XR650L vs. DRZ400S vs. KLR650

[DBL]

I am getting back into Dual Sport bikes after almost a year away. I have been riding a 2004 DL650 V-Strom for almost a year (currently for sale). I have owned both a 2000 XR650L and a 2003 DRZ400S. I am currently looking at a new 2006 KLR650. I need to know if anyone else has experience with any or all of these bikes. The XR had plently of power, but the seat height was too tall and caused a few tip overs while stopped. It was also very cold natured and had a useless and IMO dangerous 1st gear. I noticed this while downshifting from 2nd to 1st it felt like I had slammed on the rear brake. The DRZ was a great little bike even though I only had it for 6 months. It started up great, much better than the XR. The gearing was good too except it lacked the top end of the XR and felt like a 6th gear would have made it the perfect bike. So now I am looking at the KLR650. I have sat on one and the seat height is perfect for me. I plan to do mostly street riding but would like to be able to do some off roading when I get the urge. I tried this on my Wee Strom and nearly dropped it. It is too top heavy for me at low speeds.

Thanks for any and all input!

David

[XR650Rocketman]

David.....The subject of which bike to get starts a never ending discussion usually!!!
In your case it's easy.....Based on what you posted there is no doubt you need a 650KLR....Go get you one real quick and start having some fun.

[dbdolan]

From what you have said, out of the 3 bikes the KLR 650 is probably the most comfortable bike on the street of the 3. It has a nice 6 gallon tank for close to 300 mile range. It is wider than the others which makes it more street worthy but with some good knobbies it will do fine in the dirt, just don't go in the dirt with a full tank then it will be top heavy. I think for the price it is the most bang for the buck.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d130/dbdolan/gifs/wheelianimated.gif

[xrrider]

have ridden all of the above.
currently own the xr650l.
my brother and i rode xr's from chicago to santa monica on (or about rte66 in 2003). the gearing was the only issue before we left on that trip, as we already had corbin seats. honda does not offer differing sprockets, so we went to sprocket specialist for alternatives. with 15t frt and 45t rr they were dead smooth between 65 and 80 mph. also made 1st gear useable. rode them in big bend (old ore rd, and river rd) with this gearing. would not pull top end on the hiway, but still able to do 100.
the corbin did not drop the seat height much (even tho they do offer a lower profile), but that was not one of our concerns.
the xr and drz are the most offroad capable, but the klr is great also, and probably more street worthy (with stock gearing) if a little heavier.
the air cooling may be a drawback to some people on the xr.
can't go wrong with any of the three. pick the one that fits your needs best.
A.C.

[Voltar]

I agree with some of the others on the KLR based on the type of riding you do.

The KLR can cruise 75MPH all day (and night) and his happy on simple dirt and gravel roads.

Other great things about the KLR are the huge tank, the massive tail rack, the endless list of after market stuff, a huge support group on the net, tested design, water cooled. Gee, I could go on and on..... Oh, and don't forget the KLR ShimCalc software! :trust:

About the only thing I didn't like about my KLRs were the weak charging system (fine for the stock bike, but not powerful enough for heated clothing) and it does not really have the comfort or power for two up riding.

For the price you just can't go wrong. Wonderful machine.

[DBL]

Great responses! So about the price. MSRP on an '06 KLR650 is $5199. I have checked with Wood's Fun Center in Austin and Central Texas Powersports in Georgetown and both will not give me enough for my Wee Strom as a trade. I also checked with Texas Power Sports Kawasaki in Southwest Austin and they quoted me $5595 out the door for a new KLR650! I then called Wood's and offered them $5500 cash out the door as soon as I sell my Wee Strom. They agreed but are having trouble finding a green one. I don't like the Aztec Red one. So, is $5500 out the door a good price? I paid www.cyclebuy.com $13 to get the invoice info so I know the dealer cost is only $4569 which includes freight and assembly but does NOT include their profit. It says to offer them 5%. The dealer also gets an extra 5% of MSRP from Kawasaki as a "dealer holdback." So they are making a total profit of $488.40 and my OTD price should be $5244.29. I just can't find a dealer that will take it. Am I dreaming here or shouldn't I be able to get them to come down a little? The last offer Wood's gave me before the $5500 cash OTD was a trade of my Wee Strom plus $1900. They had previously offered me $3300 trade-in, so $3300 plus $1900 is only $5200. So now I wonder if I can offer them just over that amount?

Thanks for any advice on this!

David

[Chirpy]

Well,

You're biggest problem is your trying to buy a bike at pretty much the peak of the buying season. The weather is warming up, and everyone is starting to look at bikes.

I'd think a KLR should be able to be driven out for MSRP at worst. You might buy a CycleTrader and look through the dealerships that bang 'em out. Make a few phone calls. Barger's in Waco also comes to mind.

[DBL]

Well,

You're biggest problem is your trying to buy a bike at pretty much the peak of the buying season. The weather is warming up, and everyone is starting to look at bikes.

I'd think a KLR should be able to be driven out for MSRP at worst. You might buy a CycleTrader and look through the dealerships that bang 'em out. Make a few phone calls. Barger's in Waco also comes to mind.

OK, I'll check out Barger's. The buyer for my Wee Strom is from Keller, TX, so I have agreed to meet him in West, TX just north of Waco, so on my way back to Georgetown, I'll see what they have.

Thanks for the info! :mrgreen:

[Tourmeister]

Are you set on a new bike instead of used? You can get some smoking deals on used KLRs that have had a lot of the upgrades/mods already done. For most all things KLR, go here: KLR650.net

[bushwhacker]

Were I you I would consider adding the Suzuki DR650 to the list of possibles.

I am not doing any comparison here just suggesting that it appears to be in the same class as the KLR and at least merits consideration.

-

[jsb223]

This ad is in the Waco paper...seems like a lot of miles...might be sold...

KAWASAKI KLR 2003.650 Dual Sport motorcycle. Excellent condition. Crash racks, trunk, bedliner paint. 14k miles. Asking $3400.00. 254-640-0493

[DBL]

Are you set on a new bike instead of used? You can get some smoking deals on used KLRs that have had a lot of the upgrades/mods already done. For most all things KLR, go here: KLR650.net

I prefer a new KLR since I plan to keep this bike for awhile as long as it performs as well as I heard it should. :flip:

[DBL]

Were I you I would consider adding the Suzuki DR650 to the list of possibles.

I am not doing any comparison here just suggesting that it appears to be in the same class as the KLR and at least merits consideration.

-

I didn't include the DR650 because I have not owned one, but have had an XR and a DRZ. I looked at the DR650 but it's not watercooled and has a small gas tank. If Suzuki would just wake up and create a DRZ650S with a large gas tank, water cooling, and the option for a windshield, they would get my business. :mrgreen:

I plan to do most of my riding on the road but want the option to go offroad. It's also easier to get a Dual Sport in and out of my truck. Anytime I need service done to my truck, I like to carry a bike with me and not have to bum a ride. I did this with the Wee Strom only twice and it's too heavy for me to ride up my ramp. My truck is also taller than my last one and I am still learning what it takes to get up in the bed on a bike. The XR and DRZ were fairly easy but I am too chicken to try it with the Wee. It's about 100lbs. heavier than what I am used to.

[DBL]

Does anyone know where I can find a Green 2006 KLR650 somewhere in Texas for less than $5500 OTD? Maybe I am dreaming since this is the time of year these things sell. I have called the District Kawasaki sales office in Fort Worth and they are trying to find one for me. Finding one at my price is going to be tough though.

Thanks!

David

Update: I found this on eBay! Anyone else want one for only $4999 OTD? May be time for a road trip.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4622379041&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1

I just emailed him to see if he still has a green one.

[Chirpy]

Dang it, it's in the car. Spend a $1.50 on a CycleTrader, in the Kawasaki section there are the dealers who advertise OTD discount prices. Call 'em, see if they have green.

[DBL]

Dang it, it's in the car. Spend a $1.50 on a CycleTrader, in the Kawasaki section there are the dealers who advertise OTD discount prices. Call 'em, see if they have green.

Thanks for the info! :-)

[DBL]

I started a new thread in the WTB/FS section.

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8522

[chiricahua]

I vote for a DRZ400SM with a set of dirt tires and an aftermarket tank.:mrgreen:

[Lobo]

Pick up a cycletrader at your 7-11 and look for a dealership in Irving, I can't remember the name off hand, but they have a full 2 page ad in the KAW section. They want about $5150 OTD, If you're willing to make the drive north.

[DBL]

Pick up a cycletrader at your 7-11 and look for a dealership in Irving, I can't remember the name off hand, but they have a full 2 page ad in the KAW section. They want about $5150 OTD, If you're willing to make the drive north.

Thanks for the info, but I already found one a couple of weeks ago. I heard about a place that had a red one for around $5200 OTD in Irving so that's probably the place you are talking about. I paid $5500 OTD for a Lime Green one from Action Kawasaki in Mesquite, TX.

I started a new thread in the WTB/FS section.

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8522

[Rodger De]

I bougt my 06 KLR in Texas City Kawasaki last september,OTD 5500.00 & Change aztec red. They were the only dealer @ the time that had a red 1, they had 2 red one's & 1 Green. I live in Corsicana tx & drove the 330 mile's to pick it up & hauled it back home...I love my bike , I think it's the best DS for the buck. just my opinion..Ride On....Rodger DE..:sun: :rider: