$1500 cash. I need some new transportation! ....Fun
 

So,

I have $1500 to play with and have been looking around. I found a couple of KLR 650's for around that price range, but am curious as to how much insurance will run.

Any other ideas. I live In NC by the way....

Thanks! I've never posted in this part of the forum before:)

Insurance on my KLR is about $300 a year, just basic coverage and no fire and theft. I could be wrong but I'm guessing it's probably cheaper in the states. The KLR is probably the most bang for your buck as far as used bike values. You could also look for a DRZ 400 or something but I think they are more money than the KLR's. I live in Canada so I'm not sure of availability or prices of bikes there, hopefully FastDoc will see this thread as he has an excellent handle on used bike prices in the US. Only bad thing about the KLR's is that they are freaking heavy! :)

KLRs are definitely tanks, but as such are nearly indestructible.

Insurance on my SV650s and XF200 together is about $90 per year. I have Progressive. Their lowest rate for a single bike is like $75 per year. That's what I've had on the SV for the last 9 years.

Insurance is usually not that expensive. $75-120 depending on your coverage. Unless you have some kind of record.

Count your blessings, my friends. I paid $180 for three months; that was for a 1977 Suzuki TS185. I have no accidents or tickets on my record.

Lol, looks like that is yet another thing us Canadians are getting hosed on... My three hundred bucks for a year was the best price I could get. No accidents or tickets on my record either.

Well, the price Progressive quoted me is cheaper for a KLR 650 than for my Q, so not bad at all. Here is what I have found:

1994 KLR 650....garage kept 9,000 miles on it. Looke at it and road it. they are bigger than i thought! very nice though. This particular one was stored in Michigan he said 10 mnths out of the year and done the right way. Up on jacks so the springs were not compressed, drained gas etc....however, the front brake lever seemed really soft and when I asked him, he said he had never changed the brake fluid. Makes me think what else was never changed. It looks nice and love the old school colors. Even though it was stored and taken pretty darn good care of, 18 years is still 18 years those parts have been on there and that brake fluid has been in there. He's asking $2000, but I would not pay that.

Another 2002 KLR 650 with 19,000 which he would give me for $1300. Going to look at it Sat.

2007 Suzuki DR200SE with 3300 miles for asking $1600 and gonna look at that tomorrow.

Have fun Timmy.

I loved my KLR's. I had two of them of my own, and had the use of another two for a few months last year. Wonderful bike.

If I could only have one bike (God forbid :wink: ) it would be a KLR. 8)

The 94 is a cool KLR, the 94 and 95 models were known as "Barbie Bikes" with the funky purple and teal colors and crazy graphics... I think $2000 is a little steep for that bike though, unless it was absolutely mint! A friend of mine sold one here for $1500 and I kick my butt I didn't buy it :?

The 2002 could be a super bike and that's a very reasonable price. 19,000 miles is nothing for a KLR, they run forever! Definitely have a good look at this bike, sounds like a prospect :D

I think I would pass on the DR200 though, I don't think you'd notice a huge difference from your Q other than the DR is a dual sport and your Q is a supermoto.

Please keep us posted on what you find, plus, we love pictures! (particularly of KLR's for me) :D

Both of those bikes sound like pretty good deals. :) However, if you are going to keep your QLink, you don't need another 200cc bike. ;) Therefore, I agree with Stew; concentrate on the KLR650.

Spud :)

Spud- I actually sold the Q. Wish I had enough funds to keep it and get another bike, but I am just happy to be able to get another bike. Not that I didn't like the Q. I have just owned Chinabikes and they have done me well. Just looking for a new experience. So, the DR, if that ends up being my only option, still may not be a bad option.

The 94 KLR is missing the right radiator shroud-not sure if they are available or not. Bars need replacing. Probably a good carb cleaning too. It ran well though once warmed up and rode pretty nicely, minus crooked bars.

I am going to try to look at the 02 KLR with 19,600 miles on it this weekend! He has got to get the title straight though. I guess the guy signed it over to him and got it notorized, but he never got it switched to his name. Hopefully he takes care of it and the bike is in good shape-he says it is :D

I'll also go check out the DR200SE. It's about 30 mins from here. I'll keep you guys updated!

I had a wrecked KLR650 that I was going to fix but wound up parting out. The previous owner hit something and put a hole in the case, but continued to ride it without oil until it seized.

The beauty of those bikes is that they were virtually unchanged mechanically from when they first came out until 2008 or 2009. Any part you need generally fits every year, so replacement parts are VERY easy to get. Check eBay...

If the 94 needs work then I would pass at $2k. The 02 sounds like a deal.

Indeed, the DR200SE is a very nice bike, and a very good option for you to consider. ;) The 200cc, Suzuki engine pulls very strongly for its size. As for myself, I like the looks of the Suzuki just fine. :)

Spud :)

I went to check out the DR200SE tonight. Your are right Spud, the engine does pull nicely and is very smooth.

The bike felt really cramped to me. The suspension felt soft, the bars seemed really close to the seating area like I kind of felt cramped. I could put both feet flat on the ground with almost bent knees, and I don't have long legs. The Q was a good bit taller than the Suzuki. I thought the looks of the DR were fine, and I also liked the sound of it. It seemed kind of abused and some of the things he said didn't make sense. So I passed on that bike. I guess I can keep it in my mind if the KLR does not come through and I can't find anything else.