New to DS riding, new to riding in general. Have a 2013 Yamaha XT250, perfect for my rookie status. All that out of the way, I am looking at the next bike and I think its down to a KLR650 or TR650.... plenty of material out about each bike, so here's where I'm looking for help. What makes the TR650 more suited for 'off-road' riding vs. the KLR650? I know the TR is a little lighter, but there must be something about frame/suspension/setup that makes it more dirt/off road friendly? My riding style is tame, more into the journey and all that, than I am speed..and god forbid my 2 wheels leave the ground. Also, is the TR650 a dead bike with the recent purchase? I see some conflicting "facts" about the future of the TR650. This does matter to me because no matter how great the bike, I don't want to have issues with service/parts. Last, I'm in CA and if there are any other CA TR650 owners, do you mind telling me what you paid? There are 2 dealers in my area (NorCal) and on initial contact neither one really offered anything other than MSRP. Thanks a ton and happy/safe riding!
Google is your friend. I found this thread straight away that I think helps answer the "KLR650 vs. TR650" question. Other threads have included references to what people actually paid and there appears to be regional differences. I already shared in other threads that a Terra was MSRP in my bi-state area and picked up a Strada in Salem Oregon for $6899. (BTW, he has more and TR650 are 50 state legal...although I understand CA has a special law about bringing new out-of-state vehicles into it) As for "the future" I think I remember seeing a claim that Husqvarna (whatever company owns it) has committed to parts for 5 or 10 years (although I can't swear to it) and the general availability of parts already suggests there should be sufficient parts for some time to come. My personal opinion is that they won't continue the BMW engine and we 2013 owners will have scored a sweet anomaly...with an extra 8hp from stock BMW 650's to boot! I'd suggest viewing it for what the bike is and the price....which is a great bargain even at MSRP. Having had an XR650R and V-Strom, and having ridden a KLR before....no contest! The Husky is PERFECT blend for my on-road and off-road tastes. The article summary, "Ride it to work, that OHV park in the next state over" is exactly my experience so far. I'm already planning to ride it too and from the UTBDR next year (with a set of spokes and change out the front gear while I'm there).
Better off sticking with the KLR if your worried about parts etc. KTM has to by EU law supply parts etc for 10 years, probably be more than enough time to enjoy the Terra/ Strada. I just bought a Strada as my ride is mainly highway and a little dirt roads. Most of the parts from the BMW GS 650 are the same so that's not a problem to me, but if you want a docile bike then the KLR would fit the bill! Horses for courses
I had owned a highly modified 2006 KLR for 3+ years up until it was stolen at the end of last year. At the beginning of this year I purchased my TR650 Terra so I have no where nearly as much experience with it as the KLR. What I say below is strictly one persons (mine) opinion and should be taken as such. Weight distribution between the two bikes is the first thing I noticed. I believe the KLR is only something like 40 pounds heavier than the TR but it carries a good portion of that weigh up at its highest point (the tank). Having the ability to carry 5-ish gallons of gas was very nice when out on the road with my DRZ friends, but carrying 5-ish gallons of gas was a lot of work when off the beaten path with them! The TR carries its weight down low making it simply MUCH easier to maneuver. Suspension is another one major difference between the two bikes. Out front the TR has a much more modern USD style fork than the KLR's conventional (and undersized) set up. Out on the open road the KLR tends to wander around a bit. The fender is a part of this (I changed mine to a smaller SM fender) but the undersized o.d. of the KLR's forks makes the need for fork braces pretty necessary if you are going to be riding long distances. In 2008 KLR increased the size of its forks….but not nearly enough. The valving on the KLR’s forks is less than desirable as well. A lot of money can be spent on addressing all of these issues…or one can do as I had done and replace the entire front end with a big fat USD setup from a newer KXF. Pretty involved but oh man that was a great upgrade! The TR’s front end is okay for what 98% of us are going to be doing. More adjustability would be nice, but that would have increased the purchase price of the bike. I happen to have a 2004 KXF complete front end in my garage….if the TR’s front end ever becomes an issue for me; I will get with EMIG Racing and see about having a custom stem made to do the swap (and yes, I know the rear travel would have to addressed if doing this). For now I doubt that will ever be happening. As for the rear shock on either bike…I really don’t have much to say except that they both work. I swapped my KLR’s out for a modified (lengthened) Moab shock from Cogent Dynamics when I performed the KXF fork swap. The difference in engines is very significant. Due to a poor ring design KLR’s prior to 2009 were prone to consume oil at enormous rates. Also, the heavy piston caused the bike to vibrate excessively (ESPECIALLY at freeway speeds!!!) and be bit slow rev’ing. Both of these issues can be resolved by installing an aftermarket piston kit (I went with a 688cc). These kits are relatively inexpensive and if you can turn a wrench then the overall mod is not that much $$$. After installing my kit, the bike was soooooooooooo much smoother and quicker. Redline was 8K and I went past that MANY times and the bike was pulling just as hard as it did at 5K. Also, KLR’s VERY susceptible to head damage if you did not keep an eye on the oil level (remember the oil burning rings issue I mentioned before?). A common mantra in the KLR community is…you check your oil at the beginning of every ride, AND at every fuel stop! If you do run even slightly low (anything below mid sight glass) then you run the risk of the head starving for oil causing galling of the cams and cam caps. When this happens the head is worth nothing more than a paperweight. I learned this the hard way. The day after I bought my KLR (before I ever knew about the oil burning issue) I opened it up to look at the valve clearance and discovered it had highly damaged cam and caps. I found a good one online but pretty much killed it after a year. That’s when I did the piston kit and had the head ported, polished, oversized stainless valves, etc. etc.). TOTALLY different machine after that! Fueling between the two is obviously very different in operation but they both are very lean in stock form. The KLR has a CV style carb that is a very nice for all-around use. Compared to slide style carbs, the CV is way more forgiving to elevation changes….but lacks in throttle response that the slide carbs have. A properly set up CV will do pretty much anything you wish, but it is nothing compared to a slider. I had a race modified FCR-MX39 flat slide on my KLR and it was CRAZY responsive, but setup and upkeep (adjusting when high in the mountains) was a real pain. I wish I had known about those Lectron carbs when I was doing that mod! The TR’s fueling is obviously fuel injection so it will perform the same no matter where in the world you are. Get it Mossed at purchase and then enjoy….later on get a PCV (Power Commander 5) and fall in love all over again! Comfort is a toss up for me. Both my bike got the Seat Concepts treatment so both were comfy for me. I ride two up with my girlfriend quite often and she does not care for the TR’s passenger arraignments. I am a big guy and she says I tend to crowd her small space back there making her rear come into contact with the rack mounts. If the TR’s seat had maybe another inch or so between it and the rack then she would be a lot happier (or maybe lower profile rack mounts…idk)! Anyways, that is just a few things off of the top of my head. I can keep going on but don’t have the time right now. So basically… I LOVED MY KLR! It was a beast! It was mean! It was ugly! I beat the heck out of it and it just kept on going! When I would stop for gas or whatever kids would look frightened and adults would look puzzled and ask “tough looking bike…what the heck is it!?” This TR is very much a sexy little b@%*h and is everything that the KLR wasn’t. She is very powerful, very refined, and did I mention SEXY!? When I stop pretty much ANYWHERE people say “WOW that is a nice bike…what is it” and I end up talking about the TR for an average of 15-20 minutes. Seriously.
The Husky is also a better road bike than the KLR. 15 more HP and smoother. The lighter weight and slimmer lower stance make it better off road also. TR650 is what a KLR wants to be. Some parts are still available for Husky in the 90s.
Wow Kjack thanks for putting the work into that!! I bought a Terra, but the KLR was a solid second choice...sooo glad I got the Terra, its the only one around my area The DMV didn't even know what it was lol (only an 8 hour drive to find one). I bought a Joe Rocket red fallout jacket and my bright red Italian beauty, it might be a bit much for an old boy, but I smile every time I drive across town. Haha
kjack, awesome post. that's exactly what i was looking for, the things that aren't in the various articles. and a thank you to the other people as well, all the different opinions are helping me a ton...now let's see if i can find a local dealer willing to give a little!
Everything Kjack said, plus with the fairings on the KLR, you are more susceptible to plastic damage when crashing off road.
