Got me a "third world" bike

[wecsoger]

First, little background. I'm currently running a 2011 Kawasaki KLR650 dual sport. Bought it with the idea I would graduate up in a couple years, but it's been a couple years and I'm finding no other bikes that really fit my butt. Yes, I have urges, longings and sultry gazes at shiny chrome, but I'm still not feeling it. Current objects of desire, Victory Judge and Honda CB1100. As you can see, both are 'retro' bikes.

Also, daughter got her permit and did MSF right after I did. And did much better on tests, too, thank you.

But the mighty KLR is not for her. She's rode it, but minimum entry into the KLR650 club is a 32" inseam. Anything under, you're gonna have trouble flat footing it at at stop lights.

So I started thinking about another, smaller bike for her and developed my concept of "the third world bike". You know exactly what I'm talking about - you've seen the pictures of the whole family putt-putting down the road. Papa, mama, two kids, one of the kids is holding a bunch of baskets and the other kid has a pig.

So I wound up with this

2003 Honda Rebel. For those of you not familiar, 234cc vertical twin, five speed. It's really about double size (most are 125cc) of what you see in developing countries but here in the 'States we've got a thing for large capacity bikes.


Daughter giving it a quick fit check. Yes, she does have a full face helmet, yes, she will be ATGATT when riding. (that's my farkled out KLR in the background)

I've just been running this bike around the subdivision and It. Is. A. Blast. I did put highway bars on it and yes you can scrape them if you get too enthusiastic in the corners. (grin) I'm 6'2" and my knees are over the gas tank and I'm sure it looks funny as can be when I buzz by. Tell ya what though, it's grin-in-your-helmet fun.

[Bill in Oregon]

Heh. That was one of the bikes they loaned us when I took a motorcycle safety class here several years back. Actually a pretty fun ride -- even I could ride it.

[AJMD429]

Looks cool.

Just be careful.

[Blaine]

Not one thing wrong with that.....I went through a Goldwing, Big Harley ElectraGlide, and Yamaha Super Tenere thinking I could handle them with my 28" inseam . This current 900 Vulcan is perfect.
Perhaps 3LeggedTurtle will chime in on Honda 250.....He rode one across the USA, and up to Alaska, and it was loaded down like a Tinker's wagon....I don't think you can really break one of those little Hondas if you change the oil, and keep the chain properly adjusted/lubed..maybe have the valves adjusted every so often.

[Old Ironsights]

I really like the functionality of the Kawa & Honda dual sport 650s... I just dislike the Dress... and the price.

Guess I'll stick with my not-so-off-road 81 650 Maxim for a while...

[Panzercat]

I thought you were going to post a Ural--

[Birdman]

Some would call that a great starter bike. I just say it's a great bike. Like you with your KLR650, get what ya want and ride it. Make a change it that trips yur trigger, but the most important thing is to enjoy the ride and be aware od what's around you. You can't be too careful. Have fun.

[Blaine]

I really like the functionality of the Kawa & Honda dual sport 650s... I just dislike the Dress... and the price.

Guess I'll stick with my not-so-off-road 81 650 Maxim for a while...

I forget the one you showed me, it was very slick....

[Old Ironsights]

I really like the functionality of the Kawa & Honda dual sport 650s... I just dislike the Dress... and the price.

Guess I'll stick with my not-so-off-road 81 650 Maxim for a while...

I forget the one you showed me, I it was very slick....

It is... for a street/short-highway-trip bike. It's just lousy on even a dirt road.

Here's a recent pic...



Oh... sorry... too recent. This one's better:

[hfcable]

and for off road:



i just got this from a friend [ he is in the picture] it is brand new....driven 100 feet only and stored inside.

the last brand new yamaha Big Wheel 350 [ has full sized ATV four wheeler tires ] in the world !

[Mescalero]

Try to find a Kawasaki 454 LTD and let her sit on it.

[2ndovc]

Try to find a Kawasaki 454 LTD and let her sit on it.

Those are great little bikes! The Ice Queen had a 550 LTD, last I heard she had given it t her brother.

I had a KLR 650 for years, I sold after it sat for awhile because I didn't have the time.
Really wish I hadn't! I've got my sights on a BMW 1200 GS to replace it.


jb

[Pete44ru]

.

Heck - When you said "third world bike", I thought you got a Royal Enfield Bullet. (Made in India)



The best thing about rice burners are that they make great commuter bikes - all that's usually needed is to count the wheels every day, before taking off.

Almost every one of the "Specials" (Yamaha, Kawi, Honda, Suzi, etc all made them) have a low seat/rider position.



.

[Shasta]

I bought a brand new blue 2001 Honda Rebel just like that one back in 2000, primarily for transportation back-and-forth to work. It will do just over 70 mph and gets upwards of 70 mpg, even with my fat butt on it. I don't take it out on the freeway, but it is more than adequate on city streets.
I have been retired now for four years, but the little blue Honda still sees use for running short errands. It has over 20,000 miles on it and the only needed maintenance has been oil changes and chain adjustment every 1,500 miles, one set of front disc brake pads, two battery replacements, and a couple sets of tires. It is still running very well, but because I have to keep it parked outdoors, the paint has faded and peeled.
I often dream of getting a bigger bike, and am especially attracted to the Yamaha V Star Classic, but a lack of funds and no room for parking means the little Honda will have to do, just as it has for nearly fourteen years.

SHASTA

[Mescalero]

The Ice Queen!!!!!!
Have not heard that term for a while.

[piller]

I would love to ride a bike, but I don't trust the idiots in the cages around here. The red, octagonal, somewhat touch other pedal signs are dangerous because you assume that the other driver might slow down for them. Don't assume that. I have a cage for protection.

[AmBraCol]

(in best Crocodile Dundee accent)

THAT'S not a 3rd world bike! THIS is a 3rd world bike!

[AmBraCol]

It's got (COUNT 'EM!) 7 screaming ponies capable of reaching a white knuckle speed of 55 MPH!!! (down hill with a tail wind - white knuckle because you've got to keep the throttle wide open to reach that speed)

But it's a peppy little thing around town and easier to haul the groceries with than my XL200...

[Mescalero]

We may be a bunch of grumpy old men, but we do love our daughters.
Even me, I had nothing to do with her biological wise; she was here when I met her mother.
But I did everything else, it changed me; for the better.

[jcw]

You can buy lowering links for the KLR.

[Old Ironsights]

Here's the other thing about the KLR that worries me:

It has just enough power to cruise at 80 mph, but don't ask for more.

Is that because of the gearing or what? My 650 Maxim will bowl past 100 & keep climbing for a good while.

(not that there is often a need to break 80, but still... it's nice to have an "out" via Speed sometimes)

[JReed]

Those rebels are great bikes.

[3leggedturtle]

I use Shell Rotella 15w40. When chaninging oil, I dont go by miles, when it starts to get dark; thats when I change it. Also with the clutch let it fully engage at idle before cracking the throttle. I got 29M out of my clutch, dealer said they usually only last 8-9M. My bike has 45M on it and is just starting to use a little oil. Have fun great little bikes. Next one will be shaft drive and tubeless tires.