I've had a 2014.5 (New Edition) KLR 650 for a little over a year; got it a few months before I got a 2013 Super Tenere. I've used the KLR mostly for dirt roads, crappy back roads, and some off roading. But, it's been on highways and pretty much all types of roads. I just recently bought some better dirt tires and took it through some pretty decent off roading, hill climbs, giant mud puddles and water crossing, and just a lot of rough dirt trails and a very small amount of single track stuff. I've never taken the ST offroading, and I doubt I ever will, so I can't compare the ST and the KLR when it comes to offroading.
The KLR should be plenty comfortable on the highway, but probably not as comfortable to you as the ST. I wouldn't hesitate taking the KLR on a long road trip. Around town and on back roads, the KLR is a ton of fun and manuevers surprisingly well. It vibrates a decent amount at highway speeds, but cruising around below 60 mph isn't bad at all. I don't think it's bad at highway speeds either, but the vibes pick up a lot at higher rpms. I don't think the KLR is harsh at all. The KLR is much slower to accelerate than the ST, but up to 65 mph seems to be quicker than must cars. The acceleration beyond 65 is pretty sad, to be honest. It'll cruise fine at 75 mph and probably faster than than, but just doesn't have much motivation to accelerate once you get to around 65 mph. Depending on the tires, the bike should feel stable on the highway. The OEM tires seemed great to me on the road. The tires I have on now (Michelin T63) are fine, but feel less stable and kind of move around on the road a little (nothing scary or anything, in my opinion, but you notice it happening). I don't know what year you'll be renting, but the bike I bought (and the models after) have upgraded suspension to make it better for offroading and I guess street riding too, from what I read. I never had an older KLR to compare mine too. The point being, I'm sure that if you're doing light offroading, the KLR will be fine, unless they don't have decent offroad tires on it. It's heavy for offroading, but still a lot lighter than the ST, so it should be easier and less scary to deal with off roading. I'm a short guy (5'7"), so maybe you tall guys don't have a problem with the ST offroad, but I can't imagine taking the ST through the offroading I've done on the KLR.
adventurelounger said:
For a week! Only for a week!
I'm from the East Coast and will be meeting my old college pal from the West Coast to ride some of the Utah BDR in July. We're renting from Great Rides Utah...I opted for a KLR, and my buddy's taking a DR650. They don't offer Teneres, and renting a big GS kinda felt like treason.
I've never been on a KLR, but had a 650 single (BMWF650GS) a few years ago. Any thoughts on what to expect? I'm guessing slower, harsher, less comfortable on the (limited) slab we'll have to do to get out of SLC...but a lot lighter and less of a handful on dirt. Any KLR owners—current or past—care to weigh in?
