Kawasaki Concours Forum
Mish mash => Open Forum => Topic started by: Miss Silvera on June 01, 2012, 09:53:36 AM
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VStrom 650 Adventure or a KLR 650 (Cringeing as I type this and hit the "POST" button)
OK.....I'm just thinking of how many guns I would need to sell
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I have been pondering the same thing and I am leaning towards the WeeStrom. The F800GS is also a very nice bike but it is quite a bit more coin.
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Well that depends, what kind of riding are you wanting to do? The 650 Strom is a capable light offroad machine in the right hands, but is just fantastic on the open road and especially in the twisty bits. You have farkles galore for either bike, but the KLR will for sure be less of a handfull offroad. That engine in the Strom is one of the best engines ever made, and it is bulletproof. I had the 1000 and loved it to death, but would go the 650 route if I did it again. 8)
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Cross County and I mean COUNTRY NC to West Coast..... Would you?
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I'd go with the Vstrom. The Vtwin is better for highway than that big ol thumper in the KLR. If you found a good condition(used) F800GS, that would be a really nice ride.
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I don't want a BMW just because of the access to dealers. (and the cost Whew!!!)
I have veered away from the Versys because I dislike some of the set up, appearence and negative review info I have read.
I know that the KLR and the Wee are two very diferent bikes too....
So I really am leaning to the Wee for overall
I probably should have really posted Versys V Wee Strom
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Well, obviously I'm prejudiced towards the Wee-Strom (see pics below). As always for a lot of discussions regarding 'Stroms, go to www.stromtrooper.com (http://www.stromtrooper.com). It's a great forum until you get sick of the guy called "Sittingduck" who is absolutely WRONG about everything. Ignore his comments altogether. The rest of it is pretty good. ADV Rider is a good place to go for comparison opinions also.
The Wee-Strom is great on the road, not so good in the dirt. Hard-packed logging roads, etc., it does OK. Some really good dirt riders can treat it like a dual-sport, but it is really too heavy for sand, mud, etc. If you really want to go in the dirt, and off-road, you'll need a more dirt-oriented machine, KLR or maybe a DRZ 400 or 650, or the like. But obviously they suffer on the pavement.
Since I got my 2007 ABS Wee, I have ridden it probably 75% and the Connie 25%. The Wee is great on the twisties, and good on the highway if you stay below 80 MPH or so. It is NOT a speed bike. Farkles are virtually unlimited. I get about 55 MPG and I usually cruise around 65-70. There are a ton of luggage options, I have a couple sets of Givi bags, along with the trunk box I swap from bike to bike. The Wee will easily carry a couple of hundred pounds of camping gear, etc. It will haul anything you'd carry on the Concours. I have done several 400-mile days without any fatigue or problems. Also, it is available with ABS, if you like that sort of thing. I do.
The new 2012 models are changed a bit, but are getting good reviews. The engines on the older models are derived from the SV650 and generally considered pretty bullet-proof. I have 31,000 on mine without trouble, (except for a broke chain at 12,000 miles, which is pretty much unheard of on these bikes). I just got done with the 2nd valve check, had to reshim a couple. That's a little hassle, since it is shim-under-bucket, but a good mech can do it in a weekend. Generally after one adjustment they tend to stay OK for a long time if not forever.
Wee pics below
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^^^^^^^What he said^^^^^^^^ ;)
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If your planing on a TAT type adventure the KLR would be the choice but not my first choice.
KLR vs Wee, the Wee better highway handling, good enough for forest roads.
Wee vs Versys, the Versys for the ride quality, can run interstate speed with power to spare, OK for forest roads and it looks good, may require selling a extra gun or two.
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Well that depends, what kind of riding are you wanting to do? The 650 Strom is a capable light offroad machine in the right hands, but is just fantastic on the open road and especially in the twisty bits. You have farkles galore for either bike, but the KLR will for sure be less of a handfull offroad. That engine in the Strom is one of the best engines ever made, and it is bulletproof. I had the 1000 and loved it to death, but would go the 650 route if I did it again. 8)
^^^^That
weestrom: more road travel/limited offroad
KLR: limited road/more offroad travel
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As usual, Nosmo has it well nailed. And for sure the Sitting Duck part!! ;)
I have a DL650, and I bought my son a KLR650 for high school graduation a couple years ago. The KLR is eminently more qualified for off pavement riding, while the DL has the pavement side beat hands down. I still have my C10 also. I wanted a V-Strom to be able to hit up gravel/forest service roads when the urge hit me, and not have the chore of lugging a C10 through them. It's a perfect machine for that combination.
A couple years ago I had a trip to NM from WA, and I chose the V-Strom to do it. Far more comfortable than the C10, and the only time I wished I had a little more oomph is when I was eastbound heading into AZ, fighting headwinds and buffeting from big trucks. I needed more pop to get through and around a lot of that. I was fighting a schedule on the way down, but on the way back coming through Utah, I was glad to be able to take my time, wandering down a dirt or gravel road for a long stretch just to see what was there.
I'm going for Prudhoe next summer, and I'll be on the DL. Have just under 50k on it now, with no problems, just regular maintenance. It is a really great do everything machine.
Now the roads and trails I was on yesterday up in the hills, KLR for sure. And in this case, it was the KLR jr., the 250...... :thumbs:
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If your planing on a TAT type adventure the KLR would be the choice but not my first choice.
KLR vs Wee, the Wee better highway handling, good enough for forest roads.
Wee vs Versys, the Versys for the ride quality, can run interstate speed with power to spare, OK for forest roads and it looks good, may require selling a extra gun or two.
+1
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KLR 650
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KLR has doohicky issues, cooling issues, sounds like a chirping bird, still a big pig for off-road, and has allot lest HP/torque than the Vtwin 650 Strom. ;)
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OK I am leaning more on the V Strom side as I were when I started this ...
BUT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...........................
I found a used 2011 (at a Zuki dealer) KLR with 1200 miles with pelican panier cases and racks, skid plate, crash bars, hand shields and it looks like new ...it was traded in from a guy who couldn't ride 2 up with his wife so he went to a Strom 1000...
$5040 out the door (includes the tag, taxes)
What do you think???
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Well, I would still be looking V-Strom. They have proven long term reliability, much like the C10. There's a guy on stromtrooper now posting a 250k mile update.
One thing I didn't mention earlier: fuel injection vs carb. No comparison, go with modern technology if you can.
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The KLR is a fine dependable bike and that is a good out the door price, my buddy just sold his 2011 stock with way more miles for more money than that, your not going to be disappointed with the bike.
Would recommend some memory foam put in the seat to replace the medieval device it comes with.
Yes the Wee might be a better choice, but there is nothing wrong with the KLR at all.
KLR, DR, Wee all have good track records for long life, plenty of dealerships in every state for service if needed.
All three of these bikes are ridden around with world literary.
Enjoy your adventure.
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Well I have thought about this for a while....and been looking at both...leaning more on the Strom side all along.
I think it all boils down to road Vs. Off-road
I vote ROAD simply because I will be on road 98% (or more) of the time
$8500.00 for a new Wee plus tax, license and outfitting ($1650.00 farkles appox) (and I have looked at used bikes too)
I don't know....I just don't know
I am far far far from being rich (See: POOR)
But I will turn 50 this year and I need to work on my bucket list...
so again.....I don't know....that is A LOT of money for me....and I hate to sell stuff to do it...but it may boil down to that...
But...that KLR is a pretty good deal.....I would need to lower it right much as I can only touch my toes to the ground on it and I'm 5'8"....
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Hmmmmmmm......that would be really hard to pass up on that KLR, that things is ready for some serious riding. You are a good sargent seat away from racking up some serious miles on that thing, and I seriously doubt you would regret buying it. I WOULD SAY GO FOR IT! :thumbs:
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Well if I do it...It's gonna be the V Strom 650.....
Just too many articles and info out there that all say the same thing...
on the road, Wee Strom
wind is not as much of a factor
power to pass is substainally better
overall ride for 500 miles + better
Bulletproof basically
Better suited for cross country
Off the road (more).....KLR
Thanks guys for the info and please add anything else you think is important
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The Wee pulls a hell of a wheelie. :o
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The Wee pulls a hell of a wheelie. :o
The 1000 does. ;)
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The 1000 does. ;)
Well even better :thumbs:
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If it was the OP that said 98% road in a later post, the KLR shouldn't even be a consideration. I loved my wee but it didn't scare me like my Connie does. I'd look for a used wee as they can be had pretty cheap and they are so reliable and trouble free that maintenance isn't a concern. I still wish I had my wee at times but I just wasn't riding it while the Connie was so new and exciting.
I rode a KLR for an afternoon both on road and off. It was just tolerable on the road and it was a heavy pig offroad compared to my old DR350. Way too much work for real offroad riding.
My $.02
Matt
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Thanks Matt. I am the OP.
Well here is the update:
New Wee ABS (not the Adventure) Tags, tax, out the door $8000.00
Add accesories/farkles must haves for touring: $1650.00
Insurance 1 year ....(wait for it...>>>>get this>>) $701.00 WT-Eff!!??!!
Total: $10,351.00
I don't know why the insurance is so high other than what my agent told me and she said that so many bikes on the road that the insurance companies hardly EVER part fix them, they just total them all so it has run the colission costs way up...
I may have to really re-consider this....
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I was paying barely $300 for my '06 wee and my Connie was only $61/year more than it. One of my buddies runs about $700 for his HD Ultra Classic but that is a whole lot more $$ than a wee.
Matt
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Paid $178 per year on my 1000 Vstrom, you are being ripped off.
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Re: insurance rates
OUCH! One problem is that many companies consider the 'Stroms to be sport bikes. I guess "sport" and "dual sport" mean the same things to them. I have Progressive, and pay $61/month for full coverage on both the 2003 Connie and the 2007 ABS Wee, which I consider excessive. I am going to reduce that this summer.
Silvera: If you don't mind, how about listing the farkles you are considering, maybe the collective can give you some cheaper options or help eliminate some that you may not really need (or worse yet, suggest some MORE that you really can't live without ;D.)
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Is there a special reason you are only looking at new? The WeeStrom has been out for a while, and there s/b a number of excellent-condition, low-mileage units out there. I would think you s/b able to put what you want together used for about half or less.
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Is there a special reason you are only looking at new? The WeeStrom has been out for a while, and there s/b a number of excellent-condition, low-mileage units out there. I would think you s/b able to put what you want together used for about half or less.
The new one is pretty sweet. ;)
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Insurance: I have a VERY VERY clean record....(read no tickets ever and no claims) She has been my insurance agent for 10 years. She said it's all to do with the NC insurance regulations and the "totaled" bike "policy" I am going to shop around on it and see what I find out.
Used Vs. New: I have looked at a couple of used bikes and they have been trashed...I do have one I may look at a second time.
Farkles: Well I pretty much know what I do and don't want/need... I'm versed in that pretty good but here is a short list. Panniers and racks, top box (with brake light) and rack, mono key and rack locks (all Givi), center stand, hand guards, "crash" bars, Taller wind screen with adjustments, low driving lights, GPS, lowering links, either recut the seat or replace, new tank bag, lift handle, extra chain, skid plate....(probably more I forgot)
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Well I haven't done anything yet....Still thinking on it...my thought is if I wait till after the presidential election and Obama wins, then the value of the guns I want to finance this bike with will increase...if he dosen't win they will remain about that same as now...
still thinking... ::)
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Since your desire is primarily road the Wee is indeed more capable, but, (you knew it was coming), with a few simple items the KLR is a great on road bike. Tire selection and rear sprocket go a long way to making her a great DS. I also prefer the '07 and down version. The best power mod costs a mere .22cents! The Doohickey? Desireable, but IMO not a must do thing. So easy to work on, so basic in design, lots of tractor like torque, and that gas tank is Huuuuge, read, lots of miles between fill ups. Another thing I consider a must do, upgrade the front rotor to the 320 mm size, really transforms the braking. A used KLR can be the deal of the century.
http://www.soundrider.com/archive/editorial/ultimate_adventure_bike.htm (http://www.soundrider.com/archive/editorial/ultimate_adventure_bike.htm)
V Strom adventure bike nearly crashes in in the snow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_p4M6omm-Q#)
V Strom adventrue bike survives deep water (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YffU9PsrEIA#)
Heres a few links from I guy I work for on the "Strom!
So, it is a capable off road in the right hands, but ya gotta work it ;D