KLR 650 Motorcycle-Any Feedback

T

Tallone

Joined
Nov 3, 2005
Messages
32
Interested in purchasing and on/off road bike (mostly on road) I am over 6' tall and the KLR 650 seems like a good match. Would appreciate any feedback or suggestions.
 
Tallone said:
Interested in purchasing and on/off road bike (mostly on road) I am over 6' tall and the KLR 650 seems like a good match. Would appreciate any feedback or suggestions.
Click to expand...

Yes, since you posted this in the Wilderness and Survival forum :confused:, here are a few suggestions:

1) Wear a helmet.

2) Put a first-aid kit on your motorcycle when you get it.

3) Update your organ donor status on you Driver's license. :eek:
 
I honestly don't have any experience with the KLR. However, I do ride the Honda XR650L regularly and I love it. The 650L versus the 650R is more setup oriented towards road....a bit milder tires, starter, etc. Yet, it does decent off road.

B
 
KLR is the standard of on/off road bikes. Design was so successful, it stayed basically the same for more than 10 years...maybe 15. You've got the leg for it; it has the strength, durability, power (within reason--don't race), and after-market parts that will serve you many years.

A friend, who just got an 1800 Gold Wing, took his KLR for a ride up from Illinois through Wisconsin, into Michigan and around the Lake. It just was a better bike, giving him some options for forest road trails and the like.

Have fun. Be safe.
 
Kismet said:
KLR is the standard of on/off road bikes. Design was so successful, it stayed basically the same for more than 10 years...maybe 15.
Have fun. Be safe.
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing was basically said about the Suzuki DR650? :D Honestly, between the Suzuki, Kawasaki and the Honda, I don't think you could make a bad choice. Just slightly different tweaks in preference.
 
Of the big 650 dual sports (DR, XRL, KLR), the KLR is the least dirt worthy and the most street worthy. Thye make great street bikes--fun, reliable, great mileage... I have ridden many miles of trail on one and if your off road ambitions consist of running dirt roads and fire roads, you will be completely happy. If you want to do any kind trail riding, think DRZ 400S as the KLR is simply too heavy and not designed with this in mind. If you think of the KLR as a street bike with off road tires, you will be ok.
 
What locomike says x2. He hit the nail right on the head. They are a great fun bike, and pretty cool for extended trips with the six gallon tanks. I know a guy that picked one up on a whim, and liked it so much he sold his custom Harley, and never looked back.

Based on the last time I really played with or looked through bikes, if you want something with a more 50/50 street/dirt orientation, I'd look more towards the XR 650.

If you want a VERY dirt oriented dual purpose, I'd suggest taking a gander at the KTM's

Nothing wrong with Suzuki's either, but just wanted to name a few main options regarding streetability and dirt ability. It's been awhile since I've thrown a leg across a Suzuki, but I seem to recall them being slightly more dirt friendly than the XR.

There's usually some kinda buyers guide or dual sport issue in "Dirtbike" every month or two, if not there than some of the other mags. Might be worth investigating as well. (be forewarned, my thoughts and information are a few years old now)
 
I have 1999 KLR650 that I bought used in 2000. Very reliable. Very few problems. Lots of very dedicated followers.

NOT A DIRT BIKE. Logging roads, gravel, some mild dirt ok. Go for it.
 
I had a KLR650 for years with out a hitch,dang near bullet proof bike if you change the oil&filters regularly.Excellent dual sport bike,Street worthy with alot of power,dirt abiliity is so so but it does its intended purpose,get you from point A to point B no matter the road,dirt or paved. I say go for it !
 
I had one for a while. It is a great all around bike that does nothing particularly well. It is not a great street bike, it is not a great trail bike, it is not a great distance bike, etc. However for one bike that will do all of those things and at a bargain price to boot, it is tough to beat. If you are riding any distance, I highly recommend a Corbin seat. The latest model seems to be MUCH more geared toward street riding. Suspension travel has been substantially diminished and it is a much different bike from the Suzuki and Honda DPs now.
 
The US Marine Corps uses the diesel version of the KLR650.

The KLR has been an outstanding bike for a long time. Bikes built before 2008 usually need the do-hickey replaced but other than that, they are bulletproof.

I'm looking at getting one, the gasoline version.

Here's a link to the Marine version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtcd1kSdlQY
 
Last edited:
I'm planning on buying one as soon as the kids are gone. The Toyota of motorcycles.
 
Thanks for the link. Cool Bike.
 
I ride a 1995 KLX650c. It is the off road version, but with the battery start. It is geared a bit tall for off road, but I have done quite a bit.

The KLR will be better on roads (which is what I do mostly with my KLX). you will have a fun bike around town, and you can still take it off road. They are heavy and tall off road, but no where near as heavy as the BMW adventures that people take off road also.

IMG_0219.jpg

croppedcycle1.jpg
 
I have been thinking about getting a motorcycle for some time, I was thinking about a BMW 1200 Adventurer then a co-worker told me about the KLR 650, BMW $16,000.00 KLR $5000.00 and it has a great following. A friend just got an 08 version and he loves it, I plan on getting the 09 version next spring after I pay off the old ladys vehicle.

RickJ
 
Rick?

Don't discount a slightly older model. If you choose carefully, you'll find some very good bargains. I don't know what the recent changes were, but remember some discussion about them. Yeah, I know, par for the course.

I had a BMW R80GS, '81. Neat bike, but heavy for anything other than trails, and frankly, by the time I got mine, they'd achieved "collector" status, and I sold it rather than beat it up. It was too good to use. :)

Give me a couple inches of inseam and maybe 15 years of youth and I'd be on a KLR.
 
Great bike, I had a 2007 that I put 5,500 miles on in a year. I traded it because I wasn't taking it off road.

If I was buying one, I would buy a pre 2008. Tons of aftermarket parts and less plastic to break. Also there are tons of "bargins" on the older bikes out there.
John
 
Nice Bike. Nice motor with long legs, unlike some others in the class.
Kinda flexy on the forks, but overall a nice DP bike.
 
I have a Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom and love it. Put on some good rubber and your good for a 1000 mile road trips and can still take on the fire break roads for exploring.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top