By golly, I guess you're right! My bro must have added the ego saving tax of $2G's, LOL!
With my 220#, the KLR didn't wanna stop so good, never mind stoppie. I personally feel that's the real weak point of the bike. I don't ride off road, so I can't vouch for the KLR's tires/brakes/suspension in those conditions. Since $5k doesn't buy much bike these days, Kawi has done a decent job putting together a package that, while far from State-Of The-Art, is certainly competent enough for it's intended purpose(s).
While not a sport bike, my 1000# Harley FLHRCI stops rings around that KLR...well, it does have dual 6-pot differential bore billet PM calipers up front w/S.S. floating rotors, and a 4-pot diff. bore PM billet caliper and CI rotor out back (all with Kevlar-Teflon reinforced S.S. braided brake lines). That, skinny tires and high weight (especially in the rear) allows some short stopping distance. All that extra weight allows you to really stick the thing (without locking the front).
I don't know what all the fuss over anti-lock brakes are...H-D's had 'em for years...high weight and substandard brakes can't lock no matter how hard you squeeze! LOL!
(Message edited by kmh364 on May 12, 2006)