How much do you weigh Vinny?
Vinny, sounds like the DL1000 will suit your perfectly.

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

I own a 06 DR 650 and highly recommend it ! Good on the highway and great off road ! I have a Aqualine 8.9 gallon tank and a corbin seat !

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LUNATIC

re mollydog:

Yep, that's me.
I currently have 5 KLR650's (A and C), 4 DR650SE, one Freewind, a MZ 660 Baghira HR (which I like a lot :-)
Two big bikes: A 900 Tiger and a 1100 GS

Phased out: F650 Funduro earlier and later models (circlip sprocket and retaining nut sprocket), F650 GS, F 650 Dakar.

I do all service and repair myself up to engine overhaul.

There were rumors at the time running up to the presentation of the R 1200 GS that BMW will bring out a completely new 650. The figures going around were 150 kg dry weight and 50 hp+. Never heard anything further, the project might have been scrapped completely or in favor of the 800cc twins.

I am a bit under the impression that the whole F 650 project always was some kind of an unloved child for BMW. At some stage it looked to me as if BMW just wanted to throw something in only to make sure not to leave the market to MZ and Aprilia (while the Funduro is an Aprilia in BMW tank emblem disguise anyway) and to the Japanese.

BMW SA definitely does not have a problem with warranty claims. After replacing steering head bearings on a GS and a Dakar on warranty the Dakar went back with bearings buggered the second time while still being under 20000 km and about 10 months old. I was told that the steering head bearings are now excepted from the warranty just like the usual wearing parts and electrical parts and paint andandand. WTF does the famous (here two) years BMW warranty cover?

Many Japanese importers in SA are upping their warranties to two years at least for big bikes.

A KLR KL650A currently sets you back ZAR 40000. A F 650 ranges between ZAR 63950 (GS basic) and ZAR 73700 (Dakar ABS + heated grips)
The DR650SE does not come in officialy any more :-((((( but I saw adverts for grey imports in the ZAR 50000 range. Suzuki SA unfortunately scrapped the import of the DR650SE after the advent of the DL650 and previously dwindling sales caused by hefty price tags.

I am very very much looking forward to the "new" KLR 650. I hope the clipped suspension travel does not make the KLR a street bike in disguise and looking at good sales of the KL650A since 2004 and a probably very competitive price of the new model I see no reason why KMSA should not import them.

Thats quite a fleet!

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Thanks for pointing out my minimalistic profile! I just updated it.

I run my own workshop. Although I do not advertise the workshop to walk in customers I do fix the odd bike that comes in. I have been working on bikes for 20 years and since 1995 with my own business.

I saw the 2007 (2008) KLR 650 before. The 450 is a bit "small" for my purpose. The current KLR's are my choice for offering a good compromise of dirt road capability and passenger capability. Keep in mind that my customers often do not have dirt road but rather touring bike experience. If you tell them: Oh, it's just like a Tenere they will be happy. If they see a DRZ they might not.
The 400's / 450's like DRZ used to be inadequately expensive here and did not have the DR650SE's big advantage of the low seat height.
Further Johann had some bad experience with DR350 which were generally fine but got ridden to death on the open road quickly.
As far as I have heard the DR650SE will at least continue through 2007 although we can't get them any more here in SA unless grey imported.

My ideal DR650SE would be very much like the current model with an increased tank volume of 20 liters. The DR650SE is a bit useless when it comes to passenger transport but that's what I have the KLR for. I don't see good reason to scrap the SE in favor of something radically new. A careful face lift will do.

With regards to BMW: It looks as if the guys in Munich finally want to go the way after the DL 650 (at which a 800 BMW dual sport will probably be aimed).
We will have to see what comes out of this BMW - Suzuki clash. Remember the Freewind which IMHO in handling and comfort was always superior to the Funduro.

I agree. Big and roomy are important for this group.

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Unfortunately the times of every japs manufacturer having a big knobbly single ready to go to the end of the world and back are gone. The bikes often get too pretty to break and try to be all in one. Examples: The new XT, BMW F650, Pegaso...
We used to travel on XT500. Too weak, crap brakes and suspensions. What light? Broken frames. But they did the job. All across Africa. A friend even took his SR (!) 500 from Germany to Dakar. (And that was waaaay before it was all tarmac)
A lot of travellers still seem to prefer big singles as soon as the tarmac ends.
The recent local success here in South Africa proved that there is a market for bikes like the KLR (which apparently also sells well in the US).

As the products develop more and more two fold into the showy shiny adventure bike, heavy and too pretty to take it anywhere else than the Promenade in Camps Bay, and the rallye racing KTM and wannabe dirt track bike fraction never ever to be seen even in the vicinity of the Cederberg, I can only hope that there will be enough customers left to allow the manufacturers to produce simple and reliable overland bikes like the KLR650 and DR650.

I hope Suzuki will leave it with a slight face lift. What about the mentioned 20l tank and 140 kg dry weight. That should not be too difficult. Suzuki has nice bikes to cater for more off road oriented riders.

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Lecap, I've looked at the MZ 660 Baghira HR with the Yamaha engine and really liked it. But I thought that there wasn't enough support here in the States. If you could, give your reasons why you favor this MZ ride.
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.......Gary

Hi Gary

Ckeck out :-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-baghira-24213

or search MZ Baghira on the Hubb.

Best wishes Alec.

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I wanna go back.

I would go for KLR650A version ....

* Cheaper,
* Easy to fix (less complicated)
* Easy to obtain parts ... www.happy-trail.com (they can deliver anywhere)

Cheers,

Not sure if I've actually heard it termed this, but IMO and in the words of countless others the "KLR is the R80GS of the day". Simple, outdated, reliable, cheap…er, OK, no similarity there. Anyway, the KLR really just needs you to 1) budget/plan for the upgrades to make it what you want (it's like a burger and bun: you add the rest at the toppings counter!), and 2) accept its truly all-purpose nature. It can't be made MUCH smoother, but it can be somewhat. It can't be a MX bike, but it CAN be made a good bit better offroad.

In America, it simply rocks for support/parts/farkles. As for no changes since the KLR600--dude, study up. And note the '08 REVISED version due out shortly.

Plus, what other bike has so many color combos to choose from?!?!?!?!?

Oh, AND now you can get a Big Bore kit to raise hp/torque 10% w/ 685cc displacement. Then that 4th gear wheelie will happen, bro!

s

I originally bought a KR as my first bike witht he intent of riding it around the world. I didn't know what a "nice" bike felt like to ride at the time.
Now that I have a V-strom, I couldn't ever imaging going on a ride of any length on a KLR.

My two cents. If I had to choose between the KLR and the F650, I'd go with the F650 and be happier on the trip.

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RTW from Calgary to Calgary in 2008 www.heretohere.com

Two years ago I decided to buy either a KLR or a Dakar- that was the easy part. I went back and forth between dealerships and spent plenty of time on line doing the research. I finally chose the Dakar. People talk about the KLR being lighter as some kind of selling point. I always wondered WHY it was lighter, and wonder if many of the components are simply lighter/cheaper/weaker. No doubt the liquid cooling on the Dakar adds a few pounds. The reality of long-distance riding is that no matter what bike you choose, compromises must be made. I've spent quite a bit of time off-road on my trip, and the Dakar is heavy and heavily loaded- yet there are heavier bikes doing long trips. If only we could all ride like Tiger Woods- "OK boys, unload the 250 for me, load up the Dakar after you change the oil..." I've never ridden a KLR but am convinced it's a fine bike. Either bike will treat you right. Mine has given me over 30,000 miles of trouble free riding on 4 continents- and the party is just starting! Mind you, I take good care of the bike. Below is one of my buddies with his KLR- an unstoppable pair! His bike had over 65,000 miles on it when I took this picture- and that was almost 2 years ago (note the kickstand foot-print made from a piece of scrap metal Mel had welded on in Guatemala for a few cents- no fancy $50 part here). In the end, I think bikes are kinda like tires, people spend WAY too much time "worrying." Good luck with your trip, hopefully our paths will cross someday- preferably near a good pub! H.

Attached Images

 

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"And I think to myself, what a wonderful world..." L.B. Armstrong. www.davesgreatescape.net
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readme...e&id=661274218

Thanks for the input guys,

As I do not want to restrict my adventure have ruled out the Wee Storm. Shame as I realy like the ride of the bike.

Thanks Patrick, the plan stands to get to Phoenix in September and see the best deal I get for a used KLR, DR or GS. Have enrolled in a Bike maintenance school from next week! Lord help them for my questions?

See you guys on the road some day.

Cheers Mojo.

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If life gives you lemons then make lemonade & find a friend whose life gave then Vodka & have a party. Mojo

Just a note on mechanical ineptness I am no grease monkey but took the time to learn and then the time to set the bike up correctly and set the valves with generous help from others (including Mollydog fount of knowledge). Everything I took a shortcut on I regretted, everything I prepared well I have had VERY FEW problems with and carry about 10,000 miles so far.

good luck and travel safe.

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The Road To Rio - Locokiwi