Question About Buying A 2005 KLR650

[Bradilos]

Hey there, I'm new to this forum. I am interested in Buying a 2005 KLR650 Dual Sport bike. I like the look of the bike and I know I would enjoy it. The only thing that concerns me is that the seat height is only 35". Now I have never owned a dirt bike, or a motorcycle, only a quad. I'm 6'1" tall and it seems to me that a seat at 35" is kind of short. Now I was wondering if anyone here owns one or knows someone with one. Let me know if they are comfortable on it, cause I don't want to look like a circus bear on a tri-cycle. Thanks a bunch.

Brad (Hopefully soon to be a KLR650 owner)

[ultraspank]

35" is kinda high.. i think... the inseam of your leg is what is measured i believe... I may be off but i think you'll be fine, go sit on one at a dealership

[kyhick1]

Brad,

Welcome to the forum. Ultraspank is right...it is VERY important to try on any bike before you buy it. I make sure that I can put both feet flat on the ground when I sit on the seat. I also get a feel of the bikes balance and how comfortable the handlebars are, etc. If its doesnt feel comfortable, its not for me.

Heather

[Bradilos]

There are no KLR650's left where I live (Winnipeg, Manitoba) I would have to get them to bring it in from out of province them I'm kind of stuck. This might be one dumb question, but when they say measure your inseam is it from the floor to your crotch?

[Crue]

Welcome to the forums. The KLR 650 is a nice bike. It's cheap, easy on gas, and just plain fun to ride. I'm 5 11" and I found the bike was a bit tall for me but I got used to it. I'm sure you will be fine on it, it's a tall bike. To measure your inseam stand against a wall and use a hard cover book to jam between your legs bring the book up hard into your crotch, (go slowly as to not injure the boys). Measure from the top of the book to the floor. My inseam is a measly 29" so I guess I have a long body.

Check the dealer locator at Kawasaki.ca There may be a dealer close to you that you didn't know about. Also check the paper for someone selling a used one, you could always go sit on they're bike and see how it fits. They haven't changed the design of the bike in years so any year will do for a test fit.

[CTRider]

Hey there, I'm new to this forum. I am interested in Buying a 2005 KLR650 Dual Sport bike. I like the look of the bike and I know I would enjoy it. The only thing that concerns me is that the seat height is only 35". Now I have never owned a dirt bike, or a motorcycle, only a quad. I'm 6'1" tall and it seems to me that a seat at 35" is kind of short. Now I was wondering if anyone here owns one or knows someone with one. Let me know if they are comfortable on it, cause I don't want to look like a circus bear on a tri-cycle. Thanks a bunch.

Brad (Hopefully soon to be a KLR650 owner)

That's actually quite tall for a bike - along the lines of something like an an FJR or some of the larger displacement sport bikes. I'm 6' and I'm looking at bikes have a 31" high seat or less. Anything higher and it get's uncomfortable to flatfoot it. At 35", I'd be on the balls of my feet or even my toes.

Having only driven quads, your perspective may be altered. Remember, unlike with a quad, your feet need to comfortably touch the ground. Higher seat heights aren't a problem when you mount onto the pegs, and keep them there even when stopped.

Keep in mind, several factors come into play here:

Seat height - as mentioned above, this most immediately affects your ability to sit on the bike, particularly getting your right leg over it to mount the bike (especially if you have any luggage on the back).

Seat width - wider seats spread your stance, and lower your inseam height. Thus, a wide cruiser seat often requires a lower seat for the same person riding a sport bike with a narrower seat. With some bikes, you're as bow-legged as you would be while sitting on a horse. That can really affect your potential maximum seat height.

Bike weight - you'll probably want to move your feet out to the sides a bit more on a heavier bike to stabilize it. This will affect your overall height. In addition, heavier bikes require a bit more foot bracing to get it off the kickstand. Finally, don't forget about the possibility of using a center stand. That raises the rear end even more.

Suspension - How hard or soft the suspension is can affect the height when someone is sitting on it.

How far out to each side you like to place your feet in general - if you find you often let go of the handle bars when stopped, you might want a wider stance in case the bars decide to turn one way or another. Also, if you like to keep a foot on the brake or near the shifter, moving the opposite foot out a bit will help keep the bike from potentially tipping to the side with the foot up. Finally, some people like their feet further out than others.

Pretty much (as others have mentioned), the only way to know if a bike fits you is to sit on it. By sitting on the bike, you not only get a feel for the height, but the comfort of the seat, your lock-to-lock bar reach, the location of the gauges and switches and the visibility of the mirrors and such. Don't just sit on the bike you think you want, either. Sit on a bunch of them. You may fall in love with the comfort and looks of a bike you never considered before.

[CTRider]

To measure your inseam stand against a wall and use a hard cover book to jam between your legs bring the book up hard into your crotch, (go slowly as to not injure the boys). Measure from the top of the book to the floor. My inseam is a measly 29" so I guess I have a long body.

LOL - I'm thinking JAM isn't quite the technique you want to use for that location.

[ispeed77]

just a couple quick thoughts. number 1, the seat height on a dirt bike/dual sport will lower more than a street bike as the suspension is softer. number 2, (hate to disagree with you here CT) it is not necessary to have both feet planted on the ground on a dirt bike/dual sport. i have a friend that is about 5'10" who used to ride an older XR600 that was at least that tall and never had a problem. that said, do i think you should learn on that bike ? maybe not, but it depends on what you are going to do with it. the suspension may compress enough that you will be perfectly comfortable riding on the street and you may be able to get both feet on the ground comfortably. if you are going to ride it in the woods you will definitely feel the size and not being able to touch the ground may hinder your riding as your feet should be used when riding hard in the dirt. take that for what its worth and welcome to the forum.

[CTRider]

number 2, (hate to disagree with you here CT) it is not necessary to have both feet planted on the ground on a dirt bike/dual sport.

Okay, you got me there. I did use the word "need" as opposed to "should". It's always best to be able to put both feet on the ground, but obviously one can get away with bending that rule in some cases. You have to go with your personal comfort level. Some people could easily hold up nearly any bike with one foot, others may not have the necessary strength to do so should the bike start to go over.

The one point I was making, though, is unlike a quad where you don't need to support the bike, 2-wheels means something has to hold the bike up at a stand-still. This makes seat height between the two a different measurement.

[ispeed77]

Okay, you got me there. I did use the word "need" as opposed to "should". It's always best to be able to put both feet on the ground, but obviously one can get away with bending that rule in some cases. You have to go with your personal comfort level. Some people could easily hold up nearly any bike with one foot, others may not have the necessary strength to do so should the bike start to go over.

The one point I was making, though, is unlike a quad where you don't need to support the bike, 2-wheels means something has to hold the bike up at a stand-still. This makes seat height between the two a different measurement.

there you go. one silly word and i get to jump all over your post, hehehe

[2WheelFun]

there you go. one silly word and i get to jump all over your post, hehehe

Holy jumpin' Jehosaphat!!! LOL

[1400pilot]

Holy jumpin' Jehosaphat!!! LOL

Boy Cary,, that quote sure fits your avatar!!!!

[2WheelFun]

Boy Cary,, that quote sure fits your avatar!!!!

LOL...If the propeller starts to spin it might change!

[CTRider]

Boy Cary,, that quote sure fits your avatar!!!!

Or perhaps the likes of Yosemite Sam...