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How reliable is the KLR650 for a RTW, don't know much about them, trying to learn ! How reliable is the KLR650 for a RTW, don't know much about them, trying to learn !
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 12 Mar 2009
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How reliable is the KLR650 for a RTW, don't know much about them, trying to learn !
i was just wondering how reliable and suitable the KLR650 is for an RTW trip. Don't know much about them but they are cheaper here in Oz than the BMW, honda or the tiger..
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Old 12 Mar 2009
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I rode with 97 model KLR-A (usa version) from turkey to mongolia and mongolia to turkey ...and had no problem what so ever ...

3 years ago i made the mistake of my life and sold it ...
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  #3  
Old 12 Mar 2009
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Klr650
The Klr650 is like a Jeep , it will go pretty much anywhere and will be very reliable if you do take care of it, I had 2 and the last one had 80000 miles without any problem. If you go online you will find the mods to be done and for little money will have a great bike for one up plus luggage. just try one before buying it as they are tall and top heavy.( didn't bather me much)

Good luck.
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Old 12 Mar 2009
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The KLR 650 is the Swiss Army Knife of the m/c world. It doesn't do anything perfect but does everthing well. Would you take a swiss army knife with you around the world? I would.

They are as close to a 50/50 (Dirt/street)motorcycle as you can get.

KlR's are all about the tires you put on them. With street tires they handle as good as most anything. Put dirt tires (Dunlops 606) of them and they work well in the dirt.

Replace the Doohickey and go.

However, if you go two up. The Triumph Tiger or BMW gs will handle the weight better.
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Old 6 Sep 2009
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Smile klr for rtw
Hi!,
TQ all for bringing up the question about KLR suitability for the RTW and some positive replies. I am planning to do the RTW on KLR 650 model 2008 myself starting from my country (Malaysia) moving westward. I have made little mod on the bike except for height adjustment. Tall bike for me. Now I am doing some regional ride as a drill to the RTW. My assessment on the Bike, value for money. Ride Far Ride Safe. Amzah.
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Old 9 Sep 2009
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KLR for RTW,yessssssssssssssssssssss
Hey matesI change from BMW R 100GS to a 2008 KLR 650,and I can say now after 27000km,much better handling,more economic,simple single zylinder with more power what you need,check every 26000km,the valve clearance and drive without problems.(I don't change the doohickey,why).I like my green one,better than the Old GS,sorrys freaks,but that's my experience now,on my trip around the world from 2005 to until.................,more under,FRED KLEIN
now with english translation tolls babel fish,Fred.
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Old 30 Sep 2009
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In pre-2008 models, the doohickey had a bad habit of breaking into pieces, which could be catastrophic for the engine. This part was significantly strengthened in the 2008 and later model, but some still complain that the spring is not strong enough/wears out too easily and results in unnecessary wear and noise from the balancer chain. So, one could say that replacing this part isn't mandatory in the 2008 and later model, but many who are particular about the longevity of their engines will replace the part.

If you want lots of how-to's, etc., check out the KLR650.net forum. You'll find write-ups on cheap boxes, tool tubes, etc.
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Old 2 Nov 2009
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KLR650 reliability
Very reliable. Long proven record; basic, reliable and reasonable to work on engine. Easy to get parts. Much cheaper than the BMW.
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Old 17 Nov 2009
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I just bought a 2008 KLR and am extremely happy. Handles well on, good riding position for tall guys like me, excellent range......and fun to ride on any surface.
.... also, worth spending a bit extra for crash bars, pegs and skid plate.
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Old 20 Nov 2009
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Mel Falcon (sp) says in the DVD series that any bike can make the trip...its all about the rider.

The only suggestion I would make concerns buying a used bike. So many people swap out the exhaust and modify the airboxes. The real question is if the bike has been tuned properly. You want that happy medium between performance and reliability.

Speaking for myself...I won't buy a bike that's been modified. I might if the owner can produce the OEM take offs. Even oil changes are suspect. Who knows what oil has been run though it. The manuals say to use JASO-MA specifications....but allot of people use automotive oil instead.

If you can, purchase a new one. What ever you get....your going to have a great time.

daryl
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Old 21 Nov 2009
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I'd say all the posters here are full of it - the KLR, I mean.

Can anyone who's been on this forum point to TWO KLR's that have actually been around the world - not just Turkey to Mongolia and back, or not down to TDF from NA.

Who's actually gone over 100,000 miles, riding around the world, on this thing? Doing 100K miles in North America doesn't count - that's not same as taking it to South America and scorching the piston by riding at high altitude with the improper carb jets! (try buying KLR parts in South America lately? )
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Old 21 Nov 2009
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A google search revealed 4 Round the World trips by KLR on the first page .

Different strokes for different folks .
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Old 22 Nov 2009
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OK, I'm being a bit hard on the KLR.

All the postings on the HUBB for folks dumping, err selling, their KLR's after reaching South America had me confused.
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Old 22 Nov 2009
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My take on this scenario ,is that the KLR appeals more to the younger guy on a restricted budget .A lot of these guys have very little mechanical skill , hence the bike is abused and/or dumped at the end of the ride .

As with any bike : if you look after it , it will look after you .
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Old 22 Nov 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quastdog View Post
OK, I'm being a bit hard on the KLR.

All the postings on the HUBB for folks dumping, err selling, their KLR's after reaching South America had me confused.
I can understand your confusion. But I happen to have arrived at your post immediately after reading about two (2) GS riders stranded by breakdowns in the Andes--one regular contributor waiting for major parts in Peru, I believe, begging for someone to help out, and another trucking his bike back to Colombia (with advice from the list referring to all sorts of obscure coding, parts and procedures). Of course, the second poster probably needs just a battery....which might address the comment about younger, less mechanically-adept riders. Or not.

KLR parts look to be perhaps a bit difficult at times, but then again parts for my KLR can be fabricated or faked almost anywhere. I will shortly be trying to prove that true in S.A. as it is elsewhere.

The idea that RTW travel is defined in terms of 100k miles may suit some, but that does not make it the law of the land.

enjoy,

Mark

(from someplace ridiculously hot and humid in Panama, 2007 KLR headed south with 57k miles on the meter)
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