I have been looking at motorcycles. the 2026 Honda Transalp has a eclutch. So you dont even have to use the clutch if you dont want too..

here are AI's points on the Trans Alp vs KLR

Key Comparisons
Engine & Performance: The Transalp is much faster (approx. 90 hp), smoother, and better for highway riding. The KLR 650 (approx. 40 hp) is underpowered, with a thumper engine that vibrates more but is very reliable and easier to maintain.
Off-Road: The KLR's lower power is seen as an advantage by some for tricky, slow-speed, technical off-road riding, while others prefer the Transalp's power for faster, more challenging terrain.
Comfort & Touring: The Transalp 750 is widely considered more comfortable for long-distance, with better wind protection and a 6-speed transmission. The KLR is generally favored for its rugged, utilitarian nature.
Cost: The KLR 650 is cheaper, with a 2024 MSRP around $6,899, while the 2024 Transalp starts around $9,999.

Honda Africa Twin

Cycle Trader prices are nuts on Yamaha Tenere 700's right now. People trying to sell 4 year old bikes only $1k less than you can buy new.

The Transalp and Africa Twin are both really nice bikes. I'd love either of them, but both are way out of my price range. Think guy in his early 40s supporting a wife and four kids on a single small town government employee income and not willing to go into debt. That's the kind of bike I'm looking for. To put it into perspective, the most expensive car I've ever bought was $4200. And that was for a practical family vehicle that we needed, not a toy that I wanted.

Simple. Cheap. Basic. I just want to get out on two wheels again and do stuff, and hopefully get to spend some time with my son doing it since he's turning 18 and moving out. It doesn't need to be fancy and it doesn't need to be fast...just capable enough to do the stuff I want to do and comfortable enough to enjoy it.

While I have nothing against Kawasaki. The Honda XR is a whole lot more bike. And at the most maybe $1k more than the same mileage KLR. I would not buy one (KLR) before looking and riding the Honda. I would also say do the same on the Suzuki DR. Pick the one you like the best. If it is a bit of a wash. Buy the best one of the bunch you can find.

At least some of us understand what the OP is asking and looking for. Any of the 650cc thumpers will fit the bill, and they all share the advantage that they have been made for so long and changed so little over their lifespans that you can find one at nearly every price point from new MSRP down to the low thousands. If anything, the KLRs are easier to find at the lower end of the price scale compared to the DR and XR, which have a bit more of a cult following and tend to run a little bit higher for the equivalent age and condition.

Given what the OP asked, the KLR is really the only thing that's close. Now motorcycle prices on the used private market are a thing of beauty. You might get an opportunity on something upmarket from that, but if you really want to just ride on your budget there is practically nothing that beats the KLR given the requirements. And the support system is amazing in terms of parts, accessories, knowledge, etc. etc.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

The two that seem to be the most realistic right now are the KLR and the CB500X. The engine and gearing of the Honda seem better suited to what I’m wanting to do, but I’m concerned it’ll be too short.

I’m looking for advice/experience from the membership here, particularly the taller guys. I know we have quite a few riders here with a lot of knowledge and experience, and I’ll take any input you can give me about these particular bikes or others that might fit the bill.

I've owned KLR's and now own a CB500X. A KLR 650 will fit you pretty well stock, it's just a physically larger, roomier motorcycle. I'm 5-11" with a 32" inseam and to make the 500X comfortable I fitted slightly lower pegs. If I were any taller I'd also want a taller seat, but that affects the bars and windshield so those would probably need raised.

The KLR comes stock with a large tank, rear rack, rock/skid plate, and somewhat comfortable seat.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

The DR650 is another one that I've looked at. I like the light weight and simplicity. I'm not sure how comfortable it would be for long rides, though. It looks like it's basically just a big dirt bike. Are there different seat options for it?

Had a couple DR650's as well and I really like them. They're not quite as roomy as a KLR but more so than a CB500X. Compared to a stock KLR the stock DR has a 2+ gallon smaller tank, no skid plate or rear rack, uncomfortable seat, and is under-sprung. But some owners selling used DR's have addressed some of the issues.
Comparing stock bikes I think a KLR would work for you while you'll want to make some changes to a DR. But the DR650 I had that I swapped springs to stiffer ones, then added a rear rack, toss over soft bags, and a flat Corbin seat, was one of my favorite motorcycles.
The stock 3.5 gallon tank was large enough (just) to not be a problem touring around the East but I put an aftermarket 4.9 gallon tank on the one I had out West.


I found the DR's (made in Japan) build quality to be better than the KLR. The DR has a gear driven counterbalancer while the KLR utilizes a chain driven contraption. My DRs used no oil and after a 5,000 mile ride the level was still at the full line and the oil came out clean looking. Both of my KLR's (1999 and 2008) used a little oil which I carried along to add on longer rides and within 1,000 miles the oil was black.

This is my old 2005 DR650 with stiffer springs, rear rack, and Corbin flat seat which was all day comfortable. I can't find an image of the one with the larger tank but it also had a Corbin as well as soft bags and skid plate.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:

Thank you sir, that post was extremely helpful!

That is about the vintage of the DR I had. It was a real good bike. It was geared a bit higher than I preferred. But I was not generally riding it at freeway speeds generally.

You're welcome, 92stech.

Yeah the DR has a fairly wide ratio box with first gear nice for plodding slowly up rutted dirt roads or mild single track, and a tall 5th gear which I found ideal for highway travel, typically not even shifting to 5th until 60 mph. One day I rode over 500 miles from NM across the top of Oklahoma into Missouri mostly at an indicated 85 mph (about 78-79 actual) and the bike was a delight doing so. For doing mostly trail and woods riding with some 55-65 road, dropping a tooth on the countershaft sprocket would be better. But I didn't want to give up the relaxed engine rpm at 60+ or fuel economy.

My friend rode his KLR from upstate New York to Alaska and back.
He did plenty of sightseeing along the way.
An oil change or two, and a rear tire and a couple tire tubes.

Keep in mind “dealer network”. How many dealers of the brand in your area? What’s that dealer like? What if you have a “falling out” with that dealer and what if RE is like Harley Davidson that prohibits its dealers from selling and shipping parts and accessories to persons not in their assigned marketing area?

For Royal Enfield, two in metro Detroit, one in Grand Rapids and one outside of Lansing. That’s it.

1968 (yeah, a while ago!) I considered buying a new 1968 Royal Enfield Interceptor 750 instead of the BSA Lightning. The local Honda dealer took on a RE franchise. The only other dealer in the state at that time was coincidentally in Grand Rapids, I lived in Farmington at that time.

BSA parts were hard enough to find! That’s all I’ll say.

One other motorcycle you might keep an eye out for are 2004 to 2010 or so Suzuki VStrom 650s. These are full size adventure motorcycles with a reputation for longevity and reliability. Suzuki sold 10's of thousands of them so there are always many for sale for not much money. And most will have added accessories on them.

I'd pass on say an XR650 with 40K miles but that mileage is nothing for a VStrom 650. A couple friends have them and other than normal maintenance like oil changes, batteries, tires, chain and sprockets, the occasional valve lash check, they do nothing to them. One now has 145,000 and he's never even replaced a cable or light bulb. The other had around 60K last time I saw it with nothing ever done other than normal maintenance.

I see nice ones with 30-40K advertised for $2,500 to $3,500 all the time so I'm sure they're actually bringing a little less.

Not sure where "the cornfields" are but here's an extremely low mileage one near DesMoines "asking $3,800 or reasonable offer".

https://www.facebook.com/marke...9d-8462-58ad3ceff242

I'm in northern Indiana. There is actually an RE dealer about 40 minutes north of me in Elkhart, which is kinda crazy considering how rural we are. Our town has one shop, but they're pretty big and are a Honda/Kawasaki/Suzuki/Yamaha/Can-Am/Ski-Doo dealer, and they have pretty good inventory. A buddy of mine actually used to own it, but he sold it a few years back. The new owners do seem to be doing well, and they do service as well as sales, so I could use them for parts or anything that I might need fixed that I can't figure out myself on any of those brands.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
One other motorcycle you might keep an eye out for are 2004 to 2010 or so Suzuki VStrom 650s. These are full size adventure motorcycles with a reputation for longevity and reliability. Suzuki sold 10's of thousands of them so there are always many for sale for not much money. And most will have added accessories on them.

Isn't the VStrom like an ADV SV650?
SVs have been used and abused all over & still keep ticking.

Get the DR650 and commence farkeling.
I have a used Corbin seat with your name on it.

Edit: The Corbin fits behind the large aftermarket IMS fuel tank. I have a second one that fits behind the OEM tank OR the IMS.

https://www.corbin.com/suzuki/dr650.shtml

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RichardC,

A lot of it will probably depend what's available once I get a few guns sold to fund this, which hopefully happens by the time I get through the class at the end of next month. The DR and the KLR are both definitely on the short list.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
One other motorcycle you might keep an eye out for are 2004 to 2010 or so Suzuki VStrom 650s. These are full size adventure motorcycles with a reputation for longevity and reliability. Suzuki sold 10's of thousands of them so there are always many for sale for not much money. And most will have added accessories on them.

Isn't the VStrom like an ADV SV650?
SVs have been used and abused all over & still keep ticking.

Pretty much. I love that motor.

KLR with a lot of nice mods, if you can swing it I'd pay the extra for the shock.

https://www.facebook.com/marke...b5-9df0-4fc34bcd5f83