objective opinions: klr vs. dr 650

[jandre451]

Is the superbrace a reasonable solution to the fork brace problem, or does one need to get the Happy Trails version that has adjustable spacers if they are going to use extreeme off road tires?

[Devon Jarvis]

I am a little leery of fork braces that claim to fit a lot of different bikes. But people have used the superbraces and liked them a lot, go figure. The K-9 fork brace does fit the KLR very well, but you'll pay a lot for what you get. You will need to check that all the spacers are EXACTLY the same length, this is crucial to proper functioning. I made a shorter set of spacers because the brace scraped the fender when the forks bottomed. I also filed the corners to help reduce this. The spacers that Tim includes are tall enough for almost any tire. The shorter ones (10mm) I made clear a Pirelli MT21, an IRC GP110, and a Kenda K270 with no problems. Devon jandre451 wrote:

> > Is the superbrace a reasonable solution to the fork brace problem, or > does one need to get the Happy Trails version that has adjustable > spacers if they are going to use extreeme off road tires? > > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[cactus_reese]

I have the SRC Brace and have seen the K9 and the Superbrace on others bikes. IMHO no brace fits the KLR better than the K9. It doesn't look as stout as the others, but clearly, it doesn't need to be. I bought the SRC (Dual Star) brace because my boots were shot and I liked the idea of ridding myself of them by using the SRC fork protectors that came with the brace and the price of boots and brace made the SRC price competitive. The forks look really cool with this brace. The SRC brace is more difficult to install than the others because you must completely remove the forks and cut part of the fender away for clearance, but if you are replacing boots anyway it's not much additional work. This brace leaves very little clearance on the side of the tire, so wider-than-stock tires are out of the question. The polished silver Superbrace looks out of place on the KLR, no offense Dave. I've never seen the Telefix brace live on a KLR, but it looks good in pictures. All users report similar performance improvements with the fork braces on grooved rodes and loose stuff. I think we all experience harsher jolts when hitting rocks with a fork brace. -Bryan A12 Tucson

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "jandre451" wrote: > Is the superbrace a reasonable solution to the fork brace problem, or > does one need to get the Happy Trails version that has adjustable > spacers if they are going to use extreeme off road tires?

[Mark St.Hilaire, Sr]

> I am a little leery of fork braces that claim to fit a lot of different > bikes. But people have used the superbraces and liked them a lot, go > figure.

Yup, and SuperBrace apparently has NO interest whatsoever in exchanging my "original" brace for the KLR for their "new & improved" KLR brace, even though I made the request well within the 30 day warranty period. I don't know, that doesn't give me a real good feeling about them, and unless the situation changes, I wouldn't be comfortable recommending them to others. Wise men still seek Him... Mark St.Hilaire, Sr HomePage: http://home.adelphia.net/~msaint/index.html KLR650 Motorcycle Pages: http://klr6500.tripod.com/ My Adelphia Email can be "iffy." If you don't get a response, please try: KLR6500@...

[alaska_rider]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Kurt Simpson wrote:

> Objective opinion is an oxymoron isn't it? (G) I have both bikes.

The DR can be equipped with all of the goodies the KLR can just not as many varieties. Mine has a 5.2 gallon IMS tank (range 250 miles plus), a modified Corbin seat, a Dual Star centerstand, an IDS-2 SuperTrapp silencer, Happy-Trails SU racks for GIVI side and top, highway pegs, SS brakelines, LR Progressive Springs Front, Gold Valve Rear with Progressive Spring, Anodized forks, Factory Jet Kit, Garmin GPS III+ on a Touratech mount, DG skid plate (don't like this item and would change to Dual Star), Renthal bars, Pro Gel Grips, Kimptex heated grips (courtesy of Bert Fox's work)...etc. My KLR's end up with about every mod discussed on the list. Having said the above, how do they compare?

> > The DR is easier to navigate off-road. It feels 100 lbs lighter

even though it is probably only 40 lbs. The transmission shifts beautifully, like glass. It is not water cooled but is oil and air cooled. Is has a much smaller cockpit and less room for a passenger. I think it has better build quality than the KLR. What it gains off- road it loses on-road. The KLR's small fairing and larger cockpit combine for much greater wind protection. The KLR remains the better all-around bike.

> > Kurt Simpson > Salt Lake City

I looked into deciding between the the DR 650, the BMW F650 and the KLR. I went with the KLR because there was far more info on the internet. It was better supported by the aftermarket. In the magazines it is always shown to be a good all around bike for street, dirt and touring. It came with a big tank and fairing. And most importantly, I've seen more KLR's than the other two bikes come up to Alaska in the summer time. I've talked to some of their owners and they have been pleased with the bike. Also, a company out of Whitehorse runs tours into Alaska and they use KLR's. Based on that I figured the bike couldn't be all that bad. Additionaly, if you look at accessories and mods, the DR will end up costing quite a bit more the KLR simply because it requires more to make the bikes equal.