'95 KLR with 25k for $1600?

[itinerant]

Hi all,

I bought my first bike (a honda CB350) a few years back, and finally ready to get something a little bigger and more versatile.  I'd like something that can do long distances pretty comfortably, but can still be an everyday commuter.  The CB will then get a street tracker makeover.

Anyway, I found a local KLR 650 for sale.  It's a 1995 bike (although it has an unfamiliar to me gray paint scheme - probably custom?) and has 25,000 miles.  The seller is at least the second owner.  He says he's not sure, but guesses that the doohickey has not been replaced.  I'm going to go look at it on Saturday, and hoping for any advice, what to look for, what to offer as a negotiating price, etc.  The seller seems like a very nice guy, very willing to answer questions, etc., so I don't get the feeling he's trying to rip me off (not everyone is, after all!).

Your advice is greatly appreciated!

Sam

[DJ Kawi]

Personally I think the mileage has less to do with how well the bike is taken care of. That can be hard to determine but look at the oil and smell it if it smells burnt that’s not good. Look it over good and see if it’s beat to hell. Then most important remember there is more than one fish in the sea. Walk away if you don’t feel it.

[itinerant]

Thanks DJ.  Yep, I hear you on the walking away.  I definitely have a tendency to get SUPER EXCITED about a buying something, only to realize that it's not the wisest.

Anyway, the seller says he just changed the oil and filter (Rotella T6), replaced the fork seals, checked the valve gaps, and oiled the air filter.  That all sounds great, but he's only had the bike for a few months, so the real question is, how well did the PO take care of it?  My feeling is that if it runs well, sounds good, smells good, looks looks good on the outside, $1600 is kind of hard to beat.  We'll see!

[steve]

throw up a pic or link if you have one.  maybe someone on here will recognise it and PM you some info???

sre

[GSKLR99]

  Just a word of caution here. I found a 1993 KLR650 two years ago for $800 and I couldn't pass it up.

 Fast forward to now....I have a pristine 2006 KLR that I love and a 1993 parts bike.

[itinerant]

Just a word of caution here. I found a 1993 KLR650 two years ago for $800 and I couldn't pass it up.

 Fast forward to now....I have a pristine 2006 KLR that I love and a 1993 parts bike.

Hee hee.  I hear that, and would like to avoid such a situation!  I should also say that if this bike doesn't work out, I have my eye on a BMW F650GS that a dealer has.  4x the price, of course, but I really like it.

Anyway, here's the link: http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/mcy/2901428492.html

Does anyone recognize that paint scheme?  Doesn't look like any stock KLR I've ever scene.

[Whitebread117]

been painted for sure.  Perhaps someone will recognize it.  No farkles to speak of, at least no visible mods.  Price is decent if it's clean.  If there's leaks etc to deal with walk away but if it looks clean and everything works go for it.

[itinerant]

Well, I bought it!  Just got it home yesterday, in the pouring rain.  I had some difficulty getting it started, I think related to vacuum hose issues, so first plan is to do Hurricane's mod on the petcock, or maybe just replace it with a Yamaha Raptor petcock, which I understand is a bolt-on gravity feed option.  Anyway, thanks for your advice; I'm very excited to get out and ride!  Tentatively planning a weekend trip up to the coast of Maine for Easter.

[AdvSwede]

Congrats on the purchase.  A couple of things to look at.  If you are not sure the Doo was done, do it!  I would research the petcock modifications, there is a lot of comments regarding the procedure (pro and con).  This is time to do your preventative maint.  Get some fresh Rotella and filter in the bike.  Welcome Aboard

P.S. Pics

[GSKLR99]

Well, I bought it!  Just got it home yesterday, in the pouring rain.  I had some difficulty getting it started, I think related to vacuum hose issues, so first plan is to do Hurricane's mod on the petcock, or maybe just replace it with a Yamaha Raptor petcock, which I understand is a bolt-on gravity feed option.  Anyway, thanks for your advice; I'm very excited to get out and ride!  Tentatively planning a weekend trip up to the coast of Maine for Easter.

  Congrats.

  But we really need some pictures.

[itinerant]

Hi everyone!  Sorry I went dark for a while - I've been riding!  Can't begin to say how much I like this bike.  The only problem so far is that one night I parked the bike with the steering lock on, not realizing that there's a 'park' mode that's past the steering lock setting on the key switch.  The tail light was on overnight and battery very VERY dead the next day.  Took like 24 hours to charge on my mini battery tender.  Seems kind of goofy that you can pull the key out when the lights are on, but maybe my key switch is just worn out.  Anyway, I learned that lesson, and glad it happened on my block instead of while I was on a trip!

So, since buying the bike I put some new Shinko 705s on, which I really am happy with - they're just about through their 100 mile wear-in period.  I ordered up a Eagle mike doohickey kit (with torsion spring) and a new petcock to fix the vacuum problem (had a hell of a time starting it one morning).  Now I'm just waiting to finally use up the tank of gas that the bike came with so I can do these mods - this thing holds an obscene amount of gas!!

Anyway, I do have one question.  If I want to run a Gerbing's heated vest and gloves, will the stock charging system do me, or should I get one of those high output stators and install it at the same time I do my dohickey?  I think all in all I'd like to run about 85 - 90 watts of gear. I know the stock system puts out shy of 200 watts, so am I set with that, or do I need to add one of these:  http://www.klr650.com/Stator.htm

Also, any recommendations for a relatively quiet upgrade to the exhaust?  Mine's looking a little rusty, and sounds kind of like a 650cc lawnmower, but I'm not looking to go racing (or wake up the neighborhood) - I just want something that doesn't leak and sounds somewhat civilized.

And finally, some pics! These are still from the PO, but I'll take some good ones soon.

Thanks!

[SWKLR]

That's a nice looking ride! 

[Slonishku]

It's painted like the drones we used to shoot down in the Navy for aerial gunnery practice... Just sayin'...

I'm interested to hear what folks have to say about that wattage issue, too. I'm looking at a Warm & Safe jacket, and possibly 35-70 watts of aux lights (intermittent use).

[spiderman]

I've got the Gerbings heated jacket liner with collar and also run the heated gloves with no problem on the road.  Haven't used them around town at lower rpms. 

[freakskate3]

i paid $1300 for an 01 with 16k miles. needed carb cleaned when i got it, came with new tires, battery, and sprokets.