DR650 vs KLR650?

**puddy** · 8th August 2008, 20:46

Originally Posted by Rosie

*strokes chin thoughtfully* I think we need to have a newbie adventure ride in the vicinity of Auckland

Sounds grand! I think I might (definitely) need to chuck on a bash plate and some of those handguard thingies. The stock handguard only stop the wind........probably need/want some other bits too, before I get off-road and CRASH!

**puddy** · 8th August 2008, 20:51

Originally Posted by jafar

Or even better , a gixxer with a frame that doesn't break

Mumble....mumble....mumble (never liked that guy!)

**NordieBoy** · 8th August 2008, 21:32

Originally Posted by puddy

Could do, but imagine the GSXR with the DR wheels!

Ummmmmmmm........

**Kaituna** · 8th August 2008, 21:37

Originally Posted by puddy

Sounds grand! I think I might (definitely) need to chuck on a bash plate and some of those handguard thingies. The stock handguard only stop the wind........probably need/want some other bits too, before I get off-road and CRASH!

Have you checked out Nordies Bash plate? I presume you pay fuel tax? I think it's your right to reposess a similar piece of bash plate material and fashion your own. Maybe Nordie can post a pic to show you? I was very impressed personally.

**XF650** · 9th August 2008, 10:12

Originally Posted by puddy

Could do, but imagine the GSXR with the DR wheels!

Well it might have a DR front wheel. Saw this beast at the first Burt Munro Challenge.

**carver** · 9th August 2008, 11:49

Originally Posted by Quasievil

saying (I quote) "a dr would dick a KLR on any gravel road" is talking out your arse as it depends on many things, that is not a qualified opinion, saying the KLR is a (I quote) " a shit adventure bike but a ok road bike in a drag" TRULY displays you havent got a clue what so ever, so you can now withdraw from the debate, you just lost.

really, explain yourself.

how far off the beaten track will the KLR take you?
the DR will always go further

**Quasievil** · 9th August 2008, 13:39

Originally Posted by carver

really, explain yourself.

how far off the beaten track will the KLR take you?
the DR will always go further

Errr no it wont KLR 428 km range the DR 180km range
next ?

**cooneyr** · 9th August 2008, 14:02

Originally Posted by Quasievil

Errr no it wont KLR 428 km range the DR 180km range
next ?

This is not right

- I'm agreeing with Carver but here goes - Quasie that is not what Carver meant. Off the beaten track has nothing to do with fuel range.

Cheers R

**Quasievil** · 9th August 2008, 15:29

Originally Posted by cooneyr

This is not right

- I'm agreeing with Carver but here goes - Quasie that is not what Carver meant. Off the beaten track has nothing to do with fuel range.

Cheers R

Yeah yeah I know that sheesh, but its Carver ...............common

**Kaituna** · 9th August 2008, 16:22

Unless its the Australian outback. Then My DR is Fucked! And Quasi will be a good man and rescue me with fuel to spare!

**pete376403** · 9th August 2008, 16:53

Originally Posted by carver

really, explain yourself.

how far off the beaten track will the KLR take you?
the DR will always go further

Assuming both bikes have the same type of tyres (which has more bearing than almost anything else off road) and riders of equivalent skill, WHY wold the Suzuki go "further off the beaten track"?

**Kaituna** · 9th August 2008, 17:33

Good point pete. I suck off road. Would take more than my DR to even get close to keeping up with a good rider who was on even a really old KLR250 I reckon.

**Quasievil** · 9th August 2008, 18:23

Originally Posted by pete376403

Assuming both bikes have the same type of tyres (which has more bearing than almost anything else off road) and riders of equivalent skill, WHY wold the Suzuki go "further off the beaten track"?

they are dillusional, the only valid point would be due to weight DR comes in at 147kg dry and the KLR comes in at 175kg, so 18 kgs the difference, BUT by the time the average DR owner has added all the neccersary mods, ie tanks, wind protection, luggage ability etc etc then there would be nothing in them weight wise, so yes the DR is lighter but defficent in stock trim to be a serious contender for the Adventure bike label, the KLR has the components stock to be entitled to the Adventure bike label.

so with both bikes in Stock trim yes the DR may be able to go into mud etc easier than a KLR, but even that would be a fractional advantage.
With both bikes in serious adventure long haul lets boogey for a week in the south island, there would be nothing in it at all.

Anyway enough, who wants to go for a ride tomorrow, say coro loop with some extras ??

**TLDV8** · 9th August 2008, 18:31

Originally Posted by pete376403

WHY wold the Suzuki go "further off the beaten track"?

The close to 30 kg weight difference perhaps.
*
*
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There is no substitute for lighter weight especially when you have to pick a loaded bike up ?
I can't quite see the point in comparisons that are based on riding on tar seal.

,any dual sport bike will cope with that.

The KLR is probably a great bike (i have read a few oil use problems with the 2008 model) but a bike that weights as much as some 1000cc road bikes and water cooling (no pumps or seals to fail) were the decider for me.
I had also looked at the KTM 950 but that to was rejected due to the same things + water cooled,to heavy,to tall (high centre of gravity)

The DR although a little agricultural is still lighter than some unladen bikes fully loaded,that can be a real difference on rough surfaces (continuous corrugations,bull dust etc ) and if you have to pick it up.

It still comes back to test rides to suit needs but offroad will soon reveal both bikes weak spots i guess.