2nd Bike:CB500x or KLR650???

Try to remember the last time you found a penny on the ground.

If you stopped to pick it up, get the KLR.

If you didn't bother, get the Honda.

I had a generation one 2005 KLR650, and used it for all my transportation needs in the Seattle area. I think I am shorter than you, but I found that bike very comfortable to my 5'10" self. As in, ride from west coast to east coast and back comfortable. Mine averaged 54 mpg, and I got over 12,000 miles from the rear stock tire, and that was 100% street riding. Really, the only problem I ever had was that the battery needed to be pulled, filled, and charged once or twice a year. Mine was at about 15,000 miles when I traded it in on another bike.

It, at least gives you the option, of riding off road. I started riding at 8 years old off road, and was happy as a clam till I was 15 1/2, and got me street permit. What surprises me is all the riders, many having ridden for a lot of years, have never ridden off road. I highly suggest it!! And, a decent dual sport bike can make a wonderful compromise machine to let you do both dirt and street. I think you mention that you are pretty tall. There is also the Honda XR650L. It's considered much more off road oriented than the KLR. Or the Suzuki DRZ400S, which is not quite as tall in the saddle as the Honda.

a lot of people have mentioned the smoothness of the cb500 twin but when you get above 4K it rips. It's a fun lively engine. I had a cb500f and it was agile and willing - like a frisky puppy it aimed to please. These are great bikes with a lot of character - and not the kind that leaves you stranded on the side of the road.

This liveliness is one thing that differentiates it from the nx700- that's more of a low rev torque machine.

I second some other comments regarding carbs - no - just start and go. Like a loser I stored mine all winter without stabilizer - rolled it out and it fired right up.

These are good machines at a fair price. Aftermarket stuff is coming on line so mods to wheels and suspension are available. Pick up a used one for $4500 and you have a nice platform to play with.

The Honda has a 32" seat height and the DRZ has a 37" seat height. Are you perhaps thinking a DR200 which has the same seat height as the Honda (but a narrower seat)? Even the DR650 has almost a 35" seat height.

The specs I've seen have the XR650L at 37" even. Just checked the DRZ400S, and it's listed at 36.8. I had thought it was a bit shorter than that. I stand corrected.

On tippy toes.......

I didn't realize you were comparing the DRZ to the XR-L. I thought you were comparing it to the CB500X or NC700X. I stand corrected as well.

$1500 more for the 700x over the 500x, unless you want ABS on the bike, then there is a $2000 price difference, and you will be stuck with a automatic trans on the 700x (which could be a good thing if that's what you want) I don't think you would see much of a difference in performance riding one up, but the 700x would shine over the 500x two up. I could have bought either, but the 500x just felt better to me sitting on it (maybe that's why there are so many posts for seat mods over on the nc700x forum) The 700x and 500x are running neck an neck over on fuelly at a average of 64 mpg, which is a plus for the 500x since it holds around a gallon more than the 700x. Both are pretty good bikes, and if my wife rode, I would have thought more about the 700x, or something bigger.

http://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/honda/nc700x

http://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/honda/cb500x

And the reason the NC700x was Cycle Worlds bike of the year in 2012 is because the CB500x didn't come out until 2013

the nc700x comes in both manual and dct (auto), manual is -$500 (used to be -$1000)

For one year it was only $500. For 2015 they bumped it back up to $1000'

http://powersports.honda.com/2015/nc700x/options.aspx

I think the 700x is a great bike (for it's intended purpose), but this would be a second to the VFR and thus overkill for me.

Smaller and lighter, easier and cheaper are my goals.

Well, after (way too) much rumination, deliberation, and equivocation, I finally got off the pot:

Did a drive up-ride back from San Diego to Scottsdale AZ. Super big props to Western Honda and my rep, Alan... Best purchase experience ever (car or bike)

After 356.8 miles I believe I made the right decision. The KLR is a great bike, just not right for my purpose and plans.

First impressions: light, very flickable... it's like riding a bicycle with a 471cc motor.

Just as many others have said before, who rediscoved the simplicity of joy of (relatively) small displacement motorcycles.

But I am definitely keeping the VFR as of now, still nothing quite like it for quality and refinement.

Congrats & very nice bike.

Yep, you certainly did

Now you need to remove that red X.

Looks clean!

Thank you, I am pretty excited!

I traded a 2009 KLR650 on a 2014 CB500X ... best trade I ever did. Everything on the KLR650 was crap...the CB is a little jewel where everything works.