I have one pal who loves his Africa Twin DCT, and another who loves his Ténéré 700. Both of those guys agree that the T7 is sportier and was the better value. The Yamaha is also quite a lot lighter and more compact than the Honda. The Honda is priced about $5,000 more than the Yamaha. I have not ridden either bike. I have ridden a KTM 690 Enduro. It is taller than the KLR, has a hard-edged feel that is typical for a KTM, abrupt throttle response, and a really awkward fueling arrangement with limited capacity. It costs at least $4,000 more than the T7. When I bought my KLR, the dealer had no T7s in stock. If one had been available I would have been sorely tempted to go blue.
New bike recommendations
Its time to move on to a different ADV bike. I will give the KLR to the kids (to keep it in the family), but I am ready for something more powerful, technologically advanced and capable. I am considering Truimph 900 or 1200 maybe another BMW (GS), possibly KTM. Anyone here have experience with any of these machines? Pros Cons etc etc?
21 - 40 of 55 Posts
Hidden in one of the fingers on the right handI’ve tried, but can’t seem to find the button.
Where is it on a gen 3?
The comment was to the response about the delay in the throttle by wire and inability to wheelie the 790. Rally mode is very direct, like a lightswitch, and anti-wheelie mode is off
Street mode on the other hand has what KTM refers to as a "balanced" throttle response. Whatever that means
Sent from my SM-S918U1 using Tapatalk
Not what you listed but my new favorite.
2014 and newer Suzuki V-strom 1000. TONS more power and torque. Still great handling especially in the corners. Yet still very comfortable for longer rides. Very capable of off road travel although not a true dirt bike. Stole my 2014 for only $5800 with some extra's, like new. Awesome bikes. If you don't have a spare $15-20k to blow.
2014 and newer Suzuki V-strom 1000. TONS more power and torque. Still great handling especially in the corners. Yet still very comfortable for longer rides. Very capable of off road travel although not a true dirt bike. Stole my 2014 for only $5800 with some extra's, like new. Awesome bikes. If you don't have a spare $15-20k to blow.
I had to buy the "Rally Package" add on since I didn't have the R model. I could finally wheelie with this, but the annoying lag in throttle response was still there and a weird 2-stroke kind of powerband that almost flipped me once made it a lot less fun than a regular low tech bike. I'll stick to cable throttles from now on.Put it in Rally Mode
I am surprised that the lag was still there with it set to Rally throttle response. But I have an 890 and have never ridden a 790, so I have no basis for comparison. Maybe that is something that was improved on for the 890. I know the 790's did have a few issues that were addressed.The great thing about Garmin is Basecamp. The crappy thing about Garmin is Basecamp...
Basecamp is clunky and dated, but once you figure out how it works, it's pretty powerful. Creating tracks and exporting them is pretty easy once you know what you're doing. You just have to be sitting at your pc to do it.
I'm guessing your 890 is the R model that comes with rally mode. Maybe the add on doesn't work as well.I know the 790's did have a few issues that were addressed.
Did they add a heat shield between the catalytic converter and the rear shock? If yours doesn't have this I highly recommend you buy an aftermarket one ASAP. That's a design flaw that KTM should have done something about. Heat from catalytic converter cooks the rear shock seals. I was sitting at a light one day on my 790 and was suddenly engulfed in a cloud of smoke. I had to wait for the light and find a place to pull over to find out what happened. Rear shock was leaking oil all over catalytic converter. I had a scary 50 mile ride home where I tried not to stop for any reason so the wind could blow oil away and hopefully prevent a fire. Made it and shock and rear brake pads (collateral damage from oil) were covered by warranty. Bike was almost out of warranty and ready for the very expensive valve adjustment so it was a good time to trade it in on a new KLR.
i really like the Triumph. If only they had a reputation for reliability i would be buying one. BMW is near and dear to me. Its not out of the question yet. Harleys new DirtBagger is not an option. I dont understand why they built that bike like that. i had LC640 and hated it. I dont know that I will buy another KTM. I would really have to be sold on the idea
I did add one of the Camel ADV heat shields, even though I am not sure that I have seen or heard of the issue with the 890. Maybe KTM changed something else. But adding the Camel ADV shield was cheap insurance all the same.I'm guessing your 890 is the R model that comes with rally mode. Maybe the add on doesn't work as well.
Did they add a heat shield between the catalytic converter and the rear shock? If yours doesn't have this I highly recommend you buy an aftermarket one ASAP. That's a design flaw that KTM should have done something about. Heat from catalytic converter cooks the rear shock seals. I was sitting at a light one day on my 790 and was suddenly engulfed in a cloud of smoke. I had to wait for the light and find a place to pull over to find out what happened. Rear shock was leaking oil all over catalytic converter. I had a scary 50 mile ride home where I tried not to stop for any reason so the wind could blow oil away and hopefully prevent a fire. Made it and shock and rear brake pads (collateral damage from oil) were covered by warranty. Bike was almost out of warranty and ready for the very expensive valve adjustment so it was a good time to trade it in on a new KLR.
Sent from my SM-S918U1 using Tapatalk
BMW GS is boring but capable (with crappy wheel bearings as the only fault other than being a German hausfrau) Go the KTM 890 Adventure R - or even the earlier model 790!Its time to move on to a different ADV bike. I will give the KLR to the kids (to keep it in the family), but I am ready for something more powerful, technologically advanced and capable. I am considering Truimph 900 or 1200 maybe another BMW (GS), possibly KTM. Anyone here have experience with any of these machines? Pros Cons etc etc?
Yes I have known these machines! The GS is a mule ("This stray belongs to me, For that is prairie law." - Kit Carson) The KTMs will eat tires and scare small children with an Italian SC-Project exhaust system...but you will never look back...BMW GS is boring but capable (with crappy wheel bearings as the only fault other than being a German hausfrau) Go the KTM 890 Adventure R - or even the earlier model 790!
I have been riding out to my local SVRA with a friend that has a KTM 890. He rides it in the dirt like a KLR haha.. pretty capable and he could blast me on slab so I think that bike would work for you... expensive upkeep posssibly but buttering a KTM instead of maxing out a KLR i think it would last a long time IMHO...
I rode a friends GS1200 Adv, and I really wanted to like it. I loved it for about 45 min. then realized I couldn't move around on the seat. I was locked in one position and pulled over to get my KLR back from him. He expressed his approval of the KLR seating arrangement and said it was more comfortable than the GS. He wasn't willing to give up the power though. Depending on how much off road you do a Versys 650/1000 or a Suzuki Vstrom may work for what you are looking for.
I think I have seen (been looking) that the 790 is way more available on CL etc and the 890 not so much... things that are hard to find for sale usually tells me they are holding onto the said item because they like it. My conclusion is that the KTM 890 is the shiz haha... the devils advocate would say the GS 1200 has large storage boxes and my buddys KTM890 side bags looks like a hippies front waist sack strapped to a bike buahahaYes I have known these machines! The GS is a mule ("This stray belongs to me, For that is prairie law." - Kit Carson) The KTMs will eat tires and scare small children with an Italian SC-Project exhaust system...but you will never look back...
Sounds like the new BMW R 1300 GS might be a good fit for you. It's top of the heap.
1300 and 1400 seem to be urban legend status still
And only 28K! Great for river crossings and “enduro touring “…Sounds like the new BMW R 1300 GS might be a good fit for you. It's top of the heap.
And it only weighs 600lbs. It’s a win win for everyone 😆And only 28K! Great for river crossings and “enduro touring “…
Forget about that friggin GS
Exactly…they are a lovely bike for cruising around Italy with your girlfriend visiting Michelin starred restaurants and for sipping soy lattes if you can’t get out of your city…but unless you have the riding skills of Travis Pastrana, and are twice as big it’s going to be pure hell on anything I consider “adventure”And it only weighs 600lbs. It’s a win win for everyone 😆
Forget about that friggin GS
Get one. You won’t regret it. They are superb riders1300 and 1400 seem to be urban legend status still
i have not actually seen one for sale
21 - 40 of 55 Posts
Kawasaki KLR Forum
A forum community dedicated to Kawasaki KLR 650 motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, adjustments, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, conversions, and more!
Full Forum Listing
