Which 650 Scrambler would you buy and why?

[Jeremy Z]

Honda XR650L

Suzuki DR650SE

Kawasaki KLR650

The "why?" part, you'll have to post.

[Sport-Touring]

[artyboy]

'07 or earlier KLR is what I voted for.  It's got the most aftermarket support by far, it's easy to work on and you're likely to be able to get it fixed no matter where you are.  The Suzuki would be a close second.  Then the '08 followed by the Honda.

[shugga]

I voted for the DR650.  I've had a 2005 KLR 650 and a 2006 DR 650.  With the exception of the size of the gas tank, there is nowhere that I like the KLR better.  I would have thought that the KLR would have been better on the freeway, but it wasn't.  And the DR was better everywhere else also.

[hugerider]

'07 or earlier KLR is what I voted for.  It's got the most aftermarket support by far, it's easy to work on and you're likely to be able to get it fixed no matter where you are.  The Suzuki would be a close second.  Then the '08 followed by the Honda.

+1

[okoutlaw]

XR due to no radiators to damage in my many off-road falls and i like the look of it better than the Suzuki

[scottzilla]

DR for two reasons:
1-I rode one and liked it.
2-it looks like it would hold up good in a minor spill, unlike the KLR which has that fairing to fix/replace.  
However, if I needed to cover some hwy between dirt, I would lean towards the KLR (Late model).

[RickC1957]

Not sure what kind of riding you want to do. But I spent the better part of the IMS in Chicago comparing the DR650 to the KLR650. I see why the KLR got the nod from Motorcyclist magazine as "the poor man's adventure bike", its basically good to go. The DR650 that has a "cult" following is a mere dirt bike, that would require extensive mods to make it rideable. The Honda was a tank and I never really took a hard look at. The KLR650 will soon be in my garage.

[R.Markus]

That's an easy one, the DR650. It has a nice narrow seat and is more off road capable than the other two (you could argue for the Honda here, but not the KLR). A bigger tank would make it more than tour worthy.

The KLR would be at the bottom of my list since it's just a cumbersome pig with an overly wide seat (which isn't fixable since the entire mid section of the bike is too f'ing wide). It would cost more to make into a decent machine than the DR would.

The Honda would be a decent commuter. I see a lot of them on the streets being ridden by old men going to and from work.

As far as reliability between the three, it's a toss up. You wouldn't go wrong with any of them.

[Jeremy Z]

Found a good KLR video review on YouTube. (if you don't mind straining to hear the guy over AC/DC)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEB8vFMsMHE&feature=related

Will post more as I find them.

Regarding the oil-burning issue and the bad plastic for the turn signal stalks, those have been resolved for '09. (which cost something like $400 than the '08s!)

R Markus - Seems like your review assumes more off-roading than on. Worth noting.

[Jeremy Z]

Here's another one. Watch this kid dump this older KLR when he steps on the brakes in that loose gravel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LggOang5ts

Here's one chronicling a 4000 mile trip on KLRs. (old ones) Again, a good video is made into an OK video because the guy couldn't resist adding music instead of commentary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWttRR-T0xA

I like this simple one, which lets us hear what they sound like at redline:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF39VHoY5wU&yt

Here's a great one (from broadcase TV) on the KLRs being used by the Marine Corps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtcd1kSdlQY

Motorcycle-USA comparison: KLR vs. DR. This is a good read, and confirms that the DR is the superior dirtbike, and seems to have a better engine too. A very good read, and it seems unbiased.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/11/1437/Motorcycle-Article/2008-650-Dual-Sport-Challenge.aspx

Here's how it boils down. The KLR requires a slower pace off-road, but can get to the same places as the Suzuki. The same can't be said for the DR when it hits the pavement. Riders get too sore and tired or simply run out of gas. If it weren't for a few shortcomings like the uncomfortable seat, short fuel range and lack of important instrumentation it might have knocked off our perennial dual-sport Megatron. Faulting a bike for having too much fuel is hard to do, so all considered, the Kawasaki has managed to hoist its big self to the top one more time.

2008 Dual Sport Comparo, from motorcycle-usa.com: (KLR vs. BMW vs. Honda)
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/11/362/Motorcycle-Article/2008-Dual-Sport-Comparo.aspx

[R.Markus]

R Markus - Seems like your review assumes more off-roading than on. Worth noting.

That's because that is what I'm interested in.

I don't think you could really go wrong with any of the three you listed...depending on what you are going to use it for.

[Mac]

Forget the 650s, get a DRZ-400s! With a corbin seat and a clarke 4.0 gal tank, you can ride all day in moderate comfort, on or off road.

[Jeremy Z]

Wiring harness may rub frame, causing short.

http://www.usrecallnews.com/2009/02/nhtsa-4321.html

[murray56]

I voted for the 07 and earlier model KLR, mostly because I own one already.

However, your reasons for owning one and the ultimate purpose of it's use need to be evaluated.

I purchased a used 06 because of aftermarket accessories, and great support market. The Gen 1 models ability to withstand a crash and repairability seemed better to me. The 08's and newer plastic are suspect IMO. I also believed I would be riding the KLR on the Hwy {lots of miles} on the way to the dirt trails. This bike has every farkel I could install. TKC 80 tires were an improvement for offroad applications as well.

After my first year of ownership, I find we trailer to the farther away trails, and a lighter bike, in the dirt, is much easier to ride in difficult terrain. {Read SAND!!} I like this bike for backroad blazing and local commuting. It does well on harder surfaces when offroad. Just remember this is a heavy bike. I am 6'1" and 250#'s. This bike both looks big and is big when laying on the ground!!

As a side note, I own a ST1300 and RSV for all of my LD, two up, and twisty riding.

The DR 650 would be a considered choice as well as the KTM 530 XTC. Knowing what I know now, I would also consider the DRZ 400 and install the larger fuel tank.

Good luck with your search.

[Coho911]

Suzuki DR650 for SURE.

Because its the original SM...

You can go from THIS :


To THIS ! :

[falconati]

I voted Honda, but after looking around a bit more, I'd probably go with the KLR

[R.Markus]

Suzuki DR650 for SURE.

Because its the original SM...

You can go from THIS :


To THIS ! :

 

You can do that with any of them.

[county]

You left out the BMW F650GS and all them new X bikes they are makin now.

[Uncle Leo]

I just made this choice and went with the KLR. It was neck and neck with the DR650 but then Suzuki raised their prices by 500 bucks making it more expensive than the KLR. That wiped out the difference that I knew I'd have to spend on aftermarket stuff to make it as road worthy as the KLR already comes turnkey. Game, set, match.

[JamesG]

Yamaha 660 Tenere.  

Oh...  you can't get one here.