Why did you choose your bike?

Share some insight into why you chose the bike(s) you did.  What features were important to you?

I did a lot of reading online, but I didn't know many DSers to talk to except my father (who provided much valuable advice!).

I chose a KLR650 for several reasons:

• Extremely reliable design
• Easy access to parts: "Just go to walmart when you need to work on a KLR"
• "Jack of all trades, master of none." it can capably do anything I want to do (and sometimes stuff I want to do but shouldn't!)

Another thing I found later is that there's gobs of farkle out there at reasonable prices, and a huge market of used parts/accessories.

I just happened to come across a fella who was selling an AT, that wasnted to trade for a 640A. I didnt want to spend new bike money for an AT, but i'd be willing to trade for one. I ended up gettign an absolute screaming deal on the bike, with a lot of good farkles on it already.

I've grown to really love the bike.. its probably the best all-around scoot i've owned, and I've had everything from a FJR1300, to a Husaberg FS650.. Probably close to 50 bikes over the years.

Shaft Drive, Cruise Control, Tubeless Tires. 

See for yourself, who wouldn't!!! 😂

For me, I had to work around my physical limitations.  I have a very short inseam so that eliminated most dual sport/adventure bikes.  The DR650 has two suspension positions.  I set it up using the lower settings and added a Seat Concepts low saddle which put my feet on the ground.  I'm 65 with a worn out back so I wanted to be sure I could lift the bike when I fell.  The DR is under 400 lbs fueled and loaded and I can pick it up pretty easily. 
It has been unchanged for 20 years so parts are plentiful and cheap, it is very reliable and it is extremely easy to work on and maintain.  They are somewhat hard to find used so I was thrilled when a fellow Backroader put this on the forum classifieds.  It already had most of the need mods done (skidplate, handlebars, lower pegs, bigger tank, etc) so I was ready to go.
 

Sounds like she was the perfect choice for you Roger! Gotta love them bulletproof DR's and XR's!!

Went from a KLR to a triumph tiger 800xc to a ktm 990 adventure and looked at and rode  a Honda AT. Cost and do it all nature brought me back to the KLR. The tiger was greaton the road and the AT felt similar.  The KTM was fantastic everywhere but maintenance is extremely time consuming, I ride almost daily and 4 hour oil changes at $80 at a time is just not practical.  The KLR for me just works, I like the carburetor, and easy maintenance.

For me, I had to work around my physical limitations.  I have a very short inseam so that eliminated most dual sport/adventure bikes.  The DR650 has two suspension positions.  I set it up using the lower settings and added a Seat Concepts low saddle which put my feet on the ground.  I'm 65 with a worn out back so I wanted to be sure I could lift the bike when I fell.  The DR is under 400 lbs fueled and loaded and I can pick it up pretty easily. 
It has been unchanged for 20 years so parts are plentiful and cheap, it is very reliable and it is extremely easy to work on and maintain.  They are somewhat hard to find used so I was thrilled when a fellow Backroader put this on the forum classifieds.  It already had most of the need mods done (skidplate, handlebars, lower pegs, bigger tank, etc) so I was ready to go.

I have always liked DRs - they're awesome bikes you can really do anything with. I've even seen guy swap out to a pumper carb, throw 17s on 'em, and turn them into twisty slayers.

My first offroad bike was a 1981 KDX 175. Loved that bike even though it was already well used. Tried a 86' KX125 and went through three ring and piston jobs on it riding the trails in Washington and Oregon. Got a deal on a 97' KDX200 from a co-worker and spent 10 years on it riding trails, forest roads and power lines. Easiest to ride bike I ever mounted.
I was just browsing craigs list and seen a KLR for sale in Neosho Rapids, actually close enough for me to go look at. It had been neglected, sun baked, tires worn off....etc. We managed to get it started with some coaxing and I took her out and was simply hooked. She's come along way and I have no regrets.
I used to have a stencil painted on my home made bumper on my 72' Land Cruiser "Real 4x4's aren't bought, they're Built" same with a bike, you groom it to suit YOU.

Even after some research before buying, then riding it came down to this:
    Extremely reliable design
    Easy access to parts: "Just go to walmart when you need to work on a KLR"
    "Jack of all trades, master of none." it can capably do anything I want to do (and sometimes stuff I want to do but shouldn't!)
Just like my Land Cruiser was

I'm riding a KTM 690 Enduro today. The bike is lightweight. It handles VERY well and has loads of power!. I've been through some other bikes and none of them have been bad bikes. But, when I was a teenager racing motocross I always wanted a Penton. I never got one. Now I'm a 60 year old teenager and I have finally gotten my Penton. It says KTM on it, but the history of the bike goes back to the Penton and its midwestern roots.

I always wanted a Penton.

Wow, there is a blast from the past I had forgotton.  I didn't know of the Penton-KTM connection.  Glad you finally got it.

Here's a link to the DVD made a few years back. It tells the story.

https://www.amazon.com/PENTON-John-Penton-Story-DVD/dp/B00PHIK8NY/ref=sr_1_1/155-0952620-0699141?ie=UTF8&qid=1488486590&sr=8-1&keywords=the+john+penton+story

I have a copy I'll bring the CMA Roads and Trails Rally in September. If anyone is interested we can play it.

So many people on forums make fun of the KLR I figured "now there's a bike I can relate to". So I hit up CL and found plenty of them available.