The Golden Triangle Rider Thailand / Laos Motorcycle Touring Forum    FAQ   Search   Memberlist   Usergroups   Register   Profile   Log in to check your private messages   Log in  Kawasaki KLR 650 2008 model          The Golden Triangle Rider Forum Index -> Buy and Sell View previous topic :: View next topic   Author Message Mobaan Motorcyclist Joined: 10 Apr 2005 Posts: 33 Location: USA Posted: 15.04.2008, 21:12    Post subject: Kawasaki KLR 650 2008 model Hi folks , I am currently working in the USA and have severe withdrawel symthoms ( not having a bike ) . I am tempted to buy a new 2008 KLR 650 here in the US ( naked bike quoted at $5100). Does anyone have information on what a person should know , do/ donts etc and give a guiding hand to make a buy decision !!?? Thanks for the help. Jay Back to top daewoo Site Admin Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 320 Location: Oztrailier Posted: 16.04.2008, 06:23    Post subject: Re: Kawasaki KLR 650 2008 model Mobaan wrote: Does anyone have information on what a person should know , do/ donts etc and give a guiding hand to make a buy decision !!?? Thanks for the help. If all you want is to buy a bike, then a KLR will sit in the garage as good as anything... now, if you actually want to ride it, we will need to know where, how, and doing what... I have an 06 KLR, and it does the job for me at a good price point... but I wouldn't want to tour long long distances on it on open road... for that you want a Vstrom or a GS... I wouldn't want to try and do lots of dirt work, for that you want a DR... Cheers, Daewoo _________________ Nothing screams poor workmanship like creases in the duct tape... Back to top Bush Pilot Leader of The Pack Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 149 Location: Thailand Posted: 16.04.2008, 07:32    Post subject: I've been researching this market a bit lately. The new 2008 KLR does represent a good value. Owners seem quite happy with them. Another bike which represents a great value is the 2005-2007 BMW F650gs. Great deals on lightly used ones are around. For the $5000 price range you can get a little more for your money in a lightly used f650gs. On the other end of the scale is the Suzuki DR200SE, which represents a great little machine for the money. They often turn up lightly used in the $2000 range. Personally I'd look for a clean 2005 F650gs with a few extras like bags already added. $5000 gets you a lot in the lightly used market in the USA. Get on the adventure rider classifieds, ebay craig list and see what's out there. Have fun. Back to top Ian Bungy Biker Legend Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 375 Location: Thailand Posted: 16.04.2008, 09:39    Post subject: I haven't ridden one but Dr, Gregory Frazer has one and is more than Happy with in. The 2008 model is much revised and a much better Bike than the earlier Models and has received some Great Reviews!!! http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/detail.aspx?id=221&content=details For myself unlike Bushpilot there wouldn't be anything to Consider, A second hand BMW Boat Anchor Versus a Brand New KLR650, easy Choice!!! Much lighter better Bike. There are loads of Extras available for these Bikes. Check out www.whitehorsegear.com and from Doctor G check out www.dual-star.com, and www.happy-trail.com to see what accessories you can get and their prices. I myself would Buy one if they were available here but Kawasaki claim No Plans to sell it yet as it is Not Fuel Injected although it is Made in Thailand and Sold in California!!! Hard to bet a KLR for Value for Money. That is just My View I almost forgot the Most Important Part. US$5100 is just over 150.000 Baht, You could get a Second Hand XR250 for that here without a Plate!!! We are at a Time in our Lives where Hopefully we have some Money to Spend on ourselves so Why not do it! You only Live once and then the Bike will always be there for you and you can always sell it later when you have had enough? _________________ Cheers Ian Back to top Bush Pilot Leader of The Pack Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 149 Location: Thailand Posted: 16.04.2008, 11:52    Post subject: Ian Bungy wrote: For myself unlike Bushpilot there wouldn't be anything to Consider, A second hand BMW Boat Anchor Versus a Brand New KLR650, easy Choice!!! Much lighter better Bike. The dry weight specifications for the 2005-2007 F650GS and the 2008 KLR650 are virtually exactly the same. (176 kg. vs. 175 kg.) The BMW with the fuel tank under the seat will likely handle and "feel" much lighter than it is due to a lower CG. Also the BMW has fuel injection and a sophisticated dual ignition.(much better fuel economy) The only advantage I see is the KLR can be had brand new for $5100 and it has a 21" front tyre compared to the 19" front of the BMW But a new 2007 F650GS can still be had for $7100. They've built over 100,000 F650's over the years and seem to have a very loyal following. Given the choice I know I'd rather not spend the extra money on gas for the KLR. Back to top daewoo Site Admin Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 320 Location: Oztrailier Posted: 16.04.2008, 12:24    Post subject: double post _________________ Nothing screams poor workmanship like creases in the duct tape... Last edited by daewoo on 16.04.2008, 12:30; edited 1 time in total Back to top daewoo Site Admin Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 320 Location: Oztrailier Posted: 16.04.2008, 12:26    Post subject: Bush Pilot wrote: The dry weight specifications for the 2005-2007 F650GS and the 2008 KLR650 are virtually exactly the same. (176 kg. vs. 175 kg.) The BMW with the fuel tank under the seat will likely handle and "feel" much lighter than it is due to a lower CG. Also the BMW has fuel injection and a sophisticated dual ignition.(much better fuel economy) The only advantage I see is the KLR can be had brand new for $5100 and it has a 21" front tyre compared to the 19" front of the BMW But a new 2007 F650GS can still be had for $7100. They've built over 100,000 F650's over the years and seem to have a very loyal following. Given the choice I know I'd rather not spend the extra money on gas for the KLR. It is all very much horses for courses... The GS650s have no where near the reliability of the bigger GSs... I would love one, but here in Aus they are double the price, and when getting approval from the Minister for Finance that was a big factor. I get about 400Km from a 30L tank, so they are a little thirsty, and they ride rough, being a thumper... They also depreciate quite a lot in the first year, which was why I decided to go for an 06 model with only 6000km on the clock... for $2000 less than new with a $1000 exhaust included... (all Aussie paesos)... Money not being a factor, I would take the GS, money being a big factor, the KLR... part of the calculations was that the difference between new and 6000km old was the cost of a trip to Thailand to go riding... Cheers, Daewoo _________________ Nothing screams poor workmanship like creases in the duct tape... Back to top Ian Bungy Biker Legend Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 375 Location: Thailand Posted: 16.04.2008, 16:17    Post subject: Sorry for being Incorrect with the Info. I honestly thought the BMW was up over 200kgs??? Not sure where i got that from. Anyway You didn't have to agree with Him Daewoo. Us Colonials are supposed to Stick together, I will Deal with you on Anzac Day Seriously i do apologise but would still rather have the New KLR _________________ Cheers Ian Back to top Bush Pilot Leader of The Pack Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 149 Location: Thailand Posted: 16.04.2008, 16:45    Post subject: Ian Bungy wrote: but would still rather have the New KLR I think I would too if only they'd sell a Thailand made bike like the KLR 650 for a reasonable price like Honda sells the CBR150R. All things being equal a bike like the KLR would sell here for 130K. Back to top daewoo Site Admin Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 320 Location: Oztrailier Posted: 17.04.2008, 06:29    Post subject: Ian Bungy wrote: Anyway You didn't have to agree with Him Daewoo. Us Colonials are supposed to Stick together, I will Deal with you on Anzac Day Hey, I thought I was well and truly located on the fence... Cheers, Daewoo _________________ Nothing screams poor workmanship like creases in the duct tape... Back to top Ian Bungy Biker Legend Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 375 Location: Thailand Posted: 17.04.2008, 08:57    Post subject: $5100 in the US = 158.000 Baht so Plus the Duty etc A New KLR650 would have to be around 300.000 Baht here which would still be a Good Deal considering the options and Competition? Unfortunately with the Unwillingness or Complete Refusal to Sell Big Dirt Bikes By all the Big Name Dealers seems like the BMW G series is our only Choice and i will be seriously Considering either the X-Country or X-Challenge towards the End of the Year!!! Even the Grey Importers who i asked to get a New Bike were less than Helpful and i am Still waiting for a Reply from Others??? Makes me wonder, they are either Making To Much Money already or are Just Plan Lazy C**** Weird? _________________ Cheers Ian Back to top Bush Pilot Leader of The Pack Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 149 Location: Thailand Posted: 17.04.2008, 20:25    Post subject: Ian Bungy wrote: $5100 in the US = 158.000 Baht so Plus the Duty etc A New KLR650 would have to be around 300.000 Baht here which would still be a Good Deal considering the options and Competition? Unfortunately with the Unwillingness or Complete Refusal to Sell Big Dirt Bikes By all the Big Name Dealers seems like the BMW G series is our only Choice and i will be seriously Considering either the X-Country or X-Challenge towards the End of the Year!!! Even the Grey Importers who i asked to get a New Bike were less than Helpful and i am Still waiting for a Reply from Others??? Makes me wonder, they are either Making To Much Money already or are Just Plan Lazy C**** Weird? In "theory" a Thai made bike like the KLR 650 should be available here for less than what they sell for in the USA! After all Honda sells the Thai made CBR150R for less than what thy sell for in say Malaysia. Have you priced an X-Country here? In the USA they seem to be running about a $1000USD more than the 2007 F650gs Back to top mikerust Biker Legend Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Posts: 368 Location: BKK, Thailand Posted: 18.04.2008, 10:48    Post subject: Moobaan, Quote: If all you want is to buy a bike, then a KLR will sit in the garage as good as anything... now, if you actually want to ride it, we will need to know where, how, and doing what... Road, off-road or mixed? Have you looked at the $6,899 Versys http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=5231&Page=2 _________________ www.wasp-security.com I am told the more times this appears on a forum the better my web marketing rating is? Back to top NDSinBKK Motorcyclist Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 27 Location: Thailand Posted: 19.04.2008, 08:37    Post subject: Why not Versys One option you might consider is the Kawa Versys. Unlike the GS650, it is a twin, not a single, and its layout is just about ideal for any riding you'd be doing other than Interstate. If it were sold in Thailand I'd have one now... Back to top Ian Bungy Biker Legend Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 375 Location: Thailand Posted: 19.04.2008, 09:03    Post subject: The Kawasaki Versys is a nice little Bike but similar to my Triumph Tiger there is Nothing Off Road about it, Purely a Tar Bike. Tropical John was very impressed with them when He saw them at last years Moto GP in Malaysia! _________________ Cheers Ian Back to top NDSinBKK Motorcyclist Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 27 Location: Thailand Posted: 19.04.2008, 09:17    Post subject: Versys I looked at 'em in New York last year and was greatly impressed. You are right, it is not an offroad bike, but it is light enough to easily do dirt roads and single track out in the baan nok. My previous bikes were big twin HDs, so from that perspective the Versys is like a Scrambler! Back to top mikerust Biker Legend Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Posts: 368 Location: BKK, Thailand Posted: 19.04.2008, 11:57    Post subject: Re: Why not Versys NDSinBKK wrote: One option you might consider is the Kawa Versys. If it were sold in Thailand I'd have one now... 460,000-ish special order from Red Baron. _________________ www.wasp-security.com I am told the more times this appears on a forum the better my web marketing rating is? Back to top tropicaljohno Revered Old Git Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 794 Location: Phuket Posted: 19.04.2008, 19:08    Post subject: Ian Bungy wrote: The Kawasaki Versys is a nice little Bike but similar to my Triumph Tiger there is Nothing Off Road about it, Purely a Tar Bike. Tropical John was very impressed with them when He saw them at last years Moto GP in Malaysia! What I liked about the bike when I sat on it, I could get both feet flat on the ground. (Am 5'10") They sell the bike in Malaysia, but alas not over here _________________ Cheers T.J. I phoned the local gym and I asked if they could teach me how to do the splits. He said, 'How flexible are you?' I said, 'I can't make Tuesdays or Thursdays.' 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