2008 KLR...off road?

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Yak_KLR650

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No duty on Motorcycle parts. If they ship it to you FedEx or UPS you will get screwed:mi:with the brokerage fees. Happy Trails will ship via US Postal Service and its reasonable. For companies that only ship to Canada via couriers, use a service like Ship Happens in Sumas, Washington (http://www.shiphappenssumas.com/)to receive your package (they charge $4) then go to Sumas and pick it up yourself. I am having my new speedo hub shipped from http://www.RonAyers.com to there. Saves me about $50 over buying from my dealer (sorry Chris).
 
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klrman

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My theory was wrong as it looks like the new KLR's are selling like hot cakes. I guess that means most people who buy KLR's really are street riders, so maybe Kawasaki knows what they are doing. HAd a good look again at my local dealer at the 08 and feel like crying! The bike looks terrible, but I am looking at it from eyes of dual sporting. Maybe I am the only guy left who thinks this way, but the bike looks like such an emabarresment for Kawasaki.
 
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klrman wrote:
My theory was wrong as it looks like the new KLR's are selling like hot cakes. I guess that means most people who buy KLR's really are street riders, so maybe Kawasaki knows what they are doing. HAd a good look again at my local dealer at the 08 and feel like crying! The bike looks terrible, but I am looking at it from eyes of dual sporting. Maybe I am the only guy left who thinks this way, but the bike looks like such an emabarresment for Kawasaki.
Click to expand...

As an owner of the older generation KLR, and the new 2008 model now, I can say without a doubt the 2008 is better offroad than the old one ever was.

Suspension is vastly superior, runs cooler, more power, better brakes, more comfy seating position....so why is it that Kawi should be embarrased by the new model?
 
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klrman

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Because it was designed to generate big bucks for Kawa (plastic) every time it
has a good drop. Maybe they should be applauded for pulling the wool over
everyones eyes. Also, just the thought of the rear brake hose having a loop for
ground branches to lodge in shows they are not serious about this bike
at all. Please all wake up or I will come over and de hypnotize all of you from the
mass marketing blitz that has taken over your senses..LOL. Don't mind my opinions, but when I look at the bike I can't hold back sometimes:hf:
 
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KLRPilot

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KLRman, I have to disagree with you.

I think Kawasaki listened to its dealers and customers, and revised the KLR 650 to address the main areas of concern (except, possibly, the "doohickey" balancer problem).

Brakes, suspension, electrical output, seating, wind protection, etc have all been improved. The KLR650 owns the adventure tourer market (BMW a minor exemption).

Here in western Washington, '08 KLRs are either pre-sold are sold while the bike is in transit. There are none on the sales floor.

If I had to replace my '03, I would not even look at a pre '08--I'd just order a 2008 model, along with the tank/engine guards etc to protect it.

Unfortunatley (for me) the rise in the Looney (or drop inthe US dollar, depending on how you look at it) means that I would be buying in the US instead of at Burnaby Kawasaki this time around.

Note to all BCers--you are welcome to have your US mail/internet orders delivered to my home in Ferndale (15 minutes south of the border), and pick up/install the merchandise at my house. All I ask is that you let me know of the order, so I can expect and hold it.
 
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klrman wrote:
Because it was designed to generate big bucks for Kawa (plastic) every time it
has a good drop. Maybe they should be applauded for pulling the wool over
everyones eyes. Also, just the thought of the rear brake hose having a loop for
ground branches to lodge in shows they are not serious about this bike
at all. Please all wake up or I will come over and de hypnotize all of you from the
mass marketing blitz that has taken over your senses..LOL. Don't mind my opinions, but when I look at the bike I can't hold back sometimes:hf:
Click to expand...


Strange since mine has not broken a single piece of plastic....or do i just need to drop it harder?

Maybe if I push it off the roof of the CN tower ???

Mine must be made of the exceptionally tough kryptonite plastic....maybe the only one in existance ;););)
 
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KLRPilot wrote:
KLRman, I have to disagree with you.

I think Kawasaki listened to its dealers and customers, and revised the KLR 650 to address the main areas of concern (except, possibly, the "doohickey" balancer problem).

Brakes, suspension, electrical output, seating, wind protection, etc have all been improved. The KLR650 owns the adventure tourer market (BMW a minor exemption).

Here in western Washington, '08 KLRs are either pre-sold are sold while the bike is in transit. There are none on the sales floor.

If I had to replace my '03, I would not even look at a pre '08--I'd just order a 2008 model, along with the tank/engine guards etc to protect it.

Unfortunatley (for me) the rise in the Looney (or drop inthe US dollar, depending on how you look at it) means that I would be buying in the US instead of at Burnaby Kawasaki this time around.

Note to all BCers--you are welcome to have your US mail/internet orders delivered to my home in Ferndale (15 minutes south of the border), and pick up/install the merchandise at my house. All I ask is that you let me know of the order, so I can expect and hold it.
Click to expand...
Extremely gracious offer.... The world needs more good people like you....Thanks :hb:
 
F

FixerDave

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klrman wrote:
... HAd a good look again at my local dealer at the 08 and feel like crying! The bike looks terrible, but I am looking at it from eyes of dual sporting. Maybe I am the only guy left who thinks this way, but the bike looks like such an emabarresment for Kawasaki.
Click to expand...

I saw my first 08 ride by today. Sorry, but I have to agree - I don't like the way they look. Then again, half the vehicles on the road look stupid to me... I guess I'm getting old. But, one thing that struck me was that the bike must really look stupid when covered in dirt. My bike is always covered in dirt... it just seems to look more real that way. It still has last years race on it :D


Big sigh... my '90 A4 is finally old. They don't even make it anymore, not even close. :(


David...
 
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KelKen08

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FixerDave wrote:
klrman wrote:
... HAd a good look again at my local dealer at the 08 and feel like crying! The bike looks terrible, but I am looking at it from eyes of dual sporting. Maybe I am the only guy left who thinks this way, but the bike looks like such an emabarresment for Kawasaki.
Click to expand...

I saw my first 08 ride by today. Sorry, but I have to agree - I don't like the way they look. Then again, half the vehicles on the road look stupid to me... I guess I'm getting old. But, one thing that struck me was that the bike must really look stupid when covered in dirt. My bike is always covered in dirt... it just seems to look more real that way. It still has last years race on it :D


Big sigh... my '90 A4 is finally old. They don't even make it anymore, not even close. :(


David...
Click to expand...

For me its about change and in this case change is for the better..I wouldnt have bought an 07 or earlier because I didnt find them appealing at all but once the 08 came out I changed my mind...I also did a lot of homework and read a ton of info in this and other forums...the guys that dont like the 08 or a thin minority. :tup:

Ive read otherthreads about the plasticand that theory is pretty thin and I believe you can find something bad about any bike if you feel the need too...fact is the bike is vastly improved from previous versions. :clap:

Anyway some do "hate change"...Im one who likes change...we cant all be the same right?
 
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KelKen08

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KLRPilot wrote:
KLRman, I have to disagree with you.

I think Kawasaki listened to its dealers and customers, and revised the KLR 650 to address the main areas of concern (except, possibly, the "doohickey" balancer problem).

Brakes, suspension, electrical output, seating, wind protection, etc have all been improved. The KLR650 owns the adventure tourer market (BMW a minor exemption).

Here in western Washington, '08 KLRs are either pre-sold are sold while the bike is in transit. There are none on the sales floor.

If I had to replace my '03, I would not even look at a pre '08--I'd just order a 2008 model, along with the tank/engine guards etc to protect it.

Unfortunatley (for me) the rise in the Looney (or drop inthe US dollar, depending on how you look at it) means that I would be buying in the US instead of at Burnaby Kawasaki this time around.

Note to all BCers--you are welcome to have your US mail/internet orders delivered to my home in Ferndale (15 minutes south of the border), and pick up/install the merchandise at my house. All I ask is that you let me know of the order, so I can expect and hold it.
Click to expand...
Thx for the offer...If I find a few extra bucks I may just take you up on that :tup:

Some great mods available but like usual were still getting soaked up here for shipping...:shoot:
 
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klrman

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Don't mind change, but was hoping this bike would not be dressed up after 20 odd years.
 
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KelKen08

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Well I cant argue with those points...they certainly could have added the 6th gear...and could have made sure the "doo" was fixed for good..:?

So much is manufactured all for profit and companies have gotten so huge with so many shareholders to please I doubt the BSing will ever change.

When deciding on the KLR cost was a big deal for me as I have 4 kids and a wife who want things too...you take a look around and what are the choices for duelsport? If all the guys on the net with years of experience got together on one big project to build the perfect duelsport...just think of how good that would be?? :spl:

Until then we have the choices were given..I do enjoy my 08 though....but no its not perfect and if money was not an issue for me and most of us...Im sure we would have a dozen choices in the 40 car garage....:p:hb:
 
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klrman

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They invest so much in sport bikes and always leave the DP wanting, but someone told me once they always leave the DP bikes antiquated so that they never compete with the other bikes they manufactur so that they can maximize profits. That makes sense to me that that is their game. Maybe they think us DPer's are too cheap and won't fork out the bucks if they pulled out all the stops..haha, but I think they could offer 2 versions always for those who wanted more. Looks like the sports bikes rule though and that is their cash cow.
 
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ZED

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mcfly wrote:
As an owner of the older generation KLR, and the new 2008 model now, I can say without a doubt the 2008 is better offroad than the old one ever was.

Suspension is vastly superior, runs cooler, more power, better brakes, more comfy seating position....so why is it that Kawi should be embarrased by the new model?
Click to expand...
More comfy seating position?
I haven't ridden the '08, but sitting on it the position feels just like the stock form of the older version. Maybe they've changed the seat so it's better, but only a long ride would tell and still I doubt it. I don't understand the statement on seating position.
 
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BMWNut

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klrman wrote:
They invest so much in sport bikes and always leave the DP wanting, but someone told me once they always leave the DP bikes antiquated so that they never compete with the other bikes they manufactur so that they can maximize profits. That makes sense to me that that is their game. Maybe they think us DPer's are too cheap and won't fork out the bucks if they pulled out all the stops..haha, but I think they could offer 2 versions always for those who wanted more. Looks like the sports bikes rule though and that is their cash cow.
Click to expand...

Two points...

1) There is a company that's puts dualsport first, and has done so for over 20 years, BMW. Fuel injection over 15 years ago, ABS, heated grips, tubeless spoke rims, shaft drive, 50 A alternator, three year warranty... But all this costs money. Price, features, reliability pick any two :D.

2) I witnessed a "head to head" comparison of old KLRversus new KLR when the two bikes collided right in front of me. Old KLR had slightly bent forks, bent front rim, broken indicator and some body work abuse. If you had to you could have ridden the old one slowly somewhere.New KLR exploded. Not fire and smoke but the entire front end exploded. The front fairing was completely destroyed, fairing support destroyed, instrument cluster dead, top triple tree shattered beyond belief for a relatively low speed collision. Both bar mounts were shattered, both fork legs smashed out. It was a mess.
 
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FixerDave

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BMWNut wrote
2) I witnessed a "head to head" comparison of old KLRversus new KLR when the two bikes collided right in front of me.
Click to expand...

Now, I bet that's a test Kawasaki didn't do :shock:

Anyone hurt? Who lost their sparkly new '08? Well, I guess both were probably insured, so who lost their safe driving discount?

David...
 
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klrman

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Had a good hard looks at the Beemers but after watching "Long Way Round" with Ewan and Charlie for nearly 100 times, thought maybe the ol Beemers may be a tad too heavy in the rough stuff! It's nice to know the "Old" KLR faired better than the 08 in the head on...but hopefully no one got seriously injured?
 
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ZED wrote:
mcfly wrote:
As an owner of the older generation KLR, and the new 2008 model now, I can say without a doubt the 2008 is better offroad than the old one ever was.

Suspension is vastly superior, runs cooler, more power, better brakes, more comfy seating position....so why is it that Kawi should be embarrased by the new model?
Click to expand...
More comfy seating position?
I haven't ridden the '08, but sitting on it the position feels just like the stock form of the older version. Maybe they've changed the seat so it's better, but only a long ride would tell and still I doubt it. I don't understand the statement on seating position.
Click to expand...

I hope to answer this satisfactorily for you.

The seat to my butt feels better.

The wind protection at speed is better for me.

The gauges are easier to read.

At night I can ride relaxed as I can see the road, not stressing about not seeing a darn thing ahead of me.

Less vibration to my hands and feet and such than my old bike....far less tiring.

And it for a reasong i cannot pin point, just feels more comfy to me overall.

I hope this answers your questions.
 
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BMWNut wrote:
klrman wrote:
They invest so much in sport bikes and always leave the DP wanting, but someone told me once they always leave the DP bikes antiquated so that they never compete with the other bikes they manufactur so that they can maximize profits. That makes sense to me that that is their game. Maybe they think us DPer's are too cheap and won't fork out the bucks if they pulled out all the stops..haha, but I think they could offer 2 versions always for those who wanted more. Looks like the sports bikes rule though and that is their cash cow.
Click to expand...

Two points...

1) There is a company that's puts dualsport first, and has done so for over 20 years, BMW. Fuel injection over 15 years ago, ABS, heated grips, tubeless spoke rims, shaft drive, 50 A alternator, three year warranty... But all this costs money. Price, features, reliability pick any two :D.

2) I witnessed a "head to head" comparison of old KLRversus new KLR when the two bikes collided right in front of me. Old KLR had slightly bent forks, bent front rim, broken indicator and some body work abuse. If you had to you could have ridden the old one slowly somewhere.New KLR exploded. Not fire and smoke but the entire front end exploded. The front fairing was completely destroyed, fairing support destroyed, instrument cluster dead, top triple tree shattered beyond belief for a relatively low speed collision. Both bar mounts were shattered, both fork legs smashed out. It was a mess.
Click to expand...

It would be hard for two bikes to hit exactly straight on in a crash....unless they managed to be perfectly straight ahead wheel to wheel, and both riders able to go down at the same time, and same speed, how is the crash a real comparison?
 
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