I have a KLR650 at present. It's fine but I fancy something more interesting and significantly lighter.

Were I buying a factory dual sport again, having ridden the DR650 I'd probably get that but it doesn't seem that much of a change from the KLR. Not sure about the XR650L due to the same.

I was considering an XR650R. The result at http://www.xrdualsport.com looks pretty interesting and that Renazco seat looks comfortable for long distance, but maybe not ... I'd heard XR-R vibration was better than on the KLR.

A KTM is another option. I rode a 640 LC4 for a week once (gel seat and broken in [12k miles]) and contrary to what I'd always heard found it amazingly smooth but they're hard to find in the US and the 640Adventure is just too tall for me (and weighs same as the KLR). A KTM525 with a dual-sport kit would be an alternative to the XR-R but concerned about amount of maintenance involved (and I like to work on my bikes).

I'm not expecting the result to be as comfortable as the KLR for long distances but I'd like to be able to do a back to back 400 mile days and cruise comfortably at 80mph. For comparison, I find 80mph on a DRZ400 to be just too frenetic an experience.

Any comments/suggestions?

Tony

Also, I do realize that the the XR-R and KTM would need a dual sport kit and that registration can be an issue (but they show up already plated on Craigslist/Advrider etc).

The 525 EXC will come from the factory street legal this year. However, keep in mind that KTM still intends for it to be an enduro race bike, not a dual purpose street/trail bike per se. It will run like a race bike and have to be maintained like a race bike.

If you liked the 640 Adventure, then hold out for that. Here's one, "delivered to your door": http://www.ktmcycleh...r_specials.html

crazybrit said:

Forget any of the RFS bikes. The 640 Adventure would be the best choice for those sorts of trips. It sure won't be much lighter than the KLR, but the supension is vastly superior.

You really can't expect any sub 300 pound bike to be able to reel off 400 miles a day at freeway speeds in any sort of comfort. It just isn't realistic.

You and a gazillion other dual sport riders are waiting for the perfect bike - a Weber Rally Twin clone for less than US$10K..... Don't hold your breath too long waiting.

John Davies
Spokane WA

I'd love a 640Adventure but it's just too tall and I really don't want to have to start lowering it.

The KTM I rode (in Costa Rica) was the "640 LC4" enduro but it's not available in the US. I think it may have been at one time but not for a few years. Fabulous bike (at least my broken in one was, the new one I rode first before it failed -- without a gel seat -- vibrated my ass to sleep at 65mph).

Maybe the XR650R is the way to go (as I'd heard it required less maintenance than the RFS) and I just need to be more realistic about freeway distance -- as I want something that is light and capable on more difficult dirt.

Tony

crazy brit we waited forever to get the most beautiful Rolls Royce MERLIN....which is perhaps one of the finest piston engine ever designed, defeated the horrible onslaught, quite honestly I do not know where I was with that...But the Bike I want is a BMW R/S 80, a motorcycle I can get on without a huge tech jacket and just to have a good time Heck I don't know

you know go down to the local cafe and get that awsome 2 lb burger (4.4 kg) big girl does not play I did not mean to offend

man it is soooo nice that all that I talk to is about bikes or cars and stuff it got all weeded out thank goodness, oh man we can talk but you know

man it is soooo nice that all that I talk to is about bikes or cars and stuff it got all weeded out thank goodness, oh man we can talk but you know

Honda 650L had one great bike, but teacup fuel tank (2.8 US gal) nose bleed seat height (37 in) however belies it's reasonable off road prowess. 284 lbs dry is weighty yes , but 11.6 in of travel front and rear is nice...lots of comp and rebound adjs too. Not to forget old dumb RFVC single been around since 83...tons of perfs available...good bike little heavy, quite old, but still a great bike.

FYI, the XR650L dry weight is listed as 364 pounds according to Honda.

http://powersports.h...ifications.aspx

I saw one at a dealership last week, and was amazed at how heavy it was.

The XR650R is closer to around 310 pounds.

I ride a plated xrr.It runs great.but i bought it used and ended up doing a new top end,chain and sprockets,and a suspension revalve with the borynack files on valving.It loves back tires.Stock gearing is 14/48 but i have it geared at 15/47.it cruises st 70 mph good but there isnt a single cylinder bike made that will like to cruise at 80 mph.But I know its 30 or 40 lbs heavier that ktm 500 something exc.I lowered it with a kouba link and slid the forks down about 3/4".Then I put on a seat concepts seat.So I basically have a custom built xrr now.I crashed running the first day of the LA-Barstow-Vegas dual sport run and other than a couple of new small scratches I picked it up and after clearing it with the compression release it was ready to go.you can find lots of parts on fleabay.I bought this bike because i wanted a xrr and I had to find 1 alllready plated in california.Main dislike is the lack of the magic button-so the ktm has the xrr beat in weight and e-start.but if you wrench on your own bikes and will put some miles at highway speed the xrr will be cheaper to own-except for back tires.I am looking to get another back wheel so I can have 2 wheel/tire assemblies ready to go.pirelli mt21's or dunlop 606's dont last long on the highway.

Not to BUzz Kill this thread ... but you guys do know this thread was started back in 2006? You got that ... right?

Still an interesting comparison I guess. I think Crazybrit, the OP on this thread, owns a KTM. I think it blew up. He's a ADV guy. Moderator or something over there in Jo Momma-ville ...