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Mikef5000
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 11:49 pm: | 
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it feels about as heavy as a uly
That would be because it is about as heavy as a uly.
I will specify, despite my early statement about loving the KLR's, I would not / could not trade my uly for one, but I would love to have one next to my uly! |
Trevd
| | Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 07:29 am: |
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The time I rode a KLR was on the highway and some backroads. Not bad on the smaller backroads, but on the highway it was pretty rough.
I'd love one I think (although probably prefer a smaller dual purpose), but not as an only bike. |
Hokeyxb12x
| | Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 03:28 pm: |
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I had an 07 KLR, they weigh around 400lbs and with a pipe and jetting it dynoed just under 40hp. I bought an 07 Tiger 1050 and after riding it I hated riding the KLR with no power and sad suspension. I sold the KLR and bought a Uly to take it's place. With the suspension and weight of the KLR it never felt solid always loose, the Uly feels much better on the dirt roads also. The Tiger's throttle response is a bit to much for offroad. I'd opt for the V-Strom, Versys, another Uly or likes of for your 90-10 riding. I don't think you'll be happy with a KLR. |
Wildmonkey
| | Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 01:02 am: |
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Hello All!
Still new to the forum, but I would like to give my insight. I picked my Ully '09 XT up while home on mid-tour leave last month, and put approx. 1000 miles on it on mixed roads, interstate/two lane & the tail of the dragon. I love the upright ergonomics, power, and handling ! I plan on riding this bike from Pensacola, FL to Prudhoe Bay Alaska next year in fact ! Now, having said that, i recently made a deal on a 2006 Suzuki DR 650, so that I can ride/explore the state forests around my home, and do a little weekend camping on it. I don't believe there will ever be one single "Do it ALL" bike, however, most any bike can be used for the needs that are present on any particular day ! BTW, the Ully was bike #3 in the garage, and the DR makes bike #4 ! The other two are a Suzuki Hayabusa, and a Victory Vision ! Cheers All, Steve-out. |
Eulysses
| | Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 01:34 pm: |
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The Suzuki DR 650 is like a cheap ULY...air cooled and simple. It will keep you grinning on the backroads. I keep mine and the ULY. DO NOT trade the 1125 for a KLR! Trade it for another ULY and pick up a nice DR between 2 and 3K. |
D2wing
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 10:24 pm: |
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I had a KLR 650. The Uly handles better especially on gravel, the front slid out on the KLR. The Uly also has more power and is smoother by alot. The KLR will have the edge in tight stuff because it has a bigger front wheel and has much greater steering lock to lock. But neither are really dirt bikes. |
Chrisrogers3
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 10:34 pm: |
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I would absolutely love to trade my 1125r for a Uly, but I havent had any takers.
I really do miss my Uly and I think I will be getting another Uly or a TT in its place, I just really want to sell the 1125r first. |
Ronmold
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - 09:57 am: |
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Wildmonkey, Man do you ever have the gamut of 2-wheeling covered! Would love to see pictures of that stable all together. What do you ride if you just want to go out for a spin?  |
Ogre_fl
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - 12:26 pm: |
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A DR650 would be my #2 choice.
My #1 is not for everyone due to its vibes, if its engine was only a little smoother it would be the perfect adventure bike.
However between its suspension/chassis, power and overall package it is an awesome bike.
When ridden as it was intended, puts KLR/XRL/DR/DRZ's to shame.
Its got a similar twin headlight scowl on its face like the Uly as well.
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Chrisrogers3
| | Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 - 08:33 pm: |
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Alright,
Well I tried out a brand new Versys (with full bags today and I was pretty impressed. It would be my 1125r plus $2000
Ive also got a guy that wants my 1125r in trade for his 07 V-strom 1000 (bone stock 7k miles).
Which do you guys feel would be the better way to go? |
Towpro
| | Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 - 09:47 pm: |
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I just rode a 3 day ride on a bunch of dirt/stone roads with my Uly, a F800gs, a Vee Strom 650 and 1000 and a R1200SX. The only guy that has problems with the R1200 SX.
I looked at buying a smaller bike to do some dirt riding with. I really like the looks of the KLR, but someone reminded me that there is nothing I can do on a KLR that I can't already do on my Uly. So I bought a XR650L instead. I have always ridden big 4 strokes off road and the XR650l feels great to me. |
Paralegalpete
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - 05:46 am: |
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Every KLR I've ever seen sounded like it was only running on one cylinder |
Chrisrogers3
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - 07:46 am: |
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"Every KLR I've ever seen sounded like it was only running on one cylinder"
Yeah I think Kawasaki needs to address that problem! haha |
Ronmold
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - 10:19 am: |
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Buewulf
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - 05:50 pm: |
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Chris,
I think the Versys is a great bike. I have only just recently sampled a VStrom 1000 and only rode it for about 15 minutes, so I can't really give you a fully featured comparison. However, I find the Versys to be much more entertaining. It feels significantly lighter, the suspension is well sorted and the little 650 mill makes up in spirit what it lacks in power. The VS1000 has power, fuel capacity and better wind protection (I like being out in the wind personally), but I wasn't inspired. To me the Versys has an entertainment value associated with it that makes it more than the sum of its parts to use the cliche. Much like the Ulysses... without the heat, bearing failures and snapping drive belts. 
I can't say if 2K + your 1125 is a good deal or not. What you may want to do is see what they'd give you on a trade for a 2007 VS1000. If it is roughly the same, you may want to take the Vstrom and try it out for a few months. If it doesn't move you, go trade it in on a Versys. |
Chrisrogers3
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - 10:23 pm: |
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Well Ive got an appointment on saturday to go check out a VS 650. Im not too sure if Im sold on the 650, but the sales guy seems to think I would be happier with the 650 instead of the 1000. So we will see what saturday brings.
The Versys does seem to be a great bike, I only spent like 5 miles on it, but for a 650 it has a lot of torque (1st gear power wheelies are no problem-of course it has a really short wheelbase). That short wheelbase makes it ride rough though.
Im at the point that I dont know if anything out there will make me as happy as my Uly did. So maybe I should be on the hunt for a 2010 Ulysses instead! |
Eulysses
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - 06:47 pm: |
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"Im at the point that I dont know if anything out there will make me as happy as my Uly did."
You know in your heart that is true...just like the rest of us. Need a Uly and a woods bike...or dual sport trailie type bike. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - 07:18 pm: |
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Amen to that! I have a KDX200 parked beside my Uly, and am happier than a pig in the mud.  |
Catalan42
| | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 05:04 pm: |
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Hi - I happen to have both a Uly and a KLR 650. I think they complement each other well. The Uly is great on the pavement, has plenty of power, is great with passengers, and has nice hard luggage. It is also good on fire roads (assuming proper tires). The KLR is better in dirt (200 lbs lighter!), much less expensive, and can easily handle 75 mph on the freeway so no need to trailer to the fun areas. I think its really a case of 80/20 for the Uly and 20/80 for the KLR.
For tires my favorites are Pirelli Scorpion Trail for the Uly - great handling on pavement and good grip on fire roads. I like the Shinko "Trail Tire" for the KLR. It's an "almost knobby" that works very well on dirt and also is comfortable driving home on the freeway at the end of the day. Also Shinkos are dirt cheap! |
Chrisrogers3
| | Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2010 - 02:40 pm: |
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Well I took out the DL-650 (V-Strom) today and let me say that it is an absolutely amazing bike. I was extremely impressed with it and as far as off road handling it beats the Uly hands down.
But let me tell ya, if you complain about a hot seat on a Uly..... The Strom is like a volcano under your ass. And of course its ugly as hell. But those are the only two drawbacks I see on the bike. |
Ogre_fl
| | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2010 - 09:44 am: |
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I am surprised to hear the comment about the seat being hot.
I never had any issues with bike generated heat on the 650 Strom.
I had the accessory gel seat.
If you parked it in the sun, the gel insert would get quite hot, but would eventually cool as you rode.
A low tech fix for that is a towel over the seat when parked in the sun.
There is no easy fix for the ugly  |
Buellerxt
| | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2010 - 12:50 pm: |
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Ogre_fl, knowing that you didn't like your 2010 Uly, how do you compare the Uly and 650 V-Stroms? Thanks. |
Ogre_fl
| | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2010 - 02:04 pm: |
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Both bikes feel about the same weight.
The XT did feel like it carries its weight lower.
Both bikes have very similar ergonomics, with the Buell feeling a bit more open or bigger.
With a Madstad bracket and the stock shield the Strom has significantly more wind/weather protection.
The suspension of the Buell is MUCH better all around.
The Buell handles high speed sweepers better, period.
They handle low speed tight paved turns differently.
The Strom had a lighter feel, but less solid.
The Buell takes more effort but feels noticeably more planted.
The 650 has no warts in its power delivery or fuelling.
It prefers to rev and is its most fun doing so.
It will run happily and smoothly at just about any RPM that it is not noticeably bogging.
The Buell is noticeably more powerful.
The Buell turns much less rpms at speed and has a more relaxed engine feel over 70 mph.
The buells first gear is ridiculously tall and handles soft ground horribly.
With TKC's and some under body armor the Strom can go thru just about anything until its ground clearance becomes an issue.
With any of the 90/10 tires it can get stuck, but is far better than the buell.
I would NEVER take the Buell where I took the Strom even when I ran 90/10 tires on it.
It might get through, but would not be any fun doing so.
The Strom got 48-52 mpg from the day it was new, the faster you go the worse the MPG's.
The Buell got 32-44 mpgs, I have no clue what determines what it gets, it was all over the board.
The Strom goes about 2 times as far as the Buell on a tank of fuel and runs on 87 octane.
In the 25,000 miles I rode my 650 Strom NOTHING ever broke, nothing ever went wrong, it never went to the dealer.
The Buell did not run well from new.
From new it got awful gas mileage that seemed to be improved by an AFV reset during the last service.
Updated program fixed many of the issues, some never were and I was told 2 times by the dealer it was how Buells are.
(Message edited by ogre_fl on June 28, 2010)
(Message edited by ogre_fl on June 28, 2010) |
Buellerxt
| | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2010 - 06:48 pm: |
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Thanks, Ogre_fl. I appreciate you taking the time and being so descriptive. It seems to boil down to off road ability, particularly in first gear, RELIABILITY, and gas mileage. I'm working on that Buell RELIABILITY thing and have been getting a steady 42-44 mpg which I'm fine with! I was interested in your bike, though I had no 'sensible' reason to be, lol, but the distance was the issue. Stay around, join in, and share on your new bike(s). Thanks again. |
Towpro
| | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2010 - 07:18 pm: |
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Alan, I just put those Shanko 700 Trails on my XR650L. Much nicer on the roads then the DOT knobbies the last owner put on it. Once I get a chance I will try them in some dirt.
I really bought them for the stone roads of PA. |
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