[12er]

KLR 650 is a great learning tool that you may have to buy a new friend for instead of letting it go for the new friend. I sold mine when I upgraded and still wish I hadnt. Whats better than one bike? More bikes! If your tall enough, pick up a dual sport then decide if you want to sell it when its upgrade time. Most Dual sports survive being dropped with little to no damage (thats dropped, not crashed) and you can go almost anywhere, learning in less dangerous surroundings. They are great for the quick fishing / camping trip or just farting around town. The added height comes in handy in traffic and the wide bars and light front end make handling almost telepathic.

For gear start out with the Joe rocket stuff as its cheap and works quite well. If riding is definitely for you, buy a two piece Aerostich Roadcrafter and never look back.

When people complain about the price of good gear, I always tell them to price a skin graft. Puts things in perspective right there.

 

[12er]

Oh and a full face helmet, bugs hurt at freeway speeds and pavement even more... Well unless your a Mr. Macho and didnt like your jaw line much anyway.

When buying a lid wear it around the shop for at least 15 minutes. It should be snug causing a little chipmunk cheek but not making you pucker. If you shake your head, the helmet shouldnt. If it gives you a headache, try another one. Different brands fit different heads, try many. If its is DOT and or Snell approved they all protect about the same, money goes up for light weight, venting and higher quality lining materials.

I tell everyone the same thing;

No matter what season, dress for the "FALL"

Hope to wave to you soon...

 

[12er]

One thing to note while being able to ride off road a bit is nice DP's don't usually have any wind protection (fairing) Which if your going over 55 for very long can be very annoying.

The main thing you get with a DP bike you don't get with a bike like the EX500 is much more suspension travel for rougher roads. If it's a smooth dirt road (like a well maintained fire road) just about any bike can off road on it fine knobby tires can help but actualy slicks aren't as bad as you'd think.

I'd recommend the EX500.

Just a little interjection here, The small windscreen on the KLR 650 is very impressive for its size. I'm 6'6" and going back and forth between my BMW K12RS and the old KLR wasnt much different on the freeway. Granted the loud handle was VERY different between the two... Though if your going street only the EX500 is a very very good first choice. Either one can be had used very reasonable. And you can buy aftermarket windshields for either. Though the touring shields Ive seen on a KLR looks rediculous.

Ah another negative about Dual sports on the freeway is with the wide bars you may shimmy down the freeway. Having your arms out wide tends to catch a little wind and with the leverage of the wide bars causes a little unwanted input. Didnt bother me but my riding buddies found it funny to watch my tires squirm side to side an inch or so as we were rolling down the slab. That and passing grunt is limited on a thumper. Lastly strong crosswinds will get your attention on any bike, but a Dual sport you will notice twice as bad. Big front hoop and high center of gravity makes cross winds interesting at freeway speeds.