I had had my eye on this machine for a long time. I had no misconceptions about what I was getting into. I had read all the reviews and round the world stories I could surf up. In addition, my brother has one and I rode on an awesome trail ride in Utah in '04. What I was looking for was the Swiss army knife of the motorcycle universe. That is exactly what I got. It does anything I ask of it. With a skilled and determined rider aboard you can get this thing into some horrendous conditions and out again. Last year I took it across the strachan road. This is a former logging road that Mother Nature and the good 'ol Canadian beavers are reclaiming. I wanted to get from my house to the Kenora highway. This road is a shortcut; or so I thought. I slogged mud holes, skirted beaver ponds, lifted, pushed and dragged the bike through 300 yard mid thigh water crossings, over logs and washed out wooden culverts. I got almost to the highway and was finally blocked by a washed out creek bridge. It was almost dark and I had to turn around and go back through that mess. I promptly went on reserve with about 35 miles to go as well. The KLR got me through all of this happily. The reserve capacity was more than enough to get me home. I found out that the "T" connection for the carb breather that I read about was a reality. I got the bike stuck in a mud hole on the way back. I had hammered through it the first time and mistakenly thought I would ease around the side going back. I was so stuck I almost left it there sinking in the loon crap with water running through the frame and engine. The bike got very sputtery and would stall because the carb breather was blocked. I would sink when trying to pull it up. I finally got it out by piling enough small logs in there that I quit sinking when trying to lift it. Good thing as there were fresh wolf tracks on my first tire tracks. I did not want to walk out alone and besides, it's spooky enough without the wolves. This bike is to me so much more than the sum of its parts. I love it every time I get on. My butt gets sore after about an hour or so but maybe will toughen up. I find myself always wanting a sixth gear on the highway. The stock rear Dunlop wore out at 5000 Km. Typical. I will probably get another one just like it though as the front is still in good shape. I can only afford one bike. This machine is a super compromise. I plan some long trips on it for the future. B.C. or Baja here I come. This bike is awesome on the vast network of logging roads we have here in Northwest Ontario. I went on the 404 road the other day. Another offshoot of the Kenora Highway. This road had twisty gravel roads with big hills. I have not seen hills like those since running my ATV in British Columbia while Elk hunting. The bike had lots of power for those hills. Even stopping halfway up and consulting my map and then going again it would pull me right up no problemo. I would pull in the clutch and go whistling down the other side and halfway up the next one. Big fun. The KLR was made for this type of adventure exploring. If this is your game then you will not be disappointed. Not that expensive either. This bike has been in production virtually unchanged for 20 years now. For a Jap bike that has to be a record. Incredible aftermarket support too.
Upgrades/Accessories: Dual star tank bag. (I think the best). Aluminum skid plate also from Dual star. Cleanable steel mesh oil filter. I plan on heated grips. A taller windscreen and a GPS down the road.
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