I have been riding most of my life and have had high end adventure bikes. The new Gen3 KLR with a few essential mods is a brilliant motorcycle. I got tired of all of the technology and over engineering on the expensive machines. I like riding motorcycles ..... not computers. KLR all the way for me.

I drove off and left a t7 on the interstate the other day on my big bore, jetted, uncorked gen 2 klr.

I had a Gen 1 back in the early 90'S, loved it for years.

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, those were the good ol' days when they were quite a bit lighter.

@TerenceKaplan

Жыл бұрын

@@DifferentSpokesTV DR650 is still available here, has a lot in common with the gen1 klr (5 gears, carb, light,...)

I have a 2022 tenere and love it..I don't care about phone connectivity at all I ride to get away from tech...my goes in my pocket and stays there.. I will never mount my phone to the handle bars

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

Teah, I pretty much feel the same way. Plus, seeing that thing light up is distracting.

@LTLT900

Жыл бұрын

I wouldn't want any bike that connects to a stupid phone.

I have a new KLR for my first bike. Went for the adventure model with ABS on sale for $5600. Total steal for sure, but if I had the money to spend I think I would have went with the T700. When I have the money for a second bike I think that's what I will go for.

Great video. Honest review. I agree about the gen1 KLR on looks. Picked up my '07 two years ago, had less than 8k on the odo and was garage kept, came with large Tusk boxes. When I upgrade, it will likely be the T7. I knew I would likely drop it off road, and have. Didn't want to sweat dropping a nicer bike and likely not do the off road stuff I have done. Peace to you and your wife, Brooke.

Excellent presentation of both bikes

Great video, I love my Tenere. I also agree on the reliable 450 being ideal. I want a WR450, street legal, with service intervals closer to street bike spec and that would be perfect.

Great video. Well done.

I love my T7, but you can’t beat the sound of a thumper.

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

I like a thumper on dirt, but on the road the P-Twin sounds like a Ducati.

@warriorhealth2172

3 ай бұрын

T7 sounds way better than a single cylinder thumper! Not even close?

Sounds like very decent duo of bikes to me, slight diversion on their focus is also pretty good so yeah more like this mindset is always nice

You really put these bikes through the paces. How long does it take to make a video such as this? Thxs Dave

I have ridden both. For my own...personal money I'll take the KLR-650 everyday.

Unless ur the less than 1% who truly live the lifestyle of ADV riding, the KLR will be just fine. Too much watching the u tube and wanting to be like the ‘cool kids’ gets more folks into more bike than they need, or really, want. IMHO. It’s just a toy. If ya have all the money in the world, get what ya want. If ya know yourself and just want to go out and have some fun now and then, don’t worry about keeping up with the ‘cool kids’. Trust me, over time, the bike will spend more time in the garage than not. It’s a toy.

I love the concept of the T7. I would love to see one to get the feel of it. To decide if I want to get one or not. But in my area, they are a true unicorn. My local Yamaha dealer has only had one in the shop and it was already sold before it came in. I’ve been looking around to see if I see anyone riding one, but no luck there either.

Ty for the input but I still haven’t decided

I just bought KLR with ABS $6199; happy with the deal I got.

KLR will be on my list ,i want distance and comfort and price

KLR, TransAlp, Tenere! Africa Twin, Super Tenere, Elefant, I’ve owned and rode the crap out of them for the last four decades. I still own two first gen KLRs. Need I say more? KISS.

Great video Bro! 🍻 I chose the KLR basicly because of price however I have grown to love the bike and I guess I ha e never ridden the T7 so I don't have bike envy and I put that down for a win. I would love to compare the two in the future and then I can make a decision fir myself... thanks for the great moovie... (;{~

I bought my '22 klr, all of my (many) mods, all of my riding and camping gear totaling about $2500 worth minus the bike. In my area at the time of my purchase, one was paying $15,000 for a T7 IF you could find one... key word, IF. Now, was that T7 7-8000 better during this time? Nope. And I stand by a very old but true statement. It's always better to ride a slow bike fast than riding a fast bike slow. I do like the T7, though. Yamaha builds great products! Great video!

The reason I really love my cb500x rally raid level 2 is: Great suspension Nice wide seat Good ground clearance Lots of protection 400-500km of range depending on how your ride Good wind protection Lugs down low amazingly well. Twin motor Low center of gravity (much easier to pick up than my dr650 was) It's almost like a tenere and klr had a baby with a smaller engine lol.

It all depends on what you intend on using it for. For me, the KLR is on my radar. It’s easier to find, easy to work on, very reliable and the price can’t be beat. I’m confident the KLR would help me make the bucket list of riding the Dempster Hwy. It’s a donkey, old tech, slow, but will do the job just as good as a higher end bike. I still do like the Triumph Tiger 900 rally pro, but if something goes wrong, the availability of parts if harder to get. With the KLR there is a better network in Canada, so it wins for me over the Tiger.

@MrBenHaynes

Жыл бұрын

Wow, your two choices aren't in the same universe. I like a bit more road so my choice is between Suzuki V-Strom 650 and Triumph Tiger 900GT. The Suzuki does the job VERY well for two thirds the price new (or less than half with low k's and accessories).

@Wintersdark

Жыл бұрын

The Tenere is every bit as reliable (if not moreso; it doesn't come with "must fix" problems)- but the CP2 has been rolling since 2014 and has been absolutely bulletproof. Mine is doing the Dempster highway next year :)

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

If you want to travel but are not too concerned about the performance, definitely get the KLR. Why spend the extra money to do the same thing?

@toddmichaels42

Жыл бұрын

Dude, I have a 1st gen, I put a RICOR Duel Sport shock and their front fork Intimidators and got a whole new bike... on and off road. Still get satisfying pulls out of corners... I rode with a bunch of Harley guys on a few occasions... They were all very surprised I could keep up within the group. Only the biker club lost me, on the interstate, pulling up a mountain... They let it rip... Said they "just wanted to see what it could do"... Biggest challenge was riding two-abreast on country roads in WV (Old school) with the club. My point isn't that the KLR is "so badass fast"... But, in normal riding scenarios, you don't really need more. People put it down all the time on KZread, but I get no hate from other riders and a lot of complements... Love my "mule." And so many people, riding much nicer bikes, have told me they used to have one and wished they still did. Peace

@Wintersdark

Жыл бұрын

@@toddmichaels42 I dislike it for being slow, and specifically so for longer highway runs because *for me* it's awfully boring to ride on the highway. My T7 is the bare minimum of highway performance for me, and that's my slow bike. Frankly, I'd die inside if a group of Harley riders could leave me behind anywhere. Have you ridden anything else? But I'm not saying the KLR is bad. The KLR is an excellent machine in many ways, and an *outstanding* bike for the price. It's a GREAT low cost donkey of an adventure bike and as I said elsewhere here, low cost is a crucial factor for adventure bikes as it's also low cost to maintain, low fear to crash. It's a great bike. It's just slow, and (again, personal opinion) it's slow enough to make long highway runs more boring than they already are. There for sure is an upper limit for performance on the street where you're basically never going to be able to use more, but that's more in the 120hp/500lb range. I mean, I've got times where I bemoan the T7's 70hp when on the highway. I should be able to pass anyone, *particularly* on a steep uphill grade. 20 over the limit shouldn't require WOT. If I'm on a wide, long, empty highway I should be able to hold 100mph without wringing the crap out of the engine. And none of that is special. The KLR is nearly there, but not. But everything past the KLR is.

I gotta say the klr is better just due to the reason that you can find them at dealerships. Yamaha seems to also dislike us people across the ocean due to the fact they don't want to sent the rally and the world raid to the American markets.

@Wintersdark

Жыл бұрын

It's not too hard to find a T7 in dealerships. There's one down the street from me right now

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, The Rally and World Raid are MIA around here. The bike is so much in demand you'd think they'd ramp up production.

The cost of decking out the T7 was never really stated other than it would be expensive..now compare that to the KLR that comes fully equipped.

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

The bags and hardware alone was $2000CAD. Plus the engine guards and a few other odds and ends.

BOTH are way tall - used to have a '96 KLR and went to the VStrom - 2002 1K and now a 2007 650.... i am 5'-5.5 with a 32" inseam.. and the new bikes, i boot the pannier or seat every single time i get on.. the VStrom of the generation i have... not an issue.. and i can ride it anywhere i want.. maybe slower than some, but i get there with no issues... cheers from Vancouver!

I want the YT7 but the KLR650 seems the responsible choice for what I want to do and that's explore the world.

I will say, this is a VERY good question for adventure bikes in particular. Not just about purchase price, but the reality of adventure bike life, if you're buying it to take if offroad. You probably will crash it. You will damage it. So you need to consider the ongoing price of the bike as well. This is where the big ADV bikes fall down IMHO, and why most big BMW's for example just end up being touring bikes. Even if you can afford that much money for the bike up front, does having a bike that expensive mean you're no longer willing to have fun with it? You need a pretty fat wallet to do extensive repaires on a 1250gsa. Everything is $$$ Both the KLR and T7 are pretty cheap to work on, but the KLR does have an edge there. This is where these bikes shine though, because you can play with them. Breaking them isn't a huge problem, parts are readily available, and they're both easy to work on. Anyways, I ramble. I just think this is a factor people don't often consider when comparing adventure bikes and price, but is a very important one. I mean, I'd be WAY more likely to spend 20k on a street bike I'll (hopefully) never drop than on an adv bike I'll ride through rivers.

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

Good points. The GS and GSA are basically sport tourers. They can go off road but if I spent that much I probably wouldn't take one there.

@Wintersdark

Жыл бұрын

@@DifferentSpokesTV right? My first offroad trip on my T7, not having ridden in dirt since the 80's on Vancouver Island, we came to this steep 4x4 jeep trail leading down to a dried riverbed. It was WAY out of my abilities and I knew it. But the T7 was wearing good front and rear crash bars ( love Heed!) And I knew anything broken could be easily and cheaply fixed, so full send. Crashed it three times, hard, but had a blast and learned so much. Bent the shifter and rear brake levers back into the right shape (ish), learned why people replace the exhaust (Huzar, $250, amazing!) - no problem. I'd never have tried that on a really expensive BMW or KTM. But a Tenere? Or a KLR? Full send.

@kannermw

Жыл бұрын

My philosophy is never take a bike weighing more than 400 lbs including luggage for serious off-road or you'll regret it and risk potential serious injury and/or damage to bike in process. It is much better to trailer a smaller bike for serious off-road and if you make a mistake then you have fall back plan. Otherwise, if you crash and bike becomes inoperable then you are screwed and paying big money to get out of a jamb. In that sense traveling long-distances on any bike your mindset should be laying it down is simply not an option. That determines how and where you ride off-road relative you your skillset and bikes abilities. If you consider that not fun well what about you or your buddies whose trip is cut short or compromised by the guy who makes such a mistake or has a breakdown due to older bike and/or poor preventative maintenance?

How about comparing cost of ownership. Frequency cost and complexity of the valve adjustment service for example.

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

Close to comparable and the service intervals are wide. Both bikes require pretty minimal maintenance.

Im still making up my mind, but im starting to lean towards the T700. Having that acceleration for a quick overtake and more powerful brakes would definitely make me feel much safer on the highway. Definitely seems like a seat upgrade would be necessary for longer road rides though.

i loved my 2nd gen klr. it took me cross country and back very stoicly.. however it is quite heavy underpowered and the brakes really struggle if you have a passenger.. and having to upgrade the doohickey right off the box is a pain.. i think the tenere is interesting upgrade

I'm a tall rider at 6'6" I love the KLR 650. The price the simplicity and the comfort cannot be beaten

Just curious but you mentioned at some point that the KLR will do single track the africa twin would have a hard time at. Have you tested the AF on these conditions?

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

I ran the AT Adventure Sports on the same trail. It was pretty gnarly (video is on the channel a couple of months back). I suspect the regular, lighter AT would have done better but those bikes are heavy and the weight shows in the tight stuff. You can do it but the heavier the bike, the less fun it is. That trail is a blast on my wife's CRF300L Rally.

The KLR is on sale for $4999 right now. I don’t know if I can turn it down at that price…

The older you get, it's all about seat width.

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

In that case the KLR wins :)

@raizt1596

Жыл бұрын

@@DifferentSpokesTV im sure the tenere has agtermarketmseat options right? I put the sergeant on my KLR and its helped a lot.

My main problem with KLR is the weight. So I'd pick the Versys-X lol

@Ritalie

Жыл бұрын

I think the Versys is a paralell twin which is the WAY WAY more fun engine. Paralell twin engines are the best engine ever, they are screaming, high performance engines, you can revv them to 10,000 rpms all day long and they don't complain.

I guess no updates yet for 23 T7. We seem to continue with the same setup as 22 Euro 5 exaust.

Currently got the KLR but I think I'll upgrade to the T7 next.

Nice review... but I'd still pick the KLR.

Gave up waiting for a Tenere and bought an Africa Twin. Still have my Gen 1 KLR that goes almost anywhere. Then there is the DR that does go everwhere.

No updates on the 2023 for Canada and USA on the tenere 700..still the same old tft and no phone connections

I like the sound of the KLR 650 just love the sound of large singles. The Tenere 700 gas tank way to small for a ATV bike, even the Honda CB500X has a 17.5 liter tank and can get over 450 km per tank. Put a 21 + liter tank on the Tenere 700 after all the call it a ATV bike. The lowering kit on the Tenere what will be the seat hight. I had the first gen KLR650 and thinking of getting another one.( third gen )

Since I own one, the T7. My experience? I have never made it anywhere near 300km in range on my T7. It's 100km each way for my commute and if I fill the tank around the corner from my house I can make it to work and back, but I would be lucky to make it half way to work the next day. This is all highway riding, BTW. Seat Concepts seat was a must. With the new stuff being added to the T7 and price going up, it looks like the original mission statement for it is going out the window, which is a shame.

@Wintersdark

Жыл бұрын

You can definitely do 300km on the T7, but you have to ride it like it's a KLR (slowly) to do it. All the CP2's have this issue - once you wind them up they start just guzzling fuel. Me, I don't mind stopping for gas (I think 200km commutes aren't super common!) As after 200km, I like to stretch my legs anyways. Seat Concepts Tall Rally for this guy. Stock seat isn't great.

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, to get to 300k you need to stay around 80-90kph on the back roads. Then you might get there if it's not too hilly. Also, the bags and engine guards create a lot more drag so that might be something that contributes to reduced mileage, especially at high speed.

@gabrielkopp2036

Жыл бұрын

I don't know kilometers mine registers miles and I get between 280 to 300 per tank

@Wintersdark

Жыл бұрын

@@DifferentSpokesTV exactly. If you flip the display to fuel consumption it's pretty educational. There's definitely a point where it goes from awesome to awful; generally after 100kph. And yeah, I think it's largely drag related because riding slow at high rpm doesnt do it so much.

@jaybosher6144

Жыл бұрын

Are you sure your not just judging that by the low fuel light. When you get to the flashing bar you still have well over a gallon left. This bike reads fuel levels terribly. I burn through a whole gallon before the first bar disappears. The next 5 are a bit under the two and the last is about a gallon and a quarter

Cracking my up no cell service where I ride.

You can't lock up the KLRs front brake on dry asphalt if you try. So why would you need abs? Crappy brakes the og abs

Well done comparison of the two bikes. I spent my money on a V-Strom 1050 because it is difficult to go offroad where I live, so this travel capable naked / universal japanese motorcycle fits me pretty well. Pricewise a comparison between KLR and CFR 300 would reasonable and also be pretty interesting.

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

Way ahead of you. The KLR and CRF video is on my channel four months back. Check it out.

I would have to go for the Yamaha since the KLR isn’t sold in Europe as of now, but if I could, I’d rather go for the Kawa

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, that sucks that Kawi doesn't brink it to Europe. It might have something to do with Euro5.

@RPCAFF

Жыл бұрын

Yep. For me even the DR650 or DRZ400 but government making life harder

I have an '08 KLR650 right now. It's all clapped out and I don't trust it anymore for our long trips. I may be buying a new bike soon and when I do, it'll be another KLR650.

I'm currently looking for a dual sport or adv and the KLR sounds good on paper but I don't like how it looks. I think the tenere looks awesome but out of my budget. Old KLRs look so much better

I think get the KLR and mod it. Put new suspension, up the power a bit, do some things to shed weight. And the KLR becomes a competitor

I'm waiting for the Honda rally type with 40+ horses and a real suspension with easy adjustments in a little over 300 lbs.

@Ritalie

Жыл бұрын

THEY came out with it!!!! The Honda Transalp 750cc. OMG it's so awesome.

Good review 👍

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

If I were richer, I would definitelty try Tenere. But for poorer countries KLR fits just so much better. A lot of utility, less complex engine, lower price, still decent enough to commute, travel and go offroad. And even if it's half as reliable as the old KLR... It's a shame that Kawasaki does not sell KLR 650 wide enough. KLR's customer lives in places like Eastern Europe, and ex-USSR countries, rather than the rich USA and Canada. IMHO. What's funny, T7 IS available in those places!

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

Yes, that's a big criticism of Kawasaki. They just don't send their bikes to so many markets where people would definitely buy them.

@Ritalie

Жыл бұрын

So they don't sell the KLR in Eastern Europe? I live in the USA, and I can tell you that I don't know how anyone can afford to drive a new motorcycle here in the USA. It's $450 a month for insurance for a new motorcycle, full coverage insurance. I was going to go buy a new Hayabusa for $15,000 because the payment would be relatively low each month (only about $250). Rent in some places here is $1500 a month. $250 a month is fine, but not when you add $450 for insurance. The insurance is a scam, it's more than twice the cost of the motorcycle. I can't afford $700 for a vehicle, that's just fraud, and a scam. Nobody should be willing to pay that much just to own a new vehicle. I ended up buying a used Hayabusa for $7500 with only 5,200 miles on it. I had to buy new tires for $600 and a new $100 battery. But still less than half the price of new.. The resell value of motorcycles in the U.S. is much, much lower than cars. People basically throw away their motorcycles and just want them gone. You can buy a 2012 Honda Goldwing with 9,000 miles on it, for $8,000 USD, they are basically $30,000 new.

@takeshikusao4674

Жыл бұрын

@@Ritalie no, they don't. Kawasaki sells a variety of bikes here, but not the dual sports, for some reason. Neither KLR, nor KLX. Some re-sellers bring new ones (0 miles) unofficially, bought somewhere else and transported over the border. I seriously thought of of buying one of those, back in 2021, before the war. It did not happen. What you tell about the insurance, is insane! 450 a month is... a full bike's cost in 2 years, right? In our parts I never heard of anything like this. What exactly do you get for this sum of money?.. And why do people even bother buying new vehicles under such conditions?.. I wouldn't bother. Used ones are okay as long the state is good, in my opinion.

I had a KLR, big bore 685 kit. With a load on, old ladies with the hat and tissue box on the parcel shelf would downshift and whiz by me going uphill in their asthmatic white good vehicles. Its heavy, and so is the Tenere.

A friend has the T7 and his wife won’t ride with him. He also has a V-Strom that she’ll travel with him as a passenger. I’m not sure how comfortable the KLR is for a passenger, but I just bought one. I don’t know if I’ll ever have a passenger

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

My wife was pretty comfy on the back seat on a three hour ride which is better than the T7.

I bought my KLR because it was the bike I was sitting on when my wife said, "Why don't you just buy it?" If I'd been on a T7, I'd have bought it. So far, I only regret the Pig when I watch comparison videos, but that fades. I've been able to get the bike where I want it for less than the MSRP of the T7, which is a lot of money for gas and travel.

For me, '22 KLR650 Traverler ABS, it's about the adventure, not how fast I get there. The new T7 in our group likes to stop every 30 to 45 minutes because the seat kills his butt and back, same guy has a 22KLR [ Lucky bugger to have both bikes]and says it's the most comfortable bike he has ever ridden.

I am hurting on money but the tenere just seems like it would be the better option in the long run and that is better value. The KLR is nice but I would quickly get bored and have an urge to want more.

I bought a KLR for $3.3k to do the TAT. It accomplished it without a hiccup and I sold it on with serious respect for its reliability and ability. I’m not sure I would have found the same quality with anything else….. (except a Honda)

Answer it's very simple ! YT700 it's pretty simple, reliable versatile and of course beautiful, but it is a true ICON on his class. KLR it's a Japanese "Royal Enfield" that's it !

the KLR is the goat. no other bike has enough trade offs to overcome it

Wish Kawasaki had introduced a diesel KLR, like the one that US military had modified. Of course, not sure how it fared over the years

The 650 just is too slow. Yes, it can do highway speed, but it's *not* fun. The T7 can do every bit as well offroad (or better) but can also hang on fast runs through the twisties. I've had to stop and wait for the KLR boys to catch up so many times. A T7 will get you to around 120mph happily, and handles very well at speed. The KLR? No.

Sold my klr and got a tenere. The klr is just boring to ride at the end of the day even with mods

10 lbs of torque cost how many thousand dollars more?

I don't know if it's just me, but KLR's cockpit is way too short. Dealer said it's for "riding standing up" but I am not buying it... literally. If I sit normally my elbows are almost at 90 degrees. That's way to close for my comfort. I am 5'10" BTW.

At 70, I’d go for KLR.

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

Perfectly good bike.

The question is T7 vs XT660Z vs 300L for me

Ok, my dream is a KLR 450 (Versys 450X?), Ninja 400 engine, Eliminator stroke improvement, 380ish lbs, 60 HP, 40 ft lb torque, 7" travel... come ON Kawasaki!!!

My KLXS 2023 was$5899!

I think the KLR looks better. 👌 KLR alot of bike for the money. Especially if u can find a used one.

The reality is the KLR is the better bike suited to 99% of ADV riders and how they actually ride. Iv been there, done that with the expensive bikes. U dont buy a high end ADV bike to ride it like a dirt bike like these ad's try to get you to think. Those guys dont pay for all the fixes after crashes. Iv stupidly done it, but 450lb bikes arent made to jump and ride in deep mud/sand. The ADV model KLR is a CRAZY deal, that T7 decked out comparibly here is well over twice the price of the Kawi that gets a lot longer fuel range and is ready to go immediately off the showroom floor. Save the money, and take some actual trips instead of worrying bout having the "best". A lot of are older or getting there and the slower/comfy bike is more appealing anyway.

Mostly trip around on my 08 Klr putting about 10K kilometres on the clock each year and rarely use it for commuting. Do the maintenance work myself and it's cheap to maintain ect. I tour slow so Klr is perfect for chugging around and exploring. I've thought about the T7 a few times and it might happen when I get the urge to ride something faster.

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

Sounds great! No point in spending money if you're happy with what you have.

@AleksiJoensuu

Жыл бұрын

For me, I just have different bikes for different things. Fast bike (inline 4 street bike) for when I want to go quick or do track days, slow and light adv for when I want to be nimble on trails or city streets, and a big ole touring cruiser when I want to take big trips with a passenger. But all of these are old junkers so I definately get to do a lot of maintenance :D

@1dancier

Жыл бұрын

@@AleksiJoensuu You've got the perfect setup, would do the same, but registration and insurance costs make it unviable in Oz.

The DR650. It is as cheap as KLR (basically) and is lighter and more fun... OK, it is not "adv" in it's marketing, etc. but add a windscreen if you must.

IMHO the KLR is to the T7, what a T7 is to a KTM 890. Is it worth the difference? In terms performacnce probably yes, but more importantly in terms of memory maker machine probably not. BTW I own a T7 as we don't have the KLR available here in Spain...

I don't think the North American market gets these T7 upgrades. So far, every 2023 T7 I've seen purchased in the groups I'm in are just like the previous year with the original release graphics. So, they're paying +$200 for a new skin. No color TFT or any other overseas perks.

Maybe Yamaha will focus on bringing more units to the US for 2023, we'll see, thanks

Kawasaki has its own midweight twin cylinder adv bike at the same 700cc displacement, that's versys 650. For someone who cannot bear the big thumpers, the versys 650 provide a more budget friendly option than T7

twenty years ago the KLR didn't have to compete with other bikes except maybe the Suzuki's DR 650 (the Honda 650 has always been over priced) and the main reasons the KLR was popular is it was a simple (mechanically) motorcycle, and it was affordable... under $5000. Since then, Kawasaki has basically put lipstick on a pig, charged a lot more money and now the KLR is not the affordable, easy to work on motorcycle it used to me. I've owned 4 KLRs, all pre 2008 models. If I wanted to get another dual sport today, I can do a lot better than the KLR with just a little bit more money thrown in.

@DifferentSpokesTV

Жыл бұрын

Yes, the pre-2008 models were significantly lighter and better looking. This one definitely has better weather protection though.

@FernitoAM

Жыл бұрын

I believe the key of the KLR is that is not really a dual sport, but an adv bike. If you want a dual sport, of course there are better options. Pretty much any dual sports is better. But you cannot go and do a 1000km trip on a dual sport off the dealership. As always, it depends what your riding is going to be and the KLR fits a purpose that not many (if any) bikes fit at that price point

@crispinleslie

Жыл бұрын

I said exactly the same thing about the Gen 3- until I rode one. On paper it is a pig, out of the box it is probably the most comfortable road bike I have ever owned. Mine probably wont get thrown around off road the same way my previous Gen 1's used to, but I'm lucky enough to own an XT250 now as well- so I have the best of both worlds.

Klr, all day long!

Great video! love the T-7, but i'm loving my 23 KLR. Is my second KLR and i also ride a 03 Meanstreak. KLR is the perfect bike for what i wanted; mostly dirt and gravel roads to see the back country. Too old to rip on dirt or I'd get a yz250. If you understand that the KLR is a tractor, You can walk out of the dealer brand new at 6200.00. Right on T-7's but god bless the KLR!...

KLR650 is fully equipped and cost way less, comfortable long range bike.

Honda transalp 700 :) (2014 - abs ver)

@DifferentSpokesTV

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You might get a 2023. Maybe it'll be introduced next week.

The T7 is more Street Civil and a more refined off roader

In Australia for the price of a new T7 I could buy a new KLR 650 and a new CRF300 Rally.

@DifferentSpokesTV

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Yes, I heard that Yamaha is gouging you guys. A Rally is better off road than either of these... by a lot.

To doohicky or not doohicky that is the question...

If huskavarna can make a 701lr why can't someone make a 4 or 500 even lighter with dependability in a rally with real range, ' honda '?

yes, yes it is. of course it is KLR 650 + necessary mods + oil consuming blackhole + shlt engine + lame suspension + bolts that shake loose all the time .... or a rock solid real Bike Yamaha T700 that needs none of that and is vastly superior in every way for just 2500 more. dont be a fool, get the T700

Agreed with others, well done! It sounds like to me that there's one question in particular that one would need to ask first when choosing between these: Do you ride more to go places and see stuff, or do you ride more to enjoy riding dynamics? I.e. if your main focus is exploring the world on a bike, the Kawasaki will get you there. You could even count how many kilometers worth of gas you could buy with the price difference - It could be a surprisingly long trip's worth of fuel! Or you could put that extra into your riding gear, which will ultimately make more of a difference in riding comfort than much else. Or you could take a long trip and sleep in hotels, hostels and BnB's instead of roughing it. Whatever you like, really. Or if you like the experience and feeling of stronger acceleration, making it quicker down a technical trail, and feeling "one with the bike", then maybe the Yamaha is for you! If it's not so much looking at the sights and talking to the locals but more about finding different roads and trails and those visceral feelings of riding engagement, then that nicer engine and chassis would serve you well. For many of us the answer is somewhere in the middle, or both equally. And then you need to start weighing things more carefully. Of course, if you have enough money and can't think of a better way to spend it, then the Yamaha will be an easy choice: you can see the sights just as well from the saddle of the more expensive bike as the cheaper one.

KLR650 looks better to me.

T700 - every day. worth every penny. especially because every mile you ride a KLR you are leaking pennies. lots of pennies. You feel like youre riding on borrowed time - the KLR is just not as much "tank" as people claim. The Yamaha just feels like you married your dream girl and its gonna last forever.

Being a former KLR owner... I'd go for the T7

Tried both and didn't like either. Did Tenere suck $3k less? Yes, it did.

@DifferentSpokesTV

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Nice one!

1993 technology VS 2020 technology. A Single cylinder VS a Two cylinder. Not quite the same.

@DifferentSpokesTV

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Yes but they have a similar mission and are both value brands.

I would choose a Tuareg 660 if they iron out the niggles. Sorry! As much as I like both the KLR, and T7, the KLR is uninspiring, and the T7 too top heavy. The Tuareg 660 is just perfect.

@DifferentSpokesTV

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Yep, I'd love to ride one but Aprilia ain't returning my calls. My big gripe with Italian bikes is the reliability and long wait for parts.

@paulvanhout9695

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@@DifferentSpokesTV - Hopefully the DesertX I bought does not suffer the Italian reliability affliction🙂. Would have gone T7 without hesitation but they are nowhere to be found. Still considering having one in the garage as a mate for the Ducati.

@davidmallia628

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@@DifferentSpokesTV I believe reliability has much improved with all European bikes, like triumph, but even the Italians. Ducati is a good example of how much reliability has improved, and Aprilia have proven themselves with the Tuono.

Why can't the big 4 give us a 400-450cc dual sport hahahaha whyyy

@DifferentSpokesTV

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At this point I'd settle for a Honda XR650L but they don't sell those in Canada anymore and used ones cost an arm and a leg. Hopefully Honda or Yamaha finally relent.

I sick and tired of this never ending comparison of apples and oranges. The KLR HAS NO AX TO GRIND. It is the ANVIL.

Buy a 990 adventure because it's better and cheaper than both of those bikes

No. The Tenere is trying to be a KLR with more HP and fancy mods. It ain’t working; it’s a gimmick.

The Tenere should not aim for "Tecchies". Tecchies will choose an Aprilia or KTM anyways to go with their smartphones.

@DifferentSpokesTV

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True that.