Thinks for all the helpful comments,I think I will go with the KLR650. I would like to know if I should buy new or used and if new how much should I expect to pay. I live in Arizona and the sticker price at the dealer is 5199.00. Is the sticker usually what you have to pay because of demand or should I try to negotiate. Thanks your friend PBJ.

Good choice. I think a new bike is preferable if you have the spare dollars since the history is guaranteed and you'll get the maximum lifespan from each component, but the KLR is a reliable bike and doubtless there are many, many good second-hand ones. Plenty of people sell KLRs ready for RTW, which will save more money & time, but fiddling with the bike is a fun way to get to know it. I paid $200 under sticker price in NJ, with dealer preparation included, for my new 2002 KLR.

Good luck shopping,
James

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James Courtier

I would not buy a new KLR. Nor would I buy a bike that is set up for "world travel".
Chances are that example will be well
hammered and used up.

Find a low mileage, late model VIRGIN.
Totally stock is best. Garage kept,
untouched.

With the KLR there is so much you can
do to the bike to personalize it for your travel style, better to be patient and get
a stock bike and outfit it with all the stuff
you want. If you haven't lived off a bike for
at least 3 months then you won't really know what works and what doesn't.
But you can research here and find out
a ton. Good luck.

Plenty of people prepare a KLR for a big trip, never actually leave home, and end up selling the bike for a song. That's what I meant by "ready for RTW"; I wouldn't buy a bike that's actually been 'round the world either... As for second-hand vs. new: my mate rode his second-hand KLR down to Ushuaia, and I rode my new one. The setup was 99% the same, but he had a ton of problems and ending up selling his bike in Argentina as a non-runner. The new one never, ever, had anything go wrong...

Good luck,
JC

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James Courtier

Hello,

Well it depends how much knowledge and money you have.
Though me I would buy a second hand in good shape, maybe you can speak with people having KLR's and get to know the bikes weak, strong, expensive points etc, then maybe you can find one good second hand and spend the rest on serious uppgrade and world travel equippement.
I've heard KLR have the balance shaft conected to crankshaft by chain instead of wheels as it is on most other bikes.
You get better rpm but a chain is a weak point.
If you buy new, you'll have to do a lot of adjusting, greasing, servicing the first 10 000 kms, this will need money, mechanics or knowledge.
A low kilometerd second hand has proved its reliability until then, so why not?
If you check the sensible points it might be the best deal.
Check engine compression
bikes outer shape, youll quickly see how it has been ridden on simple details as gear shift rubber, worn out= agressive rider.
Ask bills of services, oil changes etc.
Make sure bike has not been falling or crashing, look at the direction ends of steering, fork no sign of leak after a test ride!, etc.
Say a bike between 10 000 - 30 000 kms will be fine.
A thumper don't like being ridden on maximum of its power for a long time, nor does it like to low rpm's.
The best is buying one from a serious person having done long distance driving on road.

Hope it helps,

Mattias