Enduro Pangs

[OrangevaleFJR]

I am thinking about an enduro for some dual sport touring. I am leaning toward the utilitarian approach by looking at the Suzuki DR and Kawi KLR 650 models. If anyone has any of these bikes, or better yet, time on both, let me know if you like it and if you like it better than the other.

Thanks!

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

 

[rickysnickers]

Well, I am a little biased. I have a KLR650. That was the bike I learned to ride on. I sold it a long time ago, but bought another one recently. I love it.

There was plenty of aftermarket upgrades for it, if you are so inclined. The tank is huge, at a little over six gallons. The bike isn't a great hardcore offroad bike, but it is a good do everything type. It's main calling is trail riding and service road type stuff.

There are some short falls on it, of course. It's a little heavy. The front brake is a little underpowered too. With a larger rotor though, it stops great.

I can't comment too much on the suzuki. I have never riddden one. I don't want to waste too much bandwidth on this. If you like more info, send me pm.

Rick

 

[rickysnickers]

Well, I am a little biased. I have a KLR650. That was the bike I learned to ride on. I sold it a long time ago, but bought another one recently. I love it.

There was plenty of aftermarket upgrades for it, if you are so inclined. The tank is huge, at a little over six gallons. The bike isn't a great hardcore offroad bike, but it is a good do everything type. It's main calling is trail riding and service road type stuff.

There are some short falls on it, of course. It's a little heavy. The front brake is a little underpowered too. With a larger rotor though, it stops great.

I can't comment too much on the suzuki. I have never riddden one. I don't want to waste too much bandwidth on this. If you like more info, send me pm.

Rick

 

[madmike2]

I have also ben "looking" at these bikes. From my friends who ride dirt, the opinion is that the 650's are too heavy for anything serious. The all think i should get the smaller Suzuki (400?). But since I'm more of a dirt road/rough street rider and would like to hang extras and at least soft luggage, I have been wading slowly through the process.

 

[twowheelnut]

KLR. If it's good enough for the Marines... :good:

 

[madmike2]

Yeah, but they gots the diesel version and the price of that is a slightly prohibitive.

 

[gr8eyes]

I have a YZ400F taht I did alot of off road riding. Then a DRZ400S came available and I thought it would be nice to have as a second off road bike. Especially when my brother came up for a visit. It was OK on dirt roads but get it anywhere off road and it was a slug. The suspension was waaaaayy too soft and the brakes were just OK. I sold it and bought a WR450F and what a difference. Power right now anywhere. The suspension is plush on rough surfaces yet taut over berms and jumps. The handling is real good stock but even better aftermarket. The brakes will haul you down like you hit the parachute button. The YZ400F is more suitable for motcross tracks but the WR can handle them too if your just out having fun. But, through hill and dale the WR is really good.

Glenn

The KLR is obviously a good bike but I've never ridden one so I can't make a comment or compare it to the WR.

 

[madmike2]

Yeah, Glenn, my dirt-riding buddy has a WR450F that he races in a senior division out here on the left coast. Because of the way he rides I have my doubts about my longevity on dirt, hence my reality check about sticking to dirt roads instead of trails.

I think O'vale is speaking in terms of "adventure touring" where one loads lots of "stuff" on the bike and goes for days. That seems to be where the larger displacement, less aggressive bikes, like the dual sports, shine. For those of us not interested in a BMW GS, the 650 thumpers offer a good alternative, even though their suspension isn't the top-of-the-line compared to the latest pure dirt bikes.

 

[650cent]

Hey,

Well, I have a KLR and its a good bike with some limitations. (Don't all bikes have some?) The KLR is great on gravel logging roads and pretty good on the street with the right tires. It will run all day @ 70 mph. I have loaded mine up and taken it on a couple of trips. Others have gone around the world on them. As others have said its too heavy for much single track. Kaw. has been building them forever and there is lots of aftermarket and tech. support. The price new is great but be prepared to spend some money on upgrading the suspension and brakes, maybe about $600 to $750, depending on what you want. Thats part of the fun of owning bike anyway. Look around for used that has been already farkled can save some $$

Bill

 

[ghost]

I own a klr650 and have ridden friends dr's...to summerize. The klr is a better road bike - faring, windshield, large gas tank [6.1 gal], tach, wide seat , adequate power and literally hundreds of aftermarket goodies. The dr has a stronger newer designed motor [ no doohickey ]. better suspension and better brakes, but the seat is narrow [better in the dirt], the tank is small for an adventure tourer and there is little or no wind protection.There is less available from the aftermarket, but most of what you might need is out there. With a little help from the aftermarket folks both bikes can be made very serviceable, it depends on what you want the bike to do.I've improved the suspension on my klr and my friends have made thier drs more comfortable.When we ride together, after the mods neither bike seems to be clearly better. Out of the box, so to speak, the klr is a better long distance, dirt capable road bike - think Alaska. The dr is a road capable dirt bike - think Moab. It boils down to how you're planning to use it and how much time and money you want to spend.

 

[twowheelnut]

Yeah, but they gots the diesel version and the price of that is a slightly prohibitive.

Nope, they run both. Besides, you wouldn't pay 18 large for a dirt bike? Huh, cheap *******!

 

[Rentaroo]

I own an '05 KLR 650. What the other guys have said is all true. KLR is more "trip to Alaska" and DR is more "blast through Moab". I ride my KLR mainly on paved and fire/gravel roads. It's a bit too heavy for serious single-track off-roading.

I've added lots of goodies and upgraded much of the bike, but the most useful upgrade was the front suspension (progressive fork springs), fork brace and stainless steel brake lines.

Tell you what.....ride on over to SLO and I'll let you take my KLR for a spin........

 

[twowheelnut]

Hey Lou, if you don't mind me askin', how much you got invested in farkles to get it to that current state of sweetness? Me and MCML (where is that boy?) been talking about a trip to the 49th for some time now. :dntknw:

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Great thread! Thanks for everyone that chimed in. I think the KLR is the way to go for the kind of riding I'll be doing. I might get into some hairy dirt roads, and only on rare occaision take it off into the deep woods. I have a Yamaha Warrior 350 for the woodsy stuff.

I am looking at the KLR for long distance, hitting the off the beaten path campgrounds, hunting for bigfoot kind of rides Looks too fun to me!

Heading up to th 49th? Sounds like my kind of heaven.

Rentaroo,

What kind of side cases and topcase are those?

 

[twowheelnut]

Great thread! Thanks for everyone that chimed in. I think the KLR is the way to go for the kind of riding I'll be doing. I might get into some hairy dirt roads, and only on rare occaision take it off into the deep woods. I have a Yamaha Warrior 350 for the woodsy stuff.
I am looking at the KLR for long distance, hitting the off the beaten path campgrounds, hunting for bigfoot kind of rides   Looks too fun to me!

Heading up to th 49th? Sounds like my kind of heaven.

Rentaroo,

What kind of side cases and topcase are those?

WKO-1? In '07? Wadaya think?

...and those lool like Givi, judging by the logos...

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

WKO-1? In '07? Wadaya think?

I'm thinking, "Yah!" :clap:

 

[Rentaroo]

Hmmm......according to my farkle wish list, I've got approx $1,200 in added doodads and upgrades.

The top case is a Givi E-35 Traffic, it's no longer in production. Givi makes a similar case but the attachment system is a little different. The side cases are Givi E-21s. They're a bit flimsy, and if you fall over, there is a good chance the lids will pop open. I, uh.....have some experience with that......and the cases have some small battle scars as a result.....

I'm really happy with the bike, it's a lot like riding a big mountain bike. You sit up high and can easily see over cars when in traffic. The long travel suspension soaks up the cracks/bumps/whatever on even the worst paved roads.

The seat is quite high though, I'm 5' 8" tall, approx 29" inseam and weigh 170 lbs with riding gear. With the rear shock set on #2 of 5 settings, I can just touch the tips of both boots on the ground. Not an issue unless the going gets really rough and you need to put a foot down (reference above "experience").

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Seems like the soft bags that Kawi sells are pretty nice for the bike. Anyone have any experience with those? Are they waterproof, or are there covers for them? Seem big enough for me, and their price isn't too bad.

Tank Bag: 55.95

Designed exclusively for the Kawasaki

Clear level map compartment for easy viewing

Stretches over the fuel tank for easy attachment

Pellon® bonded backing protects the tank from scratches

P/N: K99994-500 expands 3" for additional carrying capacity

Side bags: 144.95

Designed around the rear grab rails

Quick-disconnect buckles

Heat shield material protects bag from the exhaust

Each saddlebag measures 14" L x 12" H x 7" D

Full size external side pouches measure 10" L x 9" H x 1 1/2" D

Tail bag: 89.95

Designed specifically for the KLR650 solo rider

Main compartment measures 17" L x 11" W x 6" H

Expands an extra 4" for additional carrying capacity

Two side compartments measure 14" L x 1 1/2" D x 4" H

Mesh pocket on top of bag measures 12" W x 7" H

and Cee Bailey has all bases covered:

Cee Bailey for KLR