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Author Topic: KLR of TA 650  (Read 750 times)

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Offline weskusklong

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KLR of TA 650
« on: May 11, 2011, 07:00:19 pm »
Hi guys

I want to buy a dual purpose,and there are a few things which I'm sure you can advise me on.

I do 20km per day to work,(what a Blessing ) and will do some grondpad once n month,time permitting.

I have driven a TA for a short distance and it was very comfy,must still get someone with a KLR to give me a spin.

The important things are as follow

1: DIY maintanance

2: Availibility of spares

3:Offroad capibility (mostly decent gravel roads )

I know from reading the forum that they both are very reliable.

Any help will be do.





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Offline Buks

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Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2011, 10:07:52 pm »
My opinion - definelately the TA in every aspect you've mentioned. The KLR will only be better in more hardcore offroad stuff, which you haven't mentioned.
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Offline GRUNT

Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2011, 07:22:59 am »
TA is probably the better tourer, but The KLR in my opinion ticks the boxes for DIY maintenance, availability of spares and off road capability, BUT for the type of riding you describe i.e mostly commuting, the TA , although more expensive could be just the bike for you. also no Doohickey ,short shaft/deephole issues to sort out, that being said I have a friend who commutes 250Km daily on  A KLR and has now done almost 70 000Km on his KLR without dong the Doo or anything else!
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Offline lecap

Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #3 on: May 12, 2011, 07:30:03 am »
IMHO:

The KLR wins in the maintenance field if you look at how long it takes to service the bike. It's easier to get where you want to get especially on the older models. The TA wins requiring less specialised tools and less stock on the shelf. You don't really need a torque wrench, no valve shims, but you might want to get a set of 2 vacuum gauges.
I'd therefore call question 1 a draw. Both bikes are not the very easy ones to service (unlike the DR650SE) and require some level of mechanical skill & tools to do the full scheduled maintenance. Pricewise the cost of TA air filters and fourfold spark plug consumption probably cancels out the cost of KLR shims. I'd rate both bikes close to each other and near the lower end of the price scale looking at service consumables.

I don't think spares availability is an issue for any of the two. Makes 2 a draw too. You won't need to buy much for any of the two.

Offroad capability: The KLR is the clear winner potentially. There is more of an offroader hidden inside the KLR. Unfortunately you have to fork out some 5 Gorillas (all fitted) for things like fork springs and a shock rebuild with a stiffer spring to unleash the KLR's true offroad potential. In standard form the KLR's advantage is pretty much reduced to the 21" front wheel and the larger choice of knobblier rubber.
Since you require the bikes to cope with mostly decent gravel roads I'd call this undecided too. Shifting towards more technical riding pitches the battle towards the KLR, the more emphasis you put on "decent" the more ground the TA gains.

At the end of the day I think you should look into the following points to make your decision (means there are the real differences ;D ):
How far do you want to take the offroad part? Further = KLR wins.
How important is high (=illegal) speed for extended periods of time? (Very important = The Transalp wins, simply more power)
How important is luggage and passenger transport (Both are capable enough but I think the TA has an edge over the Kawasaki)

What's your personal preference?


And finally: Are you willing to modify the bike to make it work? A no sends you straight into the arms of the Honda salesman. See "doohickey" ::)
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Offline letsgofishing

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Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #4 on: May 12, 2011, 08:21:04 am »
1.  I reckon the KLR is slightly easier to work on than the TA - but not by much.
2. Not a concern for either bike.
3. Both bikes can easily handle this but the TA has a much better ride IMO

The TA's build quality is superior to that of the KLR and the TA's v-twin motor offers more power. Both have 21" front wheels (it's a 650TA lecap  ;)) and can handle pretty rough off road, but maybe the KLR wins by a smidgen.
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Offline lecap

Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #5 on: May 12, 2011, 08:28:24 am »
Quote from: letsgofishing on May 12, 2011, 08:21:04 am
1.  I reckon the KLR is slightly easier to work on than the TA - but not by much.
2. Not a concern for either bike.
3. Both bikes can easily handle this but the TA has a much better ride IMO

The TA's build quality is superior to that of the KLR and the TA's v-twin motor offers more power. Both have 21" front wheels (it's a 650TA lecap  ;)) and can handle pretty rough off road, but maybe the KLR wins by a smidgen.

I assumed we're talking new bikes. The 650 Transalp was probably the best of the whole TA lot and probably one contributing reason for Honda to discontinue the Africa Twin (sadly). The TA650 is closer to the KLR in its off road capabilities due to the 21" front wheel and the tire choice connected to it. Offorad ranking: KLR followed by TA650 followed by TA700 with likely a narrower margin between the first two than between the two Honda "sisters".
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Offline The Rock

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Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2011, 08:36:48 am »
ek het 3 weke terug my TA 650 gekoop en ek het eers vir n KLR gesoek en n paar gaan ry - maar toe gaan ry ek n TA. behalwe vir als wat lecap gese het, het die TA meer krag, hy is "smoother", gemakliker -  en dis n Honda!

beide die KLR en TA sal kan doen wat jy wil doen. ek sal voorstel gaan ry albei en besluit watter een pas jou die beste.
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Offline Stofstreep

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Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2011, 09:16:12 am »
TA650 by a long shot
I had both, and I'm still sorry I sold the TA.
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Offline weskusklong

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Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2011, 04:36:19 pm »
Dit was nou aangename leesstof,die slegte nuus is dat ek net R30 000 het.

Sal maar moet moet wag en sien ,met die beskikbare fondse tot my beskikking sal dit seker makliker wees om n Klr te kry anders moet ek nog spaar. Eish

Dankie vir die ingeligte opinies.

Stan
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Offline weskusklong

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Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2011, 10:41:01 pm »
Het TA 650 2005 gekoop vir R33 000 en gaan hom more haal,kan nie wag nie.

Weereens dankie vir julle bydrae,net jammer ek moet hom alleen betaal >:( O0
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Offline Skipskop

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Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #10 on: May 12, 2011, 11:00:23 pm »
Dit was flippen gou !!!Geluk man ,dit klink na n goeie koopie.Geniet die bike !!
Nou soek ons pentjies ;-)
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Offline TrailBlazer

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Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #11 on: May 13, 2011, 05:07:08 am »
Hy gaan dit mos haal vandag... nou wag ons ook vir die ride report wat hy gaan pos as hy terug op eie bodem is daa oppie weskus

Veilig ry, wen geniet dit S   :thumleft:
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Offline Stofstreep

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Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #12 on: May 13, 2011, 06:44:51 am »
Baie geluk!
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Offline GRUNT

Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #13 on: May 13, 2011, 06:50:23 am »
Mooi so!, Baie geluk :thumleft:
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Offline The Rock

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Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #14 on: May 13, 2011, 07:57:39 am »
goeie werk en baie beluk! klink na n bargain!  :thumleft:
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Offline weskusklong

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TA 650
« Reply #15 on: May 14, 2011, 01:04:34 pm »
Hier is ta,heel gepas vir Transalp !!!
Gaan probeer oplaai (Digitaal gestrem ) andars sal ek maar n foto op die rekenaar se skerm plak
 :imaposer:
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Offline buzzlightyear

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Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #16 on: May 14, 2011, 01:17:35 pm »
wat 'n mooi fiets! Kry net vir jou crashbars vir al daai mooi tupperware
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Offline Wasp

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Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #17 on: May 14, 2011, 04:13:23 pm »
Fantasties!!! stay safe buddy :thumleft:
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Offline BlueAlp

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Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #18 on: May 14, 2011, 04:39:21 pm »
Congratulations  :thumleft: Have had mine for a year now and loved everday on it.

Quote from: buzzlightyear on May 14, 2011, 01:17:35 pm
wat 'n mooi fiets! Kry net vir jou crashbars vir al daai mooi tupperware
Good advice Mine hasnt got on and  I came off. Now its repair fairings and get crashbars 
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Offline drewdza

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Re: KLR of TA 650
« Reply #19 on: May 14, 2011, 07:13:48 pm »
Geluk. Bulletproof bike - looks very very clean and never been offroad? Crashbars, pegs, barkbusters, Leo Vince and away you go. Happy trails mate you bought wisely  :thumleft:
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