A smaller, lighter, nimble stable mate to the CB?

[the_undecider_imp]

I went and looked at a 2011 KLR650 on Saturday and I am thinking about going back to test ride and see if they'll offer me enough for my supermoto. Allegedly, one of the guys that works at this place wants a 250cc sumo. That may be a tactic to get me back in there with my trade. I was in the biz, so I know how it works. If the deal isn't right, it isn't right. I may just buy it outright if the trade doesn't work out. Hate to have that much clutter...cross that bridge later.

I still feel like I ought to test ride a Versys, but I wanted a KLR before I bought the sumo. I also miss blasting dirt roads, something the Versys is less adept doing. I figure the KLR will hold me over until Yamaha builds me the FZ07 based adventure bike. I went and looked at the FZ07 again and the ergos just don't work. I also don't want to spend $7k on a bike and then wind up throwing another $2k farkling it. The used KLR already has most of the stuff I would do to it, so I'm way ahead. Whatever I buy will be well farkled or cheap enough for me to spend a few bucks setting it up.

As a KLR owner, I might have to agree with Rboe if you're planning on doing any real dirt riding, unless it's mainly forest roads or just plain dirt roads. The bike is heavy...around 430 lbs. I'm kind of sorry when I bought mine that I didn't seriously consider a Suzuki DRZ400-S. It weighs about 300 lbs...quite a bit lighter. However, you probably wouldn't want to ride that bike any distance on the highway either where you could do an Ironbutt ride on the KLR.

As a KLR owner, I might have to agree with Rboe if you're planning on doing any real dirt riding, unless it's mainly forest roads or just plain dirt roads. The bike is heavy...around 430 lbs. I'm kind of sorry when I bought mine that I didn't seriously consider a Suzuki DRZ400-S. It weighs about 300 lbs...quite a bit lighter. However, you probably wouldn't want to ride that bike any distance on the highway either where you could do an Ironbutt ride on the KLR.
Just dirt roads for me. I've done some pretty knarly stuff on my 91 KLR including a bunch of 4x4 roads in SW Colorado. The worst was Black Bear Pass descending into Telluride. Here's a clip of someone on a 250 going down the "steps" which is the most technical part:

http://youtu.be/891qg5sdlxw

I went down with with the with engine off and in gear so I could use the clutch to modulate rear speed without needing to use my right foot. The aluminum skid plate earned it's keep that day. Below the steps are a series of tight switchbacks, though no trouble for a motorcycle. Problem was,my group got stuck behind a massive group of 4x4 and they all had to make 3 point turns to get around the bend. A thunderstorm had rolled in, so I was not particularly happy as a sitting duck while lightning blasted the side of the mountain.

I think the Versys would work nearly as well for the occasional dirt road, especially with the right tires. I've seen some decent looking Versyses for not much money.

The 2011 KLR I was looking at sold later that day I found out, rather they took a deposit. I am not holding my breath it'll fall through, and I will have more time to look around and figure out what I want and get a good deal.