09 KLR650 opinions?

**Devil** · 8th September 2009, 16:06

Originally Posted by Sidewinder

i think price is a thing tho

May well be. it's certainly good value now. Quite a popular bike.

Have ridden around on the GS Dakar and it's quite good. Zippy enough, uses next to no gas, decent seat, looks ok. Can fit a heap of luggage on it.

**Taz** · 8th September 2009, 16:07

Originally Posted by Devil

The "new" G650GS is the old F650GS. Back by popular demand.
Dont forget the F650CS as well...

Almost. It runs the slightly better G650 Xchallenge motor.

**Big Dave** · 8th September 2009, 16:20

BMW X-country is my fave of all of them - except for the price tag.

The motard however I didn't like much at all. You couldn't turn off the ABS - on a motard?

**Taz** · 8th September 2009, 16:22

Originally Posted by Big Dave

BMW X-country is my fave of all of them - except for the price tag.

Seat is a bit high - but i suppose you didn't notice that?

**Rosie** · 8th September 2009, 16:32

Originally Posted by Anthrax

Seat is a bit high - but i suppose you didn't notice that?

The X-country is the round-headlighted naked bike looking one, not the crazy tall off-road X-challenge. Even I can touch the ground on the X-country.

**Oscar** · 8th September 2009, 16:48

Originally Posted by Rosie

The X-country is the round-headlighted naked bike looking one, not the crazy tall off-road X-challenge. Even I can touch the ground on the X-country.

19" Front Wheel.

I liked it, but it isn't really an adventure bike.

**Devil** · 8th September 2009, 17:00

Originally Posted by Rosie

The X-country is the round-headlighted naked bike looking one, not the crazy tall off-road X-challenge. Even I can touch the ground on the X-country.

Yeah, cant stand the look of the Xcountry, but the x challenge looks wicked. Albeit a little uncomfortable!

**Big Dave** · 8th September 2009, 17:03

Originally Posted by Oscar

19" Front Wheel.

I liked it, but it isn't really an adventure bike.

Would be my first choice for the capital coast. TKC'd.

The 19" means it's a bit slower and harder work in the challenge loops, but it's compensated for on the 50% sportsbike roads. Rest of it is like riding a 650 mountain bike.

**Big Dave** · 8th September 2009, 17:03

Originally Posted by Devil

Yeah, cant stand the look of the Xcountry,

Naturally I liked it.

**NordieBoy** · 8th September 2009, 17:37

Originally Posted by Odakyu-sen

Has anyone given their KLR or DR the Goldvalve treatment in the front end or had the rear shock changed? (Or both?)

I figure the manufacturers will cut corners with suspension 'cause its harder to measure its performance objectively. Does the DR or the KLR benefit more from a basic suspension upgrade? Does one bike need a whole lot more spent on it than the other? (I am not talking about hard-on off-road suspension; more of suspension mods for optimum performance on sealed/unsealed roads.)

Both need simple suspension work.
Emulators/Intiminators in the front and a re-spring and re-valve in back.

**Big Dave** · 8th September 2009, 17:55

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Both need simple suspension work.
Emulators/Intiminators in the front and a re-spring and re-valve in back.

Depends if were talking brand new or not too?
I'd need more spring on the rear, but even the cheapie suspenders are reasonably good - till they emulsify.
Cheaper they are the less it takes till they paste up and go off and need upgrading. Nothing I'd be in a screamin' hurry to replace on the KLR. Fullness of time though.

**Padmei** · 8th September 2009, 20:14

Hi Morcs. I have an 08 KLR & have taken it 14K on & off road for the past year.

I was in the same boat as you when I bought mine & after much toing & froing if I was faced with the decision again I would buy the same bike.

I don't do naked bikes very well - the wind just bugs me, I'm approx 6ft & the wind hits me right in the eyes with the std screen so I have the ugly handmade screen attached to front of mine (& recently have a offroad setup I can change for the forest). There are 'nice' screens you can add on

The shocks are ok but Ricor are doing great things with them for a reasonable price compared to other flasher brands.
Comfort is great & they have enough power for me. Get rid of the tyres & put on some better ones. If you intend doing anythng off road some engine bars are a must - Most people have dropped them & without the bars they are up for hundreds for the plastic fairings. I find mine very top heavy & manoeuvreing them in awkward situations can lead to photo opportunities.

The only bad thing I would say about the bike personally is the gear ratios are too far between 1st & 2nd. Often I'm either ringing it out in 1st up a hill or chugging & slipping the clutch in 2nd. I usually ride with a 14 tooth as the standard 15 is too tall.
All in all a good bike.

**pete376403** · 8th September 2009, 21:12

I also have an '08 KLR. 17000km, including near 1000 put on over the past weekend. I really like it, despite an oil use issue. It may be resolved under warranty, if not I'll put a Schnitz racing 685 piston , which apparently fixes the oil burning permanently, adds a wee bit of HP and quite a bit more torque (Ask MarkS, his 09 has a 685). Very easy to ride off road, the torque curve is virtually dead flat from less than 3000 rpm to redline, so it doesn't really matter what revs the engine is doing, it will just chug through anything. Road handling, even on stock Dunlop D705(?) is impressive, brakes are vastly improved over previous models, as are the lights. Seat is comfortable, was getting a bit sore at the end of 400km days. Wind protection is good. Standard luggage rack is big. Fuel range on a full tank is about 280 - 300 depending on how you're riding.
Its not a hard core trail bike, so not in the same league as KTMS - neither is the price. However it is surprisingly capable off road. Last weekend I was in company of two DR650s, a KTM950 and an XR650R - it went everywhere they did and it got further through the snow than everything except a D606 shod DR650.(KLR has a Metz Sahara on the back).
There is a vast aftermarket range of accessories available in the US.
You could do a whole lot worse for a lot more money