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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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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
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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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  #5  
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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  #7  
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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