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G650GS vs KLR (gen2) G650GS vs KLR (gen2)
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Ulrike Hahnel, Rock Formations on the Lagune Route, Bolivia

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Ulrike Hahnel,
Rock Formations on the
Lagune Route, Bolivia



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  #1  
Old 25 Mar 2022
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G650GS vs KLR (gen2)
Hello, Im in a market to purchase a motorbike in Eastern Europe (as shipping my current one is too expensive). I am planing on traveling for months in Asia and small trips in Eastern Europe.

I am a fan of BMWs, their look looks and its FI, but I'm not too familiar with the G650gs platform reliability, what should I look out for and whats a good milage for it.

The KLR, well its a KLR, its proven it does everything and its reliable. Yeah its carbs and have to learn how to adjust / clean them, which doesn't look like an easy task.

Most of the BMW I've seen are high kilometers 30+, where the KLRs are in the lower 10s. Im excluding the Sertao as its unavailable/rare, so its unlikely I'll have the option to buy one.
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Old 27 Mar 2022
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Hm - are there really any KLRs available in eastern Europe?

Im no specific fan of BMWs but why would someone chose a carbed bike versus a EFI bike - which means easer to start and easier to travel at altitudes and less fuel consumption? And the G650GS also have a bit more power. The only advantage of the KLR is that it has a bigger fuel tank and thus a better range.
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Old 27 Mar 2022
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The only advantage of the KLR is that it has a bigger fuel tank and thus a better range.
I have a F650GS thumper, similar to the G650. I've owned it for almost 10 years. It's been a reliable moto.

First, I've traveled with a buddy on a KLR, and we both had to fuel up at about the same time. My fuel economy with FI was better than his carb'd KLR. I think the range of the two are very similar.

I've had my F650 on some very gnarly places and it does fine. It's also good on high speed tarmac. For gnarly places, it's not a KTM and it's not a light 250cc moto.

I debated KLR, F650 when I bought this moto and went for the BMW.... my input and opinion...
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Old 28 Mar 2022
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Originally Posted by LD Hack View Post
I have a F650GS thumper, similar to the G650. I've owned it for almost 10 years. It's been a reliable moto.

First, I've traveled with a buddy on a KLR, and we both had to fuel up at about the same time. My fuel economy with FI was better than his carb'd KLR. I think the range of the two are very similar.

I've had my F650 on some very gnarly places and it does fine. It's also good on high speed tarmac. For gnarly places, it's not a KTM and it's not a light 250cc moto.

I debated KLR, F650 when I bought this moto and went for the BMW.... my input and opinion...
For sure the EFI BMW will have better fuel economy than the carbed KLR, but I guess if two buddies ride together they will fuel up at the same gas stations even though one of them could have ridden a bit longer…..

Anyhow if you say 17 liters on the the Beemer would last as long as 23 on the KLR it means the BMW has approx 33 % better fuel economy compared to the KLR. That means a good bit with todays fuel prices…
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Old 29 Mar 2022
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Anyhow if you say 17 liters on the the Beemer would last as long as 23 on the KLR it means the BMW has approx 33 % better fuel economy…
I was curious and looked up some data on "Fuelly"- Nine 2001 KLR 650's averaged 43.6 mpg. Nineteen year 2001 BMW 650's averaged 48.4 mpg. An 11% difference in fuel economy and gas cost. I know on dirt roads and off the freeway that my 650 BMW gets mid 50's to 60 mpg. The 48.4 mpg appears to be accurate for highway travel, as I recall from my BMW. Theoretically, an added 43.6 more miles on the tank of a KLR, vs a 650cc BMW.
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