M1030B1

I have an M1030B1, the USMC version of the Kawasaki KLR650. I call him Dex. It’s a blast, and the only blasts I get these days! No, it’s not a diesel, the diesel is the M1030M1, however, as cool as they are, given their rarity, maintenance would be a huge concern. They’re also really expensive when they do come up for sale. I’m looking for other on/off road motorcycle enthusiasts in WI. If this is you, contact me.

There are many like it, but this one is mine

I gained possession of this stunning craft in 2023 after lusting about it for about 10 years when I found out about the diesel. I found it on craigslist during a random search for a Kawasaki KLR. After driving 4 hours to come see it, I was exhausted. It looked good, but it was my first bike (though I’d ridden dirtbikes as a teenager with my cousins). I decided to sleep on it, and the next day I called the guy. We’d agreed on $2300 and I struggled to get it together, but I did. When I asked if we were good for $2300, he said, “no, I’ve always been at $2700”. I didn’t have an extra $400, nor did I like being “leveraged” like this. No wonder it had been listed for months. He refused to sell for our agreed upon price.

A month later, I’d come up with the funds and called him. Couldn’t sell it – had it up for auction. I was mortified when it jumped to $1700 the first day, but figured I had an upper hand, having had inspected it already and I would find out what it was really worth. Thankfully, GOD looked kindly upon me, and I ended up winning it for $2100, even less than my initial offer. Greed doesn’t always pay off, kiddos.

Many like it

Here he is on “the land”

M1030B1 at the land

Here he is with his bro “The Beast”

M1030B1/'The Beast'

And, at the beach:

M1030B1 at the lake