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BMW R100GS PD or 08 KLR 650? BMW R100GS PD or 08 KLR 650?
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  #1  
Old 30 Jul 2007
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BMW R100GS PD or 08 KLR 650?
Good day.

I've been thinking about getting back on a motorcycle after taking a few years off. I started down the road of a 1200GS ADV, but the price of entry has knocked me out of the running. I pulled back, looked at used and new options and thought that perhaps the new 08 KLR 650 might suit my needs well.

Today I ran across a GS PD with ~50k miles that is about $1000 over blue book. It looks to be in good shape. What do you all think? I should add that I had a 1991 GSPD for a couple years and can recall I really felt comfortable on the bike (6'3"/205lbs.). While they're totally different bikes, the BMW is tugging hard at me as it is definitely the epitome of BMW and would be fun, but probably some mechanical work. The seller states that it is in excellent condition, but I'm not sure what to look for specifically.

My type of riding would be somewhere in the 50/50 dirt/street with some commuting. Any thoughts are much appreciated.

Thank you!
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  #2  
Old 30 Jul 2007
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Why choose?
Hi,
Get both and you will be saving $ compared with the price of a 1200GS?!

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  #3  
Old 31 Jul 2007
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Personally I consider the old R-series to be more or less vintage bikes ;-) But after travelling for over 100,000 Kms on my '93 R80GS on lots of dirtroads in the African bush and the Oz outback, I've really got attached to the bike. Comfortable and fairly reliably.

Having said that, I must admit I had to invest heavily in the beginning: The gearbox was shot after 18,000 kms due to BMW omitting a circlip on the main shaft. So that meant rebuilding the gearbox, fitting a ceramic clutch. Additionally I upgraded the suspension, had the pistons & conrods balanced and changed to twin-sparks. Since then? A new coil in the alternator, a new starter motor - that's all. The driveshaft was still ok at 120 k, but I had a cheap offer for a shaft with grease-nipples and exchangeable bearings, so I went for that.

But mind you, the old beemers aren't for for fast travelling. Permanently high revvs are deadly!

Hope this helps.
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Old 31 Jul 2007
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I agree, I rode around the world on a BMW and if I did it again, I'd take the KLR. I also spent thousands of dollars making the BMW solid and still, if it's not one thing it's another. Just did the driveshaft (again) $650 part. Now that I have upgraded everything (gear box, suspention, brakes, charging system etc, etc, etc) something always brakes if I ride hard offroad for any amount of time.
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