Kawasaki KLR650, or Suzuki DR650?

bruh44 · 03-23-2004, 09:56 PM

I plan on picking up a dual sport here shortly. But I'm kind of shopping in the dark. So far I like the KLR's a bit more. They have a few extras the DR's don't as far as I can tell. So what do you think?

dr650bc · 03-23-2004, 10:21 PM

Had a DR - picked it over the KLR as it was sportier(handling), smoother, capable of being lowered(factory engineered), and lighter. Ended being a great bike for 5 yrs before I moved up to the V-Strom. I have a few posts showing some trips if your are interested.

Rad · 03-23-2004, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruh44

I plan on picking up a dual sport here shortly........................... So what do you think?

KTM 640

bruh44 · 03-23-2004, 11:38 PM

I like those KTM supermoto bikes, but they're way to expensive for me. This is the begining of a hobby for me, guns, are my ongoing hobby. You have to be rich to afford both, and I'm not. Infact I may end up selling my M1A so I can get a newer bike.

txhardcore · 03-24-2004, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruh44

I plan on picking up a dual sport here shortly. But I'm kind of shopping in the dark. So far I like the KLR's a bit more. They have a few extras the DR's don't as far as I can tell. So what do you think?

I picked the KLR for these reasons-bigger tank, water cooled (TX heat), wider seat. That's the advantages of the KLR. The lighter DR is easier to handle in the dirt and the thinner seat isnt a problem on short trips. It isnt about which bike is better it's more about which bike is best for you. What are your expectations of the bike you are going to ride.

fixer · 03-24-2004, 01:10 AM

welcome to the assylum bubba! i see you followed the trail of breadcrumbs i left!

it seems to depend on whatcha want to do with it... many seem to prefer he KLR if yer gonna do lotsa miles and lotsa highway, with some dirt.

ohh, one more trail for you to follow...

www.multisurfacemotorcycling.com

bruh44 · 03-24-2004, 03:33 AM

And thank you for the trail...

Well I think I'll be riding mostly on the road, but there are alot of National forest service roads around here I'd like to check out. I'm not looking to get into hard core dirt biking, just wanna do some exploring, and have some fun is all.

topes · 03-24-2004, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txhardcore

I picked the KLR for these reasons-bigger tank, water cooled (TX heat), wider seat. That's the advantages of the KLR. The lighter DR is easier to handle in the dirt and the thinner seat isnt a problem on short trips. It isnt about which bike is better it's more about which bike is best for you. What are your expectations of the bike you are going to ride.

Tell them the truth. You chose the KLR cause you were able to steal it from the retarded dude who formerly owned said motorcycle. You know you really wanted a Honda.

BigDave · 03-24-2004, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruh44

And thank you for the trail...

Well I think I'll be riding mostly on the road, but there are alot of National forest service roads around here I'd like to check out. I'm not looking to get into hard core dirt biking, just wanna do some exploring, and have some fun is all.

I had a KLR for 4 years. Even though I liked the bike, I was never comfortable on the freeway. No power, the wind blows it around etc...
I did choose it over the DR at the time because of a smoother engine, water cooled and 6.4 gal tank. I know guys take the KLR all over the world, but not for me.

I know its more $, but have you considered a F650GS? What about a used big trailie?

Claim Jumper · 03-24-2004, 07:08 AM

I ride a KLR so I am biased towards this model. A friend of mine had a DR 650 till recently (he got a DRZ 400) and it was a cool bike, very different feeling from the KLR. I don't think the DR is that much superior to the KLR in offroad, dirt road stuff. I personally felt it was a little short for me and somewhat cramped. This would get old fast on the highway. The KLR is OK on the road but not an all day highway bike for me. I will ride it all day on gravel roads though, anytime.

Stephen · 03-24-2004, 08:02 AM

I spose that since I ride a KLR, I should select it in the poll, but as has been said, it really depends on what you want to do. Plus, I have not ridden a DR, only looked at'em. I'd very much like to ride one.

I think of the KLR as a modern version of a good ol' general purpose big Brit single--"modern" meaning early 80's technology. It looks more like a dirt bike than it is. I've done several 600+ mile days on it, no sweat.

The DR looks even more like a dirt bike, a mid-90's dirt bike. There is less of it, which is generally good, but the cockpit is even more cramped than the KLR--a lot more. It would really hurt me after awhile on the highway. There's not much room for luggage. But the design is objectively better, as is the build quality.

All in all, they're more alike than they are different. Neither is a KTM nor ever could be.

sandersr · 03-24-2004, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruh44

I plan on picking up a dual sport here shortly. But I'm kind of shopping in the dark. So far I like the KLR's a bit more. They have a few extras the DR's don't as far as I can tell. So what do you think?

When I bought my y2k KLR, I tried to talk myself into a DR650 but couldnâ€™t. Now 4 years & 20k miles later, Iâ€™m sure I made the best choice because:

Compare the seats, the DRâ€™s is like sitting on a narrow log.
The KLR comes with:

A tachometer

A luggage rack

A bigger fuel tank

A decent seat

There is tons of practical accessories for the KLR650. More than for the DRs.
There seems to be more information available on the web for the KLR650
I like my 7 gallon IMS tank I got for my KLR650
In y2k the DR650 actually cost more than the KLR650. This has since changed.

CCH · 03-24-2004, 09:55 AM

I echo the "pick which is best for your uses" theme. I have the KLR650. It is not an ideal highway bike, but I'd much prefer it to a DR650 in that capacity. If I were a serious off-roader, I probably wouldn't pick either. For commuting, forest service roads and general wandering I find my KLR650 tough to beat for the money.

fixer · 03-24-2004, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandersr

The KLR comes with:
A tachometer

yup, so it does, but i'm curious how many riders shift by the tach and how many shift by ear?

having said that, it's curious than my '92 Ford Ranger with a manual trany had no tach, but the '96 with the automatic has one. hmmmm...

NJ_Bob · 03-24-2004, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruh44

they're way to expensive for me. This is the begining of a hobby for me, guns, are my ongoing hobby. You have to be rich to afford both, and I'm not.

You should look at the used market then, and not invest a whole lot. It's too bad you didn't get started during the winter. Prices are lower then.

If you get a good price on one, you should be able to ride it for a while, and then sell it for just about what you paid for it if you decide you don't like it.

View Results: Which do you preffer KLR650, or DR650
KLR650	58	33.14%
DR650	117	66.86%
Voters: 175. You may not vote on this poll

03-23-2004, 09:56 PM	#1
bruh44 ^OP Adventurer Joined: Mar 2004 Oddometer: 23	Kawasaki KLR650, or Suzuki DR650? I plan on picking up a dual sport here shortly. But I'm kind of shopping in the dark. So far I like the KLR's a bit more. They have a few extras the DR's don't as far as I can tell. So what do you think?

03-24-2004, 07:08 AM	#10
Claim Jumper will work for knobbies Joined: Feb 2002 Location: Boise, Idaho Oddometer: 519	I ride a KLR so I am biased towards this model. A friend of mine had a DR 650 till recently (he got a DRZ 400) and it was a cool bike, very different feeling from the KLR. I don't think the DR is that much superior to the KLR in offroad, dirt road stuff. I personally felt it was a little short for me and somewhat cramped. This would get old fast on the highway. The KLR is OK on the road but not an all day highway bike for me. I will ride it all day on gravel roads though, anytime. __________________ ChrisGo 04 XB12R Firebolt 99 KX-250 77 BMW R100/7

03-24-2004, 08:02 AM	#11
Stephen Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2002 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Oddometer: 3,162	I spose that since I ride a KLR, I should select it in the poll, but as has been said, it really depends on what you want to do. Plus, I have not ridden a DR, only looked at'em. I'd very much like to ride one. I think of the KLR as a modern version of a good ol' general purpose big Brit single--"modern" meaning early 80's technology. It looks more like a dirt bike than it is. I've done several 600+ mile days on it, no sweat. The DR looks even more like a dirt bike, a mid-90's dirt bike. There is less of it, which is generally good, but the cockpit is even more cramped than the KLR--a lot more. It would really hurt me after awhile on the highway. There's not much room for luggage. But the design is objectively better, as is the build quality. All in all, they're more alike than they are different. Neither is a KTM nor ever could be. __________________ Stephen Still for sale: 1988 BMW R100GS saddle: the Bumblebee seat

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03-23-2004, 10:21 PM	#2
dr650bc Studly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2002 Location: vancouver, bc, canada Oddometer: 817	Had a DR - picked it over the KLR as it was sportier(handling), smoother, capable of being lowered(factory engineered), and lighter. Ended being a great bike for 5 yrs before I moved up to the V-Strom. I have a few posts showing some trips if your are interested.

03-23-2004, 11:38 PM	#4
bruh44 ^OP Adventurer Joined: Mar 2004 Oddometer: 23	I like those KTM supermoto bikes, but they're way to expensive for me. This is the begining of a hobby for me, guns, are my ongoing hobby. You have to be rich to afford both, and I'm not. Infact I may end up selling my M1A so I can get a newer bike.

03-24-2004, 01:10 AM	#6
fixer KLR-riding cheap bastard Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Lost Wage$, NV Oddometer: 7,439	welcome to the assylum bubba! i see you followed the trail of breadcrumbs i left! it seems to depend on whatcha want to do with it... many seem to prefer he KLR if yer gonna do lotsa miles and lotsa highway, with some dirt. ohh, one more trail for you to follow... www.multisurfacemotorcycling.com

03-24-2004, 03:33 AM	#7
bruh44 ^OP Adventurer Joined: Mar 2004 Oddometer: 23	And thank you for the trail... Well I think I'll be riding mostly on the road, but there are alot of National forest service roads around here I'd like to check out. I'm not looking to get into hard core dirt biking, just wanna do some exploring, and have some fun is all.

03-24-2004, 09:55 AM	#13
CCH Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2003 Location: Littleton, CO, USA Oddometer: 176	I echo the "pick which is best for your uses" theme. I have the KLR650. It is not an ideal highway bike, but I'd much prefer it to a DR650 in that capacity. If I were a serious off-roader, I probably wouldn't pick either. For commuting, forest service roads and general wandering I find my KLR650 tough to beat for the money.