Buying Used KLR650 - which one?

**joelcannon** · #1 30 Jun 2003

I have found 3 local KLR650s and they are all about the same price and cosmetic/mechanical condition (good shape).

The main difference is the number of years and number of miles - I am not sure how to judge which of the 3 is the best deal.

Once I decide, I will pay $80 to have the bick inspected to see if there are any problems that my untrained eye can't see.

Which of these 3 sounds like the best deal?

1991, 19K miles
2nd owner, well maintained,
worn rear tire, bonus - Givi trunk,
$2250 (negotiable

2000 51K miles
orig owner, well maintained, 6m ext warranty,
$2000 (negotiable)

1999 28K
orig owner, well maintained
worn rear tire, bonus - used bags
$2000 (firm)

I was planning on getting some kind of affordable bags - so having something incluced is a bonus that I value.

This is my first bike, and I am interested in doing my own maintenance and basic service. (Need to get the manuals.)

Another factor, is that I am interested in using this bike to swap with others in foreign countries for touring (I live near San Francisco). I want it good enough that others would not mind riding it - but not so nice that I would afraid to loan it to someone.

Ready to buy - so your advice is appreciated.

Joel

**t0by** · #2 30 Jun 2003

Well, figuring that a KLR engine is supposedly good for 35k miles before it might start need ing a rebuild, I'd go with the lowest mileage.

You might want to fnd out if anything engine-wise has been done to the bike with 51k. If the engine hasn't been rebuilt, forget it. If it has, could be okay.

You'll always need to replace tires, and a topbox can be ordered online from jc whiteny for about 30 bucks, so i'd go for the bike with the most engine life.

FWIW i bought a 95 klr with 8k miles on ebay for 2,130$. And rebuilt the engine at about 40k miles.

Happy travels

**Edd** · #3 1 Aug 2003

all i can say is about my own experiences..

i have an '89 KLR, in the first several years i put on 70,000km. gravel and pavement, i 6'10, 230lbs, top speed (original sprockets street tires) 170km/h. touring 80-100km/h about 55mpg, a little over 525km before reserve. i put it into the shed for six years... pulled it out quick tune up change tires and drove it to top alaska, bottom baja california, 21,000km in five weeks....

in her life, she has been stolen and abused, and i have come off of it a number of times (black ice) and even had a car hit the rear once when driving.

what has been done to her.. new clutch plates (after she was stolen), clutch cable, oil seals dont seem to last ridding in the cold, rear shock- bashhing on the dalton.

never touched the engine, muffler, or the carb. she stills sounds new with 95,000km. but i must say every 5,000km new oil and filter. as much as i would like to get a KTM would it realy be worth the extra cash in the long run???

the KLR is anexcellent bike for gravel roads to long touring, the only let down is the suspension, it was never built as a dirt bike.