digest number 5810

[StockDeJour]

Just browsing through dual-sport sites and read about F650GS. I love my KLR but when I was looking the only comparisons were to DRZ400, DR350, DR650 and XR650L. I know there is a pretty steep price difference with the F650, but is that all? Reliability, comfort, maintenance issues? Not that I'd want to change, but it seems like a lot of the issues of the KLR are non-issues on the F650GS (Dakar). (Fuel injection, 50HP, beefy suspension, low seat, comfortable, drive shaft, etc.) Maybe I'll have to test ride one to confirm I got the biggest bang for the buck. taz

[Conall]

F650GS is chain drive, not a drive shaft. That's why riders of the F650 are known as chain gang inmates. 650cs, the street version, uses belt drive and is not meant to be taken off road. Why do you imply that not having a shaft drive is an issue? Conall

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "StockDeJour" wrote: > > Just browsing through dual-sport sites and read about F650GS. I > love my KLR but when I was looking the only comparisons were to > DRZ400, DR350, DR650 and XR650L. > > I know there is a pretty steep price difference with the F650, but > is that all? Reliability, comfort, maintenance issues? > > Not that I'd want to change, but it seems like a lot of the issues > of the KLR are non-issues on the F650GS (Dakar). (Fuel injection, > 50HP, beefy suspension, low seat, comfortable, drive shaft, etc.) > > Maybe I'll have to test ride one to confirm I got the biggest bang > for the buck. > > taz

[Randy Shultz]

The F650 Dakar is a nice bike. For $8,990 MSRP it should be. I paid almost exactly half of that for my new A18. Randy

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "StockDeJour" wrote: > > Just browsing through dual-sport sites and read about F650GS. I > love my KLR but when I was looking the only comparisons were to > DRZ400, DR350, DR650 and XR650L. > > I know there is a pretty steep price difference with the F650, but > is that all? Reliability, comfort, maintenance issues? > > Not that I'd want to change, but it seems like a lot of the issues > of the KLR are non-issues on the F650GS (Dakar). (Fuel injection, > 50HP, beefy suspension, low seat, comfortable, drive shaft, etc.) > > Maybe I'll have to test ride one to confirm I got the biggest bang > for the buck. > > taz

[Paul Wilson]

The l'il Beemers are described in many ways, but "bang for the buck" is usually not one of them. Chain drive, btw, at least on the Dakar version. If you're aiming at the premium end of the market, I'd look at KTM.

On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 16:01:27 -0000, StockDeJour wrote: > > > Just browsing through dual-sport sites and read about F650GS. I > love my KLR but when I was looking the only comparisons were to > DRZ400, DR350, DR650 and XR650L. > > I know there is a pretty steep price difference with the F650, but > is that all? Reliability, comfort, maintenance issues? > > Not that I'd want to change, but it seems like a lot of the issues > of the KLR are non-issues on the F650GS (Dakar). (Fuel injection, > 50HP, beefy suspension, low seat, comfortable, drive shaft, etc.) > > Maybe I'll have to test ride one to confirm I got the biggest bang > for the buck. > > taz > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > -- Paul in DC - www.wilsonline.org 95 VFR - 90 KLR

[Eric L. Green]

On Thu, 9 Dec 2004, StockDeJour wrote:

> Just browsing through dual-sport sites and read about F650GS. I > love my KLR but when I was looking the only comparisons were to > DRZ400, DR350, DR650 and XR650L. > > I know there is a pretty steep price difference with the F650, but > is that all? Reliability, comfort, maintenance issues? > > Not that I'd want to change, but it seems like a lot of the issues > of the KLR are non-issues on the F650GS (Dakar). (Fuel injection, > 50HP, beefy suspension, low seat, comfortable, drive shaft, etc.)

The F650GS is chain drive. And calling the F650GS suspension "beefy" is like calling a McDonalds hamburger "beefy", maybe it's so if you look at it with magnifying glass, otherwise it's about the same as the KLR. I've looked at the F650GS, and here's my impressions: Seat: comfortable. Electrical power (one of the weaknesses of the KLR): Plentiful. Seating position: comfortable. Range: Merely adequate, as vs. KLR's outstanding range. Offroad ability: *NONE*. Zilch. Zero. Yes, the KLR is a pig offroad, but at least it'll do it, and at least you can drop a KLR without shattering hundreds of dollars of crunchy plastic. Engine power: Plentiful (as vs. barely adequate with KLR). Farkle: Expensive, and not very much available, as vs. cheep and plentiful for KLR. Up-front Cost: $$$ vs $ Maintenance costs: $$$ vs $ Weight: This pig weighs at least 50 pounds more than the KLR. And you thought the KLR was heavy in the rough?! Basically, if you're looking for a 650cc street bike that also can handle gravel roads without giving you a heart attack, the F650GS is a reasonable choice. But then so is the Suzuki DL650 V-Strom, which costs much less out the door than the F650GS, is cheaper to maintain and has more cheap farkle available for it, is about as usable offroad (i.e., none), is only a few pounds heavier than the F650GS, is as comfortable as the F650GS, and which will blow away superbikes on any twisty highway. The F650GS, even in its Dakar trim with the 21" front wheel, just isn't a competitor of the KLR, any more than the V-Strom is, thus why few people bother comparing it to the KLR. -E

[Randy Shultz]

It also apparently has a 4 gallon fuel tank and a 391 lb dry weight.

[john muldowney]

I thought the BMW 650 was chain drive also?.....

>Not that I'd want to change, but it seems like a lot of the issues >of the KLR are non-issues on the F650GS (Dakar). (Fuel injection, >50HP, beefy suspension, low seat, comfortable, drive shaft, etc.) > >Maybe I'll have to test ride one to confirm I got the biggest bang >for the buck. > >taz >

[Peter]

I own both. You get what you pay for, is it worth it, that's a matter of opinion. I think the F650GS is much more comfortable, with the taller seat. It cruises at 90mph no problem, nice and smooth where the KLR feels like it's giving it's all at that speed. The F650 is a much smoother ride, you snick through the gears unlike banging through them on the KLR. The KLR has more torque down low where you need it in the dirt. I've ridden both on the same roads and trails and think they're about equal off road. My KLR currently has a top end oil leak so I've been on the BMW more and will probably sell the KLR. I like to refer to the BMW as the KLR's more refined European cousin.

[Judson D. Jones]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "StockDeJour" wrote:

> > Just browsing through dual-sport sites and read about F650GS. I > love my KLR but when I was looking the only comparisons were to > DRZ400, DR350, DR650 and XR650L. > > I know there is a pretty steep price difference with the F650, but > is that all? Reliability, comfort, maintenance issues? > > Not that I'd want to change, but it seems like a lot of the issues > of the KLR are non-issues on the F650GS (Dakar). (Fuel injection, > 50HP, beefy suspension, low seat, comfortable, drive shaft, etc.) > > Maybe I'll have to test ride one to confirm I got the biggest bang > for the buck.

Be sure to ride it on some rough two-track, and in some deep sand. Or even just a gravel road. The KLR works better than the F650, and the more so as the track deteriorates.

[StockDeJour]

I just went through all the responses to this question I had. I answered all but unfortunately posted them by email to the responders instead of posting on this board (which was my intention). So to summarize: The F650gs is chain drive, not shaft. My bad. I'm not looking for anything other than info on this bike and why I didn't include in MY decision in buying a dual-sport. Did I say I love my KLR? (I'm not planning to change anytime soon.) Thanks to those who responded with your opinion and impressions. taz, A16 "Wildebeast"