Klr650 yay or nay?

[boosten lebaron]

The beemer looks more an more like what i am after after watching dozens of reviews. It has almost no electronics which is odd for the brand but better for me. Good weight to power ratio and almost no reports of issues, almost like BMWs of yester year. The big rebates for them just ended but they do have a smaller one on the table.

I love the white and blue color one. I very much dislike the black one. The red rally one isnt a color i would be willing to pay an extra grand for.

[MattR302]

I went to a Guzzi demo day at Hamlin’s a couple months ago, and everyone there who rode the newest V85 said it was much improved over the prior generation (including Hamlin and his staff) - unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to ride it

I also didn’t get a chance to ride the V7, so I’ll gladly take Whynot up on his offer to test ride his

[Paul_E_D]

The beemer looks more an more like what i am after after watching dozens of reviews. It has almost no electronics which is odd for the brand but better for me. Good weight to power ratio and almost no reports of issues, almost like BMWs of yester year. The big rebates for them just ended but they do have a smaller one on the table.

I love the white and blue color one. I very much dislike the black one. The red rally one isnt a color i would be willing to pay an extra grand for.

I don't mind the black. They did a grey with blue that I liked a lot.

[whynot]

I went to a Guzzi demo day at Hamlin’s a couple months ago, and everyone there who rode the newest V85 said it was much improved over the prior generation (including Hamlin and his staff) - unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to ride it

I also didn’t get a chance to ride the V7, so I’ll gladly take Whynot up on his offer to test ride his

Wait, what? The demo offer was on my DR350. But the V7 is a possibility. Runs great. The V7 has pretty basic suspension, so I went for an upgrade from Todd at GuzziTech, Matris spring kit up front and adjustable shocks for the rear.

I suppose if you put the 919 together and bring it to me, I'd let you take a spin on the V7.

[nick5446]

I'm going to try my hand at the real deal Seacoast sport cycle with this bad boy.

https://seacoastsport.com/products/2...85tt-adventure

Ticks a lot of my boxes but it has one major downfall I don't know if I can live with. New Motoguzzi must go to the dealer to have the service system reset. You can not turn off the alerts on your own. So every oil change or service interval needs dealer assistance to do. The forums show it's maddening trying to ignore the warnings on the dash. It's probably why the bike hasn't sold but it sure is pretty.

nooooo....hahah

My good riding buddy *insisted* this was the perfect bike for him and wouldn't hear anything else. He bought a 2020(?) and begrudgingly kept it for about a year before trading it in for a PanAm. It was constantly in the shop getting warranty work done. The base and valve cover gaskets would leak, it would foul plugs, and I think had a few other issues. Worst of all, even when it was in perfect working order, it was too slow to keep up with the group. It's probably an ok townie bike, and he did swear he liked riding it, but it fell short in a lot of areas.

[whynot]

^^ Survey sample size = 1

[nick5446]

^^ Survey sample size = 1

lol, exactly....but a close to home example that ruined a trip to the Tail of the Dragon and Snake

[Gixxer]

National Powersports reset the service light on my triumph for free without them servicing it. YMMV

[boosten lebaron]

nooooo....hahah

My good riding buddy *insisted* this was the perfect bike for him and wouldn't hear anything else. He bought a 2020(?) and begrudgingly kept it for about a year before trading it in for a PanAm. It was constantly in the shop getting warranty work done. The base and valve cover gaskets would leak, it would foul plugs, and I think had a few other issues. Worst of all, even when it was in perfect working order, it was too slow to keep up with the group. It's probably an ok townie bike, and he did swear he liked riding it, but it fell short in a lot of areas.

I saw mention of leaking gaskets and sensors on them but it was mostly in regards to the earliest e4 motors. In 2021 they went to e5 and fixed most of the issues. The latest ones have vvt and knock sensors to eek out more power so a newer design again.

I can see it not keeping up in groups but I hate everyone and everyone hates me so probably not much group riding in my future lol. Seriously it does 80 easily and that's good enough for me. If I want higher speeds I will jump on one of the sport bikes.

I do admit it's probably a bike for a certain crowd, it's almost like it's in-between worlds. Personally I don't care for all the ruder aids and electronics but I do like the simplicity and old design of the rest of the bike. If I bought it and hated it it would probably be because of all the modern stuff. I daily a 72 ironhead sportster, I can deal with the old design of the rest of the bike.

[MHenry600]

What about finding an F650gs?
I've seen those at decent prices often enough and seem to fit along the lines you're after.
Don't know anything about them myself though, other than it piquing my interesting from time to time.

[boosten lebaron]

What about finding an F650gs?
I've seen those at decent prices often enough and seem to fit along the lines you're after.
Don't know anything about them myself though, other than it piquing my interesting from time to time.

I have one sitting in my shed right now. Its my neighbors i am storing for him. Its a good bike but they are all old now. I have only taken it around the yard. Its very tractor like i would say. I think the 310gs is probably its closest spiritual current bike. Very bare bones and just capable of doing the job with out excelling anywhere.

[boosten lebaron]

Excellent choice! Go for it! I had a 2020 V85TT for 3 years, excellent bike and value. The 2020 had tubed tires and some fueling issues, and since I'm fickle, I moved on. Guzzi has resolved all AFAIK.

It's easy to get used to all that luggage space. The bike does it all.

Now I have a 2023 Guzzi V7 850 (the special with the Arrow exhaust), I do my own service, and the little wrench service light don't bother me none, just part of the dash decor.

There are some very good parts suppliers if you can't get to the dealer -- https://www.mgcycle.com/, https://harpermoto.com/, and https://www.af1racing.com/

Are you talking with Seacoast owner Jim Smith?


PS -- AJ Cycle on Rt. 2 in Gill MA, while no longer an official MG dealer, still services Guzzi (and BMW)

What would you say your servicing costs were? Im getting $500 every 6000 miles. Dealer reset of just the light is 30 minutes of shop time. Guzzi is looking worse and worse.

[whynot]

What would you say your servicing costs were? Im getting $500 every 6000 miles. Dealer reset of just the light is 30 minutes of shop time. Guzzi is looking worse and worse.

One reason I buy Guzzis is the easy DIY service. 2V per cylinder, screw and lock nut valve adjusters, rocker covers staring you in the face. Change oil and filter @ 6K miles. Gearbox and bevel fluid change @ 12K miles IIRC. Lube the cables, check critical fasteners etc. typical owner maintenance. No chain to service, no radiator or coolant and so on.

So my servicing costs are cost of parts. But that's just me.

[OneCheekRider]

Same bullshit issue with my Triumph Thruxton. Fortunately, it's only a little wrench icon I can ignore.

I own 5 Triumphs, 4 of which have programable service wrenches. I reset them myself with the TuneECU app and a bluetooth OBD dongle. I'd imagine it would work for the Thruxton, pretty sure Kenn on here uses it for his but not certain.

[e30addict]

I own 5 Triumphs, 4 of which have programable service wrenches. I reset them myself with the TuneECU app and a bluetooth OBD dongle. I'd imagine it would work for the Thruxton, pretty sure Kenn on here uses it for his but not certain.

I've had that wrench for like the past 53k. Don't even notice it now.

[boosten lebaron]

Well i did a tour of New England today looking at bikes. Stopped off at Razee's who had 4 or the 5 bikes i was considering. Quickly dismised the 300l rally. They didnt have any bmw310gs left so i couldnt try it. The 390 adventure was outside and i was freezing so i didnt even look at it. That left the klr and the Moto Guzzi. I was interested in buying either one but the Guzzi they insisted on keeping $3000 of the factory incentive for themselves and leave me with just $1250 of it which made the guzzis the most expensive in the country buy about $3000 and the Klr they wouldn't negotiate on and i wasnt going to pay full price for it. I knew it was time to leave when they told me they had other things to do so i moved to wagner so i could see the 310gs and the 390 adv in warmth. That little 310 is a really, really nice bike. Surprisingly so. They assured me it could go 80mph and happily cruise at 70-75 all day long. They only had the red color which isn't my first or even second choice. The bummer of that one is it requires BMW to reset the service light when an oil change is necessary and when a major service is due. At least the first service needs to be done so bmw will unlock the bike so you can ride it as it was built to be ridden. $300 for that one and again every 6000k miles but i dont think those later ones effect power if you skip them. If they had the blue one i think i would have bought it all things considered. Economy bike with sky high service costs and intervals. I guess there is a little gizmo you can buy to reset the light yourself but it doesnt look like its a straight forward process, involves wiring plugs and stuff.
the rc360adv was the worst bike i tried. So uncomfortable for me. Like sitting on a high piece of wood. I can see where it would be fun doing short blasts around the woods but for street riding it must be terrible. Side note on this was the unit they were selling had visible frame damage. The frame had deep scratches and missing chunks of powder coating and the vin tag was damaged as well. They were not aware of it until i pointed it out but they said a lot fo the ktm products they have gotten in recently are poorly built or already damaged.
They did have a used KLR that looks good and is fully equipped. Its just slightly under retail though so im not sure its worth it. I lose the factory warranty most likely but can all the hard luggage i wasnt really looking for in the first place. Tough call on that one. Its all black which isnt my fav color.
And to bring up a bike mentioned in this thread they had an old bmw f700gs in the back that was basically brand new. only had like 2k miles and was fully built, i mean everything sw mototech makes on along with akro parts and god knows what else. Really, really clean bike. That one is the most tempting for sure. Not cheap but probably worth it. I need to research it abit more ut would welcome any input.
I am going up to seacoast sport cycle tomorrow to check out the v85tt. I want it but the more i dig on them the less i think its right for me for no other reason than its a constant money drain because its made to tie people to the dealership. Much like the bmw it needs that light reset. Every 6000 mile service is $600 on the low end and it also needs a 600 mile service initially at the same cost. I can do it myself but the light stays on which means if i have an engine issue i wont know about it since its the same light. The cheapest i have found to reset that light is $50 bucks and a 2 hour drive. Not a single dealership in the area will reset it for free even if its purchased from them. It sure is a pretty bike and feels right when i sit on it. i know of a used one with low miles on it and while its much cheaper to buy i still have to deal with that light.

Decisions, decisions.

[FriskyDingo]

Well i did a tour of New England today looking at bikes. Stopped off at Razee's who had 4 or the 5 bikes i was considering. Quickly dismised the 300l rally. They didnt have any bmw310gs left so i couldnt try it. The 390 adventure was outside and i was freezing so i didnt even look at it. That left the klr and the Moto Guzzi. I was interested in buying either one but the Guzzi they insisted on keeping $3000 of the factory incentive for themselves and leave me with just $1250 of it which made the guzzis the most expensive in the country buy about $3000 and the Klr they wouldn't negotiate on and i wasnt going to pay full price for it. I knew it was time to leave when they told me they had other things to do so .

Yeah, hate to say it, but they SUCK for sales , sadly not even surprised they said that to you. In my 45+ years of riding I've only bought 1 bike there, my 2nd CR80 WAY back in the 80's.

I tried SO HARD to get them to sell me a Hypermotard back in 08 when they first came out, wanted to buy it from them and they had 3 in stock. Asked them to meet the deal I had from a dealer in CT, said "nope". Had my childhood friend who works there go and talk to the sales guy for me, took a hole $300 off. So I bought it from the CT dealer and 2 of the 08 Hypers sat there for the next 20 months.

Service Dept is good, but SUPER busy and down a few techs who left for more $$$ at MA dealers.


Good luck with your continued search, betting the dealer experience drives you to start looking at used pretty soon....

[boosten lebaron]

I had no idea they were known to have sales issues. It's only one guy I guess. Once I told him i didn't want the tenere or Africa twin he kept pushing on me it was a complete attitude change. I don't want to say he was combative with me but he was definitely telling me I was wrong about a lot of things when I knew I was right. Even the guzzi's he had which were completely different models both visually and spec wise he insisted they were the same. Like one of them has knobbies and is clearly built for off road and the other one has street tire and no armor and your going to argue they are the same bike? Come on..

[Gixxer]

Guzzi has a 4k incentive and they wanted to keep the majority of it for themselves?! Is this real life? So disappointed with New England bike dealerships.

[Gixxer]

[boosten lebaron]

Guzzi has a 4k incentive and they wanted to keep the majority of it for themselves?! Is this real life? So disappointed with New England bike dealerships.

Guzzi actually has a $4300 rebate on 2023 models right now. They offered it as $1250 and kept the $3050 themselves. I even showed them it on my phone and he said go buy one from someplace else lol. So I probably am.

[boosten lebaron]

I thought it was a typo but it's not. It's there. They had another one equally as crazy priced. I'm guessing they just priced it high to keep it. For what I have no idea.

[Gixxer]

These used prices make the leftover in Derry seem better and better.

[boosten lebaron]

Absolutely no doubt the Derry one is the cheapest in the country. And a secret is he has two. Shhhh. One is still crated.

[Gixxer]

Absolutely no doubt the Derry one is the cheapest in the country. And a secret is he has two. Shhhh. One is still crated.

Is the other yellow? Cuz I’ll buy the yellow if u want the blue!