Suzuki DR650 Vs. Kawasaki KLR650. Comparative, conclusive, most honest & complete review on YouTube! 

This is one of the best comparisons between the KLR and DR that I have ever seen. The Rocky Mountain ATV comparison is the only thing that comes close. I have been comparing these two bikes for a "commuter" for a new job that is 40+ miles down a rough dirt road, and another 150 miles to the nearest city with a grocery store. I've made my decision with the DR, simply for the bikes ability to handle rougher off road conditions, but I applaud the fair comparison between the bikes with from a veteran rider that has been in most conditions the average ride would encounter. Thanks for the review, extremely helpful!

You guys are lucky that Suzuki still sells the DRZ 400 and DR 650 new in the states... here in Germany the DR 650 was sold till 2000 and the DRZ 400 till 2007.. I tried finding a DRZ 400 SM but I’m not willing to pay 5000€ for a used one. Now I’ve been trying to find a DR 650 SE (1996-2000) which also is nearly impossible...

You guys need to visit with Alex Chacon about travel on KLR650. He has ridden all over South America, Central America, Mexico, USA, Canada and Alaska on the KLR 650 and has magnificent videos on RU-vid. I love your work and I am a subscriber.

Oil cooled is ok of you never have to get stuck in traffic, or like driving through San Francisco city driving, it will have your oil over heated, water thin and the rods will be knocking!

Have the Acerbis tank on my DR 650 and it has a locking gas cap, just have to order it for the tank. The DR chain is easy to adjust but it has to be almost to loos, to go up the next notch, so it is not to tight. Had the old stile KLR and loved the softer suspension on it. Thinking of trading my Versys 300 X in on a 2022 KLR Versys great bike but don't like the high rev engine. The DR for day rids and rough roads and the KLR for longer touring or 2 up. Bough great bikes. Don't like windshields on the DR, Love the feel of the wind on my chest. and a good rain suit works better than any windshield to keep you dry.

Do you have a video where u describe the motorcycles. Weather and accessories it's a fair video.

Im from Brazil and would like to know if the guy was able to go back home safe and if the bike went back with

Hey! What brand skidplate and crashbars do you have on the KLR? I need to get both and dont know which to get.

Great content! I'm in the market to buy 1 or 2 of 3 bikes, klr650, dr650, and a f650gs. I'm looking to buy the 06 f650gs first, for $2600, then probably a 2017 or 2018 klr.

The DR looks wayyy better than the KLR, the KLR is a very ugly bike. The thing is that in my country, the DR is wanted a lot by thieves

Borrego Springs metal art in Sultan Sea area on any bike .

Cant believe you sold it!

Las eternas rivales de siempre. Yo prefiero la sizuki es mas calidad por mucho

The KLR is good to go, straight out of the box. The DR650 needs a better seat and a bigger tank.

Bought my 2018 KLR last summer after riding dirt bikes much of my life. Thought it might be to tall and to big for the woods, but it was a pretty easy transition. Love being able to mix trails and pavement in the same ride. No more loading the bike up to take it to the woods. It inspired me to start a Channel and make some videos myself.

Good comparison, I went the DR650 route as I did not want to worry about radiators after a crash.

Very helpful vid. I am more convinced that DR650 is the best option for me. Mainly because it weighs a lot less, up-gradable tank (with a few mods, you can make a tank bag fit), easier to maintain, and when Im not adventuring. I can pretend its a dual sport around town.

Both solid choices, each one leans slightly to a different experience.

I currently ride the DR650. I have no intentions of selling it, as I've pretty much got it where I want it, insofar as comfort and personal serviceability goes. I would, however, like to get a KLR650 before they're all sold out, for commuting and short road rides. It would allow me to turn up the dial on my DR more for the dirt. As it sits, my DR is a 70% dirt, 30% road bike. I'd like to crank it up to 90% dirt, as that's where I enjoy riding. I really enjoyed this video. Thanks.

Thanks for that have had a Kawasaki klr but now own a dr650 best bike i have owned for it's size Cheers

My motorbike history involves starting in the 1980s in New Zealand on a Beneli 50cc, to a CT125, XL 250, XR500, a GSX-R 1100 and a few others... then I had an accident in the 90s and havent been on one since. Now, I'm in Canada and looking at getting back into the bike scene. Everytime I think I've made up my mind on a bike, a new video comes out and then I start swaying another way.... I think Im going for the DR.... Im older, I like the older style, it reminds me of what I saw as a kid and wished to have when I was older. No more RU-vid until I buy it.....

DR 1998! You know what you are talking about, for both bikes! YOU GOT A SUBSCRIBER

Nice comparison. DR650 was my go to for long distance rides for over 17 years so I can't speak about the KLR. DR650 is narrow enough for safe lane splitting in California. I carried a tent, a one gallon spare tank stuck to the back of a Home Depot tool box bolted to the rack. Carried spares, clothing, all behind me, so nothing stuck out on the sides, so no drag. For mods, I got a Shorai battery, an HD Mikuni pumper carb, a GSXR exhaust, a fork brace and a screen, and I cranked up the rear spring. I still have it, it has never failed me. The small tank forced me to take welcome breaks as even with the optional gel seat, that's about all you could ride at a stretch. I would ride between California and BC in one day at times. The whole installation did act a bit like a sail with Santa Anna cross winds on I5. An amazing bike that's never let me down.

I have owned both, and in my opinion, the DR easily beats the KLR. Everyone says the KLR is better on the street but I disagree. The DR is way more stable at speed. The KLR seems to get blown around more. The DR engine is smoother at 80 mph than the KLR. And the DR will run up to 100 mph when passing a semi and it does not seem to bother it like it does the KLR. And there is no mistaking the fact that it weighs about 80 pounds less than the KLR. Yes, the seat sucks on the DR but is easily replaced as is the tank. More suspension travel, more ground clearance, and yet a lower center of gravity and way lighter. On dirt roads the KLR gets twitchy above 70 mph, but I have gone 90 mph on dirt on the DR and it is rock solid. The valve adjustments are easier on the DR, and the oil cooler is much less vulnerable than the radiators on the KLR. Plus the KLR has a lot of plastic to get broken. So for me, I would get the DR, change the seat, change the tank, and totally forget about the KLR.

Great video. Very informative in many respects. Both bikes are a force to be reckoned with and it doesn't really matter which one you take. You will encounter hurdles to overcome with either. I rode my DR650 on a trip from Wales, uk to North Africa and it managed very well. Even riding some of the Sahara desert and flooded roads where I had to to be helped across the overflowing river crossings. I see that you've ridden a lot of the same roads as me too. I sat in that same spot in Arromanches looking down on the Mulberry bridges from WW2. Were so lucky in this age to be able to have easy access to the world of adventure travel. Thank you for the upload. Stay safe out there.

Very honest reviews and opinions! I've been loving 2017 KLR with not regrets! Beautiful dog, by the way. #KLRDelusionals

Great review! So spot on in regards to the safety aspect, I think is the first time I hear it in a bike review and people riding GSs worth 20k may be thinking WTF, a KLR being flashy? You were spot on bro, I did Venezuela to Argentina, crossing brazil and then back on a KLR (with my wife). On South America anything above 150 cc will get peoples attention, I made it safely though, maybe because my KLR was all black and not red :). No mechanical issues in the KLR during the whole trip. Changed chain, sprockets and tires in Argentina and nothing else.

mad respect for the honest review, born in soviet russia and spending my youth in the 90s there, i know how right you are considering appearence aspect. For myself decided to go with dr due to clearence and weight. Cheers.

*But I tell you, Jerry. At that moment, I was a marine biologist!*

So for a start off the DR650 doesn't come like that. You've added a bash plate, larger tank (Acerbis?) , screen, pannier frames are also added and the seat doesn't look original. If so start adding up the cost of all that and your instrumentation consists of a speedo, odometer & trip. Pretty basic and it's a trail bike not adventure or dual purpose. However you need to spend quite a lot of money to bring it up to spec. The Royal Enfield has all that and more as standard, apart from the pannier frames, however pannier mounts are already there. Himalayan also has far superior instrument panel including a fuel gauge (analogue), 2 X trips, clock, ambient temperature, gear indicator and a compass as well as a analogue rev counter. The DR650 is looking pretty dated in comparison. Oh & I forgot the Himalayan has a main stand (standard), as well as a carrier. Don't think the DR or KLR has any of that. Oh and I nearly forgot the Himalayan comes with a screen as standard too. Gosh that's an adventure bike set up right out the box. The DR is lighter & has pretty good power and plush suspension however here the Himalayan is $7,500 on the road where the DR650 is just shy of $10,000 with none of the bits the Himalayan comes with as standard. The gap is getting bigger I think. Not sure how much longer the DR will meet emissions for. Otherwise it is a basic good all round bike but looking a bit dated now with what's on offer.

I prefer the DR, even on slab. It's smooth even at the top end. I bought 3 used tanks for my DRs for less than 50% of new cost...2 IMS 5gal and 1 Safari 8gal. Wind doesn't bother me on the DR, but I'm only 5'8". If you need a screen, ScreensForBikes makes a nice looking one that works, but many people just cut and bend wastebaskets or lexan for cheap. The DR can be shaved to around 320lb curb, built to around 55WHP, and equipped with fully-adjustable suspension for relative peanuts. DR valve adjustments in BFE don't require shims. The only advantage I see in the KLR is spaciousness for a big rider or for carrying a passenger. The DR is basically a smooth and chunky, early-90s trailbike...that can slab a passenger and luggage all day at 80MPH. The KLR is an ADV moto...that's missing a much-needed cylinder.

Great review. Have been settled on buying a 2018 KLR650 but your review of the DR interests me. Most of my riding will be on highway and mild off-road so will likely got for the KLR.

DR PROS: 2022 DR650 is $800US cheaper than the 2022 KLR650. The DR undercarriage provides 2" more clearance for off road riding and 3" more suspension travel, front and rear, than the KLR. The DR is air/oil cooled utilizing a no maintenance oil cooling system vs the KLR radiator/water cooled system which requires antifreeze testing, updating and flushing. The biggest pro is the DR650 weighing 366lbs compared to the KLR's 488lbs. For perspective, the KLR weight is equal to a DR carrying the operator and additional 122lb passenger which seriously broadens the difference in performance between the two mid 40hp models. DR650 CONS: The DR has a 1/2" higher seat height. The DR fuel tank is smaller with a 3.4 gallon tank vs. the KLR 6.1 gallon. DISPELLED MYTH: The DR does not lack sealed road capabilities, it can cruise all day at 70MPH and are known, all things being equal, have greater engine longevity. The specs here are factory reported and are what set apart these two long produced models of 650's. Anyone who disputes these facts are doing so solely to justify their purchase, to promote unsupported bias's and like politics and religion shut themselves out to any other narratives.

I recently picked up a drz400, Its a fantastic bike I really love how nimble it is and I can commute and ride it hard for a week and it only takes 7 liters to fill it. That being said it doesn't feel like a mile muncher, I haven't taken it out for a long trip yet as it's not ste up yet but even going down 3 teeth on the back sprocket it's just not geared to sit on the highway all day, I know people do it but one of these 650s is far more suited to it. On a trail though, the 400 for sure, like you said you cant beat the weight advantage.

I had a KLR 650 like yours. I took it across the country several times. Superslabs and secondary roads. It's a good bike that is more road orientated than dirt. It never let me down. With the 6 gallon gas tank I would pass heavier cruisers that had to stop & gas up. It will do single lane dirt roads. It does it all but doesn't do any single thing well. I put ammo cans on the back and could pack my KLR like a mule. The long seat helped for long trips because I could sit next to the tank or I could move back and sit next to the rack. A expensive European bike road with me and he was locked into a single position which meant he rode less miles than me due to saddle soreness. The KLR was a great bike for me.

The ACTUAL bottom line is, think of it like a thru hiker. Get ultralight gear that packs down small. Minimal. Then, get a smaller bike lol these giant, heavy things are cumbersome and not the funnest to ride. Smaller is bigger.

What are your thoughts now that Kawasaki is releasing the 2022 KLR650? I know your projects are the DR400 and BMW650. I'm going to be upgrading from a CRF250L and looking hard at the new KLR650. I'm a new rider age 62. I was sold on the T700, but came to my senses that I would be spending a lot more money on a bike that I could never come close to riding it as hard as it can go.

I got the impression you believe the DR650 is more reliable than the KLR650, plus better off-road, so all you need is to upgrade to a larger tank for the Suzuki? So if you had a DR in Europe you'd keep a DR in the USA instead of the KLR?

The Ortega Highway! I know it well, because we used to patrol the South Main Divide Truck Trail and it crosses the Ortega highway near its top. We had many adventures chasing illegal alien smugglers up there. (US Border Patrol)

Good review you sold me on the Suzuki Nearly bought one last week. To go to work in cape York. Couldn’t get my Harley up there

I don’t see Gene wearing proper boots for off-road riding. I wear Thor motocross boots while riding dirt on my DRZ400S and they have saved me many leg injuries over the years, including last weekend when my foot peg tried to take out my Achilles Tendon.

Neither one of these have enough power. I'm going for a more capable bike...the Transalp 750 twin from Honda.

Invest in a satellite phone for when you’re broke down in BFE. The cost like s new iPhone. But you only pay by the minute. Don’t use it much.

If you're out in suck heat and need shade, bring a tarp! Takes no room and weights like half a pund, bike can be used as "pole" at one end.

Proud 2015 dr650 owner here!(keeper). This bike IS the real Adv bike in my book just like a real adventure! Prior bike 02 red/black beauty r6.😔

Yo i just bought the dr650 and I've lived in lake elsinore for 12 years we should meet up

Sadly, it's illegal in Europe. Not for sale. Too polluting (carburetor)

Suzuki much much better. Lighter - easier to do "dirt". 3 upgrades needed: Metzeler tires, 5 gallon tank (300 miles) and skid plate. Factory tires are good for only 2000 miles. Skid plate is free, just cut and bend 2mm aluminum sheet. Seat - I did 14 hrs days - it hurts... but U should be "the man", not soy-boy. Go as light as possible - you going to drop your bike few times per day, so 50-100 pounds makes BIG(!) difference. If you average strong (can do 50 pushups) - lifting 350 pounds Suzuki will be easy, without doing any tricks. I did full days on Atacama, or Utah in July, 110F, 400 miles- no problem. Front fender vibrates when going over 90mph, support it with extra plastic or carbon rods (crossbow arrows). Max I did was 110mph. I used synthetic oil when in civilization. In S.America- any oil available. MUST have: tube fix kit, JB Weld, 500# rope.

I can’t believe as Kawasaki didn’t fix the doohickey after so many years of succeed of klr

DRZ needs a pumper carb to do wheelies and Kawi is kind of a dog.

Video is ridiculously quiet and unwatchable in a quiet room. Need headphones to watch.

In Australia the Drz400 e much better bike. I had the DR 650 first, then I bought the DRZ400 The DR 650 has very soft suspension. You will have to fix it before you can adv on it

So you choose the lesser of the two! Your review should be based on the bike not your location.

Awesome video! I recently bought a 03' dr650 that had a list of upgrades but the only thing the guy didn't do was the suspension, ive put about 2000 miles on it now I'm 6'1" and 250lbs, and want to upgrade the suspension, what would you reccomend? I am a college kid so budget is in my mind! Thanks for the awesome video!!!

I wonder if he would have bought that bike AFTER you discussed all of the negatives in the video. All humor aside, what are your pants and jacket sir? They look sharp, hot, but sharp.

the drz and dr650 are way better off road than the KLR. on the pavement the KLR is king.

One of the best comparisons of these 2 bikes I’ve seen. You mentioned some things I had never heard from others. Thank you.

The brake line on the Dr is not routed incorrectly. Should run on the inside of the fork

I have DR-650 amazing bike!, You can watch 1000 videos, read 1000 forums and the only thing you will hear are good things about DR-650, the same does not happen with KLR-650

audio sucks ... I have my volume maxed and can barely hear the video

XR650L for dirt.....DR650 in the middle and KLR more for tar road

Have ridden a DR London to Vladivostok in 2014 and ridden a KLR Montreal to Santiago Chile in 2017. Both perfect tools for the job. The DR needs more spent on it to get to adventure spec but is much easier to service and work on and repair after crashing (and you will crash!). The Kawasaki loves the open road and is a pile of cheap plastic and nuts and bolts that defy mechanical logic and hang together through thick and thin.The DR primary gear came loose in Uzbekistan and the KLR lost its electrics in pouring rain before the southern border in Mexico - other than that zero problems. Still have the DR....didn't bond with the KLR quite the same...just remember, at the end of the day it matters way more you're out there riding the world than what bike is under you - stop thinking too much and just grab one and go. Cheers Dean

13:58 The weight of the KLR is 196 kg, not 96.

The DR needs more upgrades IMO, all the KLR really needs is pegs and guarding. Theres a video of me riding sand dunes pretty hard with a stock KLR on here, so it will deffinately go anywhere the DR will. A few years back I rode a Mountain Madness event in BC with a guy on a BMW 650 X Challenge, we really rode some crazy stuff on that trip and I didnt have trouble keeping up.

I came out of your outstanding BTW review hearing: "DRZ400 is better". Darn it. I hear "DRZ400 is better" everywhere. Am I a fool for still looking elsewhere ??? DRZ400, here I come !!!!

Those Tusk panniers look like exact copys of Overland Solutions ones which are amazing panniers and have been around for 20 years. I've done 420,000 miles with my ones via 68 countries

im looking at A 2014 dr650se with 750 miles for 3500$. good deal?

After more than 30 thousand miles on a Suzuki DR650SE I'd appreciate it if Kawasaki dual-sport fans consider my all season free fun ride still available (per RU-vid), at: Vedder Mountain. Do keep an eye open for a KLR650...

Nice video! Truth is, if you're going for round-the-world trips, you might want to get the bike that's more suited to street riding in stock condition (KLR). But, if you're not sure what's more satisfying: tearing up pavement or ripping down trails, then the DR offers you a platform that can be built to either specification. You don't have the same flexibility with the KLR. The DR can be made into an ADV touring bike every bit as capable (and sometimes more so) as the KLR. But the DR will always be a better off-road bike than the KLR because of the geometry and weight. In my opinion, pavement is boring. Pavement isn't the ride, pavement is what stands between me and the ride. I want to see the dirt roads, two-tracks, and cow trails that 99% of people never get to see. I want a bike that can take on just about anything a mountain trail can throw at it and keep clawing for more. And I don't want to have to use a truck to trailer my bike until I can get to the trail (why I don't have a straight dirt bike.) So, for me, it was a no-brainer. The Suzuki DR650 was the winner, hands down. It's cheap, has an aftermarket community that rivals Jeeps, and it's simple enough that a knucklehead like me can still work on it. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes the thrill of the *_road less traveled!_*

What's in all those red tubes he has strapped to his bike?

Where does he get all his money to travel all around the world?🌎

I have a 2013 KLR, and couldn't be happier, water cooling has it's value over oil cooling, as engines tend to last longer, the downside is crash & sump guards matter but add some weight, the doohickey balancer lever is Kawasaki's big mistake, replacement with the Eagle Mike kit & captive round torsion spring fixes it, soon both brands will need new bikes, Kawasaki should have had one in the market by now.

I'm 11 min into this video and you still haven't did a comparison. I'm not interested in your V-strom or Tusk products I just want a comparison already!

I am thinking about getting either a DR650 or a KLR650.... I will be doing 90 road and 10 highway. What’s your opinion I should get?

5-1/2 minutes in and the review has yet to start. -bye-

Congratulations on your bike purchase, be safe in latin america!

I have put 17000 miles on a 2011 klr 650. My brother owns it now. 20000 miles on my 2009 klx250s and maybe 1500 miles on my other brother's drz400s. The klr went everywhere I pointed it. It was a very comfortable bike. I contemplate getting a dr650 for the weight issue but I keep coming back to the comfort of the klr and that my brothers 16 and 17 years younger than me would watch in awe of where I could take that huge, heavy beast. Great video. I will be watching more. I live in Utah and love the White Rim Trail and Moab.

Respective fuel economy of these 2018 era carb engines?

This is a great review on both! Thanks so many other bad review and people that should not be on RU-vid. Great job!.

Sorry to disagree Pegasus but I love the way the DR650 handles on the road too. And I think it looks pretty cool too. For me it hands down beats the KLR. I agree with you about the tank-bag problem with the plastic tank but I wear a Fjallraven messenger bag over my shoulder for carrying my phone n iPad and other stuff I don't want to lose, that solves that problem. And riding without a tank bag when you've got a lot of luggage up is a plus imho. Thanks for this video - awesome.

Great review. Awesome quality. Thanks. Been on the fence with both bikes. Planning to do a little more hwy - going to go with the KLR !

All good points👌 My 2011 klr has now 105000km and is going to be getting a 685 rebuild. After the first year I got used to it's height (32inseam) and put the longer dog bones and heavier spring. Has a yz250 fork conversion, crash bars, and barkbusters. The classic carb mods and a Trailtech Vapour dash. With the suspension upgrade it likes jumps and the odd log hop. Not MX jumps but just enough to make me and on lookers go 😆wtf? Never got into the whole pannier craze either. If I can't wear it or put in a pack on the rack it stays at home. Now have a bone stock 2009 with 11000km and mint. It will get a Cogent suspension in the future. But keep it relatively factory. That DR is noice though. I Keep telling my brother to get one. 👍

I live and breathe to replace parts that are designed to fail from factory, fix oscillating and poorly designed cooling systems, and spend a quart of oil for every 200 miles. That's why my choice is the KLR650 👍. Thank you Kawasaki!😉

An Airhawk seat cushion really works for arse burn on those seats. Excellent comparo of these two very functional bikes. Subscribed.

Both well proven great bikes. But the KLR has 2 things the DR doesn't that make the KLR a better bike. The KLR has a radiator and is liquid cooled, the DR is air cooled and the engine runs real hot in warm weather. The liquid cooled engines will run a lot more miles in the long run. The second reason is the big 6 gallon gas tank. Hands down the KLR.

242/5000 I really liked the warning of which bike to ride in Brazil! Yes, KLR would draw too much attention. Here, DR was commercialized until 98-99. Fortunately, DR is not "targeted" here. The trail bike that draws the most attention is the Yamaha XT600 and XT660.

Great review coming from someone who is obviously experienced. My choice is KLR and I cant wait to get my hands on the new 1 being released.

Sold a DR650..... for a KLR........ shame on you!

ey buddy, talk so much and no show the klr!

I see you were in San Diego area, are you based here? i am interested on learning off road skills and touring.

I have snagged my foot under my Happy Trails panniers, that's a little scary and I can see how it could lead to injury. In the future to replace my hard saddlebags I would like to buy the Mosko Moto luggage system, they are amazingly high quality and very well thought out. And the fact that Mosko Moto is NOT made in china is a huge plus.

This is Cole, I know almost never see these two compared head to head. But these in the XR 650 L are pretty close tell me the XR is a more dirt version Nichelle are is a Morse Street version in the DR is kind of in the middle of the two, a little better raking trail to make it a little smoother on the roads and I think the gears are stretched out a little more but the KLR is even more so with a little more faring on it and a more comfortable seat. All are OK off-road but the balance varies for doing more distance and on road riding the killer is your choice if you want something right in the middle the DR is great and if you want something a little more towards the off-road side the XR 650 L is your choice but they’re all very similar middle of the road dual sports the different manufactures just went a little more to one side or the other. The thing I love about these is the old simple technology all of these bikes will do 100,000 miles if treated properly they’re all very comfortable easy to ride easy to own low maintenance and built very tough and you can’t go wrong with any of them. These sort of pave the way from Enduro to dual sport in their predecessors and away from dual sport to adventure touring thanks to the KLR and some of the early BMWs do what is one of the hottest segments in motorcycling today on the adventure sport arena. The Kahler and the Honda Transalp are the first bikes I think of that took dual sporting to touring with machines capable of long distance riding but still able to go off road. I think that’s why they’ve had to keep selling them for so long they were innovative in their time but simple. I would like to see them update them a little with better brakes on some but I can’t get rid of them these bikes just keep selling and people love them for a reason. I love some of the new bikes but let’s be real, if I’ve got a KTM 890 adventure and some friends say let’s go to Alaska next week in the middle of summer I have to think about it with the KTM and check my maintenance schedules and do a ton of work possibly, if I’ve got a killer I just fill it up with gas and change the oil and I’m ready to go on a several thousand mile trip pretty much any time. The KTM 890 venture is a much better bike but it’s not gonna go to many places detailer won’t go and it’s ridiculously expensive and it’s an attention whore that needs a ton of maintenance and it’s a pain in the butt to deal with. If I’m rich I can pay somebody to do that for me great but realistically for 99% of the people out there a killer is going to be fine and if you really want to boost the performance Put some money into a rear shock, progressive makes a great set up for the front and back of the KLR suspension add some Loctite re-jet put some holes in your box and put a pipe on it to get a little more power out of it and it’s a pretty capable bike for a few grand as opposed to 20 or 30 for some of the bigger more expensive adventure bikes. I get it technologies cool but in the real world practical writing there’s a lot to be said for something very simple something easy to work on something that you can have forever. The cost to find ratio and cost to mileage ratio can’t be beat on these bikes you’re never gonna get 100,000 miles out of these new bikes that tell you they have to be rebuilt after 25,000 and computers are cool and all but The more stuff you have the break the more you have to deal with and anybody who works on any kind of old vehicle will it be a boat a car a truck or a motorcycle can tell you that electronics are a pain in the butt when you double and triple the amount of electronics on a bike The best thing you can do is sell that sucker before it gets too old because it’s gonna be a nightmare to keep running. Simplicity adhesive ownership are two things people rarely consider that’s where both of these bikes in the XR 650 L shine they’re incredibly easy and they’re pretty much always ready to go

Love my KLR and all the mods I have done & made myself- no self respecting BMW rider would dare fit anything thats not factory approved ! But the KLR and the people that ride them generally don't care and put function above form .

It really comes down to preference they're a both fantastic bikes and will tackle any terrain. I own a klr650 gen 1 and it has never let me down, and having a long range fuel tank with a reserve helps but you can easily buy aftermarket tanks for the DR so it's not a biggy I've seen Klrs with over 100,000 miles and still going strong.

I live in Guatemala and had many bikes, I have ridden all over Latin America. I just got my hands on a DR650. You are correct, I liked it because it is not flashy like other dual purpose bikes. you can ride it in more places and not worry about getting anything stolen. If he is riding bellow the boarder hard panders are better to lock down things. here we use liners to take everything out. Tell him to take a chain in case the bike is left on the street to lock both tires down. You are also correct, we are the same height and what I immediately noticed is that those handlebars a freeking low, especially if you have to stand on the bike for a while. I have done touring here on dual purposes and Harleys this bike will definitely be smaller than what I have ridden, but definitely more versatile.

I never really thought about the theft aspect of it, that makes a lot of sense and that makes it a much better option than something like a KTM or a BMW or even maybe in Africa twin. It’s a lot easier to lose $5000 bike that a $15,000 or $20,000 bike Aunt on the fact that it’s older and simpler looking is going to be less enticing to a thief probably are, great point

15:17 to 16.00. Amen to that!

Different bikes for a different purpose! Do you plan on doin longer runns on road and lighter trails? KLR. Shorter day trips and heavier off-road? DR. You cant really go wrong with either. Cars come in different colors for a reason. I went with the DR and love it! Would have loved to find a nice klx650!

Geesh... why are they so expensive down there?

Where r u located? That's beautiful countryside