My new KLR

**Beetroot** · 4th April 2013, 20:51

I recently started a thread about getting info on a BMW 650 Dakar I was looking at buying,
got some great help but ended up buying a KLR 650 instead.
So thought I would share my thoughts.

I've done two rides on it now, One through the Lees Valley Rd/Waikuku? Pass, and then a over night trip to Lake Sumner.
I just sold a DR650 and thought I knew what I needed from an adventure bike, but I have had to have a re-think now.

Thoughts on the bike:
Compared to my DR its completely solves every issue I had with the DR, but is it just what I wanted?
Well yes and no.

It has a huge tank that at I have done 350kms on without hitting reserve (could only get 180kms from DR), it has a windscreen and a kind of fairing that certainly helps in the wind (used to be tiring on my arms holding myself up in a head wind), and the seat is more comfortable.

So really it should be perfect, just what I wanted.
But I didn't realise how much I'd miss the offroad ability.
The KLR suspension just can't cope with bumps like the DR did, it is a fair bit heavier mind you, and wasn't really designed to be ridden as fast offroad as I was trying to do, but with the DR I could throw it round like and Enduro bike and it would change lines quickly and effortlessly and handled like an offroad bike.
I found myself having a few also bails as the bike just wouldn't change lines like I wanted it too, and the suspension especially on corrugated corners wasn't coping to well, and a few bigger bumps like in the Fords on the Waikuku Pass I bottomed out the suspension.

I do like how it is more comfortable on the road though, and sits better on the road, so I'm kind of in two minds about the bike.

Kind of new thoughts:
I know that all adventure bikes are a trade off, and I thought I wanted something that was 50/50, and I believe the KLR is that, but I'm just not in love with the bike.
I now think, something 30/70 one way or the other will be better. My DR was not that great on the road, but was excellent offroad considering what it was, and I imagine a DL650 type bike would be excellent on the road but would only cope with gravel roads, or taking it really slow in the rough stuff.
Whereas the KLR is OK at both road and offroad, but it doesn't shine in either.
Which is ok, but it just doesn't quite do it for me.

Conclusion:
My girl friend thinks that everything needs a name, so shes named her car (well really 4x4 as its a Landrover Defender and she named it, sorry hime "Percy"), and she made me name my car/4x4 thing, so I've also had to name the KLR.
So I came up with Keith, it (no sorry he) isn't the prettiest bike every, isn't the best bike ever, doesn't shine as being the best bike ever built, but it does get the job done.

I don't really know if this review is going to be of any use, and it may just be me rambling and not make any sense to you lot, but its what I've my thoughts are at the moment.

I can do a bit of a blurb about the two rides I've done and put a few pics if any ones interested too.

Cheers Sam

**Woodman** · 4th April 2013, 21:04

You have described a KLR perfectly, not much good at anything, but very good at being mediocre. Enjoy it for what it is.

Keith is a great name for something a little bit porky and not overly pretty.

**Jantar** · 4th April 2013, 21:10

Great review and honest as well. I also considered a KLR before deciding on the DR, and my reasons for choosing a DR are just as you have written. An IMS tank overcomes the small fuel range of the DR and an improved seat is a must3 hours is about my limit on the DR in a single go with the standard seat.

However the KLR is a better choice if there is going to be long stretches of road riding. I know you will enjoy it, and the suspension etc can be upgraded to make it a tad better in the rougher stuff.

**pete376403** · 4th April 2013, 22:13

What model KLR? (pre or post 2008) The earlier ones are "supposed" to be better off road, the later are more road oriented. You can upgrade the suspension but that will never get around the fact that they are a heavy lump.

Even so I've taken my '08 a few places it had no right to be. Better riders than me have taken them in far worse places.

**mattsdakar** · 5th April 2013, 01:11

Hmmm sounds to me like someone should have just kept their DR and added a bigger tank and screen and upgraded the seat like everybody else does???

But hey I've had 5 different adventure bikes in the last 7years and still not 100% happy...as you said, everythings a trade off.

Just ride it like ya stole it and when you get bored off it change it, I wouldn't be throwing lots of money at it to try an make it something that it's not, imho the KLR is in the same category as the DL650..roadbike that you can take on shingle roads

**Woodman** · 5th April 2013, 06:00

Originally Posted by mattsdakar

, imho the KLR is in the same category as the DL650..roadbike that you can take on shingle roads

KLR is pretty capable in the rough stuff too.

**Padmei** · 5th April 2013, 06:56

Originally Posted by Woodman

KLR is pretty capable in the rough stuff too.

Amen - and beach racing

As the others have said & you have found out they are good allrounders.

You could have spent a lot more money & bought a bike with maybe better components but the same compromise. I have great memories of mine

**Beetroot** · 5th April 2013, 14:47

Its 2003, and it is actually not too bad off road it handled the rough stuff on the Lake Sumner 4wd track well, it just doesn't do quite as well as the DR offroad

Reason I sold DR and brought this was because I moved from the Waikato to Christchurch and it made more sense to sell the DR and buy another bike.
I also sold the DR for more than I paid for it and got a great deal on the KLR.

These are just what my thoughts on the KLR are, I'm sure many will disagree, but they may be of use to other also.
I'm not bad mouthing the KLR really, it does everything I want it to do, just doesn't do anything spectacularly.

As the others have said & you have found out they are good allrounders.

You could have spent a lot more money & bought a bike with maybe better components but the same compromise. I have great memories of mine

This sums up my thoughts well.

**Padmei** · 5th April 2013, 17:44

Originally Posted by Beetroot

I'm not bad mouthing the KLR really,
.

Some have tried to bad mouth the KLR but its' awesomeness is awesome

**tri boy** · 5th April 2013, 18:21

Shame Kawasaki stopped the KLX650 years back.
Had one in Oz.
It was the shizz on single track, and capable on the road with a few mods. (the seat used to split my arse in two until I modded it)
Phreay Phil has set up a DR so well, that Nordie will drool for days at first site.