I have a confession............

[Inline4_imp]

I hate to say this, but I've become bored with my 1100. Where I live its so flat and straight its vulgar. I've ridden all the good roads without making it an 8-hour ride.
I only get to ride on Sundays and that's only when the temp is 50 or above.
Reynauds Syndrome prevent me from riding for more than just a few miles before my fingers turn white and numb at temps below 50.
There have been many times while riding my CB that I would come up to a side road in the country when I would think "I wonder where that road goes", only to find out that the pavement would soon turn to gravel and dirt. Obviously the 1100 isn't too comfy on those kind of roads.
For several years I've wondered what it would be like to have a dual-purpose, big-bore thumper. Then I see this........
A Kawasaki KLR650 NE. Its been in production for years, has many after-market suppliers. It has a single carb, extremely easy to maintain, and is practically bulletproof.
At this stage in my life, I feel this is the bike for me. But then I'm a Geminii and things could change soon!
[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/z1zr7/media/KLR650NE_zpsa24b3833.jpg.html]

[Pterodactyl_imp]

The KLR is a fine bike to enjoy those back roads and tracks. Sounds like a pure road bike isn't for your part of the world, unless your willing to put in some travel time. The 650 should give you an acceptable road experience so you can eat your cake and have it too, so to speak. Of course the slice of road cake won't be CB quality, but off-road you'll be well fed. I'm darned sure that if I lived on the flat western plains I'd have a bike that would be at home off-road. Get in to it, before you change your mind . Going to stuff your username though.

Cheers

[the Ferret]

Life is short explore the possibilities, like Ptero said though, Inline1 just doesn't have the same ring to it.

[Cormanus]

Well, he could become Inline4achange or outofline1 or bigborethumper. Seems to me there's lots of options.

Go for it inline4 and enjoy the different roads.

[pechorin75_imp]

I had a KLR for a while...fun bike, no real issues. Mine was an '08, and would use some oil on longer highway trips--apparently they all did--but I believe that was an issue Kawasaki later rectified (and it really wasn't a big deal as long as you were aware of it). For the kind of riding you're talking about, I don't think you can go wrong...especially if you pick one up cheap over the winter.

Hopefully the seat on the "new edition" is actually more comfortable...mine got swapped out for a Sargent in a hurry.

[HikerToo_imp]

based on a few mountain bicycle falls I've had in the last few years, which take longer to recover from as we get older, is riding something like that more dangerous, especially as it gets more off than on road?

[Novice_imp]

My KLR was the reason I got into I4s. Many enjoy the bike, but I found it was neither a good road bike nor a good off road bike.

[hillbilly_imp]

i have a DR 650 that i bought used .had 6500 miles ,never been in dirt .i put a set of perrelli scorpion tires which are basically street. it is agreat companion bike to the cb 1100.a blast to ride. for only 3000 $ .look for used keep 1100!

[the_undecider_imp]

My KLR was the reason I got into I4s. Many enjoy the bike, but I found it was neither a good road bike nor a good off road bike.

Jack of all trades, master of none...

They do ok off road. I did some pretty knarly stuff in Colorado on mine. It's heavy, so real technical stuff isn't fun. If you stick to fire roads and forest service trails, KLR is a fine machine.

On the highway, they are a tad underpowered. It is just a single, so no surprise there.

This bike is utilitarian as they come, so not particularly inspiring. It's more about where the bike takes you, not how well it got there.

Like you, I went from the KLR to a 4 cylinder bike (FJR1300). The first 4 cylinder bike I rode was a Kawi KZ1000. I was hooked.

[holy666diver_imp]

Take the CB off road haha I did that on Sunday... not on purpose ended up on a dirt road. Also went through a paved river embankment and got both tires off the ground... again not on purpose haha good adventures. I love the upright position on the cb i feel like i can get through anything. But if you want some off-road adventures get something a little lighter than a 650. Like a 450 enduro or dual sport, those are easier to handle on dirt roads than the 650.