Author Topic: KLR650 (2008) vs F650GS (2002) WHICH IS BETTER??? (Read 906 times)

fat b · « **Reply #20 on:** February 05, 2010, 08:43:41 am »

Quote from: Easyrider on February 05, 2010, 07:44:28 am

I suggest the BMW.I just completed a 8000+km trip on my Dakar to Namib.Rode wth two riders , both on the new 800's.Pushed the Dakkie hard (300km stretches at 160km/h in the desert heat) without having a single problem.THe BMW impressed me as a comfortable, economical and reliable bike.I had the older model Kawa 650 and can say that there is no comparison in refinement and build quality , not that it is any less competent.Just not as refined! Good luck with your choice and may you have many happy and safe miles on your chosen steed!

Wise words ! True words ! Go Beemer !

Christian Kuun · « **Reply #21 on:** February 05, 2010, 10:02:40 am »

KLR better for tall people
650GS better for shorter riders
Make sure it is not the KLR that uses oil or that the issue has been sorted
Make sure KLR doohickey has been replaced by aftermarket
BMW will be a lot more comfortable if you are going to long stretches at a time
KLR will be better than standard 650GS off road

If you can get the KLR for a tad less then it is much of a muchness and will only depend on your personal preference as per above (and a few more factors).

WdP · « **Reply #22 on:** February 05, 2010, 11:11:21 am »

okay.. WHAT THE _____ IS A DOOHICKEY???.. sorry...

...

Christian Kuun · « **Reply #23 on:** February 05, 2010, 12:18:40 pm »

Quote from: WdP on February 05, 2010, 11:11:21 am

okay.. WHAT THE _____ IS A DOOHICKEY???.. sorry... ...

I will have to PM you as this is a family forum....

Google and you will find plenty on it but for now- it is basically a tensioner thats spring looses its...well..."spring" and stuffs up the engine. It can be replaced by an aftermarket one for cheap-cheap and you will have a very reliable bike for the next 50 years.

WdP · « **Reply #24 on:** February 05, 2010, 12:29:09 pm »

Haha thanks!

Griffin · « **Reply #25 on:** February 05, 2010, 04:00:23 pm »

They are both good bikes but I would take the KLR. Much simpler and cheaper to maintain. The new ones are not a drop friendly as the pre 2008 models so I would look for a 2007 or older model. Some of the 2008s had an oil usage problem. Not shure how you can check that without a long ride.

Alternatively wait untill you can find a good DR650. I was in the same position as you late last year and I'm very happy with my choice.

roxenz · « **Reply #26 on:** February 05, 2010, 04:25:31 pm »

What extras are included with each bike?

WdP · « **Reply #27 on:** February 05, 2010, 06:01:14 pm »

No extras..

"The new ones are not a drop friendly as the pre 2008 models so I would look for a 2007 or older model." - What does this mean?

Griffin · « **Reply #28 on:** February 06, 2010, 12:30:50 am »

Quote from: WdP on February 05, 2010, 06:01:14 pm

No extras..

"The new ones are not a drop friendly as the pre 2008 models so I would look for a 2007 or older model." - What does this mean?

Again this is my opinion but the 2008 and later models have a lot more expensive plastic that will be damaged if and when you drop it that the earlier models. Have a look at pictures of both to see what I am talking about. the 2008+ models do require more after market guards that the earlier models.

WdP · « **Reply #29 on:** February 06, 2010, 01:34:35 am »

Aaaah okay I understand. I see what you mean..

badballie · « **Reply #30 on:** February 06, 2010, 08:43:19 am »

Well as far as KLR is concerned, I had the old 600, wonderfull urban attack vehicle and offroad "cruiser", but not good on any piece of tar longer than 20-30 km .....then it became a pain .......lol

Rode the 2009 KLR a few weekends ago and huge improvement, as far as ergonomics, suspension etc are concerned. Not a bad bike at all.

One problem though 155 km/h and you are hanging on for dear life...........anything between 90 - 120 feels very relaxed and good ..............so if you intend going everywhere and not in a hurry to do so ...it will do fine..........

Not sure about the Dakar, as haven't ridden it yet, but from what I gather ...they can maintain a better highway speed longer ....

ShaunF · « **Reply #31 on:** February 06, 2010, 02:49:38 pm »

B.M.W

Just Blip It! · « **Reply #32 on:** February 06, 2010, 04:30:00 pm »

I would take neither of them, rather buy this bike.........http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=44652.0 make an offer for R28000, spend a bit on the clutch etc, then you will have an awesome first bike that would go anywhere and everywhere.

Biker boy · « **Reply #33 on:** February 06, 2010, 08:30:33 pm »

For me KLR is like a tank indestructible, reliable but heavy on juice! and top end a problem. I must say I drove a 2002 dakar and what a bike!!!! BMW just has a bit more power and on a 650 you need it specifically if your going to do long distances

RobC · « **Reply #34 on:** February 07, 2010, 08:05:11 am »

If you like maintaining the bike yourself there is no better than the KLR. Parts/filters are cheap compared to BMW and it is easy to get at all the major components.

If you do not service yourself and have a lot of money go for the BMW.

michnus · « **Reply #35 on:** February 07, 2010, 08:58:13 am »

Quote from: RobC on February 07, 2010, 08:05:11 am

If you like maintaining the bike yourself there is no better than the KLR. Parts/filters are cheap compared to BMW and it is easy to get at all the major components.
If you do not service yourself and have a lot of money go for the BMW.

With all due respect my good friend.

The service parts on a Dakar/Gs is not really that much more, in fact some are as cheap as the KLR, a air filter cost R180 and a oil filter about the same. The fact that it's serviced at 10000km vs your 7000km makes a difference in the long run. And the KLR got exposed wheelbearings vs the GS's sealed ones, they last longer to begin with.

I do agree if you do not service yourself, the Beemer is going to cost you more, BMW honestly rape us on labour charges.

Kawasefi · « **Reply #36 on:** February 07, 2010, 09:21:53 am »

The KLR air filter costs R120 but it's a washable unit so you don't need to buy a new one with each service, just wash, oil and refit. Oil filter is about R75. And obiously there's only 1x sparkplug (R40), I don't know if the BMW twinspark motor need both to be replaced.

I agree with Rob on service costs. The GS's steering head bearings will go AWOL long before the KLR's wheelbearings and will cost much more to replace.

But I'm obviously biased

michnus · « **Reply #37 on:** February 07, 2010, 10:41:45 am »

the service cost is nothing between the bikes. The important things are GS's will out live a Klr by miles and we will see 650GS around for many years to come. Even resalle will be much better hold by the GS than tge Klr.

Klr's are old at 50000km, GS are only run in then.

The Klr is the only bike with its own problem sticky thread on our forum, tell's you something.

RobC · « **Reply #38 on:** February 07, 2010, 12:00:01 pm »

Quote from: michnus on February 07, 2010, 10:41:45 am

the service cost is nothing between the bikes.

Mine costs on average R200 to service, wich by the way is 1200k intervals but as it is so cheap I do mine at every 6000k! In the long run it will add up to quite a significant difference. As to your claim that a KLR only lasts 50,000k, all I can say is pull the other one!

michnus · « **Reply #39 on:** February 07, 2010, 01:10:30 pm »

Quote from: RobC on February 07, 2010, 12:00:01 pm

Quote from: michnus on February 07, 2010, 10:41:45 am
the service cost is nothing between the bikes.
Mine costs on average R200 to service, which by the way is 1200k intervals but as it is so cheap I do mine at every 6000k! In the long run it will add up to quite a significant difference. As to your claim that a KLR only lasts 50,000k, all I can say is pull the other one!

Yes, and your bike use more fuel, and need frame bolt up grades and Doohickies and new seats, and screens and the carb ice up on it's way up Sani, and the wheel bearings only last 10000km when doing water crossing, and drinks oil in litres after the first 1000km and........

But that it is cheaper to maintain is all relative, the GS might be slightly more, and I mean 100bucks or so, not thousands or even hundreds, but nothing to stop you considering owning one because of service cost.

Okay they only last about 51000km

btw way I had both and lived with both for a year, the KLR is getting old in the tooth but it's no Dakar or even a GS, it is cheap though and that helps a lot, the one had to go, still a bit sad it was the KLR.