Trailer Hitch Motorcycle Carrier Confusion

[Silverator]

That one sits pretty high on my list of used bike deals I keep an eye open for.
I have rarely bought new bikes.

Thinking more and more about one now.
I recently picked up a 700GS that covers most of what I do on the Husky with the 19/17 wheels.
The 300 would fill some of the void of the stuff I do with the 21/18's and be a LOT easier in the more difficult stuff.

I've had several KLX300's for myself, my son, and a good buddy. I've highly modded all of them with aftermarket exhausts, carbs, suspension, etc. If you have any questions, feel free to ask away. I've moved on from the KLX, but they are a decent all around trail / minimal road bike. I wouldn't want to race one in hard enduro / off road - or take it on a long road trip, but I've put 10-15k hard off road miles on mine before moving to KTM's and Husky's. Definitely worth a look if your needs are not too demanding. Cheers,

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[Mules]

I keep getting sidetracked with bigger, heavier adventure bikes. Back to the hitch mount conversation. After endless youtube and forum discussions, I'm getting down to either the KLX300 or the KLR650, due to their reliability and value. The KTM's are better weight/performance, but they come with a price.

My camper is about 300 lbs, and I'd hate to go much over 350lbs for the bike/hitch. I could go to 500 lbs on the hitch, but the jeep gets a bit light on the front while driving, and I'm getting too old to dump a heavy bike.

I think the KLR Adventure is hard to beat if you're going on weekend adventures, but too heavy for me to load on the back of the Jeep.

I want to set up base camp with my jeep, and have a street legal bike to play around with, while at camp. I can't lug my trailer/utv around to the back country I want to go.

.

 

[Ogre_FL]

I've had several KLX300's for myself, my son, and a good buddy. I've highly modded all of them with aftermarket exhausts, carbs, suspension, etc. If you have any questions, feel free to ask away. I've moved on from the KLX, but they are a decent all around trail / minimal road bike. I wouldn't want to race one in hard enduro / off road - or take it on a long road trip, but I've put 10-15k hard off road miles on mine before moving to KTM's and Husky's. Definitely worth a look if your needs are not too demanding. Cheers,

Thanks, I have ridden the older KLX250 a number of times and came close to picking one up.
No carbs for me anymore though, I want EFI.
The 250 was particularly cold blooded and one factor I hope the EFI 300 fixed.

My needs are not demanding, and get less so as I get older.
I value low maintenance and smoothness/on road qualities over off-road performance.
I also add a rack and tail bag to every bike for every day/commuter use.

That said if a really good deal were to come up on a KTM/Husky 450-500 I would probably snap one up.

 

[Ogre_FL]

I keep getting sidetracked with bigger, heavier adventure bikes. Back to the hitch mount conversation. After endless youtube and forum discussions, I'm getting down to either the KLX300 or the KLR650, due to their reliability and value. The KTM's are better weight/performance, but they come with a price.

My camper is about 300 lbs, and I'd hate to go much over 350lbs for the bike/hitch. I could go to 500 lbs on the hitch, but the jeep gets a bit light on the front while driving, and I'm getting too old to dump a heavy bike.

I think the KLR Adventure is hard to beat if you're going on weekend adventures, but too heavy for me to load on the back of the Jeep.

I want to set up base camp with my jeep, and have a street legal bike to play around with, while at camp. I can't lug my trailer/utv around to the back country I want to go.

.

I demoed the 22 KLR last year.
I think the package overall is not too bad, but the weight and that motor....uggg.
It feels like a 700-800 class bike with a 300 motor.

Sounds like a KLX would hit the mark for what you want.

Have you also looked at the Honda 300 Rally?
Another one on my list.
I have ridden the previous CRF250s and liked the KLX250 better.
I want to try the Rally 300.

Cool as shit camper!

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

I demoed the 22 KLR last year.
I think the package overall is not too bad, but the weight and that motor....uggg.
It feels like a 700-800 class bike with a 300 motor.

Sounds like a KLX would hit the mark for what you want.

Have you also looked at the Honda 300 Rally?
Another one on my list.
I have ridden the previous CRF250s and liked the KLX250 better.
I want to try the Rally 300.

Cool as shit camper!

It really is laughable that they haven’t gotten around to upgrading the engine in that thing. It’s essentially unchanged…from an output standpoint…since it came out decades ago

Weight wise…it’s fine for touring, but it’s pretty much the last bike in the class that I’d consider if I was going to get back into the market for another dual-sport toy.

 

[Mules]

I demoed the 22 KLR last year.
I think the package overall is not too bad, but the weight and that motor....uggg.
It feels like a 700-800 class bike with a 300 motor.

Sounds like a KLX would hit the mark for what you want.

Have you also looked at the Honda 300 Rally?
Another one on my list.
I have ridden the previous CRF250s and liked the KLX250 better.
I want to try the Rally 300.

Cool as shit camper!

300 Rally is now on the list. Wish the KLX had a small fairing like the Rally. And thanks, I put tons of hours building the camper. The build thread is below.

 

[Ogre_FL]

300 Rally is now on the list. Wish the KLX had a small fairing like the Rally. And thanks, I put tons of hours building the camper. The build thread is below.

The fairing is a nice feature, but it's the bigger 3.4 gallon fuel tank I like a lot about the rally.

I have had a couple of bikes with 2 gallon-ish tanks and like more range.

That camper build is insane.
Amazing work.

 

[Mules]

I finally went to my local big motorcycle dealer and checked out Dual Sports and Adventure Bikes.

The Kawasaki KLR Adventure is definitely a great deal for a big touring bike, all rigged out for $7-$8K. Definitely big enough for me at 6'2" and 210 lb. Just too heavy and big for my trail riding.

The KTM390 Adventure is the coolest bike in this price range around $6K. Feels a lot more like a street bike than for trails. Too short on the suspension for me.

The Kawasaki KLX300 is my winner for best value, street legal trail bike for your trailer hitch rack. Light enough for me to easily pick up (300lb), water cooled, fuel injected, low maintenance and runs around $6K. Tall enough for me, with plenty of suspension to hit the trails.

But....

Here's the one that wins over my heart. How can a 500cc Dual Sport KTM weight less than the Kawasaki KLX300 at only 250lbs?! The KTM 500 EXC is hands down the best performing dual sport there is. The only problem is the price tag at $12.5K! Ouch...

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