650cc Dual sport duel!?

Question

Alright, what do you guys think. Should I go with a Honda XR650L, Suzuki DR650SE, or Kawasaki KLR 650. The Kawasaki KLR 650 seems like a good mix between the Honda and Suzuki, but the Suzuki seems like it'll be better for street use due to the low seat height. The low seat height really limits the ground clearance though. So, which one? 5'8" 160 lbs live in Newark NJ so I'm gonna do a lot of urban riding on the thing.

Answer 1

I've got a DR650. Before I bought the bike I did some checking on each brand as well as others (euro bikes).  The KLR is the heaviest with the lowest ground clearance.  The XR has the highest seat and the greatest ground clearance.  The DR falls some between the two.  I've ridden several KLRs since buying the DR and in general performance they are similar.  The KLR seat seemed much more comfortable than the DR, but these were short dirt rides with some time spent on the pegs.  The suspension on the KLRs seemed softer than the DR.  These bikes are heavy when ridden in the dirt, so a bike that weighs 30 - 40 lbs less makes a allot of difference.

The dealer where I bought my bike had the DR and KLR.  They suggested the KLR as a better street bike.  I've seen quite a few used as adventure touring bikes.  However I've taken the DR to Alaska twice, one trip was over 3,000 miles.

Answer 2

THE KLR IS ALWAYS THE WINNER !....WELL UNLESS YOU ARE UNABLE TO REACH THE GROUND WHEN SEATED ON THE BEAST !.......ALSO THE FUEL CAPACITY AND DISTANCE RANGE IS WAY GREATER. MABYE ONE DAY I'LL FIND SOMETHING I HATE ABOUT MY 2007 KLR 650 !