Solo riders up near Jasper AB KLRs

[Joliet Jim]

On our car trip up north to Mt Robson, we've travelled through some desolate areas. I'd have to say the majority of these riders seem to be on KLRs. I've seen some small (4-5) groups of HD riders and smaller groups of BMW riders, and possibly a Triumph Tiger with a TT85 and a Tiger with a Kaw Z900 (the new edition).

I don't know if I could do it. A long solo ride where you can have a 100 miles of nothing between towns that themselves are rather small and 100 miles from the next. As impressive as the riders are, I was really impressed by how many were on KLRs. All I can assume is those bikes are indestructible and easy to work on in the wilds.

Something I would have loved to have done, but with my current vision and heart issues that time has passed.

My only advice is do it (whatever it is) now because in the span of a few years your health can change drastically.

[Dave Swanson]

Point well taken Jim.  This time last year I had no idea just how thin the ice was that I was walking on.  Coming up on 1 year since my heart attack and bypass.  I was sorry to hear about your latest eye problem.  I hope the docs can do something for that.

KLRs certainly seem to have a loyal following.  There must be something desirable about them, but when I ride a KLR that belongs to a friend, the only thing that comes to mind is - boring!

[ChuckH]

The KLRs enjoy a unique position in motorcycling. 

Overall, regardless on the model that is owned (and I think there are only two), they are go-anywhere pack-mules, bulletproof (once some minor revisions are made), require minimum maintenance, have a zillion accessories available to modify a bike to meet any riding need, have always been very reasonably priced and economical to operate, have a large tank with a long fuel range, and are just fun to ride.  Granted, they are not a rocket off the line nor can they operate in that rare air above one hundred per, but, with a gearing change, they can motor quite comfortably at 70 MPH all day long without complaint.

Many years ago I owned a 2001, that really ugly green color.  It was set up with rear cases, front panniers, tank bag, etc, etc.  It served me very well for 3 or 4 years.  Guess I wonder why I ever got rid of it.

Ride safe out there.

[fotoguzzi]

I’ve owned both a gen 1 and 2 KLR. I’ll just say my Suzuki DR650 was a far superior machine. Add an over sized after market tank and go anywhere a KLR can without the extra weight carried by the KLR. Plus the DR was faster and smoother on highways, gearing changes can fix that on the KLR but it’s compromising something then.
No doo hickey to worry about, not liquid cooled thermobob mods, felt about 100 pounds lighter. I could go on. I’m looking for my next DR right now.

[PeteS]

I never found my KLR boring, actually its a lot of fun. Only real downside is low cruising speed but more than adequate for two lane roads. Its the slowest bike I own but most comfortable for me, more so than even my Goldwing. Disappointing Kawasaki didn’t add another 15 HP on the current version to make it more capable on expressways.

Pete

[Seventy One]

I just bought a brand new '22 KLR. It was either going to be this, the Pan America or the Africa Twin.

It's so much fun to ride and so easy to wrench on that, as of right now, I'm certain I made the right decision.

[steven c]

 I had a 2001 KLR for a couple of years, I found it to be a fun bike on a back road and could pretty much go anywhere, but now I keep looking for a clean DR650 lighter, air cooled, plus I haven't owned one.

[john fish]

I have an '08 KLR.  250 mile range before hitting reserve.  Very roomy and comfortable.  Surprisingly effective fairing. 

[Don G]

I live in Saskatchewan, if you want to talk about desolate, there used to be many small towns 50 years ago due to the rail system setting up towns along the right of way, slowly over the years these towns have dwindled and it is a very sparsely inhabited area now. there are over a million miles of road here and the population of just over a million people. We have no problem riding far and wide here, just less knobs in your way......  DonG

[Scott of the Sahara]

When I got back into motorcycling in 2008, the first bike I purchased was an 06 KLR 650. Kawasaki Green.
That bike was fun and it worked well to get me into riding after a 24 year hiatus. I kept it for a year ad a half.
The one thing that the KLR could not do was ride me and my wife comfortably. I was looking for more long distance touring, so I bought an old Suzuki GS 750 that worked well for 2 up. IN 2010 I was able to purchase an '08 Norge NOS. At that point I sold the Suzuki and the KLR. If I was riding alone, the KLR was a great bike. The one thing it did not do well for me was riding on trails and mud. For me it was a street bike with knobbies. The 36" seat height was a killer. I lowered mine 2" and that helped. Also the valve adjustment was daunting. I checked the valves but did not adjust.

[Gusable]

I had a 2011 KLR and a brand new 2018 yellow one. Shoulda kept the 18.  Would seriously consider one as a brand new bike. Here they are 7600 out the door. Base model.  I’ve got all my cycle chips in my 94 cali though.  No payments and classy!

[Stretch]

I just picked up a 2011 with 5K on the clock and some Happy Trails side boxes.

Surprisingly comfortable - I did 300 miles on the way home without aches, pains, or any other trouble.

I've got over 6K on it now. Didn't like the stock windscreen on it, so I replaced it with a Madstad
Engineering number. Better, but not Gold Wing coverage either.

It'll do 70-75 on the Interstate without complaint, but it's more comfortable at 60-65 on 2-lane highways.
Seems as if it'll run absolutely forever under those conditions......we'll see.

I'd like to put some heated grips on it and do some other mods over the winter.

                                                                           -Stretch

[Canuck750]

You are in my backyard as far as popular riding spots. You haven’t begun to get near desolate for northern Canada. 100 - 50 miles between towns is common and the further north you go the longer the distance between towns. I have had a KLR for almost twenty years, best all around bike for the north.

[Joliet Jim]

You are in my backyard as far as popular riding spots. You haven’t begun to get near desolate for northern Canada. 100 - 50 miles between towns is common and the further north you go the longer the distance between towns. I have had a KLR for almost twenty years, best all around bike for the north.

Yeah the more I travel the more I appreciate or take for granted living near the 3rd largest city in the US. Fuel stations at every intersection. Major hospitals within 20 minutes. Ice cream for a late night munch is a 5 minute drive away. Nothing really poisonous or things that want to eat me to worry about. Though I will admit the current multiple province alert over the stabbings up here, make me wonder if we'd ever see any TV if they broke in for every shooting in Chicago on a holiday weekend. Pretty soon we'll get back to the cut down corn fields with the plastic bags blowing across them and getting stuck. That said my physician, ophthalmologist, and cardiologist are all with 20 minutes and I have appts with them all when I get back to try to determine what the hell is going on with my sight and BP.
 

[Canuck750]

Being in the thick of things must have its pluses as well!

Enjoy the north country.

Jim

[Joliet Jim]

Being in the thick of things must have its pluses as well!

Enjoy the north country.

Jim

We are, though we did have to change our fuel and dinner plans in Jasper tonight. First thing I had to do when we returned to the rental was to check if we still had power and figure out how big a hectare is. Damn fire.