Dual-sport KLR650 or similar

lyphe

lyphe

Well-known member
Hi everyone,

I'm finally ready to come back to riding after a 4 year break and have some questions about dual-sport bikes, specifically the KLR650.

I'm 5'11" / 160lbs, my previous bike was an old CBR250R, very nimble on the streets but too light for highway and uncomfortable on long rides.

I've always loved the idea of riding on a road and then driving off into the woods on a trail, will the KLR get me there? :) I'm wondering how it handles on dirt vs road (highway and/or city). For the first year i'll be riding it around 2-3 days a week casually to/from work/etc, i'd like to try some trails, and take it on short highway trips on the weekends. Eventually i intend to ride to Costa Rica. Is the gas milage worse than a sport-touring (something like SV650 or Versys)? Am i a good size for this bike or will it be too large/heavy? Are there local trails available for such riding, or will i end up spending 99% of my km's on the pavement? Should i just stick with a sport-touring for road and if i really want dirt then get a dirt bike?

I apologize in advance if this has been previously discussed.

I live in the Maple/Woodbridge area, would love to buy someone a coffee in exchange for some motorcycle knowledge!

Thanks for reading,
Anton
 
I have an incredibly well set up KLR, that I may be putting up for sale later this week. Once I have here ready, I will let you know.

The KLR is the best bike for what you have planned, especially when in the states.
 
avsjack said:
I have an incredibly well set up KLR, that I may be putting up for sale later this week. Once I have here ready, I will let you know.

The KLR is the best bike for what you have planned, especially when in the states.
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Great let me know. I'd love to check it out.
 
You should decide how much "off road" and the type of off road riding you want to do. The KLR is a pig on trails, especially single track, but is the most comfortable dual sport for on road. If you do mostly pavement with some gravel roads, then go with the KLR, if you want something more trail oriented, than consider the DRZ400. The DRZ, though, has the worse seat ever invented on it.
 
Husky Terra. That is all.
 
Lots of great KLRs on Kijiji in the 3-4k range. You'll have tons of fun with it. 55mpg highway 40ish on trails for me.
 
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KLR is good for all that you have listed. For me I get 400km full to empty (350 to reserve) full loaded.
I would not do tight single track trails on it, but it is fine for easier trails trails just kit it out right.

they only thing you must do to a KLR is the doohicky.

If a 2008 ask if it burns, even if they say no budget for a 685kit (unless they did a 685kit).
 
nearace said:
the KLR is a heavy bike great for the road but I feel too heavy for the trails,just my 2cents.
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I take mine on single track and it pretty good, its just fantastic for mud and water crossings. Remember its not the arrow, its the Indian lol
 
This will give you some idea of it's off road ability.

It's fine for dirt road and forest track, streams etc and decent on the road

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...-Down-Under-on-a-KLR-650-second-season/page10

Single track not so agile but good for your use. Tire choice will be a big factor.

Re: Dual-sport KLR650 or similar
You should decide how much "off road" and the type of off road riding you want to do. The KLR is a pig on trails, especially single track, but is the most comfortable dual sport for on road. If you do mostly pavement with some gravel roads, then go with the KLR, if you want something more trail oriented, than consider the DRZ400. The DRZ, though, has the worse seat ever invented on it.
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this is a very good assessment - just be realistic about getting a heavy dualie into single track hell. Make sure a buddy is with you.
It's a heavy sucker on your own. I'm 5' 9" and 65 - find it "okay" for forest dual track and fine for around town and highway.
They are the best value by far.
 
The only alternative to the KLR is the BMW Dakar/Sertao line of bikes. However, they are almost twice the price and more costly to repair/maintain. Having had carbed bikes all my life, I'm a big fan of FI now.

Can these bikes do single track and trails? Sure they can. Like others said, I think the biggest factor after the rider's skill are the tires. My buddy and I did single track and trails last weekend, he on a V-Strom with Heidi K60 front and rear and me with the Sertao and TKC80 front and Heidi K60 rear, and I had a considerably easier time simply because the TKC doesn't "load up" with mud as quickly.

The Heideneau's are great gravel tires that last incredibly long on pavement but in mud/sand/wet dirt you'll run out of traction very quickly. The TKC80 front though, stays planted long after the rear has loaded up.
 
homme de fer said:
me with the Sertao and TKC80 front and Heidi K60 rear
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Where did you get your Heidi rear? Pete's Superbikes has the TKC80's, but I haven't looked around much yet to find a source or price for the Heideneaus (edit: nevermind, turns out I didn't search hard at all. A Vicious Cycle and Dual Sport Plus both offer them, although they are more expensive than I was expecting). I'm on a relatively new set of Tourances now, which are great on the road but like bowling balls in the sand.

To the OP: the DR650 is another option, and it is supposed to be around 60lbs lighter than the KLR. I'm not sure why it is so much less popular than the KLR though. Perhaps anyone wanting something better in the dirt than a KLR just goes to a DRZ400, or one of the European options
 
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Some people like the idea of the liquid cooled engine on the KLR over the DR. Realistically, I've been off road with both and the DR is fine. The KLR is still a bit better on the highway though.

I really miss my KLR :(
 
I'd be hard pressed to sell mine.....

6941563907_ca8890eb8b_b.jpg
 
Thanks for the replies everybody! I have done some more research and have test rode a well equipped KLR. Its quite tall and heavy, but i'm comparing to my old CBR250.

Thanks for the suggestion Ash, im going to try to have a look at a DR tomorrow. I like that its lighter, and it looks pretty awesome. I found one on Kijiji that also comes with street tires which also looks fantastic. http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...04-Suzuki-DR650-Dual-Sport-W0QQAdIdZ469502024 Do people put similar tire on KLRs? Somehow i feel that such tires would look.

Is the Versys an option?
 
I ride a KLR 650...and love it

I say..." if you can pickup a fallen dualsport...you can ride it"


I say go with the DRZ....get a range of tires....and a bigger gas tank.....when and if you go on longer rides
and replace stock seat
 
That super moto DR650 would be fun, and having the two sets of wheels is a big plus. You wouldn't have to make compromises between street and off-road performance in your tire choices like you would with one set of wheels.

I guess it depends on what you want to do, but to me the Versys is a pure street bike since the 17" front wheel will really limit your choices for dual-sport tires. That being said, you can take just about any bike on a dry, hard packed trail if you aren't too worried about dropping it.
 
GSXMAER said:
I ride a KLR 650...and love it

I say..." if you can pickup a fallen dualsport...you can ride it"


I say go with the DRZ....get a range of tires....and a bigger gas tank.....when and if you go on longer rides
and replace stock seat
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I would suggest the same thing, but if he wants to do more road, then the KLR is probably better. I love my DRZ, but that's because I prefer offroad more.
 
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