I was asked by a few dogs to do a comparison between the two bikes. I finally got the suspension sorted on the Funduro and took it for an off-road test and it rides fantastic.
Letâ??s start:
Ride quality on road
I rate the BMW higher for on road performance. Wind protection is better than the KLR; the pressure on my neck is greatly reduced. Don't get me wrong the BMW's wind protection is far from perfect. In a head wind there is a high frequency vibration on the helmet that blurs my vision and forces me to slow down. At 110km/h the wind protection is beautiful. At 140km/h its crap. From a comfort point of view the BMW is rated higher. The seat is better and the front seems to be more stable. The KLR used to get upset in front when the tar is imperfect, the BMW just goes straight. I think the TKC 80 up front could have something to do with this. The BMW gives one confidence to ride. The KLR front was a bit loose and the KLR cha cha will always be remembered. There is one thing that bothers me about the handling of the BMW. It feels like one falls into a turn and I am noticing I need to use allot of "steering" in corners where I used "counter steering" on the KLR. This could be a bit scary to newbies.
Ride quality off road
I rate the KLR higher for off road performance. The suspension on the KLR worked better, note that I did modify mine from standard. The standard suspension sucks. 10W oil in the front and if you have money for the progressive springs get them. The BMW seems to ride very well on gravel highways but beware of sinkplaat. The KLR takes sinkplaat in its stride. The BMW suspension gets upset on sinkplaat. The brakes on the BMW helps a lot with my off road riding. On the KLR I was never sure that I would be able to stop quick enough so I went slower, with the BMW no such problems. Iâ??ll say the KLR was more fun offroad, I used to drift the KLR in corners and ramp over ramps in the road, Iâ??m not quite there yet with the BMW. I have not worked out the standing position on the BMW and it feels uncomfortable, on the KLR I could brake and change gears while standing. Hmmm I need to work on my standing teqnique. Once again I must say the TKC 80 on the front of the BMW does wonders for its performance offroad. Without that tire the BMW would really lack behind the capability of the KLR. The engine power characteristics and gear selection of the KLR is well suited to offroad riding while the BMW with longer gears and higher max torque is more suited for the road.
Commuting
I rate these two bikes equal as commuters. The KLRâ??s big tank was nice, I could commute for two weeks with the KLR, with the BMW only one week. The KLR was allot more fun to ride due to its hooligan bike edge. The BMW is more gentleman like. It is very comfortable as a commuter. Its nice and quite and the brakes once again provide a feeling of safety in between the cars. Both bikes handle well in tight spaces. Both bikes are good in there own respect as commuters but I would rather like a KLR and ride it like its stolen. Haha. The BMW is not the economical choice when commuting. Running costs are way higher than the KLR.
Running costs
I rate the KLR higher because it has far lower running costs than the BMW. The KLR used to commute at 20 â?? 22km/l. The BMW does 17 â?? 19km/l. The tyres I run on the BMW costs a fortune and they wear off quick. The KLR tyres are cheap. Parts prices on the BMW so far have been higher than the KLR but then again the BMW parts are better quality.
Quality of the machine
The BMW scores way above the KLR in this respect. The BMW body panels are better. Screws are stainless already, no need for upgrade. The BMW dash is neatly laid out. The controls are better quality, everything feels better. Not to many rattles on the BMW even after 9 years on the road. Electrics all work well. Side stand switches actually works.
DIY factor
The KLR scores higher here. The BMW is little bit more complex than the KLR but everything is good quality so not to worry. The KLR is fun to modify and service. The BMW is not so fun to service, just an example I had to mop my garage floor to get rid of all the oil I spilled. The BMW is very complete therefore not much room or need to modify and customize. I love modding. Iâ??ll get a KLR just to mod it if I had the cash.
Conclusion
Both bikes I rate equal. Iâ??m not gonna bash the KLR or the BMW because they are both good at what they do. Which bike suits me better? The BMW does. The BMW makes a better all round tourer. The hidden hooligan I me would like a fully pimped out KLR and would love to ride it like its stolen. The BMW is a lady the KLR is a bitch!!
O0
Letâ??s start:
Ride quality on road
I rate the BMW higher for on road performance. Wind protection is better than the KLR; the pressure on my neck is greatly reduced. Don't get me wrong the BMW's wind protection is far from perfect. In a head wind there is a high frequency vibration on the helmet that blurs my vision and forces me to slow down. At 110km/h the wind protection is beautiful. At 140km/h its crap. From a comfort point of view the BMW is rated higher. The seat is better and the front seems to be more stable. The KLR used to get upset in front when the tar is imperfect, the BMW just goes straight. I think the TKC 80 up front could have something to do with this. The BMW gives one confidence to ride. The KLR front was a bit loose and the KLR cha cha will always be remembered. There is one thing that bothers me about the handling of the BMW. It feels like one falls into a turn and I am noticing I need to use allot of "steering" in corners where I used "counter steering" on the KLR. This could be a bit scary to newbies.
Ride quality off road
I rate the KLR higher for off road performance. The suspension on the KLR worked better, note that I did modify mine from standard. The standard suspension sucks. 10W oil in the front and if you have money for the progressive springs get them. The BMW seems to ride very well on gravel highways but beware of sinkplaat. The KLR takes sinkplaat in its stride. The BMW suspension gets upset on sinkplaat. The brakes on the BMW helps a lot with my off road riding. On the KLR I was never sure that I would be able to stop quick enough so I went slower, with the BMW no such problems. Iâ??ll say the KLR was more fun offroad, I used to drift the KLR in corners and ramp over ramps in the road, Iâ??m not quite there yet with the BMW. I have not worked out the standing position on the BMW and it feels uncomfortable, on the KLR I could brake and change gears while standing. Hmmm I need to work on my standing teqnique. Once again I must say the TKC 80 on the front of the BMW does wonders for its performance offroad. Without that tire the BMW would really lack behind the capability of the KLR. The engine power characteristics and gear selection of the KLR is well suited to offroad riding while the BMW with longer gears and higher max torque is more suited for the road.
Commuting
I rate these two bikes equal as commuters. The KLRâ??s big tank was nice, I could commute for two weeks with the KLR, with the BMW only one week. The KLR was allot more fun to ride due to its hooligan bike edge. The BMW is more gentleman like. It is very comfortable as a commuter. Its nice and quite and the brakes once again provide a feeling of safety in between the cars. Both bikes handle well in tight spaces. Both bikes are good in there own respect as commuters but I would rather like a KLR and ride it like its stolen. Haha. The BMW is not the economical choice when commuting. Running costs are way higher than the KLR.
Running costs
I rate the KLR higher because it has far lower running costs than the BMW. The KLR used to commute at 20 â?? 22km/l. The BMW does 17 â?? 19km/l. The tyres I run on the BMW costs a fortune and they wear off quick. The KLR tyres are cheap. Parts prices on the BMW so far have been higher than the KLR but then again the BMW parts are better quality.
Quality of the machine
The BMW scores way above the KLR in this respect. The BMW body panels are better. Screws are stainless already, no need for upgrade. The BMW dash is neatly laid out. The controls are better quality, everything feels better. Not to many rattles on the BMW even after 9 years on the road. Electrics all work well. Side stand switches actually works.
DIY factor
The KLR scores higher here. The BMW is little bit more complex than the KLR but everything is good quality so not to worry. The KLR is fun to modify and service. The BMW is not so fun to service, just an example I had to mop my garage floor to get rid of all the oil I spilled. The BMW is very complete therefore not much room or need to modify and customize. I love modding. Iâ??ll get a KLR just to mod it if I had the cash.
Conclusion
Both bikes I rate equal. Iâ??m not gonna bash the KLR or the BMW because they are both good at what they do. Which bike suits me better? The BMW does. The BMW makes a better all round tourer. The hidden hooligan I me would like a fully pimped out KLR and would love to ride it like its stolen. The BMW is a lady the KLR is a bitch!!
O0
