Dan Woods, who has commented on this site, sent me this thoughtful email re the KLR vs GS (and Harley). He’s given me permission to except it here. Thanks, Dan!
I have owned a KLR (or three) since early 1990. I am from SW Colorado, and have spent a lot of free (re-riding) time on one unpopulated trail or another. Black Bear, Imogene, and Engineer Passes are close friends and were very local rides. I would often head out to Elko Nevada via the old Pony Express trail (a seldom traveled dirt road). Heck – the paved highway in that part of the world is touted as “the lonesomest road in the country”. The people who authored the signs have obviously not traveled the real back-roads…read more…
Anyway, I just wanted to provide my two-cents on the KLR. It is truly a remarkable machine. My number one priority when riding the back-country is reliability. More often than not I ride alone – since my riding friends are all Harley types (me too on highway days I guess). I currently live in TX and put more miles on the big bike. One thing for sure…. if I lived in the mountains again and could only own one machine…. the KLR is it. I thought the R1150GS would be just the upgrade I needed, however I rode one in the dirt……. and it’s a bit scary in the crunch.
The KLR is probably not the best at any one thing – except getting you there – every time – and with a smile on your face. In this category, the KLR is unsurpassed. BTW – three of my Harley biker friends just recently purchased KLR’s too. Bad thing though… I have taken them to the mountains twice, and they fall down a lot.
I hear BMW is going to release an R1200GS adventure in a few months. That has my curiosity peaked. It’s supposed to be a much lighter machine than the 1150, have lots of power, range, clearance, and good reliability. 15K for a bike destined for the mud and dust has a funny feel to it, but I’ll probably want one. Unless that is, it’s a bit scary in the crunch.
Hi Carla,
Just a quick plug for one of my favourite websites: if you want *any* info on the 12GS Adventure / any other GS, check out http://www.ukgser.com/forums/ – specifically the 1200GS section which has been carrrying a lot of pictures and discussion of the Adventure, recently.
On another note: I recently found a photo from 2002-ish, of someone I met at Sun SCA office, on a airhead BMW; would that be you?
http://www.crypticide.com/users/alecm/albums/dropdata/tlc-image11.jpg
Charlottesville, Virginia
December 11, 2005
Dear Carla (and other motorcycle comrades);
I am in the preliminary stages of planning a trip to middle east in the next few months. Toward that end, I figure it would make some sense, since I plan on staying for about a month or so, to buy a used bike, in relatively decent condition (IE it r4uns). I am not looking for anything fancy or in particular, however, a Kawasaki KLX 650 would be a nice choice, I am willing to condsier any and all offers.
Since I have absolutely no experience in biking overseas or in that part of the world, if anyone has any suggestions or share their experiences while riding abroad, I would greatly appreciate it.
Your most humble servant,
Pete Deer
Kid_Twist_Reles@Yahoo.com
Gotta go with the Harley it is one of the best bikes I have seen them produce in a long while!
I’ve ridden the KLR and GS1150 on both street and dirt. I love the KLR for offroad exploring once I get there. I love the GS while getting to the backroads, but it is heavy and expensive to drop in the dirt. I have never ridden the new GS1200, but I’d like to try it.
Mark
http://www.ridertrainingnj.com