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

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



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  #1  
Old 20 Feb 2010
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KLE - ugly and uncomfortable
That's the review it gets my local Bike Buyer's guide. They give it 2 out of 5 stars and they class it as a commuter bike.

Just thought I'd stir things up a bit!
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  #2  
Old 20 Feb 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyT View Post
That's the review it gets my local Bike Buyer's guide. They give it 2 out of 5 stars and they class it as a commuter bike.

Just thought I'd stir things up a bit!
Well, to be honest. It is !!!!!!!!!!!!

But that's not the point is it. The motorcycle press will always give give bad reviews to uninteresting, reliable and underpowered machines... It just so happens that these bikes are perfect for OUR needs, not for "joe public"

Thats good for us as it keeps the prices low !!
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  #3  
Old 20 Feb 2010
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It's because of mainstream reviews like this that enabled me to get a year old kle with a genuine 139 miles on the clock for £2500.
carbs, locknut valves, low power etc mean a cheap to run, reliable, inexpensive machine.

All the fancy ickery gizmo's in the world are no substitute for a bike that always works, keeps up with traffic (sorry c90) and costs bugger all to run.
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Old 21 Feb 2010
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Hear hear Joe !

Couldn't agree more!

Leaves the gem's for us in the know and lets those with too much money buy the whizz-bang 1200cc 3/4 tonne behemoths.

Not that they are a bad bike but a new clutch lever for my F650GS would have set me back $80nz!!! for a solid, cast-alloy powdercoated lever for goodness sake.

I can pickup another adjustable lever for my KLE for about $15nz...

Have to agree about the seat though... what WERE they thinking

Cheers
Tracy



Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe C90 View Post
It's because of mainstream reviews like this that enabled me to get a year old kle with a genuine 139 miles on the clock for £2500.
carbs, locknut valves, low power etc mean a cheap to run, reliable, inexpensive machine.

All the fancy ickery gizmo's in the world are no substitute for a bike that always works, keeps up with traffic (sorry c90) and costs bugger all to run.
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Old 21 Feb 2010
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Even better is the fact that many state the bikes potential as only <40HP and no where near the power of a big single. Yes less torque down low thats for sure, but many are shocked at its real potential (HP related to torque and rpm's - kle has plenty of rpm's).

The kle is the best bike in its capacity - my reasons:

I really dont understand Kawa and others they replace the kle with the klr650 with the idea that twins are about 20kg heavier due to the extra metal. Congrads Kawa you produced a heavier, less travel, less powerful replacement you idiots.... - but they did get the fuel tank capacity right. Oh and the versy doesnt count because its not even a dual sport.

Yammie doing the Tenere - not bad, but "wayyy" overpriced, heavy, bad suspension, still not that powerful, single cyl on highway etc....

Suzuki - DL650 (Vstrom) is a good bike, powerful, priced well, heaps of extras. But still very on-road orientated (but better than versy). DR650 is closer to kle, better offroad but I know which I would ride on a 1000km trip and its not the yellow and white suz.. Also it sgetting long in the tooth.
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  #6  
Old 22 Feb 2010
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I don't know what to go for next (when I eventually ride my KLE into the ground). I got mine for next to nothing and it's been the best and most reliable bike I've ever owned. And the most comfortable, once I sorted the saddle out. As for ugly, I think the KLE is better looking than the alternatives. The only one I look the look of is the F800, but that's almost double the price of the KLE where I come from, and it's heavier.

But my KLE won't last forever...sniff...
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Old 23 Feb 2010
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I actually think the bike is very attractive. Good lines, aggressive look, great colour. I had the choice to buy any bike I wanted recently when I smashed my first KLE. Bought another KLE. What does that tell you? Personal opinion I know but I just love it
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Old 23 Feb 2010
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I agree Lone Star

Ok, so it's no Paul Smart Ducati but as DS bikes go I reckon it does pretty well... no ugly "big-sticky-out" bits and it manages to NOT look like a glorified motox bike (we call 'em chook-chasers down here).

I think the side fairings are well shaped and the headlight pod looks the biz too

By the way Lone Star, how do you find the screen? It looks clear, is it?

I'll be getting a local screen company here to make me a copy of the Aussie Eagle screens wide touring screen before winter comes and I wasn't sure whether to get a light smoke or clear

cheers
Tracy
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  #9  
Old 24 Feb 2010
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who says its ugly...
I might as well throw some more photos up here. Its a great looking bike!



The screen I have on now is a clear one from Powerbronze. It is dished and about half as tall again as the original black one. I wanted something that would throw the wind over my helmet but still be low enough to see through/ over when Im out in the bush. I also thought being clear, it would not 'alter' the lines and shape/look of the front of the bike. This screen is imported from Britain so it takes a while to get here (about 7 weeks Ithink it was) and it cost me $150 - ish. I would call powerbronze (lookem' up www)and have a chat to the guy there about what you are thinking. Sometimes it is just worth spending the money and geting the good stuff
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Old 24 Feb 2010
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Hey Lone Star

And do you find that height works?

cheers
Tracy
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Old 24 Feb 2010
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Hi Tracey.
It works.
At speed on the open road I have a 'wind dead' area from shoulder to shoulder and up as high as my forehead area. With the original little black screen, I was copping a fair amount of buffetting on the chest. Now, if I am having a fast scoot along and want to lessen the wind noise, I can 'slouch' down a little and there is no pressure on the helmet at all. Normally its not enough to have to worry about but its nice to be able to get down out of the 'blast' sometimes.
Where do you live? I have a big screen that came with the bike that you can try if you like. I dont use it, obviously, and you can give it a go and see if you want to get your own.
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Old 24 Feb 2010
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What the hell.... heres another nice shot of the 'ugly & uncomfortable' KLE...


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Old 26 Feb 2010
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Great pics. I especially like the colgate bling on the headlight of the last one.

Your mods: braided front hose, bar ends, and a doctored saddle... Am I right? Am I right?
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  #14  
Old 26 Feb 2010
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Thanks Tommy T from Ireland! Love taking photos of my bike, especially when they turn good like the beach shot one - and the glint in her eye makes her a sexy thang, don't you think?
That was KLE number one on the beach. Braided line, bar ends and stock standard seat. Then I crashed it.



This is KLE number 2. Braided line, barkbusters, clear 'scooped' screen and stock standard seat. My arse must be a different shape to everyone else who whinges about being uncomfortable - I dont have a problem with the seat at all
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Old 1 Mar 2010
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Hi Lone Star,

Can you advise on your handgurds..are you using them on standard bars and do you know the part numbers for the handgurds/fittings etc...did they fit without any mods???

Also, is your powerbronze screen the "Flip Type"

Great pics by the way.

Kind regards
Roy
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