Triumphrat

03-07-2005, 10:36 PM

Hello Tiger fans!

I am really enjoying this forum. You have me 99% convinced. I have a KLR650. Been riding on the road for one year. Rode dirt bikes as a kid (25 years ago). Now my kids have their own dirt bikes. Last spring I decided to get back into it--my boys were having all the fun and I couldn't stand it! Took the PA DOT Riders Safety Course. Got my licence. Got a Kawasaki Sherpa 250 to get started. After two weeks I realized it was too small. Upgraded to the KLR. I have had a blast. Love the uprightness of the dual purpose and riding on gravel mountain roads, but the KLR isn't real smooth at 65MPH and it turns out I really don't trail ride it much. Soooooo. You can probably guess where I'm going with this...

I noticed a few of you have or had KLR's. You'll probably say there is NO comparison other than rider position, but humor me as I try to imagin what it will be like to ride a "real" adventure bike: How does the Tiger compare to the KLR? :???:

Thanks all,
rwd

KLRCraig · 03-07-2005, 11:20 PM

As you can tell by my name (KLRCraig) that I love my KLR's 2 of them so far, now can you imagine riding a KLR with 104 HP and the smoothest engine on the market. I have had my Tiger for only 2 months and my KLR hasn't been touched since. After the 1st week I put my ZG1000 up for sale I now know why there is so many Tiger nuts on this site me included....
KLRCraig :-D

SoCalRider · 03-07-2005, 11:50 PM

RWD,

I two have had two KLR 650'S and had tuns of fun with them, as you said doing 65 or more on the KLR is a bit rough. When I bought my last KLR, I was doing 98% of my riding on the street, know with the Tiger my poor Ducati is just sitting in the garage looking sad, I must go ride here this week so she wont feel left out.

Socalrider

955er · 03-08-2005, 08:18 AM

Hey, treat yourself and arrange a test ride ! ! !

Just be prepeared to put a deposit for . . . your new bike

nondas

Timtiger · 03-08-2005, 05:17 PM

Hi RWD,
It is worth stating that the KLR and Tiger are quite different things. The KLR is a derivative of an off-road bike and can be thought of as dirt bike you can ride on the tar. The Tiger is a derivative of and on-road motor with a chassis that is capable of some off-road work. I think of it as an all-roads bike.

It is far bigger and heavier than a KLR, but har far more power, better brakes, more comfortable, carries more and out handles a KLR. Not that I am bagging the KLR. It is smaller, lighter and far better off-road.

I agree that you should try one, but think of it as a drug. On taste and you will be hooked. Especially if you have a history of riding big road/trail bikes.

WildeKurt · 03-10-2005, 07:45 PM

I have a KLR and a Tiger. If you do a lot of offroad the KLR is a better machine. However, if you want to do more on road with a bit of off road and go fast and cover long distances in a hurry, the Tiger is hard to beat. The KLR motor is like a tractor: Simple and strong. The KLR motor is more sportbike like. They are totally different machines.

All that said, I can't bring myself to get rid of the KLR. It's a lot of fun in the city, easy to park and who would steal it? And occassionally if I want to ride ATV trails that are 100+ miles away, the KLR is a great choice. If I want to go to Mexico (2000 + miles), the Tiger is the machine. I've had fun in the twisties with both bikes, but the Tiger is so much better.

Kurt

WildeKurt · 03-10-2005, 07:45 PM

I have a KLR and a Tiger. If you do a lot of offroad the KLR is a better machine. However, if you want to do more on road with a bit of off road and go fast and cover long distances in a hurry, the Tiger is hard to beat. The KLR motor is like a tractor: Simple and strong. The KLR motor is more sportbike like. They are totally different machines.

All that said, I can't bring myself to get rid of the KLR. It's a lot of fun in the city, easy to park and who would steal it? And occassionally if I want to ride ATV trails that are 100+ miles away, the KLR is a great choice. If I want to go to Mexico (2000 + miles), the Tiger is the machine. I've had fun in the twisties with both bikes, but the Tiger is so much better.

Kurt

Timtiger · 03-10-2005, 10:00 PM

Kurt,
Sometimes you just need a good t*****!

Timtiger · 03-10-2005, 10:00 PM

Kurt,
Sometimes you just need a good t*****!

Hayduke · 03-14-2005, 02:38 AM

I've never had one problem with my KLR, but my Tiger has been in the shop more than in my garage. I bought it two weeks ago and have only had it home for three days. I'm told I might get it back in the next week or two. Guess I'll be putting a few more miles on the old paint mixer.