12-28-2014, 06:43 AM
A month ago, I bought a Kawasaki KLX250SF supermoto because I wanted a bike with a bit different personality and less "pretty" for those days where I might encounter rain or a dirt road...who knows what. My first thought was to get a newer KLR650, but I've long wanted a supermoto. For that, I would have preferred a DRZ400, but my cheapness and impatience won over when I found a good deal on the Kawi.
I've rejetted it and added a slip on exhaust. It runs much better, but is loud. You have to spool it up to run on the highway, it's fuel tank requires frequent fills, and it's really only fun on tight twisties and back roads. The 400 would be a little better at speed, but I don't think it's going to be what I want in a smaller bike. There are 3, maybe 4 bikes I am thinking about. Part of me wants something with a little bit of hooligan with some bit of comfort for a day ride and able to take on some soft luggage or a top case.
My least favorite may actually make the most sense. The Versys has an upright position and longer travel suspension so it may feel most like a motard. They are cheap and abundant on the used market and have a lot of aftermarket support. I've heard they are quite buzzy, so not sure how bad it is. I need to test ride one.
The other Kawi is the KLR650. I grew up on dirt bikes and dual sports, so throwing one of these around feels natural. They are heavy, but I've owned one and know what to expect. Decent wind protection and luggage capacity are plusses, but I have never been enamored with the way the KLR makes power or how it sounds. It just isn't getting me fired up.
The Honda CB500X is an odd duck in that I really like the way I fit on the bike and feel like it punches above it's weight for it's engine size, but I just don't get excited. It's my favorite on paper, but it seems to be missing that special feel.
Last, is the Yamaha FZ07. I haven't ridden one, but it's supposed to have a great engine. It's the smallest, lightest, and most powerful. On paper, it screams hooligan. When I sit on it, it feels a little cramped. It's the one I want to like the most, but am afraid I won't agree with the ergos. Like with the Versys, a test ride appears to be in order.
I've rejetted it and added a slip on exhaust. It runs much better, but is loud. You have to spool it up to run on the highway, it's fuel tank requires frequent fills, and it's really only fun on tight twisties and back roads. The 400 would be a little better at speed, but I don't think it's going to be what I want in a smaller bike. There are 3, maybe 4 bikes I am thinking about. Part of me wants something with a little bit of hooligan with some bit of comfort for a day ride and able to take on some soft luggage or a top case.
My least favorite may actually make the most sense. The Versys has an upright position and longer travel suspension so it may feel most like a motard. They are cheap and abundant on the used market and have a lot of aftermarket support. I've heard they are quite buzzy, so not sure how bad it is. I need to test ride one.
The other Kawi is the KLR650. I grew up on dirt bikes and dual sports, so throwing one of these around feels natural. They are heavy, but I've owned one and know what to expect. Decent wind protection and luggage capacity are plusses, but I have never been enamored with the way the KLR makes power or how it sounds. It just isn't getting me fired up.
The Honda CB500X is an odd duck in that I really like the way I fit on the bike and feel like it punches above it's weight for it's engine size, but I just don't get excited. It's my favorite on paper, but it seems to be missing that special feel.
Last, is the Yamaha FZ07. I haven't ridden one, but it's supposed to have a great engine. It's the smallest, lightest, and most powerful. On paper, it screams hooligan. When I sit on it, it feels a little cramped. It's the one I want to like the most, but am afraid I won't agree with the ergos. Like with the Versys, a test ride appears to be in order.