Which is better off-road - KLR or 990Adventure?

[MrMac]

Originally Posted by Mulewright

For you stated usage overall Without suspension mods on the KLR, unquestionably the 800XC.
Also I.M.H.O. the 800 would be closer to what you Want.
If budget considerations are a factor you just can't beat the Value of a KLR properly modded.
But I don't think you Want a KLR so why go thru the Mod trials & tribulations and still not have what you Want?
There! My observations & worth every penny you spent for them!

I really enjoy my KLR, but I'm so wanting to try an 800xc in the dirt..! If anyone would let me borrow one for a weekend, I promise to write up a detailed and entirely objective report on the difference so we can settle this matter once and for all!

Any takers?

[ANutt]

Originally Posted by MrMac

I really enjoy my KLR, but I'm so wanting to try an 800xc in the dirt..! If anyone would let me borrow one for a weekend, I promise to write up a detailed and entirely objective report on the difference so we can settle this matter once and for all!

Any takers?

Lemme know if you find anyone that gullible (err, I mean generous, generous...) 'cause I want to try one for a weekend too.

[burmbuster]

If your trying to get by on the cheap why not a DR? The old single banger has a ton of farkle support, as reliable as they come, and the weight is below the other two I believe.
I own an XC and it handles really, really well off road for a middle weight bike. But if my purchase was strickly for TAT tours, limited road use and money was an issue, then the DR or KLR is the way I would go.

[ANutt]

Originally Posted by burmbuster

If your trying to get by on the cheap why not a DR? The old single banger has a ton of farkle support, as reliable as they come, and the weight is below the other two I believe.
I own an XC and it handles really, really well off road for a middle weight bike. But if my purchase was strickly for TAT tours, limited road use and money was an issue, then the DR or KLR is the way I would go.

6'3, 250lbs is the main reason. The DR feels toy-like under me. Yeah, I know the rougher things get the smaller I want the bike, but the reality is that things won't get that rough unless we take a wrong turn somewhere. And I'm almost old enought to know when to say "when"...almost.
It's not necessarily a money thing per se; I'm just trying to figure out the best approach to an all-rounder so I don't have to keep buyin' bikes.
Anyone tried that Husky TR650 Terra yet?

[burmbuster]

Originally Posted by ANutt

6'3, 250lbs is the main reason. The DR feels toy-like under me. Yeah, I know the rougher things get the smaller I want the bike, but the reality is that things won't get that rough unless we take a wrong turn somewhere. And I'm almost old enought to know when to say "when"...almost.
It's not necessarily a money thing per se; I'm just trying to figure out the best approach to an all-rounder so I don't have to keep buyin' bikes.
Anyone tried that Husky TR650 Terra yet?

Well if your looking for an all around bike then an 800cc is what you need. Power a plenty, still not as heavy as the tonners or the 990's. I would ride the KLR (just for comparison), 800XC and the 800GS and go from there. But I have to warn you, the triple motor in the XC has a ton of grin factor so be prepared to be charmed. But thats just one opinion.

[Dirtysouth]

Originally Posted by ANutt

Lemme know if you find anyone that gullible (err, I mean generous, generous...) 'cause I want to try one for a weekend too.

Go to Freedom Powersports and take one for a spin. They do offer test rides on their Triumphs.

[Ramv]

My 950 se is much better off road than my KLR was and about the same weight. Not sure that 800s are lighter ? The KTM with 8000 miles has been more reliable than my KLr and cheaper to maintain (other than gas!) so far and much better than any of my XRs. Costs more upfront but worth it so far for the less downtime and less cost. Plus I beat on it a lot harder.

[MrMac]

Originally Posted by Dirtysouth

Go to Freedom Powersports and take one for a spin. They do offer test rides on their Triumphs.

Actually talked to the guy at the L'ville shop and he did offer to set one up for me to demo. I have a feeling he wouldn't be to happy if I brought it back covered with N. Ga off-road grime!

When I get more serious about my next purchase, I'll go back! But I've got a daughters wedding and my wife's specialists degree to to get through first..

Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk 2

[666]

800 xc not even close to ktm 950/990 for offroad. I rode it.

Properly setup , purchased used with low miles 950/990 makes a great bike for not so much money. If you know how to wrench, maintenance is easy. 32 k on my 950, no issues.

You can get one for about 7-10K.

KLR? It's much cheaper, but few grand dont go very far these days.
If money is an issue , just get a weestrom - it can do fire roads all day long with tuned suspension and much better bike than klr.

[fbj913]

Originally Posted by 666

800 xc not even close to ktm 950/990 for offroad. I rode it.

not true

[Kawidad]

Originally Posted by 666

800 xc not even close to ktm 950/990 for offroad. I rode it.

If you know how to wrench, maintenance is easy.

And frequent

You can get one for about 7-10K.

A used KTM or a new Triumph or 3 or 4 KLRs??????

KLR? It's much cheaper, but few grand dont go very far these days.
If money is an issue , just get a weestrom - it can do fire roads all day long with tuned suspension and much better bike than klr.

A wee strom will NOT compete with a KLR off road. Sorry, but that is flat out wrong. If you spend thousands on the wee and take it against a bone stock KLR, maybe, just maybe. But then what's the point of the comparison?

[MrMac]

Originally Posted by Kawidad

A wee strom will NOT compete with a KLR off road. Sorry, but that is flat out wrong. If you spend thousands on the wee and take it against a bone stock KLR, maybe, just maybe. But then what's the point of the comparison?

+1.. And believe me, I tried. I had a DL650, and after months of trying to keep up with my buddies on KLR's riding off-road, I finally broke down and got one myself. No comparison.

[TheLorax]

It's not even a valid question.

If you are really going off-road, you would never take a bike the size of the KTM. If you are talking soft-core ADV riding (like the TAT), the KTM is a great bike (though a little thirsty). Then again, the KLR is hardly an off-road all-star. There are as many opinions on best off-road bike as there are opinionated people on this forum.

The KLR sells because it is cheap, easy and fairly effective at certain things. Mine is set up as a pack mule for real ADV travel and rarely sees highway speed. Is it the best bike on the planet????? hardly. But it has delivered far beyond the money invested many times over and few bikes can say that.

If you want a valid answer, you need to change the question. If you wish to incite bashing from opinionated hooligans, carry on as you were, they will not disappoint.

[acesandeights]

Originally Posted by ANutt

... Given my size/weight, the KLR will need suspension upgrades right off. Dependability means more to me than power.

Guy I know that does suspension work typically works on the more expensive bikes. Why, because they need suspension mods too.

I haven't met an owner of any brand that didn't want the suspension dialed in for them, especially riders going x-country or that weighed 200+ lbs plus luggage. Not a pro or con for either bike mentioned, but I'd want suspension upgrades right off whether I bought Kaw or KTM. They may be less expensive with the KTM because you're starting off with better components to begin with, but I'd still want it sprung/stacked/shimmed for me and my riding style.

[Gryphon12]

Ok, for a guy 6'3" tall and 240 lbs, the choices are different than they are for me at 5'10" and 170 lbs (31" inseam). While the DR may feel small to the OP, it would probably feel like a WR250R or a 350 EXC-F does to me. I want the smaller bikes for the greater difficulty of Western TAT, but they are not required for the Eastern TAT (and what about after the trip?).

At 240 lbs, ALL bikes will require suspension work if they are to function optimally. KTM 950/990 maintenance can be done by talented amateurs, with the right tools and patience, but they are certainly more mainteance intensive than the KLR's. KTM water pumps are critical failures on the 9xx bikes, and fuel economy flat out sucks - they are race engines, remember?

All that said, you need a bike that fits both your body and your EXPECTATIONS.

For reference, wet weights (lbs.) without any racks or luggage:

Thumpers:
335 KTM 690 Enduro-R
351 Husky TE-630
367 DR-650
403 TR650 Terra
405 TR650 Strada
410 KTM 640 Adv (2004 model)
435 KLR-650

Beasts:
432 KTM 950SE
460 BMW F800GS
462 Tiger 800 Roadie
467 KTM 990 SM-T
473 Tiger 800 XC
[480 Honda XRV-750 Africa Twin - not in US]
485 DL-650 V-Strom
491 KTM 950 ADV
495 BMW R1200GS 2007 (later versions are heavier)
512 Tiger 1050
530 DL-1000 V-Strom
534 KTM 990 ADV
595 Yamaha Super Tenere

Ground clearance and suspension travel matter, too, and they are all different. Then there are tank size (and aftermarket tanks) for range, and load carrying capability. Read individual threads for details on each choice, then ride them. What fits me certainly won't fit the OP!