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My 2007 vs My 2009

2K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  ridgerunner 
#1 ·
2007 wins hands down - better at everything except the slab. Still love the 2009 and will continue to ride her...

Leaves me wondering how / why kawi made the changes that were made (increased weight?).

Anyway, bored - I know this thread has been fully explored...looks like I have to keep both bikes:) Going to throw a plastic tank, brush guards, and a skid plate on her and call it good.
 
#2 ·
I have an 07, my buddy got a new 09. To me, my bike is much better off road and his is better on the street. The key factors being tires and suspension. The 09 has a much soft suspension and the smoother tires. That is about the only difference that I have noticed,
 
#3 ·
I can speak from what little experiance i have on a '07' I test rode and from the '09' that I own.
The brakes were the most noticeble difference for me and one of the deciding factors to go with the '09'. But it would have been nice to take the '07' on some offroad trails, to compare.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I like both bikes, and will keep both bikes. I will take reduced weight over a tad bit more power and brakes anyday - just MY preference. You just have to squeeze a little harder.

Kinda funny and not at the same time. I was 2up on the 07 the other weekend riding some nasty goat trails over near Fiddletown...cruising down a short strait between a couple hair pins comes a 70's something Chevy pick completely in MY lane AND looking for something in the bed of his truck. I got on the binders hard....did about a 50 ft 20 degree stoppie and was able to avoid this guy....long story short - you pull hard enough they will stop you. ***my gf said she felt the back end get "light"...thank god she never knew the rear wheel was probably a foot and a half off the ground..good times.
 
#5 ·
I have an '09 and love it.

Got to ride my bro in laws '07 on the atv/bike trails in his back 40.
The wives were calling us in, twas getting dark, suppertime, etc. last
Feb so I wasn't on long. For good coupla miles total I got to shred on
the '07 and it was a bunch lighter feeling and much more predictable
in the berms n' turns n' such. Hours-long testing to be performed when
I go to their place on the July biketrip. The batcycle ('09), is more sluggish in
the steering inputs and also whoop de doos are outta the question. LOL
Good hill climber too. Nothing mega steep, but it pulls hard and wheelies little
for a stocker without the benefit of an extended swingarm. Gets to the top quick.
Then again, I didn't want a motocrosser but an off road adventure bike.
That's excactly what the new generation is coupled with great high speed
control and decent weather protection. For the commuter/pleasure rider/ tourer
the new generation fits better (that's me). For the guy who loves getting
dirty and muddy n' only rides a few miles to work and around town, generation
one shines. They both have a niche and with aftermarket support both will
literally be around for decades of active service.

All Klr's rock. Just choose yer flavor,
Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeap
 
#6 ·
+1 Well said Cheap.
 
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