Plan on looking at a 2005 KLR 650 when the temp drops a bit here, maybe Tue/Wed. Guy claims he's the 2nd owner but has "issues " with the title and cant sell it yet until he gets a legit legal title from Phoenix?? There is a nice DMV here in Prescott so not clear what the BS is and the real issues are yet. Other claim is "its too tall" and he wants something smaller/lower. 2005 bike has claimed 11K miles on it and the usual "org owner only road it back n forth to work" claim. Craigs' List pics look clean and all original which is what I want. He claims hes the 2nd owner.

Im not familiar with this bike or KLR multi-road bike in general. 15 yr old bike - fork seals, drop damage, what else should I take a closer look at? Can the miles be faked or the odo disconnected and fooled with?
Here is the CL link:

https://prescott.craigslist.org/mcy/d/prescott-kawasaki-klr-650/7187236954.html

Guy seems like typical straight shooter from Prescott but would really appreciate experienced advice on what to look closer at and check or test out before I buy.

Thanks

I bet he paid the price he is now asking for that bike. Maybe bikes hold their value better in CA but 3k for a 15 year old on-offroad bike? I see a new 2018 KLR 650 was priced at 6700.

It's too easy to roll back a mechanical odo. Check google. If the seat, grips and everything look new, no scratches on any plastic and the guy looks like the bike is too tall for him, maybe it's a gem. If you ask me, $3000 is definitely the max this bike could sell for. I would only pay that if I were sure it was well taken care of and that it definitely had the mileage displayed on the odo.

Would the ignition key slot have that much scratches after 11,000 miles? My 14 ignition with 50,000 miles doesn't have any scratches because I care enough to no have shit hanging on a key ring with my bike key. If you ask me, a used bike should look new in every detail if the owner expects to get near his asking price. He hasn't bothered to buff off that exhaust stain on the rear fender either. For the price he's asking, he should have made the bike look new. What else might have been neglected?

Measure the chain stretch. This bike should have very little chain or sprocket wear and the chain should look like the original. Look up what the OEM chain is supposed to be.

The rotors and pads should have little wear.

I'd be wary of giving the asking price. It's used, it's 15 years old and maybe this guy doesn't even know how it was cared for before he owned it. Lowball or walk. That's just what I'd do. How much do you think you will get for this bike when you sell it? Look at what NADA is suggesting for retail price.

https://www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles/2005/Kawasaki/KL650A19-KLR-650-651cc/Values

11,000 miles isn't low for a bike that might have been ridden off road. Lowball. If it looks like it's in great shape offer $1000. Otherwise let someone else assume the risk or the guy can keep it. He might be flipping this for more than he paid.

I offered $1500 for a nearly new crashed R600 and the bike was a bout a year old. I pissed the guy off but WTF do I care. I'm not making friends, I'm buying somebody else's problems. I'm paying the price I want for problems. What they're asking doesn't matter at all to me.

Just another reason to never sell a bike. When the time comes, give it away to someone who will appreciate it.

Thanks Rook for your thoughts. I may be a buyer at ~$2500 if it all checks out. These are very popular and in demand now that Kawi stopped making them in 2018. I think better to pass or let it go than buy problems. Over the past several months I have missed out on several of these that sold quickly.

Finally got to take a look at this bike, incredible the stupid kids today who dont know shit about what hey have to do to sell a bike. This guy, it turn out, bought the bike 1-2 m ago, didn't do anything with it or the title, typical of young people today- in general the dont do anything... and he couldn't sell it. He finally got the paper straight so I go take a look at it. Needs new tires, chain is as tight as a guitar string, rear sprocket needs replacing (sure the front does to) and he doesn't know what the doohickey is (balancer chain tensioner)or if its been replaced. Right side is a bit thrashed but not to bad.

Bike looks like its been outside its whole life and is a weird purple from the sun not red.

Told the kid I was a buyer at $2K. He gives up he paid $2500 for it a few months ago and just wants to get his $$ out of it.

Good luck with he sale and told him to call me if he want the cash today and the bike gone. Rents due in 2 weeks so maybe if he doesn't find a sucker by then ....

Cause KHI stopped making these they are all of a sudden in demand. Guys are asking for than what they paid for almost new one (end was 2018)

When he calls tell him a thousand.

I'm a real cork sucker when it comes to buying used. I guess that's why I have mostly bought new.

Not sure what you are planning to do with the bike.

"Not" a very good off road bike, single track is out. not really very good on road either.
Maybe cruising dirt roads with a fishing pole?

It's to heavy and under powered.

KLR 650 43hp at like 430lbs

Much more capable bikes, like.....

WR450f 58hp at 270lbs wet

KTM 525 EXE 61hp at 247lb dry

Both can be street legal, both have electric start.

I've been trying to find a late model 5th gen WR450f and the pickings
have been slim. Priced high and still selling quick. Probably going to
have to wait until some of the stimulus money out there drys up.

* Last updated by: piken on 9/20/2020 @ 2:59 PM *

Now Im thinking a newer smaller lighter weight number. I have almost no off road riding experience and dont want a heavy bike I'll probably kill myself on in 6 weeks. A local older guy has a `Suzi DR 200 SE Im gonna take a look at ---- I think. I need to learn before I get something with more power

The DR-Z 400 is another popular bike.
40hp / 319lbs

Hmmm... even with no off road experience not sure I'd recommend a 200
to a guy that rides a zx14. It's all in the wrist anyway.

What's nice about the wr450. 525 exe, DR-Z 400 is they are
all electric start (nice for old guys and also when stalled out on
the side of a tall hill) and can be ridden on road which is nice for
short stretches to get to and from the trails.

Yamaha WR450F
KTM 525 EXE
DR-Z 400
Husqvarna FS 450

Get one of those and you can do some supermoto racing or
get a spare rim with a paddle tire and hit the dunes!

Right on Crude, good to hear you looking for a dual sport bike, problem is theres so many to choose from. Kawi just broke out with the klx 230. The klr is a great bike. it all depends what you intend to use it for tho. 80% street, 20% dirt.
hard core single track? also how many dollas you willing to shell out. the ktm 500 exc is prolly top dawg right now. bang for the buck a klr can tractor, reliable and get you in the game on the cheap, cant go wrong. if you dont mind kicking, the xr650r can getr done, a crf250x is a great trail bike and gots the button green sticker tho. good luck in your choice and search.

some dude is sellin his mint 2001 kx500 its green sticker and a two stroker tho. oh the xr650l is solid too. the kx500 is a beginner bike. get something you can take to Gorman and learn the sand washes and trails, if you ride a 14r youll get the hang of it. doing piru creek, snowy, or going up miller jeep trail and your there.

its the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Thanks for the input guys, really appreciate!

Im in the Norther AZ mountains area and the trails are big sharp rocks. Just hiking around scoping out the Deer tag zone the bike/atv trails are all rocks. I may wait and watch for some local Craigs List porn. I have always liked the DR Z 400 exactly because what Pike pointed out, low weight. Nothing for sale here that isn't either thrashed or almost new.

Riding would prob be 80-90% trail and street to get there. THink I'll wait and watch and see what comes up. Maybe next year