Wilsons Sandbox

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Brett" wrote:

> 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!

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

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!