Which 650 to buy?

**Qkchk:Me** · 24th January 2008, 07:10

Hi Guys n Gals,

Myself and Qkkid are looking at getting into Adventure Riding this year and with all the bikes available on the market it makes choosing the right bike a challenge.

What we want out of the bike:
-Will be perferably brand new or with very low/demo kms.
-Can be a commuter during weekdays, including lane-splitting
-Want to do day trip/weekend away Trail/Adventure rides - Riding the bike there, not transported on a Trailer
-Bike will be ridden solo majority of the time (1 bike each)
-Bike suitable for 5'8 Person
-Capable of doing 120kph without struggling on open road (So bike would be ideally a 650....)
-Comfort
-How well they handle a dust-up..... ie: How much stuff breaks off when the bike is dropped.

I have been lurking on some Adventure websites, seems there is a fierce rivalry between the KLR650 and the DR650. I have heard the DR650 is hard on the arse is a better offroader but not as good onroad as the KLR. Is the KTM the best bike money can buy or just too overpriced? What do people think of the XT660R? Can you still buy the XR650?

Your input is very much apprieciated, Thanks.

**Patch** · 24th January 2008, 07:15

Honda have been around since day dot - stood the test of time
KTM are the new kids on the block, with a good product.

BMW is prob the better of the lot - if you can afford it.

Same ole same old - ride 'em all, buy the one you like

**Crisis management** · 24th January 2008, 07:39

Unfortunately it's a big subject......the DR works for me (mostly) but they are all compromises of one sort or the other!
PM sent.

**cooneyr** · 24th January 2008, 07:40

Respectfully disagree with Patch about the BMW being the best of the lot on the grounds of Qkchk mentioned trail riding. They will do it but not as nice others.

In order of dirt to road
XR650R, KTM LC4 640 Enduro/Adventure, DR650, XT660R, KLR650/F650Dakar.

Given you mentioned trail in your post I'd say DR650, KTM or XR650R. All will do everything else. KLR would probably handle a drop the worst but over all bugger all difference. The KTM, XR, and KLR may be a bit difficult for a "shorter person" and the DR the best. The XR650R is kick start only and we dont see very many XR650L's which are probably somewhere between the KTM and DR.

F650 Dakar and KLR are similar in many respects except price. Excellent long distance bike and capable of trail and gravel but no as nice as others.

DR is defiantly not the sharpest tool in the shed (I'd give that prize to the KTM) but value for money the DR stands out. The seat on the DR can be dealt to pretty easily for as little or as much money as you want to throw at it.

If have $ to burn look at the KTM LC4 640 Adventure

Very similar to the LC4 E but better fuel range and more fairing for on road. They are even taller than the E though.

Dont know so much about the XT660 R obviously.

Go ride some bikes if you looking new.

Cheers R

**Bass** · 24th January 2008, 07:49

I would be happy to bring the DR along on one of the local rides and you can both have a thrash. There is one potential problem though in that I have the height wound right up and so the ground will require remote access for you.
Having said that, the DR is actually set up so that it can be lowered. There is a second mounting hole in the dogbones for the rear shock and the forks are easily slipped through the triple clamps. The side stand requires modification or replacement if the bike is lowered however.

Oh and by the way, welcome to the fun side. If you actually do what you are talking about, if my experience is anything to go by, you will triple the number of roads that are of interest to you. Better than that, you will get to see the real and really beautiful New Zealand which hides away down all those gravel/dirt roads. The icing on the cake is that it's fun getting there.

**clint640** · 24th January 2008, 08:00

Sounds like the DR650 is the bike for you. They're good value new, not too tall or heavy & fairly crashworthy.

Being worried about the seat on a bike is like being worried about what tyres it's got - a seat can be improved heaps for around the cost of a set of tyres, or much less if you can lay your hands on a staplegun, electric carving knife & a few scraps of foam & vinyl.

KLRs are a bit more road oriented than the DR, they have a comfier seat & more fuel range (which in NZ is a 'nice to have' but not essential) but are a bit taller & heavier. XT660R fits in the same bracket I reckon - if you've got a road bike also there's a lot of overlap.

XR650's come in 2 flavours, I don't think either is still sold, but there may be 1 or 2 still around, The 650R is a tall, full on, kick start only mega grunty lightweight dirtbike. The 650L is similar to the DR650 but lots taller so maybe not so good for a 5'8" n00b.

KTMs are indeed the best adv bike money can buy, but they're all too tall for you to start out on really. They've stopped making the 640's, although there are still a few new Adventure models around. The new 690 Enduro will be out in a few months, but they're tall too.

Cheers
Clint

**nerdneh** · 24th January 2008, 08:13

Originally Posted by Qkchk

Hi Guys n Gals,

Myself and Qkkid are looking at getting into Adventure Riding this year and with all the bikes available on the market it makes choosing the right bike a challenge.

What we want out of the bike:
-Will be perferably brand new or with very low/demo kms.
-Can be a commuter during weekdays, including lane-splitting
-Want to do day trip/weekend away Trail/Adventure rides - Riding the bike there, not transported on a Trailer
-Bike will be ridden solo majority of the time (1 bike each)
-Bike suitable for 5'8 Person
-Capable of doing 120kph without struggling on open road (So bike would be ideally a 650....)
-Comfort
-How well they handle a dust-up..... ie: How much stuff breaks off when the bike is dropped.

I have been lurking on some Adventure websites, seems there is a fierce rivalry between the KLR650 and the DR650. I have heard the DR650 is hard on the arse is a better offroader but not as good onroad as the KLR. Is the KTM the best bike money can buy or just too overpriced? What do people think of the XT660R? Can you still buy the XR650?

Your input is very much apprieciated, Thanks.

07 DR650 [ small tailight mod.] has different memory foam in seat than previous models, far more comfortable on butt.

**warewolf** · 24th January 2008, 08:43

I would say DR650. We are talking entry-level adventuring here - although you haven't said what level dirt riding experience you have. If none or nearly so, consider getting something smaller and lighter that you can trail ride to pick up skills, even if it means a compromise on the highway. Many people try to adventure ride a big highway-comfortable bike and struggle, swap down to something small and nimble and start enjoying themselves again. I'd squeeze the DR650 into that category as a suitable bike, just. Will this be your only bike or can you opt for less of a compromise?

The KLR is big favourite with the septics - they have an assembly (if not manufacturing) plant locally - but is not so dominant in any other market AFAIK. The DR rules the roost in NZ. I reckon it suits the environment here better, too, since we have fewer long straight roads. Think of it as a blank canvas (priced similarly), modify it to suit yourselves. Heaps of support with that right here. I bought the KTM because I didn't want to have to modify it. Open your wallet and ride.

**Qkchk:Me** · 24th January 2008, 10:13

WOW Thanks for the response guys, cant beat peoples opinions and experiences.....

To clarify a few things:
We will be keeping our roadbikes
We both have offroad experience
Bike will be used 50/50 Road/Track

I was asking about the KTM only making sure they are worth the extra $$'s over the Jap brands. Nothing worse than paying more for something when there is a cheaper alternative that is better.....

Is bike weight a huge issue?

Probably the best thing to do now is TEST RIDE!

**crazybigal** · 24th January 2008, 10:39

what about the aprilia pegaso? I was reading one of the aussie bike mags the other day and there is a good write up on all the 650 adventure bikes, the ktm had no side stand! and was very raw, lots of vibration from the motor.
most of the test riders picked the Pegaso or the BMW.
i think the mag is "Australian road rider"? worth a read.

**Waxxa** · 24th January 2008, 10:58

KLR 650 in my books. I had one until just recently and it didn't let me down in the ten years I had it, 120K. You can drop them and they will hardley scratch.

What ever you decide on, if the bike doesn't come with hand-guards, get them!

**warewolf** · 24th January 2008, 11:40

Originally Posted by Qkchk

I was asking about the KTM only making sure they are worth the extra $$'s over the Jap brands.

I really wonder why people (it's very common, not just you) make this comment. The KTM Adventure is the same/cheaper than the BMW, yet people never question the validity of the big spend on the Beemer!

Originally Posted by Qkchk

Nothing worse than paying more for something when there is a cheaper alternative that is better.....

I wouldn't say it was better, not by a long shot, but I would say that it is better value for most people.

Originally Posted by Qkchk

Is bike weight a huge issue?

Only huge weight

More weight is always more of a problem.

Have fun with the test rides! Up Mt Eden and down Mt Wellington there are humped cattle grids which are a convenient suspension test for those uh, big bumps...

**Skinny_Birdman** · 24th January 2008, 11:45

Rode Lugzy23's KLR through part of the Rainbow on the DB1K, and I thought that the KLR was a lot lighter, shorter and nippier than I had anticipated (mind you, I was comparing it back to back with the Transalp), shiteloads better than my F650 Funduro was, although a lot less smooth. For me, the best thing about the KLRi was the (stock) riding position. Suited me (6'0") perfectly.

Mind you, the rack for the topbox fell apart going over the Maungatapu....