 Adventure. I had to share because I've been loving the new ride.

Here's the new ride:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...-vstrom-sm.jpg

Sweeeeeeeeet. powerwise, it would be like night and day. Niceeee

I know these little 250 SF and X models from Kaw and Yam are fun little bikes, but when it comes down mainly to pavement, I'd have to go to a bigger machine too. I don't know a lot about that particular Suzuki model, but it seems like a great bike. I also like the Kawasaki Versys in that same vein.

Very nice!:)

I have a Suzuki Bandit 1250i for the longer road duty AND my 2007 KLX250s for the shorter road and offroad. It's a perfect combo. The KLX reminds me of how powerful and comfy the 1250 is and the 1250 reminds me of how flickable the KLX is. I'm happy no matter which one I'm on.

Sweet! I was thinking about a V-Strom for a more pavement-oriented bike than my DR650, but I'm leaning more towards the Versys right now. Plus I want a Concours 14, but those things are f'ing expensive, even used.

Rob

I sold my SF and bought this DRZ...

http://ap1.pinkbike.org/p4pb8140029/p4pb8140029.jpg

Very nice. I like the KLX a lot too. F)r a commuter it is pretty fun. When I get a new seat it will be even better. Its really just all around fun.

The V-Strom is a real bike though. Not a toy. It is going to be much better for anything not so close to home when facing slab.

I am getting a Ninja 500. Half way in between the KLX and a real bike.

I am sure I will keep things fresh and switch some more next year and the year after...

I kind of got into the commuting on a bike to save money. So the KLX is a perfect fit. I get 65mpg, my insurance is $200 for good coverage and the now I have no payments since the bike was only $2800 bucks.

Now I will have another $2700 into bikes and more insurance. The new bike will get about 50+MPG.

All in all a lot still less than a car. With two bikes I can have one down for maintenance and not be working late into the night to get it ready. That will be nice.

One of these days I will step up into a real bike. I like the looks of the new Honda NC700X. I can see myself getting one of those in a couple of years when they find there way to the resale market :)

It's definitely a big step up, my SF was my starter bike. I loved it quite a bit, but at the end of the day the wife thoroughly enjoyed riding with me but the KLX is not meant for that duty. We rented a Yamaha FZ6 during our honeymoon in Hawaii and that was pretty much the end of the KLX for us. I'm sure I'll miss it when I find some super curvy road, but right now I'm as happy as can be.

I like the KLX for the dirt part it offers. Even for commuting I find that useful. What road closed? Dirt road short cuts, no problems. I jump curbs etc and just have a ball with it.

For two up not so much.

I too learned on the KLX and am now trying to sell it. I've had it 4 years now and have done about all the mods. It is a nice bike but there is only so much room in the garage. My last couple rides kinda sealed it. It is great on the dirt but when you want to make tracks home on the pavement it lacks. I know it isn't made for long highway tours but I need something that'll keep me from getting passed by a Prius. I'm looking toward an XR650L. Chris, were you able to sell yours? Did ya get a reasonable price?

Congrats on the new purchase. I want to upgrade to a bigger bike too. I've been leaning towards a KLR. I like to looks of that Suzuki too.

Fantastic motor in the Vstrom, prefer the Versys as a bike. Each to their own.

I traded it in on the new bike. Definitely got more on it than I expected but I was playing hardball with them, and they seem to have a booming used bike business there as well.

The Versys was definitely on the short list as well but it seemed a tad small for two-up and Kawasaki hasn't done any demos around this area in years so I couldn't test ride one. Also considered the Tiger 800, the Triumph dealer was nice enough to let me take that for a spin, it was incredible. Had I went with my heart vs my head I'd be on that bike today, but I couldn't justify the extra cost.

As much as i like the Versys, given the choice & budget it would have to be a KTM 690 Duke!! One hell of a ride.....

KLX and KLR650 perfect stable.

+1 to that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zibj7KnjClk

+1 to that.


Which Dual Sport Motorcycle is right for you? - YouTube

The Suzuki does have a great motor, but it's the motor in the Versys and Ninja 650R that I'm really impressed with. In an era when a vertical twin is considered "old school", Kawasaki did a remarkable thing with this motor. And the potential in this engine is evident at the extreme performance end as evidenced by what Bill Werner did with the engine in an AMA level dirt track racer.

Bill Werner - Changing the Face of Dirt Track - Sport Rider Magazine

Also, the 650 Kawasaki engine is a torquey design whereas the Suzuki is more of a high rpm design. Both are really good bikes and definitely better than a sharp stick in the eye anyway you look at it.