Humor me: Sportster vs KLR650 through Central and South America?

WhicheverAnyWayCan · 10-21-2012, 06:19 PM

If you are in my shoe and you own a 2006 KLR650 with 685cc and a 1998 Harley Sportster 883 that is upgraded to 1200cc with high compression 10:5.1 piston meaning fuel would have to be premium all the way..

What would be your choice? A Harley or a KLR??

This story of Rob on Road King was inspiring to me..

Of course, if it was a harley for me, I'd probably go RTWDoug's avenue converting sportster into 'Dirtster' and first try to see if I can get a 5-gallons fuel tank. Doug used KTM 300 fork on his Dirtster and it is $120+shipping on ebay. That will help light up the weight a bit. I'd change the rear shock and go up to maybe 15". Belt to Chain. Convert high compression piston back to low compression piston through Wiseco That should probably do it?

Or just stick with the KLR??

So humor me and bring it on!

Capt_Gruuvy · 10-21-2012, 06:58 PM

I would figure out how many parts outlets exist for both brands.

WhicheverAnyWayCan · 10-21-2012, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt_Gruuvy

I would figure out how many parts outlets exist for both brands.

KLR is ready to go now if I leave right now..

And parts existence for both brands are PLENTY!! KLR been using same design for 20+ years and Harley has plenty as well..

Royal Tiger · 10-22-2012, 06:26 AM

Easy choice; KLR. Huge tank, runs on shit gas, and just about anyone with a 7th grade education can fix it.

Velociraptor · 10-22-2012, 08:06 AM

Klr

Mr. Canoehead · 10-22-2012, 09:04 AM

Seriously? A high maintenance, high compression bike with no fuel capacity and no suspension travel or a go anywhere, do anything, maintenance free workhorse with a huge tank?

If you are going to do all that work on the Harley, wouldn't it be better to just buy a Buell XT?

Take the KLR. You don't want to have the kind of experiences you'll get on the Harley.

JoeDuck · 10-22-2012, 09:10 AM

RTWDoug seems to have done well with a few Harleys, tho IIRC none of them were the high compression needs good gas variety.

boxermoose · 10-22-2012, 09:18 AM

Seriously...take whichever bike speaks to you...no right/wrong or rational answer

It'll be a memorable journey either way (thoug you might lit lower comp pistons int he sporty if you do take it)

pm9654 · 10-22-2012, 09:19 AM

Klr.

Craneguy · 10-22-2012, 09:28 AM

Gas choice alone would push me to the KLR. You don't have to go far off the beaten track here in Mexico before Premium isn't always available. I imagine it might be worse further south.

Add in the ubiquitous "stealth speed bumps" and suspension travel would be another major factor.

I basically chose the Strom over an M109 for the suspension travel alone. Having ridden with Harley riders, and tried an Intruder, I think I made the right choice.

Cakeeater · 10-22-2012, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxermoose

Seriously...take whichever bike speaks to you...no right/wrong or rational answer

It'll be a memorable journey either way (thoug you might lit lower comp pistons int he sporty if you do take it)

This.

If you want practical, fly an airliner to a resort.

I used to bicycle a lot. My most memorable trips were on lousy heavy bikes.

Cakeeater

LuciferMutt · 10-22-2012, 11:10 AM

I think the premium fuel requirements pretty well remove the HD from consideration for this trip.

If the HD were stock and could take regular/crappy fuel I would consider it as well, because one advantage it has over the KLR is that it's air-cooled. No worrying about coolant leaks, water pump problems, etc.

Murphy Slaw · 10-24-2012, 04:13 AM

The KLR is less likely to get you knocked in the head and stolen.

Just a thought.

Ginger Beard · 10-24-2012, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Canoehead

Seriously? A high maintenance, high compression bike with no fuel capacity and no suspension travel or a go anywhere, do anything, maintenance free workhorse with a huge tank?

If you are going to do all that work on the Harley, wouldn't it be better to just buy a Buell XT?

Take the KLR. You don't want to have the kind of experiences you'll get on the Harley.

Wow,!

Lots of speculation and ignorant regurgitation of internet "facts" in this one. No more google for you!!

To the op:

If the Sportster was a stock 883/1200 I would say that it would be a tough choice. I own 2 of them and they are great bikes. Fuel efficient and about as maintenance free as a motorcycle can get. As others have stated, with the 10.5:1 setup you may have issues finding fuel. That reason alone would have me picking the KLR. The inconspicuous nature of a KLR could also be an advantage though much of the crime you hear about in the media is sensationalized.

In the end just pick the one that will make you smile the most while you are traveling. Be sure to post an RR!!

kraven · 10-24-2012, 07:27 AM

Most of the fuel in Mexico is filtered through dogs or horses. I'd take the KLR or put some low comp slugs in the sporty.

10-21-2012, 06:19 PM	#1
WhicheverAnyWayCan ^OP Deaf Biker Joined: Dec 2011 Location: Seven Springs NC Oddometer: 357	Humor me: Sportster vs KLR650 through Central and South America? If you are in my shoe and you own a 2006 KLR650 with 685cc and a 1998 Harley Sportster 883 that is upgraded to 1200cc with high compression 10:5.1 piston meaning fuel would have to be premium all the way.. What would be your choice? A Harley or a KLR?? This story of Rob on Road King was inspiring to me.. Of course, if it was a harley for me, I'd probably go RTWDoug's avenue converting sportster into 'Dirtster' and first try to see if I can get a 5-gallons fuel tank. Doug used KTM 300 fork on his Dirtster and it is $120+shipping on ebay. That will help light up the weight a bit. I'd change the rear shock and go up to maybe 15". Belt to Chain. Convert high compression piston back to low compression piston through Wiseco That should probably do it? Or just stick with the KLR?? So humor me and bring it on! __________________ IBA 49083 - Converting 1998 Harley Sportster XLHugger 883 into Dual Sportster

10-21-2012, 06:58 PM	#2
Capt_Gruuvy Travel Poet Laureate Joined: Jul 2009 Location: High Desert, CA Oddometer: 302	I would figure out how many parts outlets exist for both brands. __________________ My wife's boyfriend broke my jaw with a fence post ....

10-22-2012, 06:26 AM	#4
Royal Tiger Panzerkampfwagen VI Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Oddometer: 1,115	Easy choice; KLR. Huge tank, runs on shit gas, and just about anyone with a 7th grade education can fix it. __________________ Dan 2005 BMW R1200ST 2007 BMW G650X XChallenge

10-22-2012, 08:06 AM	#5
Velociraptor TrackBum Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Seattle Oddometer: 492	Klr __________________ 2009 KTM 690r Enduro in da house 2002 RC51 SOLD 2010 KTM 990 Supermoto R

10-22-2012, 09:04 AM	#6
Mr. Canoehead Taste Gunnels! Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Calgary, Too far to the mountains and too cold Oddometer: 1,149	Seriously? A high maintenance, high compression bike with no fuel capacity and no suspension travel or a go anywhere, do anything, maintenance free workhorse with a huge tank? If you are going to do all that work on the Harley, wouldn't it be better to just buy a Buell XT? Take the KLR. You don't want to have the kind of experiences you'll get on the Harley. __________________ ____________________________________________ 2005 GS1150 Adventure - Range Rover, 2002 DR650 SE - Land Rover "Not all who wander are lost" - JRR Tolkien

10-22-2012, 09:10 AM	#7
JoeDuck Kilroy was here Joined: Jul 2010 Location: North of Alcatraz Oddometer: 450	RTWDoug seems to have done well with a few Harleys, tho IIRC none of them were the high compression needs good gas variety. __________________ Pics of whatever/where ever http://joee.smugmug.com I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure.

10-22-2012, 09:18 AM	#8
boxermoose Now fully goosed Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Gulf Coast TX Oddometer: 2,698	Seriously...take whichever bike speaks to you...no right/wrong or rational answer It'll be a memorable journey either way (thoug you might lit lower comp pistons int he sporty if you do take it) __________________ Sometimes you get the ABAT....and sometimes the ABAT gets you

10-22-2012, 09:19 AM	#9
pm9654 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Oddometer: 155	Klr. __________________ BATMAN

10-22-2012, 09:28 AM	#10
Craneguy British Hooligan Joined: Apr 2011 Location: Muscat, Oman Oddometer: 907	Gas choice alone would push me to the KLR. You don't have to go far off the beaten track here in Mexico before Premium isn't always available. I imagine it might be worse further south. Add in the ubiquitous "stealth speed bumps" and suspension travel would be another major factor. I basically chose the Strom over an M109 for the suspension travel alone. Having ridden with Harley riders, and tried an Intruder, I think I made the right choice. __________________ *“The problem with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and putting things in it.”*

10-22-2012, 11:10 AM	#12
LuciferMutt Rides slow bike slow Joined: Aug 2008 Location: New(er) Mexico Oddometer: 9,774	I think the premium fuel requirements pretty well remove the HD from consideration for this trip. If the HD were stock and could take regular/crappy fuel I would consider it as well, because one advantage it has over the KLR is that it's air-cooled. No worrying about coolant leaks, water pump problems, etc. __________________ You couldn't hear a dump truck driving through a nitro glycerin plant! Badasses might screw with another badass. Nobody screws with a nut job. -- Plaka

10-24-2012, 04:13 AM	#13
Murphy Slaw Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Location: Southern Illinois Oddometer: 897	The KLR is less likely to get you knocked in the head and stolen. Just a thought.

10-24-2012, 07:27 AM	#15
kraven Hegelian Scum Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Asheville NC Oddometer: 3,639	Most of the fuel in Mexico is filtered through dogs or horses. I'd take the KLR or put some low comp slugs in the sporty. __________________ Prancercise lvl mcmlxxvii master instructor.

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