T2W: Where’s the KLR and Why a BMW GSA?
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
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This episode is in response to viewer requests. Many have asked why I traded my 2009 KLR 650 for a 2017 BMW R1200 GS Adventure. Others have asked me to compare the two bikes.
In this video, I will address both of these topics.
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Though the KLR may be gone the guide videos will be around forever to help people with their own bikes
Excellent point Ian! And I'm still here to answer KLR related questions.
Thanks for the support.
Hey tim as a new klr owner and someone who just adjusted the valves successfully after watching your great videos I want to thank you for being so thorough and detailed about the process....whenever i came to a problem i just rewound the video until i understood...your videos gave me the confidence to attempt something and after i put everything back and fired up the engine i was stoked by the success. Enjoy the beemer and thanks again from north of the border.
It will be interesting to watch what happens. I have ridden BMW's the last 25 years and just sold my beloved 93 GSPD and bought a KLR and I'm loving it.
I did however keep my 79R100RT just in case.
Hi Patrick, the KLR is a good bike and I'm sure you will enjoy it. I have to say I do love my GSA. I seem to like more everytime I ride it. However, only time will tell how it does long term. It is definitely more expensive to maintain than a KLR, but it's also more sophisticated and technical.
I do miss my KLR at times. There was just something about that bike that I liked. For long distance and two up the GSA is far better, so you'll be glad you kept your RT for that!
The KLR is great for camping, back roads and easy to moderate off road. It's a little heavy for technical terrain, but it can do it if you take it easy.
Thanks for the comment and for watching.
I completely agree with you for two up, you cannot beat the bmw. I will also add that in general it just doesn’t give you any issues. I will always remember i was on a trip from miami to seattle on the 93 pd and i had some ignition issues i could not get corrected myself so i stopped in chicago motorworks to let them diagnose it. There was a guy there on what was then a brand new gsa 2014 i believe. He was having them change the fluids and general tune up. He had bought the bike brand new in Santiago chile and was on his way to alaska and was really happy with the fact that he had not had one issue with the bike. He was also quite impressed with my 93. Anyway yes the beamers are great bikes. I really sold mine because i live on the pike national forest and i needed to be on a lighter bike as i am typically in the BLM here.
Thanks for all your videos, they have already helped me a lot and i am sure will continue to help me and others as time goes on.
I remember hearing you talk about riding two-up on a KLR in at least one of your videos. When the GS showed up, I figured out why. Thank you for the KLR videos. I go straight to your channel anytime I'm considering doing something on my bike. Your videos are always the most detailed and best filmed that are out there. Thanks for all your help. My KLR is better for your work.
Hey Thanks PDR, I appreciate the comment and I thank you for watching!
I'm a new subscriber and a new KLR owner, i just want to thank you for the awesome content that you put together for the KLR. I also understand your reasoning. I have other bikes to fill the high speed touring aspects of riding, two up or solo. In the end I opted for the simplicity and reduced size of the KLR.
Thanks again for all you've done for the KLR community.
Hey, thanks for the comment. The KLR is a great bike. I hope my videos help. Thanks for watching and enjoy the new bike.
@@Tim2Wheels Thanks Tim. I took the KLR on the first ride yesterday and I really like the bike. I should have scratched the KLR itch 30 years ago.
I Appreciate all the time and effort you spent on the klr series of videos, great go to reference. Always loved the BMWs too, so have been enjoying the more recent vids, thanks for taking the time to share you mods thoughts and knowledge!
Coast Cruiser Hey, thanks for the comment and positive feedback. I'll keep making videos and try to keep them informative and entertaining.
Thanks for watching!
You teach me something in every video including this one. "Functional sparkles"... I had no idea!
Thanks for all the KLR videos and help. I think you made a great choice with the BMW!!! I have a KLR and a Yamaha Super Tenere and I wish I could have got the BMW maybe one day!! Good luck with your new mount and thanks again!!! Ride safe and ride often!!!
Thanks Randy. I appreciate the comment. And thanks for watching!
Decided to watch this again after a few months of time. I am still having fun with my new KLR and getting ready to install the Thermo-Bob. I am also doing a very through 24K maintenance on my LT in preparation to ride to Alaska this summer. The LT is just a beast to work on compared to the KLR. It takes at least two of us to get it up on the lift. I just don’t trust myself anymore at age 59 with a 800 lb bike with $4,000 of plastic on it! 😳
It was interesting to hear again your comment about fuel capacity. My LT holds 6.2 gallons and the KLR is about 6 as I recall. Interestingly, both get about the same fuel mileage so my range on the LT is almost the same as the KLR. I looked at the new Wing this past summer as my LT is now 11 years old and I was thinking about something newer. My wife is not a big fan of the K1600s, although we test rode a new GA and it was the best of the lot for the passenger and while she could live with it, she still prefers the LT. So, I am adding an RDL seat, replacing things like fuel lines and radiator hoses and hope to soldier on a few more years.
Back to the Wing. For some reason, Honda decided to reduce the capacity from a reasonable 6.6 gallons to something like 5.5 on the new Wing. And they reduced the luggage capacity substantially as well to where it is much less than my LT, which itself is barely enough for two to travel any distance. After riding the Wing and seeing the limitations on luggage and fuel, we decided it wasn’t for us. I guess most Wing riders tow trailers, so the luggage capacity is of no concern to them. I just don’t see myself every towing a trailer on a bike. I will probably switch to a Spyder before that happens!
Enjoy your GS. BMWs are fine machines, but they are maintenance intensive and the cost of parts is often breathtaking. For example, a new set of radiator hoses for my LT is $250! I bought an aftermarket silicon set for about $85. The external fuel hoses were something like $160 for a full set of formed hoses. I am hoping I can make the bends with standard Gates fuel line or, if need be, add in a 90 elbow or two rather than pay BMW prices for hoses. The good thing is that BMW has pretty good aftermarket support so there are options out there. I am sure you know of BBY (BeemerBoneYard) by now, but if not they are a place you want to get to know.
Thanks for giving me enough information to make an informed purchase.
Thanks for the comment and for watching.
Thank you for sharing all of your KLR experience. I have a 2013 KLR650 and really enjoy it. When my rich uncle gets out of the poor house, a Honda Africa Twin or a KTM 1190 Adventure will be on my wish list. Happy and safe riding.
Thanks for the comment Tim, and thanks for watching.
Thank you for taking the time to explain the switch! Riding 2 up definitely requires more power and better suspension. My wife pretty much never rides with me so for me going from a gs “down “ to a Klr made more sense for me. You have a great bike and I hope you have a great many years of riding with it 👍
Hey thanks Supertucker207 (cool name btw), I appreciate the comment and thanks for watching!
Sad to see the Klr gone, but know your sticker still rides on one in Ohio.
jim perry - I'm glad to hear that Jim.
Thanks for commenting and for watching.
Appreciate all of your vid's and especially the KLR content. Glad you moved to what works for you. Hope your still riding!!
Congrats Tim, I ain't mad at you. I am a firm believer in get what works for you. If I could afford one I would have one. Its the Goldwing of Adventure Riding. Motorman in Da Sip
Hey Albert, thanks for the supportive comment and thanks for watching.
Going through your KLR videos, was looking for the front suspension video when I found this one. My goal was to buy the KLR to gain oof-road experience then to move onto the GSA. It's been a tough call and I don't own a KLR but thinking. about buying a new one. Nagging in the back of my mind has been the cost of the bike, upgrades, replacement parts like tires and then issues like the blancer spring, therm-o-bob ect. Even the base model will easily add up to $10,000 in a hurry. The points you make in this video ring true in my head. Still not sure what to do but I've at least test ridden a 1250 GSA and it just felt awesome. I too like the look and engine sound. I'll be 66 before I quit working overseas and I need to be real with myself and determine just how much off-roading I'll do with either bike. It's one thing to dream about what I'll do and another to actually do it. I have a fine touring machine for me anyway. 2020 Road Glide Limited with the 131 Stage 4 engine, 132hp/144lbft to the wheel. The power and sound are addicting but I have to think how much I would enjoy riding the GSA over the Harley. I can see keeping both but who knows. Anyway, this isn't a shrink ward, time to stop. Thanks for the cool videos and enjoy what you're doing.
Tim. Enjoyed your comments and watched many of your videos on the KLR which I own, and I appreciate your instruction. I also own a BMW1200GSA. I kept the KLR because in a similar vein, I bought the KLR for $5300 new out the door in February 2013 and have put $3500 into her in upgrades. I have 14,000 miles on the KLR, and 12,000 of those are offroad. It is a bike that I can take solo in the high country of Utah and ride the hard stuff down in Moab. I would never take the BMW on stuff that I ride the KLR on, because I may not be able to pick the bike up if I am alone. As well, I don’t want to put the super expensive BMW at risk because its new and beautiful, and the cost of repair is just ridiculously expensive. A prime driver of me getting the BMW which wasn’t mentioned is safety. The integrated braking, which for your viewers is the ability to hammer the hand brake and the computers feed braking into both the front and rear brake to stop you along with lean angle sensing plus advanced anti skid can save your life...especially on the tarmac. My wife deserves the best in safety when I take her, because I could not imagine her getting hurt, and the BMW carries two people plus luggage with ease. The BMW Adventure version is tall due to the increased ground clearance for off-road applications, and the pillion seat sits very high. Not the best “two up bike”. Tipping over when my wife gets on is a real issue if not done methodically with me at 5’7 tall. The first time she got on we dumped the bike before we even started. A BMW road oriented bike would be much much better but I can’t afford two BMW’s. I actually have more fun offroad on the KLR because I have to ride it and use more of my skills rather than drive the spaceship. And when the KLR tips over and gets scratched up, I don’t care nor does she, and I have no stress. The BMW stresses me out in the hard stuff because its going to be very expensive to fix, with a headlight costing about $1200 and a hard lesson learned. Just keep the KLR bolts torqued and use blue loctite and man she will go forever if you maintain her. Sadly, I learned this the hard way, with a missing main frame to subframe bolt causing a fracture of the rear subframe member. Then I broke my engine mount from not riding her within her Jeep speed envelope like you mentioned in another video. I tried to keep up with the modern bikes carrying too much speed and bottoming her out. Dumb! (And I even had upgraded both front and rear suspension). Thanks again for your great videos and wanted to also share my thoughts with your viewers since I have identical motorcycles. Captain KLR650 age 61.
Great choice with the GSA. I’ve had several motorcycles including Goldwings an FJR 1300 and others and currently own a 2018 KLR 650. I wanted to explore dirt roads and trails,
I didn’t want to be limited to paved roads. I didn’t think my wife like to ride with me as much as she does so I purchased the KLR because of its low price and simplicity. Despite its lack of refinement and ability to cruise the highways smoothly I really enjoy the bike. It makes me feel like a kid again with a dirtbike. However, my wife will not get on the back of the KLR. So now I’m saving for a GSA.
I have a KLR and recently purchased a 2018 GSA. I plan on keeping the KLR if possible. Each has a place in my garage. The KLR is great for bombing around especially in the winter months and hitting local rough stuff. I purchased the GSA for long distance 2-up riding. I chose the GSA for all the reasons you stated and because it fits me well and I like the flexibility it gives me to hit everything from interstates to off-road. Look forward to your upcoming videos on your GSA. On a side note... the wife says that the Vstrom 1000 has to go... anyone looking for a new ride ;-)
Dave Reese - Hey Dave, thanks for the comment. Maybe someone here might need a Vstrom.
Thanks for watching!
You are dead to me Tim.... Just kidding.. Completely understand thank you for all the great KLR videos you were a huge help to all of us at. Where The Road Ends. Com.
hammer1212 Hey thanks man! I think what you guys did/are doing at Where The Road Ends is great. I'm glad I could help.
Thanks for watching.
Great reasons and good video.
Thank you for your clear, objective and balanced rationale for choosing the GSA over the KLR, Tim.
As someone who has recently traded an SWM600 dual sport for a R1200GS (LC), I identified with many of your comments and, like you, will only go as far as to say that the GS suits my wants and needs better than the SWM. This doesn't mean that I necessarily think that it's objectively the better bike and therefore everyone in his/her right mind should follow suit and buy one right away. That would be a plainly stupid claim.
In an ideal world I would like a stable full of bikes of all types. In reality, I have my nearly-new R1200GS and, for a total contrast, a '91 R100GS PD. Together, they scratch all my itches. No single bike has managed to do that..... so far 😉.
Thanks for all of your interesting and informative videos.
Safe roads 👍
Exactly! Thanks for the comment Keith. I appreciate the support.
Thanks for watching.
I'm 60 and didn't get my MC License until 45. I did a lot of dirt bike riding, and a little racing, from age 10 to 20 so always felt I could ride any type of bike. I held off getting my road license cause I was always a knucklehead... especially w/ speed and taking chances.
First two years of street riding I think I owned four bikes.. Road King, FZ1, KLR 650 and finally a GSA 1150. Took the GSA to the four corners and Prudhoe Bay my 3rd year of riding. It was the BEST bike I've ever been on.
I've always been near broke and I'm not mechanically inclined but did the basics on the all the bikes. If you have to take a BMW to a dealer, and you don't have money to burn, your screwed.
After selling the GSA years back I gave an RT and RS a try and hated everything about them. What made it worse was that both were sellers unloading problem bikes and sure enough they both blew up.
Now being really broke and up in ago I'm gonna give a used KLR a shot 🤣. Althourgh there is an 06 GSA w/ 18k miles floating around for 6k that is temping as hell knowing full well the sucker will die.
Two Up camping and off the beaten path enjoyment brought me to cherry '13 R1200GS, keeping my 85K100RS and 03 KTM 250 EXC 4 though. The boxer is a KLR piston sticking out each side.
Noble Savage did a similar thing this year, traded in his KLR for a BMW R1200R
Hi Dave, Thanks for pointing that out. I have just watched his video.
Thanks for watching.
Person who got your klr is very lucky
Hi Karam, Yes, they got a great bike for sure. I wish I knew who ended up with it.
The last time I rode was 1985 with a Suzuki dr125 (I think) it wasn't an rm. I recently got a 2017 KLR 650 and it's like learning to fly an airplane. In 85 I didn't know about counter steering and a bunch of technical stuff. That's the difference between internet an no internet and 51 years old vs. 15 years old.
I just got fz09 and it is the best bike I have owned . I still have the klr when it comes to touring fz09 for me is just as capable but million times more fun
I understand. :)
I have a 2007 BMW K1200LT and this summer bought a left-over 2017 KLR650. Both are great bikes, but nearly polar opposites! The KLR is great for riding back roads and just having fun. Obviously, for long distance two-up touring, the LT is my ride of choice.
LTVoyager Hey LT, thanks for the support. I know you get exactly what I'm saying.
Thanks for watching!
Tim2Wheels I am not a strong brand loyalist. I simply like riding motorcycles. I rode Kawasaki’s exclusively for many years from a 1973 100 G5, to a 1976 KH400 to a 1987 Voyager XII. I moved to BMW when Kawasaki dropped the Voyager (well, the added a trunk to the Vulcan and called it a Voyager, but that was a terrible joke). The LT is, performance and comfort-wise, what a new Voyager should have been. The LT is a great bike, but very costly to maintain and repair and has required many more repairs than my Kawasaki’s. I would estimate the LT has cost nearly 3X as much per mile as the Voyager, but when it is running good it is fantastic.
I bought the KLR to have a simple bike for local rides. The LT isn’t much fun on dirt roads and all of the plastic shakes and rattles on a washboard dirt road. The KLR is perfect. Quiet and fun. I really like the GS models, but for now most of the touring my wife and I do is on paved roads over very long distances and the LT is pretty much ideal for that. However, never say never when it comes to another bike. 🙂
I have enjoyed your time making the klr tips and shows and wish you the best on the BMW and agree that the klr is not a two up machine. I have one and enjoy it but for touring and when two of us go riding we take the Victory Kingpin. I love both my bikes and the klr is the most fun bike I have ever owned. best wishes and keep making movies.
I owned an 05 KLR and a 08KLR sold the KLR in 15 purchased a 15 BMWR1200gsa rode it for 10.000 miles then sold it Very. expensive to buy and moderately expensive to maintain.The BMW was an amazing machine.But now thinking about buying a left over KLR.I feel like I've went full circle.I rode the KLR more and in my opinion for how and when I ride theKLR was better.I had 16.000 miles on the KLR.It's so much more nimble.If your going to ride the KLR on the highway you need to do a lot of upgrade's.The BMW needed a lot of small upgrades but at a very high cost.The BMW had a great deal more power ate the rear tire up rather quick and did not get the fuel mileage the KLR did.The BMW is a great machine tho.I have mostly owned Kawasaki's and for me the best.
Interesting .. I went in the opposite direction .. I had a 2017 BMW R1200GS Rally X from new .. most amazing bike I had ever owned .. but I was paranoid about scratching up a $32.000 bike .. so bought a KLR650 for the Adventure duty's which is more manageable on the rougher trickier deep rut & log covered tracks
Thanks Tim, as always a very good video on both of the bikes. As you said, at the end of the day you ride what you enjoy. The main thing is that we ride regardless of brand.
Joe McElroy Thanks for the comment Joe.
Hey Tim I totally get it I love my klr but for any two up long distance trips it's lacking. Did you look at the 1290 adventure R?
Ian Ferrier - Hi Ian, Yes I really like the 1290 Adventure R! It was a serious contender, and if I was more focused on more agressive off-road work, that may have been the bike. However, comfort was key, and the KTM was not quite there. Now the Super Adventure is even closer, but the GSA won me over.
Thanks for the comment and for watching!
Hey Tim, I have an 08 KLR and it’s a little small for my gear and a passenger. I’ve been considering an RT or GS. Had a chance to ride a GS, I think it’s a 95 or 97 model. I found when I put my feet down to stop, my legs want to be right where the foot pegs are. Either have to put my legs in front or behind the foot peg to maintain a narrower stance, or at the ends of the foot pegs with a wider stance, which is more difficult on gravel. Wondering if you’ve found that to be a problem, or if the newer GS has the foot pegs a little further forward? Thanks.
I am considering a 650 KLR but what I'd really like to know is what you thought of its off road performance after all the upgrades? I mean did you sell it because you imagine getting a pure dirt bike someday for yourself and the GSA for 2 up? If so, would the 650 KLR be worth using simply for the dirt? Its interesting because where I live the good used 650 KLRs are less expensive than the pure dirt bikes of comparable wear.
Hi John, I am planning to get a more dirt oriented street legal bike to play in the woods/trails un addition to my GSA. Although the GSA is capable of doing hard off road, It's a big bike. Great for travel, camping, and two up, but not as much fun as a lighter bike on technical trails.
In my opinion, the KLR is incredibly dependable, but its biggest drawbacks off road is weight and suspension. The large tank is great for long distance, but when full of fuel, it makes the bike very top heavy. Of course, you can reduce this some by not filling up all the way if you don't need full fuel on trails. But, she's still heavy for a dual sport.
The suspension is far from hard core dirt ready, even after my upgrades. The KLR will go pretty much anywhere if you ride it like a Jeep (slow and easy), not a race bike (fast and hard) on rough terrain.
If you want a nice suspension on a KLR, and don't mind spending the money, Cogent Dynamics can do wonders for a KLR.
So John, it really depends on the kind of "off road" riding you intend to do. Back roads, Fire Service roads, and easier trails, the KLR works well and can carry a good amount of gear for camping/traveling.
If you plan to ride hard core technical trails often, it could do it, but I think you would be better served by a lighter bike with better power and suspension.
I hope this is helpful. Thanks for watching.
I'm just catching up on some of your great KLR videos. First off thanks for making and sharing them! Curious though why you chose the BMW compared to a Versys 1000 or V-strom 1000? Seems like those would be more in line with the channel theme and still give you great 2-up riding ability. Not to mention they're both far cheaper to buy, own and maintain.
Hi Werecow68,
I did look at, and ride, those bikes, as well as the Yamaha Super Tenere and the KTM 1190. You are correct, ALL are great bikes and ALL less expensive than the GSA.
It really came down Comfort, fit & finish (quality), and of course the Ride. For me personally, the BMW just felt really good. and fit me better than the rest. The GSA was the one that had all of the features I wanted and I felt I could ride for hours on end.
Everyone has their own personal preferences. I have not once regretted buying the GSA. In fact, I love it more every time I ride it.
Thanks for the question and for watching.
With all those expensive upgrades on your KLR how much did you end up selling it for? with how many miles?
Me too
Hi Tim, great videos as always. I’m with you on choice of bike, as I have both, KLR and 1200GSA. I want to ask you though, on the KLR was the thermo bob worth the money, effort to have (keeping in mind postage to Australia is almost as much as the unit), hence I don’t know if it’s worth doing. Like you I have both bikes from new. Both are fantastic. Mike
Hi Mike, Thanks for those comments.
Yes, I thought the Thermo-Bob 2 was worth it. Of course, I didn't have the shipping to Australia to double the price -Yikes! So I can see why you would question its value. The T-Bob did give me much more stable engine temps, and although that may not be noticeable to the rider if you're not watching the temp gauge, I felt it was hard on the engine. Now, there are a lot of KLR''s out there doing just fine without the T-Bob. So it is not a "must have" item. However, if you are having wild temps swings or high engine temps in those hot Aussie Summers, then it may be worth it. Since you also have the GSA to ride, it may not be as critical for you. Of course, that's your call.
The Thermo-Bob is one of those upgrades that doesn't really do a lot for the rider, other than peace of mind, but I think my bike was happier with it. :)
Thanks for watching.
It's all very sad Tim, you have built an audience with very specific interest on your channel. We all were looking forward to seeing new episodes on your adventure. However, it comes to its end, I hope you will find great joy with BMW folks, best wishes for your future!
Good bay Tim.
Thank you Jim. I appreciate the feedback and support.
Thanks mld, I agree.
Absolutely agree, however, Tims channel was more technical than an adventure channel for me at least. I have done most of my KLR maintenance and upgrades following this amazing guy. Unfortunately have no BMW yet... :-)
Did you take a look at a Yamaha Super Tenere ?
Yes I did. A friend has one and loves his. We had a Yamaha Truck in the area last Fall and I test rode a 2018 Super Tenere (and the new Star Venture). I've owned Yamahas in the past and I'm a big fan of their reliability. The only drawback to the S10 for me was that it felt a bit cramped. I'm 6' 4" and my old knees felt a little too tight. And 2-up was a bit more crowded than the GSA. I know I could use lowered pegs, but the ground clearance would have suffered even more. Other than that, I liked the bike.
Thanks for the comment and for watching.
What a mistake!
Going to unsubscribe no reason to watch you anymore
ManOfMany Thingz - Sorry to hear that, but I thank you watching and subscribing until now. Check back now & then, there will be many other projects coming.