Motorcycle.com

deanza · 10-07-2006, 09:23 AM

Hey, I like Kawasakis too. But if Suzuki makes the best bike for my needs, I'd ride a Suzuki. Why not buy the V-Strom?

The_AirHawk · 10-07-2006, 09:54 AM

Or for that matter, even a REAL motorcycle, instead O' that JapToyCrap.

/sarcasm

Gabe · 10-07-2006, 10:04 AM

Kawasaki sells the KLE500 in Europe, which is basically the KLR650 but with the EX500 motor in it. They could put the Ninja 650 motor in that thing (it's actually lighter and more compact than the EX500) and that would be a hell of a bike...look how well Suzuki is doing with the wee-strom.

Come to think of it, why don't you just get a wee-strom?

Gabe · 10-07-2006, 10:24 AM

The Kawasaki Europe website before I posted the last comment...it turns out there is a new model for 2007 called the "Versys". It's the Ninja 650 motor in a big enduro-styled chassis, but with 17" wheels and big brakes. It even looks a little like the Wee-storm.

I don't think Kawasaki has plans to bring it here, and that's too bad...but you can email Kawasaki and ask them why they don't bring it in. If they got 3,000 emails pledging to buy one, you would probably see it here in 2008.

Holy_Kaw · 10-07-2006, 10:30 AM

They just make some changes to the KLR that have me thinking about it (wish they could have just got that 50lb loss thing done too!). Fella could have some fun around here with one.

Vibration? Why when I was 36 I rode around on those old thumpers and liked it I tell you!

I get the "Kawasaki" thing but if you don't like the V-strom just get one of those 800cc Beemers fer chrissakes!

demanufacture · 10-07-2006, 12:37 PM

As someone who's ridden a KLR-650 on road and a DR-650 on and off road, I can say thumpers do have their place.

That DR could climb 45 degree dirt slopes like a mountain goat... heaps of torque from that SOB.

On the other hand we're talking a balancing act of mountain-climbing torque and roadworthy mid-high range.

My personal preference would be to save my pennies for the KTM Adventure 950 which has more than enough torque and off-roadability but loads of on-road performance.

Bah... what do I know...

everiman · 10-07-2006, 12:54 PM

I think they heard ya in blighty,

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/versys/def...sp?Sub=654AAA5

Danasaki · 10-07-2006, 01:46 PM

For what its worth...

I also ride a KLR 650 as a daily commuter and love the bike. Well, mostly I love the bike. I too think it should have another 25 ponies or so (read another cylinder) if soley for the ability to combat highway speed traffic during my commutes. Off the line it is quick enough, but at speeds over 65 mph, I find it very difficult to be able to "scoot away" from traffic as it closes in around me from behind. I hate that feeling and always try to ride with a large space cushion around me, but that is not always possible. Being able to get away from potential dangerous cagers (isn't that all of them?) is a necessity on a motorcycle I believe, and the KLR just cannot do this. I know I would feel much more comfortable on this bike had it more adequate power for highway driving if just for the limited times we HAVE to ride highways and freeways on a big dirtbike.

Dan

nweaver · 10-07-2006, 02:19 PM

Although the Versys is more of a "giant trailie" in the vein of the DL650 WeeStrom, its probaably similar in the dirt.

We don't get em here, but they get em in europe.

iamz · 10-07-2006, 04:02 PM

The engine is well counterbalanced in the DR650. It's cheap, reliable, and doesn't vibrate.

10-07-2006, 09:23 AM	#1
deanza Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1	Re: The KLR Needs Another Cylinder. Hey, I like Kawasakis too. But if Suzuki makes the best bike for my needs, I'd ride a Suzuki. Why not buy the V-Strom?

10-07-2006, 09:54 AM	#2
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Livin' in a Van: down by the Mariana Trench Posts: 10,891	Re: The KLR Needs Another Cylinder. Or for that matter, even a REAL motorcycle, instead O' that JapToyCrap. /sarcasm __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

10-07-2006, 10:04 AM	#3
Gabe Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 720	Write Kawasaki, not us! Kawasaki sells the KLE500 in Europe, which is basically the KLR650 but with the EX500 motor in it. They could put the Ninja 650 motor in that thing (it's actually lighter and more compact than the EX500) and that would be a hell of a bike...look how well Suzuki is doing with the wee-strom. Come to think of it, why don't you just get a wee-strom? __________________ Gabe Ets-Hokin Just a guy in the ether...

10-07-2006, 10:24 AM	#4
Gabe Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 720	Maybe I should have checked... The Kawasaki Europe website before I posted the last comment...it turns out there is a new model for 2007 called the "Versys". It's the Ninja 650 motor in a big enduro-styled chassis, but with 17" wheels and big brakes. It even looks a little like the Wee-storm. I don't think Kawasaki has plans to bring it here, and that's too bad...but you can email Kawasaki and ask them why they don't bring it in. If they got 3,000 emails pledging to buy one, you would probably see it here in 2008. __________________ Gabe Ets-Hokin Just a guy in the ether...

10-07-2006, 10:30 AM	#5
Holy_Kaw Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,230	Re: The KLR Needs Another Cylinder. They just make some changes to the KLR that have me thinking about it (wish they could have just got that 50lb loss thing done too!). Fella could have some fun around here with one. Vibration? Why when I was 36 I rode around on those old thumpers and liked it I tell you! I get the "Kawasaki" thing but if you don't like the V-strom just get one of those 800cc Beemers fer chrissakes!

Sponsored Links	Remove Advertisements
Motorcycle Forum Advertisement

10-07-2006, 12:37 PM	#6
demanufacture Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 12	Re: The KLR Needs Another Cylinder. As someone who's ridden a KLR-650 on road and a DR-650 on and off road, I can say thumpers do have their place. That DR could climb 45 degree dirt slopes like a mountain goat... heaps of torque from that SOB. On the other hand we're talking a balancing act of mountain-climbing torque and roadworthy mid-high range. My personal preference would be to save my pennies for the KTM Adventure 950 which has more than enough torque and off-roadability but loads of on-road performance. Bah... what do I know...

10-07-2006, 12:54 PM	#7
everiman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 67	Re: The KLR Needs Another Cylinder. I think they heard ya in blighty, http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/versys/def...sp?Sub=654AAA5

10-07-2006, 01:46 PM	#8
Danasaki Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2	Re: The KLR Needs Another Cylinder. For what its worth... I also ride a KLR 650 as a daily commuter and love the bike. Well, mostly I love the bike. I too think it should have another 25 ponies or so (read another cylinder) if soley for the ability to combat highway speed traffic during my commutes. Off the line it is quick enough, but at speeds over 65 mph, I find it very difficult to be able to "scoot away" from traffic as it closes in around me from behind. I hate that feeling and always try to ride with a large space cushion around me, but that is not always possible. Being able to get away from potential dangerous cagers (isn't that all of them?) is a necessity on a motorcycle I believe, and the KLR just cannot do this. I know I would feel much more comfortable on this bike had it more adequate power for highway driving if just for the limited times we HAVE to ride highways and freeways on a big dirtbike. Dan __________________ KLR 650 Lots of extras

10-07-2006, 02:19 PM	#9
nweaver Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 458	The Versys... Although the Versys is more of a "giant trailie" in the vein of the DL650 WeeStrom, its probaably similar in the dirt. We don't get em here, but they get em in europe.

10-07-2006, 04:02 PM	#10
iamz Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 325	Re: The KLR Needs Another Cylinder. The engine is well counterbalanced in the DR650. It's cheap, reliable, and doesn't vibrate.