XT660R or KLR650 ??

[cooneyr]

KTM 640 Adventure
Yeah, no argument there. But the corollary is, a good rider has the skills to cope with many deficiencies in any bike. Us mere mortals need all the help we can get.
KTM 640 Adventure: 400km to reserve under mixed conditions (highway to 4wd track). Carries it lower than an aftermarket tank on a DR.
KTM 640 Adventure has a rear rack and hard luggage is an option.
KTM 640 Adventure standard. 185km/h indicated and still accelerating... closed course private road occifer.
KTM 640 Adventure standard.
KTM 640 Adventure standard.
Umm, pass, next question. But has been around with only minor tweaks for ten years.

Too right. Lotsa folks can't handle the vibes from a KTM 640 Adventure, or the seat height, or the buy-in price.

Shit stirring... who, me?!

You never give up do you!!!

Cheers
R

[chris]

KTM 640 Adventure
Yeah, no argument there. But the corollary is, a good rider has the skills to cope with many deficiencies in any bike. Us mere mortals need all the help we can get.
KTM 640 Adventure: 400km to reserve under mixed conditions (highway to 4wd track). Carries it lower than an aftermarket tank on a DR.
KTM 640 Adventure has a rear rack and hard luggage is an option.
KTM 640 Adventure standard. 185km/h indicated and still accelerating... closed course private road occifer.
KTM 640 Adventure standard.
KTM 640 Adventure standard.
Umm, pass, next question. But has been around with only minor tweaks for ten years.

Too right. Lotsa folks can't handle the vibes from a KTM 640 Adventure, or the seat height, or the buy-in price.

Shit stirring... who, me?!

Does the vibration come as standard...?

[chris]

The new DR650's have dropped in price again.
I think they're less than $8000 now.

The DR250 is less than 8K, the 650 is still 9K.

[clint640]

Does the vibration come as standard...?

Absolutely! The vibration is necessary to scare off those who aren't man enough to ride a KTM


...& by the time you have the thing set up properly & run in a lot of the vibes disappear anyway

Cheers
Clint

[chris]

Absolutely! The vibration is necessary to scare off those who aren't man enough to ride a KTM

Is that line taken from the sales brochure?

[Bass]

This thread interests me because I have been given an opportunity to circle Oz on an adventure bike - probably mid next year. However, first I have to buy one.
The guy I will be riding with is DR 650 mounted and so buying a DR has the following advantages: -

1. Cheap
2. Only one set of spares to carry between two of us.
3. Light weight (comparatively)

But also the following disadvantages: -

1. Needs new seat
2. needs bigger tank
3. Needs decent bash plate and hand protection
4. May need suspension upgrade

The other machine I am considering is the KLR. Advantages: -

1. Has big tank
2. Has good seat
3. Has much more power
4. Don't know about suspension

But also: -

1. More expensive
2. Water cooled (Been told of owner in Broome who says that in summer, the fan runs all the time. I don't want to be dependant on a toy fan in the middle of nowhere)
3. Much heavier

So, I am undecided.
Yamaha, KTM and BMW price themselves out of it.
I would be interested in candid and honest opinions.
Those with a barrow to push need not apply.
There could be significant ramifications for me here if I make a poor choice

[chris]

This thread interests me because I have been given an opportunity to circle Oz on an adventure bike - probably mid next year. However, first I have to buy one.
The guy I will be riding with is DR 650 mounted and so buying a DR has the following advantages: -

1. Cheap
2. Only one set of spares to carry between two of us.
3. Light weight (comparatively)

But also the following disadvantages: -

1. Needs new seat
2. needs bigger tank
3. Needs decent bash plate and hand protection
4. May need suspension upgrade

The other machine I am considering is the KLR. Advantages: -

1. Has big tank
2. Has good seat
3. Has much more power
4. Don't know about suspension

But also: -

1. More expensive
2. Water cooled (Been told of owner in Broome who says that in summer, the fan runs all the time. I don't want to be dependant on a toy fan in the middle of nowhere)
3. Much heavier

So, I am undecided.
Yamaha, KTM and BMW price themselves out of it.
I would be interested in candid and honest opinions.
Those with a barrow to push need not apply.
There could be significant ramifications for me here if I make a poor choice

The KLR is only about $500 more than a DR.

The mods to the DR are easily done. You could probably get away with the suspension as it is unless you're gonna try some serious off-road.
The DR is easily fixed, proven and can be picked up and ridden on if you drop it.

[Bass]

That's exactly the sort of stuff that I am after - factual and concise
Thanks
Also, apologies for the hijack - but since there is some commonality, I was hoping to be forgiven.

[chris]

That's exactly the sort of stuff that I am after - factual and concise
Thanks

I wouldn't say they were factual and concise so....

DR:
Fit a higher bend bar and risers. Standing becomes easier.
Handguards are easy to fit, Acerbis do a good range.
Bashplates. Again well worth fitting, I think Ballards do one.
Seat. Stand up lots and it isn't an issue otherwise fit a sheepskin cover.
There safari tank options available for the DR.
Unless you weigh over three figures, leave the suspension as it is. Lot easier to find replacement stuff if it's standard in the first place.
Engine and exhaust mods aren't necessary to be honest, leave them as they are.

KLR:
No experience although Graham Irvine of Darbi Accessories has bought one to travel South America on. A comfy seat and bigger tank are the first obvious differences to the DR along with a lot of fairing and plastics that could break in the event of a fall.

Go here and ask all the questions you want on DRs. You will get decent info from owners who have already done what you want to.

[Crisis management]

Bass, if you want to discuss / look at / try out a DR send me a PM and I can wander down your way. (I've heard there are still a few bits of gravel in the Hunuas.)

[cooneyr]

....
But also the following disadvantages: -

1. Needs new seat
2. needs bigger tank
3. Needs decent bash plate and hand protection
4. May need suspension upgrade

........

I find the DR650 seat fine, I'm 115kgs geared up, dont use a sheepskin and have done a 20hour 720km day. Wasn't always so though. I've got long arms i.e. pass the ape test (finger tip to finger tip is longer than I am tall and I'm 6' 1.75") so sit quite a long way back i.e. the flatter wider part of the seat when cruising. When it gets wiggly I sit forward or when it gets really interesting I stand up. If you sit forward to mid seat all the time it is not so comfortable.

IMS 18 litre tank is about $270us (about $360 nz) from Just Gas Tanks which gives you about 300kms range. A safari 30l tank is about $640us ($850nz) and gives you about 500km range. Both tanks lower the COG of the fuel load. I personally would go for the IMS unless really need the range.

As for suspension the stock DR is OK as long as you dont expect to travel at enduro bike speeds. I've done some interesting tracks (New Creek to Deniston, Porika) with about 20kgs gear (i.e. 135kgs all up) on top of full fuel load and it is not too bad. Soft panniers slung over the rear part of the seat don't affect the handling anywhere as much as a loaded up tail though (kinda obvious aye!).

Good luck
R

[Bass]

I find the DR650 seat fine,

Thanks for the help and the good wishes.

I've done about 50 km on the mate's DR but seal only. Maybe, I have a misshapen arse (although the wife tells me otherwise, but she's biassed), because I was starting to notice the seat after even that short run. Since I plan to be on it for about 2 months, I probably need to get it right.

[NordieBoy]

As for suspension the stock DR is OK as long as you dont expect to travel at enduro bike speeds. I've done some interesting tracks (New Creek to Deniston, Porika) with about 20kgs gear (i.e. 135kgs all up) on top of full fuel load and it is not too bad.

2 up going through the Maungatapu on the DR with stock suspension and it was brilliant.
Seemed to be pressed into the ground enough to make it really smooth.

Having said that, I wouldn't go back to stock sussies now though.

[NordieBoy]

DR:
Engine and exhaust mods aren't necessary to be honest, leave them as they are.

May not be necessary but they make a big difference.

[chris]

May not be necessary but they make a big difference.

What do you recommend?