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SOUTH AMERICA Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #16  
Old 14 Dec 2005
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Quote:
Originally posted by Flying Gringo:
And KLR650s are junk.
Huh? The KLR is the most popular bike for overlanding - there are many, many satisfied owners - but your bad experience makes them all junk? Come on... Don't most KLR owners go through something like this: you buy a new one, ride it a bit, find it's faults, feel a little unhappy with it and start looking enviously at other people's bikes, wondering why you didn't get one of them instead of that butt-ugly KLR ... but after sticking with what you have you start to realise that it ain't so bad, maybe pretty damn good, and after dumping it for the 40th time you're really happy to be riding that ugly KLR rather than pushing something pretty!

There is no perfect overlanding bike and never will be. Even if you buy the 'sensible' model that everyone recommends, you might end up with a bike built on Friday-afternoon which'll give you nothing but problems. The KLR is a good bet, my pick for SA, but the Dakar is a reasonable choice, too, and could be the right one for you. Relax and be happy with whatever you go with - the trip is about a lot more than just the bike.

My two centavos,
James
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  #17  
Old 14 Dec 2005
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Quote:
Originally posted by Flying Gringo:
And KLR650s are junk.
Not in my experience. My 02 KLR took me to Tierra del Fuego and back with no problems I could blame on the bike. The light weight was a great advantage off pavement in Bolivia and Patagonia. Beats a ... Moto Guzzi!!

As for running at altitude, unlike Beemers KLRs are not fuel injected. Anyone with a Clymer manual can swap in a different jet and adjust the pilot screw in less than an hour.
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  #18  
Old 15 Dec 2005
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How far is that? The 1,100km between Mendoza & BA was an easy & short day on my KLR. 1,400km a day was no problem when time was short. Opinions vary, but I found that the stock KLR is a comfy armchair on the highway (for a DP bike.) True, the Guzzi would usually have you drinking Quilmes at the bar a bit earlier, but the KLR will always get you there

JC
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  #19  
Old 15 Dec 2005
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Easy and short day?
That trip with a KLR in a simple Ruta(not highway)takes at least 12-14 hours.As a non smoker.With no wind against you.
And don´t forget the endless trucks that you must passed!
My experience
KH
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  #20  
Old 15 Dec 2005
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Okay, short it wasn't, taking about 12-13 hours while only stopping for gas & drinks. But it was easy!! The KLR cruises quite happily at 100-110km/h, is plush enough to sit on all day, and on good roads with those considerate Argentinian drivers there's no problem doing 'big' miles when one has to.

Just my two cents, again
JC

[This message has been edited by JamesCo (edited 15 December 2005).]
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  #21  
Old 15 Dec 2005
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What is the best DP bike? The answer is: The bike you like the most. A KLR might take you to SA and back with no problems, but it can't be compared with the confort, smoothnes, safety and yes, reliability of a 650GS, or better a 1200GS.
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  #22  
Old 16 Dec 2005
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Quote:
Originally posted by Carrera:
What is the best DP bike? The answer is: The bike you like the most.
This is absolutely true. The best bike is the one *you* like best - GS/R1/Vespa, whatever.

A KLR might take you to SA and back with no problems, but it can't be compared with the confort, smoothnes, safety and yes, reliability of a 650GS, or better a 1200GS.

Comfort, smoothness, even safety (guess you meant the crappy KLR brakes) I'll give you, but reliability? Hehe, no. The KLR wins back rounds with reliability, parts availability, cost, maintenance and off-road ability.

R1200GS vs. KLR is apples and oranges - the 1200 will be an expensive nightmare off-road; your wife/girlfriend will dump you if you make her sit on the back of a KLR... Too different to compare.

Crikey, I sound like Kawasaki is paying me to write, but the KLR really is a good bike

JC

[This message has been edited by JamesCo (edited 15 December 2005).]
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  #23  
Old 16 Dec 2005
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No question that the KLR is a very good, reliable bike. It is aproven design that has seen little change in close to 15 years. It is the least expensive of the DS, or more apporpiate for this forum, for long distance travel bikes. I just believe that for long distance traveling there are more adequate machines. For most long distant riders you just need a bike that will haul all your stuff, and is able and willing to go on unpaved roads. Another reasonable option would be a Suzuki V Strom 650; a lot of bang for the buck.
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  #24  
Old 16 Dec 2005
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Actually, I will quite happily compare the KLR's reliability with a 1200GS. (Once the KLR owner has taken a couple of hours and $100 to fix the `doohickey' and subframe bolts).

I sure do read a lot about blown driveshafts, blown stators, wrecked rear hubs, etc on GS BMWs. At a cost of four KLRs per GS, I expect it to be four times more reliable. I don't even think it's MORE reliable. Plus I can travel for a whole year on the price difference.

If my bike ever does have a problem, odds are it's going to be something I can fix, not something that's going to leave me stranded.

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  #25  
Old 10 Jan 2006
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Much depends on how much pavement vs. dirt riding you plan on. I don't enjoy long days on straight pavement with my KLR, but on dirt roads it has been really great and has taken a horrendous beating. It's nimble and floats on the ripio highways down here in Patagonia...

Mine has been very reliable.
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