On Wednesday night I spotted a clean-looking, low mileage 2004 Kawasaki KLR650 on the lehigh valley craigslist site, asking $2300. I thought to myself, “Well, that sucks because it’s gonna be gone and sold before I get home.”
So I got home from Nebraska on Friday night, and out of sheer curiosity I decided to check and see if the ad was still up. It was, but no phone number provided. Just an email forward address. I decided “what the heck” and sent an email inquiring about it, leaving my cell number.
To my shock and amazement, the seller texed me around 11:30am today (Saturday), stating if I’m still interested that he would be around all day. Interested? Hell yes. But it’s Saturday, the banks close at noon, gotta get cash fast!
After waiting in line for a half hour at the drive-through teller, I finally got cash out around 12:15. Texted the seller I was on my way, only for him to say he had another interested party showing up at 1 and to hang back. So I decided to run some errands and hook up a battery charger to the Volvo since it’s been sitting for nearly a month and it wouldn’t turn over. Got a call from a former client in NJ who needed some help with his PC (fried power supply) and I decided to take the FJR1300 over there, but since this KLR guy was situated due north of route 33 (a highway I had to pass by on my way into NJ), I sent him another text since it was now nearly 1:30 when I was passing by route 33. To my astonishment, the 1:00 guy had decided not to bite instantly so it was still up for grabs. 25 minute detour and I went to look at the bike.
This thing is friggin MINT. You could eat off the engine. 15k miles. No leaks or surprises, everything works as it should, new rubber front & rear. I deliberated for about 5 minutes about where I would park it, then handed over the cash. Took the keys and left it in front of seller’s house to retrieve later.
Rode it home later on in the evening after getting a front flat on the FJR on my return from NJ (cliff notes: limped it home 25 miles on the flat, managed not to destroy the rim by keeping it around 30 mph and sitting way back on the pillion seat to keep weight off the front end. Tire held up surprisingly well but it’s worn enough to need replacing anyway).
I still don’t really know what I’m gonna do with the KLR but it’s such a versatile and indestructible bike that I’m sure I’ll think of something.
Oh and yes I did take a look at and test drove that 2018 Mustang GT in the lead photo today while I was in NJ. LOUD, very loud. Has a short-throw shifter already installed. Ride was surprisingly tolerable for a lowered car. Big issue is the exhaust, not only is it loud but it drones pretty bad at 60-70 mph. That will probably get old very quickly. Drove pretty nice otherwise, managed to leave the dealer without signing my soul away for 5 years. It does still have the factory warranty till February of next year. Gotta contemplate if it’s worth big monthlies till I’m 40. Will make a decision by Monday on that.