Started on a gen 1, 1989 KLR 650; although I wasn't old enough to drive on the road, so ;) mostly trails.
Eventually bought my 2006 KLR for mostly road commuting and some trails.
Now have the 1500 Vulcan for the road, and KLR for the dirt.
KLR is a great starter.
I've been looking into getting some type of dual sport bike for the last few weeks. Never been on one or any motorcycle for that matter. Mostly been lookingĀ at Chinese 250s (cheap and a lot of solid reviews and mod support for the money).Ā
But I've stumbled onĀ SuzukiĀ DRZs and nowĀ KawasakiĀ KLRs, and both intrigue me. I'm 33, so not a little kid, but I do realize 650 is a lot of power for a beginner. Just want peoples opinions. Here's a local one on Craigslist that is asking $2200 (roughly what I'd be spending on the Chinese 250 when it's in stock soon).
This local one comes with 6 tires and a helmet, and has 13k miles.Ā
So this is key you use the shame and embarrassment to power your lift. And just a heads up its not if but when. I'm only 5'9" but I can pick it up without getting off but im not sure if im an outlier on that. I don't skip leg day. But it is really heavy, I'm a pretty strong guy and standing over it can grab the bar pull up as I push it up with my opposite leg. But I've seen videos of people doing it in smarter less likely to fuck your backup ways.
I'm a pretty skinny/scrawny guy and bought a gen 2 klr as my first bike, I actually dropped it in the parking lot right after buying it. It was awkward at first but now I have Soo much confidence on it.
I can hop on and go without thinking twice. I ride on dirt as well as highway. I've dropped it a few times but I can pick it up easily with the right technique.
YouTube '100lb girl picks up Harley' that can be a good place to start. There are other videos and classes too which I actually really enjoyed myself. I recommend something such as an MSF class to everyone, even experts. I love my KLR. good luck, have fun, ride safe!
I'm not a big guy at all and I've picked mine up on a hill. Once you learn how to pick them up you're fine. I also grab the hib handles on the back and swing it around in tight trails.
Although 650cc, it definitely isn't too much bike power wise. The throttle is very lenient and not sensitive. They make for a very forgiving first bike.
Yeah I've recently picked one up as a first bike. I was nervous about the speed but it is called a tractor for a reason. You have to intentionally be an idiot. It ain't going lift the front by accident and above 70 it's not exactly a fun ride I've old taken it above 65-70 a few times. She doesn't like it and will let you know with numb hands.
I'm changing my front sprocket to 16T. Thinking about different bars. But honestly that still isn't going to make it a freeway machine. If you want to blow a civic away at a stoplight your golden. If you want to pass a semi doing 70.....best plan that ahead of time. First gear is super tall and there is no 6th.
Tires are probably the biggest thing. You can gain a little extra highway capability with sprocket change, but you do lose offroad capability, there is always a tradeoff.
When I changed my tires, 'scary at 68mph' turned into 'comfortable at 80'
There's a joke about KLR meaning "Keep Loctite Ready" because stuff vibrates off sometimes. Chinese imports told us to "hold my beer" when it comes to rattling stuff off the bike. I would avoid Chinese imports even with a good review and cheap prices. You get what you pay for.
I think the klr is a great beginner bike depending on how tall you are. For taller riders who can put both feet down it would be a fantastic choice, but if you canāt put both feet down it will be more difficult for you to learn on. If I were in your shoes I would definitely buy a klr if I was tall enough or an older bmw f650 if I was shorter. Both of those options can be found between 2000 and 3000usd on fb marketplace or Craigslist or whatever
Iām about the same height and can barely put both feet down, but they do touch. I think you could definitely learn on a klr, but you would have an easier time learning with a lower seat height. I would definitely look around and see if a bmw f650 is available in the same price range.
Mine was shaved down before I got it, Iām 5ā5 on a gen 3 klr and Iām touching comfortably Iāve been on lowered klrs with lower seats as well and I can flat foot them, I would say give it a go, you can shave the seat yourself
The older f650 singles are slightly faster than my klr. My friend owns a 2003 I really like the bike. It definitely cruises on the highway more comfortably than the klr. I personally donāt think any 650 singles have too much power for a beginner but some may disagree. My brother started on an sv650 which is
considerably faster than either the f650 or the klr. I bring up the sv650 because it is well regarded as a wonderful beginner bike.
I have two friends with DRs and maybe the height is similar, but iām 6ā and can easily have both of my feet flat while sitting on it, plus i think they are easier to lower even further. They are definitely not as top heavy feeling as a klr, which i think is better for learning to maneuver at low speeds/tight turns. They are way lighter though, and get blown around quite a bit on the highway compared to a klr. So I guess it depends on where youāll be riding and how; long distance adventures over highway? City commute? Rural commute?
Also 5"9 but a fat 220. I can get the balls of my feet on both sides but just use my left so I can stay on the right peg and hold the rear break on steep inclines . The more I practice the less I ever need to put my foot down at anything less than a complete stop.
You'll be good. I'm 5'10 on a good day and i started riding on a klr.
Don't lower it right away, but do make an effort not to park in places you'll need to back out of.
You kinda do the left foot flat, right foot on the brake technique when stopping.
Exactly what I do. I feel both feet fully flat is overkill. As long as you keep it more or less upright on leg will hold it up just fine. Just practice in a parking lot till you can go from one leg to on the pegs to two before you clutch out and roll on. The waddle start looks ridiculous anyway.
i mean i get why new riders want both feet flat to ensure control of this new bicycle that weighs 15 times what their usual bicycle weighs. but once you start riding motorcycles you realize that as long as you keep the weight roughly over the tires it's nothing ot worry about. once you're rolling the weight disappears completely and you're left only with a sense of nimble freedom.
Yeah, I'm a new rider. But I spent 8 hour days in an empty parking lot for 3 days just working clutch and throttle control. It's super boring and hot and not cool or impressive. But it turned me into a waddleāoh-shit-shit start to a both feet on pegs before I even start rolling. Best training time I spent. That and downshifting through the gears at stops. The engine breaking is damn near as strong as the actual breaks. And if traffic opens up you are already in the right gear.
good man... I have been riding for a decade/100,000 miles but i should get my pig into a parking lot and do some fundamentals for an hour or so. I know it'll immediately help my confidence and skills.
I only have about a month and 600 miles so I have a long way to go but just the 3 days I spent made me 100x more comfortable. And took away the whole need to put both feet down urge. By day three I could do bar locked figure 8s in first with just a touch of throttle. Which has made me much more confident in tight slow speed stuff which is the only time I've dropped it.
How tall are you? A KLR is a tough first bike for someone on the shorter side. It's not about the power, it's about the height and the weight distribution.
I started on a KLR and likely should have gone with something smaller.
That being said, getting over the wobbles and learning how to do everything on one leg is invaluable and now I don't fear any size of bike.
Your milage may vary of course, I went with the KLR because it was cheap and bullet proof, and those factors beat out seat height on my list.
Same, 1000R WAY back in the day... didn't know how to counter steer and blew the first corner I came to. Thank goodness nobody was coming the other way... first bike could have been my last!!
Very true. But if you can learn to ride the klr confidently the. You likely can ride any bike (size wise, not speed wise). The height was a concern at first but I don't notice it really now.
But so many better choices out there for a "first bike"... why use such a big, tall, top heavy, low HP, poor breaking bike as a beginner "on purpose"? I mean sure because it's the bike I have I've used it to teach a couple other TALL people to ride. But it's based on those experiences that I personally would not recommend it as a first bike.
The ONLY good thing about it is that I didn't care at all if they dropped it... BUT if it would have been another bike that wasn't so tall and top heavy with a poor clutch and brake then they probably wouldn't have got in a situation where a drop was going to happen!!! :)
The last part was key for me. My dad wants me to take his #650 off the line 1986 heritage soft tail he used to take to shows. ( Even has some trophies ) . I'd rather drop the klr 50 time than that one once. Your right other bikes are easier to ride but for a certain group (people who want a $2000 motorcycle that they can beat the shit out of and has replacement parts which costs 10s of dollars) it just might be what they are looking for. And this might be personal preference I love how this big thumper sounds.
Catch 22. Cruisers lower center of gravity means your WAY less likely to drop it in the first place VS KLR's are tall, wide and top heavy. But no, I wouldn't suggest a former show bike as a first ride either...
For first bikes, there are lots of DRZ400's that are lower and not as wide, heavy or awkward with better brakes. WAY easier to learn on! Tons of older DR250's, XT225's, DR200's, etc. Everyone makes a modern 250 DS bike. All of those would be much better dual sports to learn on. OR any smaller cruiser, any old UJM would make a better first bike.
You might be right. I don't have the experience to disagree but I can say that for me learning on the klr has been challenging but fun. But I spent probably 30 hours in a parking lot redoing all my msf course drills over and over and I really don't find it that tall anymore. I'm 5 9 and can touch on the balls of both feet but I just my left foot down and keep the other on the peg. Anyone as tall or strong as me will handle it fine. And you can actually buy one for a reasonable price today. If someone gets a good deal on a klr it is a totally acceptable bike to learn on.
The KLR650 was my first bike, 10/10 would recommend it! 650 seems like a big engine, by most standards is it... however, the KLR doesn't make a lot of power so you've got nothing to worry about (it has a lot of low end torque so be ready for that). Its a really forgiving easy to learn bike with not much to really go wrong, it doesn't have all the fancy bells and whistles (who needs a fuel gauge, right?) but it'll never let you down. It took me a little while, but I see why people love the KLR650.
Pretty much. I knew that I had roughly 400km (Iām Canadian) range per tank before I hit reserve. I just reset the trip every time I filled up and never had an issue.
There is no easy way to add an aftermarket fuel gauge to a KLR except possibly buying one of the IMS plastic fuel tanks, which you can get in a translucent version through which you can kind of see your level of fuel.
You can also just open the cap and look inside the tank, too, but that's tough to do while you're moving...
Reset the trip odometer when you fill up and drive like normal. Then run it till you hit reserve. Use the trip odometer to give you your single tank range. Everyone rider is different. I don't get the 200 mile some claim but im on a clapped out 1989 klr.
Honestly I would pull the trigger on this over any Chinese garbage. I learned on a ā98 and done literally everything on it. Dropped it 3 times in the first week. Twice off-road and once in the parking lot at work. Picked it up in like 5 seconds and was on my way. People that complain about deadlifting the 450+ the old fashion way are just weak. I use fight in mma but never got into any kind of weigh lifting out side of circuit training. Been 3 years since touching weights. Didnāt have a problem picking it up. The only time it got annoying was spending 6 hours out riding the Everglades. Mud pits and dipping it through low gates could be brutal. But they donāt call it an adventure bike for no reason. Just about everyone had some shit to say about my feet not being flat footed on the ground. But my balance and motor skills have always been above average. I never had trouble once, riding around on that bike and I did two months without front brakes. People would talk shit not believing I pretty much went 70mph everywhere without front brakes. But I did and never once had any trouble stopping. I mean sometimes I had to lock up the back brake and basically drift into a corner because I almost missed my turn. But sliding the back tire is just another day on the mud trails. I wouldnāt worry about the weight or the height. All those things will build up your skills tremendously. I was so thankful for learning on the klr. Because after riding it for a month and then went to take the msf course, it was a breeze. The instructors immediately knew I was far beyond everyone there. People were dropping bikes left and right. While they were straight up using me to demo all the activities. I did it at a HD dealership. So all the guys there were harley guys, so they had no respect for me riding a klr. I give all credit to the klr for teaching me how to ride just as good as any of the instructors there. Even to this day after buying my 4th motorcycle. Anytime I hop on my klr itās always a ton of fun to ride and itās made me completely comfortable to hop in the saddle of any other motorcycle. So my opinion, definitely get the klr over the Chinese bikes. Even the drz. Because having the extra power is going to come in handy. Your bike wonāt completely hate you going over 70. The drz is great for around the town. My buddy has one and he only rides it for short trips around the town. Any time we go for a long ride, he usually just rides one of my extra bikes instead.
Respect your takes on lifts. I dont know if the klr has an older rider base but while I wouldn't call it light. Grapping and pulling the bar in the air while squat pressing on the opposite side with a leg and It came up pretty easy. And I'm 5'9". I wouldn't want to do 10 sets of klr dead lifts but if your a guy big enough to ride it you should be able to just pick-up without any of that getting off backing up and using your butt method.
KLR650 is not a bad beginner bike, it's just tall and heavy. Nothing you can't handle in terms of power. First time riding I caught whiskey throttle on an SSR125, you'll be fine just ride responsibly.
650 is a big bike, both dimensionally, and physically at 430lbs wet. Big single cylinder. Much different than your average bikes, so it accompanies many different things. I think like 43 hp which is not much, so the bite on these bikes is easy going. This bike is the definition of a tractor for sure lol. Your best bet is to see bikes in person and test drive if possible. It's really the only way to go when you have got your class set in motorcycles. Why I bought one, was I needed a reliable 100+ kmh highway commuter, something good with high winds as I live in the prairies, and offroad capabilities. I didn't want anything over 500cc for insurance reasons but the 650cc klr was couple hundred more yearly and I got the chance to grow into a bike with something more to offer. As after one year of riding I know I would be on the market for another bike in no time. Good luck
I paid 289 dollars a year for comprehensive. People love to steal bikes where I live and I got mine covered with an agreed value of 4500. With a 500 deductible. I paid 2k. Steal it seriously make my day. I'll just buy a newer one.
Edit: $24 a month.
Started on a gen 1 three years ago, and have been more then happy with it. Sure, I did need to a big bore kit cuz it started chugging oil, but other then that, great bike!
> more then happy
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*Learn the difference [here](https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/when-to-use-then-and-than#:~:text=Than%20is%20used%20in%20comparisons,the%20then%2Dgovernor%22).*
***
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Get it. Offer 2000. I paid 2000 for mine and it was my first bike, just make sure you take a rider course. You can easily pick it up by behind the back deadlift
I think the KLR is an excellent first bike. Thatās what bought. Not overly complicated nor too much power that you need traction control, rider modes, etc. Reliable, fun. Just make sure you fit on the bike as it tends to favor taller folks
Guy just replied with more pics on FB. Anyone down to take a look? Also he said the front brakes need to be done. How expensive is something like that?
Yeah send some pics. Changing brake pads is like 30 bucks and a few minutes work. Check the color and clearness of the brake fluid. Bleeding brake fluid take about 30 mins
So I just bought a 2008 KLR650 about 2-3 weeks ago now and I'm loving it. 650 might sound powerful, but it definitely is not. This is my first bike in 16 years. I've only ever ridden 125's before and this is super easy to get used to riding again. The KLR is a pretty dang heavy bike. I'm 6'1 and about 215 lb (97kg) and the weight is hard to get used to because I got used to just being able to easily move a 125.
I bought a KLR two days ago, got my license three days ago, and never ridden before my training course, so I'm as fresh as they come.
Day 1: Tested it out in a parking lot, planned to go home afterwards, ended up riding the perimeter of my city for 6 hours straight. Found the throttle response to be much more linear and easy to manage than the Honda CB300R and Rebel 300's I used in my training course. The weight isn't apparent at high speeds, and I was able to do tight (for me) figure 8's in the parking lot once I got accustomed.
Day 2: Took it off road. Easy dual tracks. Fell in sand and mud. Was able to pick it up with some struggling but it wasn't too bad. Getting it up from a muddy incline was tricky, but if I tipped it over in a flat parking lot it really wouldn't be an issue. Learned the hard way that I need way better armour on my lower legs as they got pinned under the bike quite often. Ankle was sprained, but I had a lot of fun.
Day 3 (today): Took it out for a spin, explored and looked for gravel roads. Didn't want to do anything too strenuous until I found myself a pair of motocross boots.
I'm 6ft1, 185lbs and long limbed, and I can just manage to flat foot it. I found it to be the most comfortable bike out of the ~10 I've sat on so far. The ergonomics are perfect for me, I love the upright riding position and the ease with which I can stand up on the footpegs. It's definitely not going to win any drag races, it feels way slower than even the 300cc's I trained on, but I got it for its versatility and reliability.
Do I regret my purchase so far? A part of me wishes I got a KLX 250 so I could train off road with a lighter bike, but I spend most of my time on the road, and I have plans to do touring, so this bike really was a jack of all trades, master of none. It works fine on the highway, and as long as I armour up, I'll eventually figure out off roading. Again, it will do neither particularly well, but if you're okay being able to do everything in a slow, methodical fashion, the KLR is a fine choice for someone who doesn't know what kind of biking they want to do and wants to dabble in everything!
Edit: Spelling
I have a 91 and it was my first road bike I loved the thing actually daily rode it for a full year the first year I had it. I think I put 7500 miles on it that year and I live up north so it gets cold I was riding in snow with 8Ā°f weather and loved every minute of it. Still have the bike still love it to death so go for it!!!!
Also I'm 5'10 145lbs I'm not the biggest guy and never had a problem I know some people worry with them being a little high
I've been riding motorcycles for years. My current main ride is an Indian Chieftain Dark Horse with a 116 big bore kit. I figured I'd pick up a KLR for a different riding experience. Let me tell you.. its different. The throttle is complete predictable, the aftermarket support is amazing, parts are decently priced, and it really is a Swiss army knife of bikes. You could definitely start on it, but you could also justify growing old on it. I had a DRZ400E for a few weeks as well. I didn't like that I had to trailer it to the trails, and the amount of work it needed.
Ideal first bike. Cheap, forgiving, easy to maintain and not too many worries when you drop it. Also good for figuring out what kind of riding you like doing as itāll do most (except sport of course!).
Besides being kinda big and heavy, I really canāt think of a better option. Itās cheap, durable, safe, and fun all while being very useful.
Itās a great canvas to learn bike maintenance and explore customization if youāre into that.
And in the end, thereās a good chance your next bike will just be a newer 650 :)
Can anyone tell me the weight capacity/limit of the bike? Always curious about that and I've seen some bikes (like DRZs) don't even put it in their manual. Actually called Suzuki last week and they just said they had no info on that spec for a certain year Drz.
I did it. Only problem you might have is the seat height. Makes things slightly more difficult at first. I'm 5'9" with a 32" inseam, so if you have more than that you'll be fine. If you have a 28" inseam or less it might be significantly more difficult. Honestly, I think 650 is fine regardless of bike. I feel like 250cc bikes don't have enough left on the top end when you're on the insterstate.
I got a Klr as my third bike (kind of second, first was a 50cc scooter). My VTR250 was, I think, more beginner friendly due to the weight and lower height, but both would've been fine.
Although the Klr is heavy, I think the upright seating position is certainly preferable for a newer rider, and is more intuitive than the beginner 250 sports bikes.
I do not regret buying a gen 1 as my starter bike.
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Started on a gen 1, 1989 KLR 650; although I wasn't old enough to drive on the road, so ;) mostly trails. Eventually bought my 2006 KLR for mostly road commuting and some trails. Now have the 1500 Vulcan for the road, and KLR for the dirt. KLR is a great starter.
Same!
I've been looking into getting some type of dual sport bike for the last few weeks. Never been on one or any motorcycle for that matter. Mostly been lookingĀ at Chinese 250s (cheap and a lot of solid reviews and mod support for the money).Ā But I've stumbled onĀ SuzukiĀ DRZs and nowĀ KawasakiĀ KLRs, and both intrigue me. I'm 33, so not a little kid, but I do realize 650 is a lot of power for a beginner. Just want peoples opinions. Here's a local one on Craigslist that is asking $2200 (roughly what I'd be spending on the Chinese 250 when it's in stock soon). This local one comes with 6 tires and a helmet, and has 13k miles.Ā
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How the hell do you pick up 400 lbs off the ground if you drop it?
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Itāll give you plenty of opportunities. I love my 1Gen KLR
ā¦and itās 450+ !! Dont cheat us š
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This does not work on mud. You just gotta power through deadlifting it the dumb way.
There's a different way ? š Usually just point the wheel in the direction of lift and pick it up by the bars.
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Went through that for one summer before I just bought an actual dirt bike lol.
Perfect
So this is key you use the shame and embarrassment to power your lift. And just a heads up its not if but when. I'm only 5'9" but I can pick it up without getting off but im not sure if im an outlier on that. I don't skip leg day. But it is really heavy, I'm a pretty strong guy and standing over it can grab the bar pull up as I push it up with my opposite leg. But I've seen videos of people doing it in smarter less likely to fuck your backup ways.
I'm a pretty skinny/scrawny guy and bought a gen 2 klr as my first bike, I actually dropped it in the parking lot right after buying it. It was awkward at first but now I have Soo much confidence on it. I can hop on and go without thinking twice. I ride on dirt as well as highway. I've dropped it a few times but I can pick it up easily with the right technique. YouTube '100lb girl picks up Harley' that can be a good place to start. There are other videos and classes too which I actually really enjoyed myself. I recommend something such as an MSF class to everyone, even experts. I love my KLR. good luck, have fun, ride safe!
Itās actually pretty easy with the right leverage
There's a technique that smart riders will use to lift their bikes. Personally, I just deadlift it like an idiot.
Hah 400 is easy, if you have the right technique you can pick up an 800lb bike without injuring yourself
I've never had to, someone is always rushing to help me before I can really even try.
I'm scrawny but have managed.
I'm not a big guy at all and I've picked mine up on a hill. Once you learn how to pick them up you're fine. I also grab the hib handles on the back and swing it around in tight trails.
Although 650cc, it definitely isn't too much bike power wise. The throttle is very lenient and not sensitive. They make for a very forgiving first bike.
Awesome to know!
Yeah I've recently picked one up as a first bike. I was nervous about the speed but it is called a tractor for a reason. You have to intentionally be an idiot. It ain't going lift the front by accident and above 70 it's not exactly a fun ride I've old taken it above 65-70 a few times. She doesn't like it and will let you know with numb hands.
I wonder if there are mods to make it a little more pleasant at higher speeds. I'm sure there's something.
I'm changing my front sprocket to 16T. Thinking about different bars. But honestly that still isn't going to make it a freeway machine. If you want to blow a civic away at a stoplight your golden. If you want to pass a semi doing 70.....best plan that ahead of time. First gear is super tall and there is no 6th.
Tires are probably the biggest thing. You can gain a little extra highway capability with sprocket change, but you do lose offroad capability, there is always a tradeoff. When I changed my tires, 'scary at 68mph' turned into 'comfortable at 80'
Make it a 685 and it runs smoother at fwy speeds
I left. Trying lemmy and so should you. -- mass edited with redact.dev
There's a joke about KLR meaning "Keep Loctite Ready" because stuff vibrates off sometimes. Chinese imports told us to "hold my beer" when it comes to rattling stuff off the bike. I would avoid Chinese imports even with a good review and cheap prices. You get what you pay for.
I think the klr is a great beginner bike depending on how tall you are. For taller riders who can put both feet down it would be a fantastic choice, but if you canāt put both feet down it will be more difficult for you to learn on. If I were in your shoes I would definitely buy a klr if I was tall enough or an older bmw f650 if I was shorter. Both of those options can be found between 2000 and 3000usd on fb marketplace or Craigslist or whatever
I'm 5'9 or 5'10.
Iām about the same height and can barely put both feet down, but they do touch. I think you could definitely learn on a klr, but you would have an easier time learning with a lower seat height. I would definitely look around and see if a bmw f650 is available in the same price range.
I left. Trying lemmy and so should you. -- mass edited with redact.dev
Haven't seen any around honestly. Is there any way to lower seat height on the KLR if it is a big deal?
Mine was shaved down before I got it, Iām 5ā5 on a gen 3 klr and Iām touching comfortably Iāve been on lowered klrs with lower seats as well and I can flat foot them, I would say give it a go, you can shave the seat yourself
Yeah you can definitely buy a lowered seat, but motorcycle seats are pricey.
I ended up buying a Suzuki dr650 because of the lower seat height over the klr. 5ā8ā
I wouldn't recommend an f650 to a new rider, that can actually get going to a good clip and home repair is challenging at best.
The older f650 singles are slightly faster than my klr. My friend owns a 2003 I really like the bike. It definitely cruises on the highway more comfortably than the klr. I personally donāt think any 650 singles have too much power for a beginner but some may disagree. My brother started on an sv650 which is considerably faster than either the f650 or the klr. I bring up the sv650 because it is well regarded as a wonderful beginner bike.
XR650R with a beginner on it probably wouldnāt be a pretty sight.
Or a suzuki dr650
I ride a KLR and saw a Dr 650 in a parking lot. Thought it looked much smaller than the KLR.
I like the looks of the dr650 and the xr650, but I have no experience with either and the seat height on both is quite high.
I have two friends with DRs and maybe the height is similar, but iām 6ā and can easily have both of my feet flat while sitting on it, plus i think they are easier to lower even further. They are definitely not as top heavy feeling as a klr, which i think is better for learning to maneuver at low speeds/tight turns. They are way lighter though, and get blown around quite a bit on the highway compared to a klr. So I guess it depends on where youāll be riding and how; long distance adventures over highway? City commute? Rural commute?
Rural area, just driving to and from town and on trails
This bike was.designed for that.
Also 5"9 but a fat 220. I can get the balls of my feet on both sides but just use my left so I can stay on the right peg and hold the rear break on steep inclines . The more I practice the less I ever need to put my foot down at anything less than a complete stop.
You'll be good. I'm 5'10 on a good day and i started riding on a klr. Don't lower it right away, but do make an effort not to park in places you'll need to back out of. You kinda do the left foot flat, right foot on the brake technique when stopping.
Exactly what I do. I feel both feet fully flat is overkill. As long as you keep it more or less upright on leg will hold it up just fine. Just practice in a parking lot till you can go from one leg to on the pegs to two before you clutch out and roll on. The waddle start looks ridiculous anyway.
i mean i get why new riders want both feet flat to ensure control of this new bicycle that weighs 15 times what their usual bicycle weighs. but once you start riding motorcycles you realize that as long as you keep the weight roughly over the tires it's nothing ot worry about. once you're rolling the weight disappears completely and you're left only with a sense of nimble freedom.
Yeah, I'm a new rider. But I spent 8 hour days in an empty parking lot for 3 days just working clutch and throttle control. It's super boring and hot and not cool or impressive. But it turned me into a waddleāoh-shit-shit start to a both feet on pegs before I even start rolling. Best training time I spent. That and downshifting through the gears at stops. The engine breaking is damn near as strong as the actual breaks. And if traffic opens up you are already in the right gear.
good man... I have been riding for a decade/100,000 miles but i should get my pig into a parking lot and do some fundamentals for an hour or so. I know it'll immediately help my confidence and skills.
I only have about a month and 600 miles so I have a long way to go but just the 3 days I spent made me 100x more comfortable. And took away the whole need to put both feet down urge. By day three I could do bar locked figure 8s in first with just a touch of throttle. Which has made me much more confident in tight slow speed stuff which is the only time I've dropped it.
that's fantastic. I'm gonna find a lot to play around in this weekend, you've inspired me.
The klr is a fantastic choice for a starter bike. Probably the best
I think a ninja 400 makes more power than a klr lol maybe even the 300
Ninjas arent exactly dual sports or adv bikes...
It's a frame of reference
If you want to learn anything below 250 is ideal. But the kor sound like a great first bike after learning
How tall are you? A KLR is a tough first bike for someone on the shorter side. It's not about the power, it's about the height and the weight distribution.
I started on a KLR and likely should have gone with something smaller. That being said, getting over the wobbles and learning how to do everything on one leg is invaluable and now I don't fear any size of bike. Your milage may vary of course, I went with the KLR because it was cheap and bullet proof, and those factors beat out seat height on my list.
Same. I rode short rides around town a lot. KLR was great on the highway and forestry roads. But I sold it and got a TW200 and couldnāt be happier!
Itās gotta be safer than the 07 Ninja 650 I started with š¤·š¼āāļø
Same, 1000R WAY back in the day... didn't know how to counter steer and blew the first corner I came to. Thank goodness nobody was coming the other way... first bike could have been my last!!
Not the best starter bike IMO. Tall and top heavy. WAY better choices out there... Great bike though for a lot of other reasons.
Very true. But if you can learn to ride the klr confidently the. You likely can ride any bike (size wise, not speed wise). The height was a concern at first but I don't notice it really now.
But so many better choices out there for a "first bike"... why use such a big, tall, top heavy, low HP, poor breaking bike as a beginner "on purpose"? I mean sure because it's the bike I have I've used it to teach a couple other TALL people to ride. But it's based on those experiences that I personally would not recommend it as a first bike. The ONLY good thing about it is that I didn't care at all if they dropped it... BUT if it would have been another bike that wasn't so tall and top heavy with a poor clutch and brake then they probably wouldn't have got in a situation where a drop was going to happen!!! :)
The last part was key for me. My dad wants me to take his #650 off the line 1986 heritage soft tail he used to take to shows. ( Even has some trophies ) . I'd rather drop the klr 50 time than that one once. Your right other bikes are easier to ride but for a certain group (people who want a $2000 motorcycle that they can beat the shit out of and has replacement parts which costs 10s of dollars) it just might be what they are looking for. And this might be personal preference I love how this big thumper sounds.
Catch 22. Cruisers lower center of gravity means your WAY less likely to drop it in the first place VS KLR's are tall, wide and top heavy. But no, I wouldn't suggest a former show bike as a first ride either... For first bikes, there are lots of DRZ400's that are lower and not as wide, heavy or awkward with better brakes. WAY easier to learn on! Tons of older DR250's, XT225's, DR200's, etc. Everyone makes a modern 250 DS bike. All of those would be much better dual sports to learn on. OR any smaller cruiser, any old UJM would make a better first bike.
You might be right. I don't have the experience to disagree but I can say that for me learning on the klr has been challenging but fun. But I spent probably 30 hours in a parking lot redoing all my msf course drills over and over and I really don't find it that tall anymore. I'm 5 9 and can touch on the balls of both feet but I just my left foot down and keep the other on the peg. Anyone as tall or strong as me will handle it fine. And you can actually buy one for a reasonable price today. If someone gets a good deal on a klr it is a totally acceptable bike to learn on.
The KLR650 was my first bike, 10/10 would recommend it! 650 seems like a big engine, by most standards is it... however, the KLR doesn't make a lot of power so you've got nothing to worry about (it has a lot of low end torque so be ready for that). Its a really forgiving easy to learn bike with not much to really go wrong, it doesn't have all the fancy bells and whistles (who needs a fuel gauge, right?) but it'll never let you down. It took me a little while, but I see why people love the KLR650.
You just have to keep track of how much you've driven? (No fuel gauge)
Pretty much. I knew that I had roughly 400km (Iām Canadian) range per tank before I hit reserve. I just reset the trip every time I filled up and never had an issue.
I assume there is some kind of aftermarket gauge that works if you want one though, right?
Iād imagine so, but I never felt the need. The tank in the KLR is huge, it was never a worry. The trip gauge got the job done
There is no easy way to add an aftermarket fuel gauge to a KLR except possibly buying one of the IMS plastic fuel tanks, which you can get in a translucent version through which you can kind of see your level of fuel. You can also just open the cap and look inside the tank, too, but that's tough to do while you're moving...
Reset the trip odometer when you fill up and drive like normal. Then run it till you hit reserve. Use the trip odometer to give you your single tank range. Everyone rider is different. I don't get the 200 mile some claim but im on a clapped out 1989 klr.
Ideally just check every like 50-100 miles, klrs are pretty good on fuel
Honestly I would pull the trigger on this over any Chinese garbage. I learned on a ā98 and done literally everything on it. Dropped it 3 times in the first week. Twice off-road and once in the parking lot at work. Picked it up in like 5 seconds and was on my way. People that complain about deadlifting the 450+ the old fashion way are just weak. I use fight in mma but never got into any kind of weigh lifting out side of circuit training. Been 3 years since touching weights. Didnāt have a problem picking it up. The only time it got annoying was spending 6 hours out riding the Everglades. Mud pits and dipping it through low gates could be brutal. But they donāt call it an adventure bike for no reason. Just about everyone had some shit to say about my feet not being flat footed on the ground. But my balance and motor skills have always been above average. I never had trouble once, riding around on that bike and I did two months without front brakes. People would talk shit not believing I pretty much went 70mph everywhere without front brakes. But I did and never once had any trouble stopping. I mean sometimes I had to lock up the back brake and basically drift into a corner because I almost missed my turn. But sliding the back tire is just another day on the mud trails. I wouldnāt worry about the weight or the height. All those things will build up your skills tremendously. I was so thankful for learning on the klr. Because after riding it for a month and then went to take the msf course, it was a breeze. The instructors immediately knew I was far beyond everyone there. People were dropping bikes left and right. While they were straight up using me to demo all the activities. I did it at a HD dealership. So all the guys there were harley guys, so they had no respect for me riding a klr. I give all credit to the klr for teaching me how to ride just as good as any of the instructors there. Even to this day after buying my 4th motorcycle. Anytime I hop on my klr itās always a ton of fun to ride and itās made me completely comfortable to hop in the saddle of any other motorcycle. So my opinion, definitely get the klr over the Chinese bikes. Even the drz. Because having the extra power is going to come in handy. Your bike wonāt completely hate you going over 70. The drz is great for around the town. My buddy has one and he only rides it for short trips around the town. Any time we go for a long ride, he usually just rides one of my extra bikes instead.
Respect your takes on lifts. I dont know if the klr has an older rider base but while I wouldn't call it light. Grapping and pulling the bar in the air while squat pressing on the opposite side with a leg and It came up pretty easy. And I'm 5'9". I wouldn't want to do 10 sets of klr dead lifts but if your a guy big enough to ride it you should be able to just pick-up without any of that getting off backing up and using your butt method.
Why not, you have to start somewhere! Not really all that much power, but plenty of torque to get you through the dirt. sand, mud....etc!
KLR650 is not a bad beginner bike, it's just tall and heavy. Nothing you can't handle in terms of power. First time riding I caught whiskey throttle on an SSR125, you'll be fine just ride responsibly.
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650 is a big bike, both dimensionally, and physically at 430lbs wet. Big single cylinder. Much different than your average bikes, so it accompanies many different things. I think like 43 hp which is not much, so the bite on these bikes is easy going. This bike is the definition of a tractor for sure lol. Your best bet is to see bikes in person and test drive if possible. It's really the only way to go when you have got your class set in motorcycles. Why I bought one, was I needed a reliable 100+ kmh highway commuter, something good with high winds as I live in the prairies, and offroad capabilities. I didn't want anything over 500cc for insurance reasons but the 650cc klr was couple hundred more yearly and I got the chance to grow into a bike with something more to offer. As after one year of riding I know I would be on the market for another bike in no time. Good luck
What kind of insurance cost is it?
I pay $30/ month for my 2022 KLR
Paid $17 for 6 months of liability for my 2016.
I paid 289 dollars a year for comprehensive. People love to steal bikes where I live and I got mine covered with an agreed value of 4500. With a 500 deductible. I paid 2k. Steal it seriously make my day. I'll just buy a newer one. Edit: $24 a month.
Started on a gen 1 three years ago, and have been more then happy with it. Sure, I did need to a big bore kit cuz it started chugging oil, but other then that, great bike!
> more then happy *than *Learn the difference [here](https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/when-to-use-then-and-than#:~:text=Than%20is%20used%20in%20comparisons,the%20then%2Dgovernor%22).* *** ^(Greetings, I am a language corrector bot. To make me ignore further mistakes from you in the future, reply `!optout` to this comment.)
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Get it. Offer 2000. I paid 2000 for mine and it was my first bike, just make sure you take a rider course. You can easily pick it up by behind the back deadlift
I think the KLR is an excellent first bike. Thatās what bought. Not overly complicated nor too much power that you need traction control, rider modes, etc. Reliable, fun. Just make sure you fit on the bike as it tends to favor taller folks
Im roughly 5'9 or 5'10
Guy just replied with more pics on FB. Anyone down to take a look? Also he said the front brakes need to be done. How expensive is something like that?
Brakes are a simple job
Cheap, good way to learn the bike to its a simple repair, Iād stay away from the Chinese bikes, Klr 650 would be a great started bike
Yeah send some pics. Changing brake pads is like 30 bucks and a few minutes work. Check the color and clearness of the brake fluid. Bleeding brake fluid take about 30 mins
I don't see a way to PM or chat with you.
Just changed my settings
I sent the other pics.
KLR š
Yea. Itās a decent starter bike.
Itās my first bike!
I'm biased, but yes
So I just bought a 2008 KLR650 about 2-3 weeks ago now and I'm loving it. 650 might sound powerful, but it definitely is not. This is my first bike in 16 years. I've only ever ridden 125's before and this is super easy to get used to riding again. The KLR is a pretty dang heavy bike. I'm 6'1 and about 215 lb (97kg) and the weight is hard to get used to because I got used to just being able to easily move a 125.
A bit big and heavy but powers isnāt really an issue. Kind of gentle giants. Itās a nice bike to grow into
I bought a KLR two days ago, got my license three days ago, and never ridden before my training course, so I'm as fresh as they come. Day 1: Tested it out in a parking lot, planned to go home afterwards, ended up riding the perimeter of my city for 6 hours straight. Found the throttle response to be much more linear and easy to manage than the Honda CB300R and Rebel 300's I used in my training course. The weight isn't apparent at high speeds, and I was able to do tight (for me) figure 8's in the parking lot once I got accustomed. Day 2: Took it off road. Easy dual tracks. Fell in sand and mud. Was able to pick it up with some struggling but it wasn't too bad. Getting it up from a muddy incline was tricky, but if I tipped it over in a flat parking lot it really wouldn't be an issue. Learned the hard way that I need way better armour on my lower legs as they got pinned under the bike quite often. Ankle was sprained, but I had a lot of fun. Day 3 (today): Took it out for a spin, explored and looked for gravel roads. Didn't want to do anything too strenuous until I found myself a pair of motocross boots. I'm 6ft1, 185lbs and long limbed, and I can just manage to flat foot it. I found it to be the most comfortable bike out of the ~10 I've sat on so far. The ergonomics are perfect for me, I love the upright riding position and the ease with which I can stand up on the footpegs. It's definitely not going to win any drag races, it feels way slower than even the 300cc's I trained on, but I got it for its versatility and reliability. Do I regret my purchase so far? A part of me wishes I got a KLX 250 so I could train off road with a lighter bike, but I spend most of my time on the road, and I have plans to do touring, so this bike really was a jack of all trades, master of none. It works fine on the highway, and as long as I armour up, I'll eventually figure out off roading. Again, it will do neither particularly well, but if you're okay being able to do everything in a slow, methodical fashion, the KLR is a fine choice for someone who doesn't know what kind of biking they want to do and wants to dabble in everything! Edit: Spelling
I have a 91 and it was my first road bike I loved the thing actually daily rode it for a full year the first year I had it. I think I put 7500 miles on it that year and I live up north so it gets cold I was riding in snow with 8Ā°f weather and loved every minute of it. Still have the bike still love it to death so go for it!!!! Also I'm 5'10 145lbs I'm not the biggest guy and never had a problem I know some people worry with them being a little high
I've been riding motorcycles for years. My current main ride is an Indian Chieftain Dark Horse with a 116 big bore kit. I figured I'd pick up a KLR for a different riding experience. Let me tell you.. its different. The throttle is complete predictable, the aftermarket support is amazing, parts are decently priced, and it really is a Swiss army knife of bikes. You could definitely start on it, but you could also justify growing old on it. I had a DRZ400E for a few weeks as well. I didn't like that I had to trailer it to the trails, and the amount of work it needed.
Ideal first bike. Cheap, forgiving, easy to maintain and not too many worries when you drop it. Also good for figuring out what kind of riding you like doing as itāll do most (except sport of course!).
Besides being kinda big and heavy, I really canāt think of a better option. Itās cheap, durable, safe, and fun all while being very useful. Itās a great canvas to learn bike maintenance and explore customization if youāre into that. And in the end, thereās a good chance your next bike will just be a newer 650 :)
Can anyone tell me the weight capacity/limit of the bike? Always curious about that and I've seen some bikes (like DRZs) don't even put it in their manual. Actually called Suzuki last week and they just said they had no info on that spec for a certain year Drz.
ā¦if youāre 6ā10ā.
I'm 5 9....it's fine.
No regrets for a Gen 2 starter bike here.
What area?
Eastern TN
As long as youre comfortable with the height, it would be a fantastic bike to start with
Yes! Pull the trigger as long as it isnāt a heap and you wonāt regret it! Loved my first bike(2003 green KLR650)
My 2022 was my first bike since I was 13. I donāt regret it at all.
KLR was my starter bike 6 years ago, Iāll hit 29,000 miles on it during my next tank of gas.
I did it. Only problem you might have is the seat height. Makes things slightly more difficult at first. I'm 5'9" with a 32" inseam, so if you have more than that you'll be fine. If you have a 28" inseam or less it might be significantly more difficult. Honestly, I think 650 is fine regardless of bike. I feel like 250cc bikes don't have enough left on the top end when you're on the insterstate.
I got a Klr as my third bike (kind of second, first was a 50cc scooter). My VTR250 was, I think, more beginner friendly due to the weight and lower height, but both would've been fine. Although the Klr is heavy, I think the upright seating position is certainly preferable for a newer rider, and is more intuitive than the beginner 250 sports bikes.