| Author | Message | ||
     Uly_man |
I bought this 2001 15k mile MZ Baghira a while ago as something to play with and for the short rides I do around town. It was in decent enough condition for the year and had a few extras as well.  I have done a little work on it. Some things needed doing and others to improve the bike. New rear pads, ignition coil, master cylinder and front sprocket as worn but also the wrong size. A used head light. All these parts are common to other bikes and did not cost much. I bought, as they are not, a used seat, gear lever and r/h throttle/ switch gear unit for spares as these are no longer made. I rebuilt the seat with memory foam as they are very hard and it is nice and comfy now. No sore bottom. All filters and fluids changed as well as a service of all other parts. The rest of the bike is solid. | ||
| Uly_man |
So what is it like to own, run and ride. Well it is 50kg lighter but feels very slightly "top heavy" over the Uly. Does about the same mpg. Will get to 100 mph if you rev it and will cruise at 80 ok. Vibration is not bad and mostly in the bars. For a single cylinder "thumper" the engine is responsive with good pickup and torque. It was one of the reasons I bought this bike. As well as the high quality WP suspension which apart from the front preload is fully adjustable. Other parts are good quality and the bike is well built. The bike is simple enough and easy/ cheap to maintain. Insurance is cheap as well. Brakes are good (the front is off a R1) and it rides/ handles VERY well. Not as good as a Uly but not that far off either. All in all the bike is EXTREME value for the money. It even tops the Uly which I thought was near impossible. I also see no reason to not get many years/ miles out of it. The engine and its systems are Yamaha and near bullet proof. Bad points? It is a VERY tall bike, small tank, no good for pillions and the seat is very hard. | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
I could not resist for $800.. 2001 KLR 650 11,200 miles..new tires, geared down w/14T was trail ridden.. motor feels tight. everything works.. puke green color if I keep, maybe bed liner or cammo wrap..  } looks better in pic than in person.  | ||
| Timberwolf |
I wish I could find a deal like that. I had a 2007 KLR - great bike! | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
it came with a barn door screen..  my XT feels smaller but 3X more powerful 4X more fun. ..so not sure what I'll do with it, maybe just flip it for tire/gas money? or keep as back up/winter bike ? or find some dirt which I have not done for 40 years.. | ||
| Reepicheep |
No kidding! I'd have snapped up an $800 KLR 650 on the spot as well. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Now ditch the absurd windscreen, and bust out the plasti-dip! | ||
| Charlie_zulu |
 The same but different and my dirt weapons:   | ||
| Reepicheep |
That'll do.  | ||
| Uly_man |
$800 is a serious bargain for that bike. Mine was $1500 and that was dirt cheap, for its condition, in the UK. The main issues with my bike have been the need to replace the rear master cylinder. A common part and I used a Brembo at $75. Also a crap gear lever design. It is alloy and bends so I strengthened it, with plate, and it is fine now. As I said the seat is hard but it is good enough now for daily use. Since I have got the bike into a state that I feel happy with I have been riding it more and the more I do the better it gets. The engine seems to be "freeing up" more and fueling better. It "zips along" VERY well in 2nd, 3rd and 4th upto 80 mph with little vibration and then into 5th to cruise. 100 is possible but 90 is more like the practical limit. Good torque levels and power to overtake in 3rd and 4th without problems. Engine braking is usable. Gearbox passable. Very good road going manners and handling for its class. I like this bike a LOT. And, unlike most cheap hacks, it is real good fun to ride as well. | ||
| Reepicheep |
$1500 is about the bottom of the market for a a ratty KLR-650 here in the states as well. I know, I've been stalking them. When the KZ-400 cafe conversion is completed, it will likely get ridden, but also have an add on CraigsList for "will trade for a KLR-650". | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
my insurance dropped $10 for full coverage, basic would drop it $80. ! Multi bike discount, Dairyland.. | ||
| Mnrider |
 Here's my 09 KLR. It has half as many miles as my Uly but has had twice as many problems. Just had to replace the clutch cable. | ||
| Sagehawk |
staying in tune with this thread, i've been looking at a klr, dr, and with the ktm 690 enduro being unobtanium as they sell so quick, thats pretty much off of the list. Honda 650 is too tall and dry sump motor, thats off the list. Has anyone had good / bad luck with the 250 kawasaki, or the new honda250? looking for opinions on these various models. Are the husky street legal dirtbikes out of distribution here in the states as well? | ||
| Reepicheep |
I had a KLR-250, fun little bike, but it was limited to not be able to go on freeway without a lot of "look in the rear view mirror and pucker". Still too heavy to be a proper dirt bike, so I'd say go with the 650. I have buddies with KTM's (the bigger singles). Amazing bikes in what they do, and great engineering, but everything is built to race and the margin between "perfect" and "broken" seems to be about a third of the width of a hair. The KLR has a lot more margin built into it, the KTM will have a lot more performance. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
When I first got the ULY years ago it felt a bit skittish on the interstate and I imagine it was because I was used to my twice as heavy FLH. Now I don't think anything of it. | ||
| Buewulf |
Sagehawk, the 350cc and 500cc Husky dual-sports now available are KTM EXC's with different styling for the most part. They are race-ready dirt bikes with mirrors and blinkers. We're talking oil changes every 15 hours of use and valve adjustments every 30 hours. Pistons, connecting rods, valvetrain and all engine bearings are considered consumables with 135-hour lives if I remember correctly. The 690 Adventure is the only true dual-sport bike KTM makes. But like you said, unless you go to the dealership and put a deposit on one, you can't get one around here. I just rented a Honda CRF230 (the old air-cooled single that the new 250R replaces) last month when I went to Utah. It was fun to have a light bike off-road, but I wouldn't want to live with it as a street bike around here. It was pretty much done at 70mph indicated. I don't know how much better the 250 is on the highway. But even if it was a significant improvement, I think I'd still want something bigger unless the sole purpose of the bike was to be able to ride it legally to the trails. | ||
| Skifastbadly |
Charlie_zulu: I don't think I ever talked to anyone who had both an Uly and a Guzzi....how would you compare the two? | ||
| Sprintex |
I have a 06 Uly and a 77 Guzzi LeMans and a 74 Guzzi ( also a Cal 2 and a couple of mopeds) Eldorado so my bikes are on the old side to compare. But in general they are both quirky, loads of character, when you get your first you think you made a big mistake but then after a couple of hundred miles you get it,or not. They seem to appeal to the same kind of riders. For most not a good bike if you relay on the dealer to do work on it. When I bought my used Buell it was a toss up between the Uly and a used 1100 Breva, I bought the Uly one it came with bags, was $1000 cheaper and I figured Buell would be around a lot longer then Moto Guzzi. Still love the Buell but I'll always have a Guzzi of some sort. | ||
| Charlie_zulu |
Charlie_zulu: I don't think I ever talked to anyone who had both an Uly and a Guzzi….how would you compare the two? The weight difference is noticeable for sure, turn in is sharper and I'd say the suspension set-up is better for the street on the ULY. Motors Id say they're about the same (acceleration) though the ULY is lighter and has a belt drive compared to shaft. I'm pretty sure if you lined them up the ULY would win a drag race. Offroad I'd give it to the Guzzi, it's sprung a bit softer and doesn't feel as skittish of the marbles. Range is no contest, the Guzzi has 8 gallons on board a good stock seat and better wind protection.. | ||
| Charlie_zulu |
The 690 Adventure is the only true dual-sport bike KTM makes. But like you said, unless you go to the dealership and put a deposit on one, you can't get one around here. I'm not sure they made a 690 ADV, a 640 ADV I know they made. I also recently acquired a 690 ER and wow, what a hoot to ride and smooth in top gear at 70 mph. Doesn't have the low-end hit of the 950 Super E but makes up for it in less weight and a linear,tractable power delivery.. I tried a KLR once…. | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
and I figured Buell would be around a lot longer then Moto Guzzi. LOL! for awhile I had both a Guzzi and Uly.. I've owned more than a dozen Guzzi over 40 years.. last one was a 2002 V11 Lemans that would be whomped on by the Uly in a short drag race but the Lemans would have it on top end for sure, I think it could go 134 MPH, doubt my Uly can get there. after a couple months with the Uly I decided it had more charm that even a Good Guzzi so traded away the V11 for a Miata!.  funny, I sold a different Guzzi (Bassa) and a KLR to get the Uly and now I have another KLR and Uly.. all I need now is a new Guzzi.. or hopefully an AX! | ||
| Skifastbadly |
bike ho's | ||
| Sagehawk |
Skifastbadly, i took that at a personal level and dang if it doesnt fit! Race bike maintenance is not for me without racing so those are out, buewulf. Everyone is kicking at the klr but im not hearing much on the dr 650. The smallish 250's were a thought process if my wife can get wrist and and two rotator cuffs lined out. Weve thought of back to bouncing around in dirt, but if shes not ,im going to stay in 650 range. Yamaha brings back a sr 400 street bike but wont bring the 660 tenere to the states. | ||
| Sagehawk |
Skifastbadly, i took that at a personal level and dang if it doesnt fit! Race bike maintenance is not for me without racing so those are out, buewulf. Everyone is kicking at the klr but im not hearing much on the dr 650. The smallish 250's were a thought process if my wife can get wrist and and two rotator cuffs lined out. Weve thought of back to bouncing around in dirt, but if shes not ,im going to stay in 650 range. Yamaha brings back a sr 400 street bike but wont bring the 660 tenere to the states. | ||
| Buewulf |
"I'm not sure they made a 690 ADV" Yes, correction. I meant 690 Enduro. | ||
| Callawegian |
I traded with my a rifle with my dad for 1981 Honda XL 250 with less than 5000 miles on it. I never liked the 23" front wheel, so I bought the front end off of a 1997 Honda CR 125. My winter project is going I involve putting the newer front suspension on the old Honda. Check out the spin off oil filter the first owner installed on the bike.  | ||
| Callawegian |
I meant to say I traded a rifle for this Honda. Sorry about that.  | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
but let's see the spin off filter// | ||
| Uly_man |
I made mention of the MZ Baghira because of its price, build quality, simplicity, cheap insurance, ease of maintenance and handling. But as much as any of this it is great fun to ride which I think is key if you like a Uly. I had always wanted one anyway and had never seen one on the road before either. The problem I have always had is that a bike that costs this sort of money, in the UK, is almost always a low end/ budget model that would need a lot of work and money spent on it. Just a set of PR2s and a good chain set costs $650 for this bike and would be much the same on any other in its class as well. Basically they are junk and not much fun to ride either and, for the most part, never were even from new. The original bike was built as a PROPER off road bike with 21 and 18 inch wheels. Like this.  They then did the road going version with 17 inch wheels in two formats. One is the tall version like mine and the second is a lower HR version. HR stands for "height reduced" which is a LOT lower. The BLACK PANTHER version is just painted swing arm and forks. All parts are interchangeable and you can fit the sprocket ratios as you see fit. |
