Anybody have any thoughts on how the KRL stacks up against the XR650L
instead of the R model? I'm still actually considering an XR, but I
dont like the fact I'll need to replace the tank with a bigger one
right off the bat. What about the rest of the bike? I'm a Honda guy
when it comes to cars, but I'm leaning towards the Kawasaki and the
KLR for a bike, but the XRL sure is tempting. Thanks in advance!
corbin saddle...vs the sport tour rebuild
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- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2001 12:26 pm
klr650 vs xr650l (not r)
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Brett" wrote:
XR650L> Anybody have any thoughts on how the KRL stacks up against the
I> instead of the R model? I'm still actually considering an XR, but
guy> dont like the fact I'll need to replace the tank with a bigger one > right off the bat. What about the rest of the bike? I'm a Honda
It depends on what you want to do with it. I have a 99 XR650L and a Y2K KLR. I love em both, but for two bikes in the same class they are quite different. Basically, the KLR is much more roadworthy. I have only had the KLR for about 10 weeks, but have done several 250 mile days 2-up in relative comfort. The XR is not nearly as comfortable. My wife would never ride 250 miles on the back of the XR! I have Corbins on both. On the XR I go on reserve around 80 miles (stock tank). On the KLR it is about 240 miles! I haven't really ridden the KLR off road much, but I am sure that the XR is superior there. I will set up my XR even more for off road work, and the KLR for road and dirt/ gravel road type riding. I know I will be putting a lot more miles on the KLR, because I don't live near any decent off road riding. The suspension and especially the brakes are much better on the XR. They are both fun bikes. I think the choice boils down to your intended street/ dirt ratio. Tom> when it comes to cars, but I'm leaning towards the Kawasaki and the > KLR for a bike, but the XRL sure is tempting. Thanks in advance!
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- Posts: 912
- Joined: Thu Jun 01, 2000 11:31 am
klr650 vs xr650l (not r)
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., tthomas7@c... wrote: They are both fun bikes. I think the choice boils down to > your intended street/ dirt ratio. I also think that if you're a more street rider, like I am, the KLR seems to have more longevity in the motor, maybe related to it being watercooled and not engineered for high performance. My sources are just friends who have them. They don't work on their bikes to the degree I do, and it seems like they need to go to the shop a lot.
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- Posts: 82
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2001 7:33 am
klr650 vs xr650l (not r)
I went through this same decision process a month ago. And, even though
I found the Honda to be a better looking machine, and was told it's
superior in the dirt, I decided on the KLR650 (my first motorcycle) due
to the fact that I wanted a bike that could comfortably cruise with my
brother (on his Vmax) and an other friend (on his HD SoftTail)
(admittedly it's a strange sight). I couldn't be happier with my
decision. I've logged 200 mile days and hated to get off the bike at
the end of it. The bike chugs along easily at 80mph with plenty more
available. Plus, how awesome it is to be able to drive 250 miles
without having to fill up. Even my Brother, who was totally skepticle
at first, changed his tune after we did a 60 mile poker run together.
He even asked if he could ride it back to his house. And to be sitting
up level with some people in their SUV's is pretty cool too. So, would
I buy it again? Yes. This bike is everything I was hoping it would be
(well, 0-60 in 2 seconds would be nice...). Plus, it handles the dirt
pretty darn well too. Once again, all of these opinions are from a
first time motorcycle owner, so they are not an actual comparison, just
my thoughts.
Good luck,
Brad J. Morris
A16 in Illinois > > Anybody have any thoughts on how the KRL stacks up against the
> XR650L
> > instead of the R model? I'm still actually considering an XR, but
> I
> > dont like the fact I'll need to replace the tank with a bigger one
> > right off the bat. What about the rest of the bike? I'm a Honda
> guy
> > when it comes to cars, but I'm leaning towards the Kawasaki and the
> > KLR for a bike, but the XRL sure is tempting. Thanks in advance!