Having owned four KLR 650's over the last ten years, I personally liked the Gen 1 over the Gen 2. Bikes owned by order of owning, 1995 Barbie, 2008 Kawasaki Green, 2004 Dark Red, and last a 2003 Olive Green. I preferred the Gen 1 because of the plastic on the bike, the Gen 2 bikes are more of a road bike as far as I'm considered, just a personal thing. I agree with what CamLeeR says about KLR's, she has had several as I have had. One thing I would consider if you want a KLR 650 is ride it with very few add-ons, trying to make this bike something it's not will just be dollars spent unwisely. I usually just added, hand guards, skid plate, GPS mount, and electrical accessory plugs for heated gear. As much as I like the KLR I'm not sure if I will ever buy another one, main reason is if the bike don't have fuel injection I don't want it. At 70 I'm tired of pulling carburetors and cleaning them because of todays fuels. Buy a KLR used and at a good price, ride it and you will probably get all your money back, you can't do that with many bikes out there.
John