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I don’t always read the comments but watch all your videos and really appreciate your opinions and I am wondering if you will do a PanAm one not that I am a Harley fan but I am kinda intrigued by the that bike. Thanks 🙏
I bought the KLR a few weeks ago. I’m really enjoying it coming from a DRZ400. I waited for a T700 for a few years. Ever dealership that got one was given me an out the door price of well over $14k. And none lasted long at that price. I wasn’t interested in the KLR at all and was very disappointed with Kawasaki’s updates. But when my dealership got three in on the first week they were released I took one for a test drive. Every point you made about the KLR is spot on. I would rather have the T7 but for my needs the KLR makes more sense. It’s is a hobby and I will enjoy the KLR just as much for my needs. After pricing crash bars, luggage options, spair parts, and other travel needs I’m really glad I picked the KLR. The KLR quality is a little disappointing but you do get what you pay for. Thanks for your videos!
14k is ridiculous. You can buy a new Chevy Spark for that amount. Late last year I came across T7s priced just under $11k OTD and I still thought that it was expensive for what it is (MT-07 based).
Yeah, the KLR is a great machine (if you're not concerned about road performance, particularly speed) specifically because of its cost. It's entirely competent, and an EXTREMELY good value. I will say, it's wierd, as they hold resale value significantly, but they're so cheap that it seems there's litter reason to buy a used one when a brand new one (under warranty!) is so inexpensive.
I was at my local pedal bicycle shop recently and a top end mountain bike with battery assist was listed for $12k CDN. Made both the KLR and the T7 seem like a steal!
You make some great content brother. My 310gs died on me while under warranty and your channel quickly became my main source of information for the next bike. You sold me on the T7 for a while but after no movement on how long it would take to get one and learning my dealer is selling them at over 2k above MSRP… I’ll take the KLR they have in stock for half the price. Plenty of bike for me to commute in and hit the forest roads a few times a year. I’ve got three kids, practically never hit the highways, and am not a speed junkie (evidenced by my 310) so despite the performance dip I expect I’ll be happy. Anyways, I hope all is well with you and yours. Your content is making a difference in my life and I am certain I’m not the only one. I sincerely hope you gain fulfillment from this endeavor not just monetarily but existentially. Best, Ben
The main issue with the Tenere 700 is the utter lack of availabilty and severe mark-ups. Yamaha simply isn't making enough to go around, especially with all the supply chain issues going on.
It's not so bad now. I mean, there's a bunch in dealerships right now here in Alberta at MSRP. Just bought one myself a month ago or so - was actually in the dealership to see if they had a used DR650 or DRZ400 at a good price, and saw the T7 just chilling on the showroom floor. There's still a bunch around.
@@Wintersdark that's not the case in my area of the US. No dealerships had one in stock within 500 miles of where I live. If one did, it was gone the day they put it on the floor. Eventually I said enough, and bought a used Africa Twin instead.
@@Wintersdark There are 0 T7's available in CA for months and months. I rode an 890R and bought it quickly,amazing bike. There arent a bunch around in the US. Yamaha wouldnt even take a deposit on one.
@@bradsanders6954 I mean, I just bought one without a deposit off the sales floor, and there's still some in dealerships between here (Calgary) and Edmonton. For sure there's not many and like everything (even Groms!) It's a PITA to get one, but not impossible if you're willing to travel.
I bought a 14.5 KLR new in '15, and sold it in '18. It was a great bike, but not particularly exhilarating. One 20-minute demo (in town) was all I needed to make up my mind on a T7. The Tenere *wants* to be ridden, the KLR merely tolerates being ridden.
The klr is clearly more durable. Its got less cylinders for something to go wrong and will struggle to pull to 100mph but it costs less so acrually you can beat on it and the money you lose from depriciation will be less
You obviously do your home work very well ! ! ! I love the way you explain and illustrate your ideas ... combined with your experience, it makes your review the "one of a kind" !!! Thanks again ! !! NB: you could ask yamaha for your share ... I just got a Tenere 700 also because of you ;-)
Got my (first motorcycle) 2003 KLR for $1750 on craigslist in 2018 and took it on a solo 80 day, 6000 mile road trip around the western United States in 2019. Rode 200-300 highway miles on many days and rode single track to camp on BLM land/ National forest a majority of the time. I ran into a fuel leakage problem in Idaho that had to be addressed but never any issues with oil burn. I truly love this cheap do-everything-well-but-do-nothing-great beater machine. All that being said, the T700 seems like a mature upgrade to make as I've learned more about bikes and respect the experience. Necessary? I don't think so. More enjoyable? Almost undoubtedly. Either way, I'm glad I started with The Pig.
Great job, Ian, you are really coming into your own in terms of how professional and comfortable you are in front of the camera compared to stay a year ago (I will not speak to the bikes themselves, as there are already tons of comments as to the merits of each bike)--it has been a pleasure to watch you progress. You do superb reviews, hitting the high points of at least what I would want to know if I was considering either of these bikes, and you seem so relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera. I cannot imagine how much time it takes to write, produce and edit these videos, but you are doing fantastic work--keep up the great work!
The real question for me is the '22 KLR vs CB500X. The addition of fuel injection on the KLR took away the main advantage of the CB for me. As someone mostly looking for a lightweight moto camping bike a T7 is expensive overkill.
If your doing more road miles and not leaving pavement much, you may appreciate the smoother parallel twin. There’s also Versys. If your more into dirt, people go moto camping with dual sports like the dr-z400 and the CRF.
I bought a 2022 KLR650 Adventure and I love it. It's motorcycle number 10 in my garage currently and I have no regrets whatsoever. And yes, it does just fine with interstate highway travel.
Definitely one of the best bike reviews I have seen. You did a great job covering both the positives and the negatives of the KLR. It's price is definitely attractive, but where and how you plan to ride make a huge difference. Keep up the good work.
Great video. You review these bikes in a way that we rookies understand. I just bought a 2015 KLR with a lot of upgrades. New suspension equipment, doohickey, thermabob, fenders, bars, exhaust so I’m very fortunate that everything was done for me. That 2022 KLR does look awesome though
Great review of both bikes. As an original owner of a 2006 KLR650, that I still ride as much as possible, I am very well aware of ALL of its short comings, and you covered pretty much all of them. The bike has served me well, taking me above the Arctic Circle both on the Dalton Highway, and through the Yukon and the Northwest Territory to Inuvik, averaging 50mpg the entire trip. Up there, on the gravel and chip sealed roads, only a fool needs to ride super fast, so the KLR worked great. Get it on the highway, and it SUCKS! But the bike was never meant to be a Goldwing. Prior to the KLR, I rode a BMW R100GS/PD to and from Alaska twice, once in 1998 and again in 2005. Amazing highway bike that stayed planted in all but the highest wind storms. But, get it off-road, and it was an 800# Gorilla with a mind of its own. It was also an extremely expensive bike to work on. The cost of the most simple part would make your butt pucker! I’d been following your reviews of the Africa Twin, and was surprised to see that you sold yours. Now you have me intrigued with the Yamaha 700 Tenere. The AT search may have ended. I’ll soon be 73, and I don’t need a super heavy bike with more horsepower, gadgets, and wizardry than I’d probably use. Best thing about the KLR is that it’s as simple as a brick. But on the negative side, it’s as slow as one, as well. Thanks for the thorough review!
This has got to be my favorite ADV bike channel. So much information. So much detail. I never have a question that isn’t addressed and usually he asks way more questions than I would ever think to. Great channel.
I got a 2022 KLR and my only beef is the lack of beef in the BMX bicycle tires they put on them , No good for off road . I need to upgrade the tires for the dirt .
Thanks Ian. Great and thoughtfull analysis!! Bottom line: "both will take you to the same place!", however, it is obvious your preference with the better performance, quality and ride experience of the T7! I have a relaible KLR, but being 5'9", my only concern was the T7's seat height. Now that you show seat hights are moreless similar, just can't wait it to arrive!! Greetings from Bolivia's mountains.
I love these late night video drops. I work offshore on a supply vessel and these videos get me through a night watch! Can't wait to get home and ride my motorcyces. Another great video Big Rock! As far as this debate goes. There is no debate. The T7 is absolutely worth the money. I owned a KLR for years and I still have PTSD from pushing that pig through tough off-road and getting shaken to death on the highway. I've also had the chance to ride my buddies T7 and it was incredibly smooth. I'll be search for a T7 in the future.
@@PaydayGabeBCNV Oh yeah the 08 burned oil real bad. I blew up an XR650L from riding it on the highway and not checking the oil. Big singles eat oil up!
i have a 1700 cc Road King and a 2022 KLR. both bikes bring a smile to my face when i ride. the KLR takes me alot more places much slower and I soak in every step of the journey. The Road King is for the CA freeways, 80 mph all day long and the cars hear me coming a half mile away :)
My 22 has no oil burning issues and no concerns with doo hickey. Only mod is the thermobob which isn't necessary, but helps her not get cold shots of water in hot weather
I'm definitely with the T700, although I wouldn't mind scooting around in a KLR just for a test ride. Thanks for the excellent content. No fancy theatrics or drawn-out drama, just straight facts and honest opinions delivered in a neat package.
Great video and analyst. I agree buy within your budget and don't be bummed because you can't buy an expensive bike because with expensive bikes comes expensive maintenance and they are not necessarily more reliable either. You can have fun on practicality any bike.
Nice comparison here. Thank You. I’m 65 years old and have parked my road bike for various reasons. I just bought a new KLR in July. I think another factor to consider is how long you plan to ride your bike. 🤔 I’m very happy with my bike in the first 700 miles.
Very informative video. Thank you. I got lucky with my 1999 KLR. I've had absolutely no oil consumption issues (I've pushed it pretty hard) and I replaced the doohickey soon after I bought it 😁
Super comparison Sir.. i really loved it.. i'm a fan of the T7 but you pointed out some good and bad for both of the bikes.. Well done .. Nailed it in my opinion!! Hi from Italy
While my 2006 KLR 650 is about to turn 70,000 miles with no problems, I am going to buy a new T7. The T7 fits within my budget, and I am over ready to move up to two cylinders and more sophistication. I also have the new Honda CRF300 Rally, as a smaller, more trail friendly bike. Thanks for a thorough, informative review. Happy Trails
Whata refreshing style of review you have. No wasted chit chat and no emotional bias towards this one or that one. Just straight up facts plus and minus of both. When I’m comparing I don’t want the reviewer selling me on something. You gave the information is a coherent to the point manner and yes your opinion. But these are two bikes I’m looking at and wanted the fact which I now have. If I was on a limited budget I would go KLR and get better value. I’m ok with the price difference and I usually go better quality because I get annoyed with imperfections and am willing to pay for better. So now I know for me it’s the Yamaha. Thanks n
Sir. You have some of the best videos on all of RUclips - excellent clear speaker and very informative. Thanks for posting. Greetings and respect to all from Durango Mexico 🇲🇽
Thanks for being fair, and presenting the good, bad, and the ugly. I'd like to hear about maintenance accessibility/ease or issues. They can be deal breakers.
Thank you for such a good video. It was between the 2022 KLR and T7. The T7 was available to me first so I jumped on the opportunity. In NC it was $9,999 and $11,200 out the door and of course on top of that the Bark Buster, crash bars, etc. The list is endless. I have to say your T7 build is the best I've seen. What a badass looking bike.
I’m curious for your perspective of the comparison between your very nicely upgraded T7 with a bone stock T7. Perhaps that’s an idea for a future video?
Excellent video comparison! Though I am interested in both bikes, I'll definitely be choosing the T7. Having three other current model Yamaha motorcycles (one being a Super Tenere with 46,000 miles,) I also hear A LOT of crickets!
Thanks for another good video. Just to nitpick the T7. Some people have bent the exhaust / rubbed the swingarm, because of the exhaust placement. Some people have converted to a high exhaust kid. This ofc really depends on how much / how badly you drop the bike,
The T7,has that skinny seat,and the 150 mile range on gas,and a headlight that isnt good,and really soft cheap suspension,and the exhaust that pushes into swingarm,the hump back gas tank makes the bike top heavy,and needs to be bigger. Its a cool bike for sure but if I had one I would be spending a lot of money fixing it.
I’ve been waiting for someone to make this video. Thank you! I thought you did a very good job pointing out the merits of each bike and the KLRs faults as you see them. A couple of things you did not mention are availability and pace of ride. KLRs are already in dealer showrooms. If you want one you can go buy it immediately with no waiting. I’m not sure how Kawasaki makes them and gets them to the USA from Japan; apparently it is a significant business/trade secret because Yamaha hasn’t figured out how to get the Tenere to dealer showrooms. As you rightly point out, the KLR isn’t very fast/quick; however, because of cost a lot of people will have them. As a result someone in your riding group is likely to have one if not several people. The pace of group rides will be determined by the KLR negating a big advantage of the high cost, difficult to obtain, Tenere.
Great point....also rider skill, and physical factors such as mobility (picture picking a bike up on a loose-dirt slope) going to have the rider group defaulting to the common denominator for the ride's route/destination.
I have a 21 T7 and have already bent the rear muffler mount twice. That said the easy fix is to remove the nut/bolt/spacer/washer on it, bend it back out, reassemble and run more miles.
Great Video thank you ; should do a comparison between the 2022 KLR and the KTM 390 Adventure I think these bikes are pretty close, good points to each one. But do apples to apples the standard KLR 650 to the KTM 390 Adventure
What a wonderful comparison between these two bikes.! Excellent, well researched information that is worthy of these two bikes! Very impressive, as clearly you put a lot of effort into this amazing video! Thanks so much for all that you present to someone interested in these bikes. Ride with Peace from Texas.
Great video as always. The only thing I will reiterate is 50% is a huge difference in price. Is the T7 50% better? Not sure.....but the KLR has been around doing its thing for years. I do wish Kawi would offer something with a bit more power.....but sales $$ talk...so we will probably not see it. Thanks for posting.
They should put the 650 ninja engine in it... detuned version, with more midrange its a twin {parallel twin} engine exaust note sucks, but it has plenty of power, and is readily available
The performance of the T7 is far superior when compared to the KLR, wich is a tractor that will take you to places but a tractor nontheless. I have the previous tenere model the xt660z from 2008 and having the same single cylinder and 660cc outperforms the KLR with preload adjustments front and back more power and torque and doesn’t have oil consumption issues. Nice review!
This was an excellent data from these 2 road warriors. I saw the klr and I'm planning to get one but after your insights, Tenere is on my mind. When you are planning to buy a new or used car or motorcycle, do the homework. It will bring you to the info you need before investment. QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, AND RELIABILITY, period! Godspeed my friend.
Man, that T7 is beautiful! Congrats on that and in your videos. As for me the greatest difference is exactly the engine. The capacity to cruise at a great speed confortably without that feeling that you are blowing up your engine. I have a old XTZ660 and that is the main thing i miss, and i'm pretty sure the KLR is just like that (or even worse as i don't recall my bike to throtle up so slowly as that, but can be only bad judgement from my side)
Great comparison, but you have to mention the lack of 6th gear on the klr. Love my 09 Klr but the lack of a 6th gear would prevent me from buying a new one. Going up one tooth on the drive sprocket for better highway driving makes off road harder with a taller first gear. Keeping it stock makes for better first gear but too high rpms and vibration on the highway. I feel they really missed the boat on the sixth gear, fuel injection is awesome but won’t be buying a new one until they put a sixth gear in.
I had a 2001 Klr up until February 20 20 when it decided to slip a tooth on the cam chain and sent the piston into the valves then I bought a 2020KTM super adventure R and I’ll tell you what I’m never going back the bike is phenomenal handling acceleration cornering breaking it’s amazing!!! The quick shifter the turning ABS the ride modes the traction control the hill hold an amazing bike I love it don’t get me wrong I had my car alarm for 20 years almost 318,000 miles on a factory clutch
Mate, I'm a 49yr old aussie, and I reckon that the klr650 is the dt175 of adventure bikes, sure there's better bikes on offer in the same range but with the right rider you may not come in first, but you won't come in last!
Nailed it again. Follow the budget. Most of the KLR's issues can be addressed down the road as a rider puts on miles. With the T-7 a rider won't have to tinker down the road.
Oh no! Have you seen what the aftermarket has for a T7? Guys are changing everything out but the engine and frame,its a total build it your self bike. Lot of fixes to be done.
Another good video Ian. You give very detailed and informative explanations about everything. That's why I love your channel! I live in Indonesia and unfortunately the Tenere 700 costs, wait for it, 3 times more than in the US! The high price is due to very high import taxes here and the fact that there is only one dealer here that sells the bike. (Yamaha Indonesia don't stock it). That would be my dream adventure bike but sadly it is just too expensive... I roll with a CRF 250 rally at the moment which I do enjoy riding though.
Thanks for the video. I think the Yamaha T7 is an incredible value at $9999 but then I’m comparing it to the KTM 890 Adventure R. Unfortunately right now the T7 is difficult to find. I’m going to order a 2022 when it becomes available to ride the BDR’s
I'd like to see how the KLR fares with some of those issues addressed. The doohickey and thermobob are relatively cheap, easy fixes. The suspension can be upgraded for about 1/3 the difference in bike price. I wasn't aware that oil consumption was such a big issue, but that would definitely be a deal breaker for me.
@@henryhill6251 that's similar to what I've read. The only oil consumption issues I'm aware of are the 08/early 09 model years. I'm not a performance junkie, I just want to ride, so hopefully the new KLR is as problem free as the legends proclaim.
I had an 09 KLR that was a bit of an oil burner, so I was always keeping an eye on that. Then I had an 18 model. My commute was a 100 mile round trip at speeds 60-75 mph. I did find that at those speeds, I could expect to burn about half a quart every 1000 miles or so. I always kept a quart of oil in the top case, but never had any surprises on a trip or anything like that. The bike had about 40,000 miles when I let it go.
If you change the front sprocket to a 16 tooth you can cruise on 70 mph @ 5000rpm no problem with zero oil consumption. Just done 2 trips of 4000km loaded with gear. It’s an 015 with 20,000km. I guess if you want to cruise over 70 then the KLR isn’t your best choice. Happy riding whatever you choose. Cheers from down under.
I'm sure I would probably enjoy the extra power and suspension of the T7. I did the Thermo Bob and the Doohickey my self with no mechanical skills but great RUclips vids. Put a 16 tooth front sprocket and I can add some oil for the times and Kms I put on the Highway. For the difrence in price. 28,000 kms later still just as fun. And you will always dream of the next motorcycle you want to get no matter what motorcycle you have.
I appreciate your "low-key" approach. This video was useful. I have a suggestion, or request, rather, can you comment on which bike, in this case, would be better for a couple. Like many people, I'm married and I do like to bring my wife on motorcycle rides/adventures. Thanks! 👍 PS: Between these two bikes, I believe I know the answer, because of the suspension and power differences. It would not only be helpful in this review, but with most bikes you review. Keep up the good work and I will watch (new subscriber). 😀
Crickets for the T7 😂... I had an 88 KLR (yes to the Thermobob and the Doo Hickey) and called it a tractor (due to the motor characteristics)... this stress free cruising is enjoyable and possible here, regardless of the missing hp... I was considering a T7 after Honda's AT jumped to 20k... BUT... after the announcement of a new Honda Transalp I will be waiting to see if the concept is actually closer to the T7 than the previous model... this would be an awesome alternative... great review... 👍
Great comparison and great videos ! Can’t wait for you to evaluate and compare the new middleweight adv like the transalp / vstrom and 790. Check your conversions , 6.1 us gallons is about 23 liters and 4.2 us gallons is something like 16 liters .
Nice video! I'm glad I found your channel! I'm a life long rider that is making a change from street back towards my roots of dirt. The KLR is in my sights. Your videos have been very helpful! AND... this one actually ROCKED at the end!!! ;-)
Great comparison video review! You made it very clear and concise and explained the issues with the KLR and possible remedies for them. Very helpful, thanks
Another very well presented video! Thank you for all the content you put out we all appreciate it. Out of curiosity, what was your day job before this? I can tell it attributes to your youtube content lol
Another great video Ian. I chuckled at your comment that the KLR oil consumption is unacceptable for a modern bike because the KLR is anything but a modern bike! I hate the phrase but the KLR is what it is. I'd really like to trade my AT for a T7 but like Larry Tucker mentioned below, they're essentially unavailable, at least in Cali. Keep the great content coming, and I hope the RUclips channel is working out for you.
First off - First class review! Lower center of gravity bike will always be easier to pick up, especially since you're talking only a 4lb difference (which is relatively no difference down to a decimal). The Hymalayan is easier to pick up than either of these bikes. It weighs 20lbs plus more than either of those bikes I believe. My personal preference been the two would go to the KLR. Bolts falling off? Every single cylinder does that. Hell, I've lost kick starters that rattled off! You have to go around the bike maybe every couple months and tighten and inspect. But the KLR is more comfortable with more manageable power delivery. KLR oil consumption? Probably an easy fix with an oversized piston ring. Sounds like the tolerance is crap. Break it in, break it down, and put an over-sized piston ring in it. The CP2 Yamaha engine throttle is jerky. Always has been. Always will. Not good for technical finesse and can get you into trouble fast if you're not familiar with that power train. I know. I've owned an MT-07. I've ridden both bikes in this comparison.
Another great video- only one other thing that I think effects the purchase of a T700 vs KLR. Getting one to purchase. I know of several friends waiting over a year and one who gave up after 18 months and bought a 22 KLR650 adventure. I like the T7 but found it as almost as cumbersome as the KLR in real dirt. I have a friend that bought a xt250 for dirt and trail riding close to home or when camping because of the weight issue( perceived in my opinion) after dropping his T7 several times in the dirt, it mattered enough to him to get another bike. He still rides the T7 with buddies as an adventure bike and touring but on dirt trails close to home and when he’s alone rides the XT250. To the same effect I have a KLR650 and bought a Honda Goldwing for highway touring. So I guess as you said to each his/her/their own!
I have a 2018 klr650 and I love it! It does everything that I need it to do. That is going off road and exploring things that my street bikes won't. Its very manageable and won't run you into a tree if you get on the gas to much on weird trails, like my KX500 will do! I love my KX500 but it's not happy trail riding like the klr650 is plus I can ride home afterwards and not have to trailer it... I m not getting rid of it for sure..!
Great comparison! I just bought the KLR and I love it but you are right it was the bike for me for all the reasons you stated. My only issue is for as many videos and blogs I find about the dew hickey and its burning oil I find just as many that say it's nothing to worry about and some that say it's flat-out made up by the internet.
Good fair comparison. I couldn't find a T700 anywhere for sale, so I bought the KLR650 Adventure, which makes this KLR number 6, 2 gen 1, 3 Gen 2, and 1 Gen 3. Yes the design is a bit on the cheap side, but also is the price, only pet peeve is the side to side washout of the front wheel at 72-74 MPH, with the new rake and trail of the Gen 3, it comes in at 84 MPH in 3rd gear below the rev limiter engages going into 5the gear, mild wobble turned into a repeated 84 MPH wobble from hell. Dealer says I'm operating above its design parameters, I say no, if the rev limiter does not engage, it is well within, or maybe the rev limiter is failing to engauge. This is a serious safety issue.
Really enjoy your videos. I live on the other side of the desert near the Sierra Nevada mountain range. I truly love adventure riding and exploring new area.
Thank you. Had a bmw F800GS for 10 years. Used it everyday to go everywhere but it was mostly an urban bike. Just downgraded to honda 300xre and i feel very disappointed although i must admit its great in traffic and i love the suspension. Ive been searching Everyday to try to decide to change it for a klr or a tenere. You just made my day! Thank you again
BRM..luv your real world honest vids..NOW my 2 cents..I have owned 2 KLR's.. a gen 1 and a gen2..never had an issue with them.. 18,000 miles in the gen 1..no oil issues no doohicky issues..that said...I found myself always looking for more..better suspension..more engine ect..I guess it depends on what kind of rider you are.. casual vs serious..given a choice..the T7 clearly a better bike in all aspects..pay the extra money..don't look back..on the KLR you will always be thinking.."damn I should have gotten the T7"..any who..BRM you the man..THANKX :0)
I own a klr 650 with which I did Patagonia Chile and Argentina with.. I found it a dork of a bike, I called it El Tractor.. Then I bought an old Suzuki Freewind 650 wich I done up with better springs and so on. WHAT A FANTASTIC MOTORCYCLE.. You will only believe when you have ridden it.. do not tell everybody, because they will all be after this bike.. because they are dirt cheap..
Good review. Thanks. I enjoyed your video. Obviously there are different types of adventure riding. Good luck finding a gas station in the Atacama desert. Point for the KLR. My KLR does not burn oil. It just needs to be broken in correctly. I have many 10 hour days of highway riding without adding oil. Loaded up with gear in the andes mountains what you want is low end grunt not highway top end. These reviews are great information but how the bike is used is the biggest consideration. Lastly, I often leave my bike at a Finca or small hotel and fly back home. Leaving an expensive bike has a much higher level of theft stress. You can talk about reliability and design but no bike will ever come close to the KLR's reputation. It doesn't break. There is a big difference from an afternoon ride in California and Bolivia.
@@BigRockMoto your welcome. I enjoyed your video. Keep up the good work. I wanted to add a bit of context. We westerners oftem strive for mechanical perfection in my experience it is better just to get out there and do it.
Another great vid! Alot of those areas on your rides look familiar and alot like the Berdoo mountains I frequent on my rides. Curious to where in Cali youre at and ride. KLR vs T7... Id consider it a Kia vs Toyota comparison.
Man, I thought you must be crazy to do this comparison, as any pick you'd make would likely piss off a bunch of fan-boys from one side or the other. But I can't see any reason anyone could take issue with your assessment. Excellent job!
Because the T7 engine was designed for street use first, the oil sump is low. If you look at the engine in the frame it is quite high, putting more weight higher. Being a twin versus a single also puts more mass up higher. The tank is pushed forward and higher for rider room as well. Both will contribute to the heavy to lift feeling. Park the KLR and T7 next to one another to visually compare. I would be curious to see where they mount relative to the ground (top of cylinder and crank centerline) even if the KLR is already lower to the ground.
Great comparison,, if there's anything to compare. 🤷♂️ I've owned a KLR, 08 GEN 2 oil burner. It served its purpose and its not a bad machine.. But it isn't a good one either. Except for the price. I toured on it and was glad to trade it for a more appropriate machine (650 Vstrom👍). I've ridden the T7 on a Demo Days event and the very short time it was glaringly obvious how much better this bike was. I would likely look into the 650-1k cc range for another adventure style bike. I currently ride a 012 Yamaha Super Tenere XTZ1200.
Great comparison. SIde note: My 2018 BMW R9T UGS burned 1L of oil per 10000km. The dealer said anything under 1L per 4000km is considered normal. Puzzling with todays manufacturing tolerances that companies still produce engines that burn oil, even when new.
Great information 👍🏾I like your video.Very helpful. My choice is definitely the Yamaha T700. Your Ténéré looks really really good. I think the T700 will keep me satisfied for the next 15 to 20 years. Side note. We have earthquakes over here too, pretty big ones sometimes.
I want a T7 eventually but the 22 KLR ADV is my first bike. I bought it new on sale for $5600 which was a steal so I can't complain. A great bike to learn on in my experience.
Great Review and pretty much agree with everything you said except the price. I own both of these bikes and a DRZ400S 2022 KLR 650 Adventure $9900.00 OTD 2022 Tenere 700 $12,900 OTD I had to wait 9 months w/deposit to get the T7. Thats why I ended up with both. There were three KLR adventures to choose from the day I put the deposit on the T7. I will say, I was going go sell my KLR when the T7 came in. But…riding at cruise speeds on the fire roads. The KLR feels like your riding on pillows vs the T7. Overall if you can only afford one, get the T7.
Great video! Have been wanting a T7 since 2017. You are a bit more positive than some on its suspension! The Aussie’s got me convinced I have to spend $2k on its suspension if I want to ride at a moderate rate or take a passenger. If I had to add one design flaw to the T7 it would be the exhaust hanger, but there are pannier rack reinforcements available and exhaust kit re routes that solve this. And I suppose it’s only a problem if taking a heavy direct hit. But you are right; that oil consumption issue in its worst iterations would be on my OCD based mind every mile at highway speeds. Would love to see a Big Rock Moto review with a moderately sized pillion (150 lb or less) on the back on and off road, to see if the suspension must be stiffened up or if one can live without it. That would be appreciated!
New springs for your weight will be a big improvement and not expensive. K tech 6.6 fork springs have made mine much better, only takes about half hour to fit them with the forks on the bike.
The reality is 90 percent of bikes outside the top tier models will benefit from suspension work. Unlike automobiles bikes need to have the suspension set up. Doing this allows riders get the best out of their bikes, not doing it one has to deal with compromises. Every buyer should set aside money for suspension, seat and windshield upgrades at a minimum. A great deal of riders add all manner of accessories without a single adjustment to suspension. These are the owners shortening side stands…🙄 Over the years I’ve seen too many buyers sell their bike because they refused or didn’t know they could make it right for themselves.
For the tenere there are reported cases of rust under the tank and on other components. Other than that… exactly as you said. Thanks for the top quality comparison.
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I think if I hear the phase, "The power and torque is very linear", one more time I am gong to flip out.
The power and torque is were “ straight line like”, or the power and torque is very point a to point b
Great no nonsense comprehensive breakdown on these bikes. You’ll go far, keep it up!
Wow, from the man, the myth, the legend Yammie Noob! Thanks!
I don’t always read the comments but watch all your videos and really appreciate your opinions and I am wondering if you will do a PanAm one not that I am a Harley fan but I am kinda intrigued by the that bike. Thanks 🙏
@@BigRockMoto
Now that you said that, his hemlet isn't going to fit next time he puts it on.
Kind of like you went far after hitting that Porsche?
If yammie likes you, I'm subscribing.
T7 may be the bike that you want, but the KLR is probably the bike that you need.
for many people that is true!
So true.
Not true. I don't need the vibrations, the lack of horsepower, the wallowy suspension. I need the T7!
@@flyingtigers7856 what you need is to stop being a wuss
Not. The Yamaha is far superior and it doesn’t require the Expensive Doohickey Fix in order to live as long as you’d expect for your investment.
I bought the KLR a few weeks ago. I’m really enjoying it coming from a DRZ400. I waited for a T700 for a few years. Ever dealership that got one was given me an out the door price of well over $14k. And none lasted long at that price. I wasn’t interested in the KLR at all and was very disappointed with Kawasaki’s updates. But when my dealership got three in on the first week they were released I took one for a test drive. Every point you made about the KLR is spot on. I would rather have the T7 but for my needs the KLR makes more sense. It’s is a hobby and I will enjoy the KLR just as much for my needs. After pricing crash bars, luggage options, spair parts, and other travel needs I’m really glad I picked the KLR. The KLR quality is a little disappointing but you do get what you pay for. Thanks for your videos!
14k is ridiculous. You can buy a new Chevy Spark for that amount. Late last year I came across T7s priced just under $11k OTD and I still thought that it was expensive for what it is (MT-07 based).
Awesome
Yeah, the KLR is a great machine (if you're not concerned about road performance, particularly speed) specifically because of its cost. It's entirely competent, and an EXTREMELY good value.
I will say, it's wierd, as they hold resale value significantly, but they're so cheap that it seems there's litter reason to buy a used one when a brand new one (under warranty!) is so inexpensive.
How much out the door for the klr
Man, got the new 2022 KLR because it's still a big thumper !
I was at my local pedal bicycle shop recently and a top end mountain bike with battery assist was listed for $12k CDN. Made both the KLR and the T7 seem like a steal!
You make some great content brother.
My 310gs died on me while under warranty and your channel quickly became my main source of information for the next bike. You sold me on the T7 for a while but after no movement on how long it would take to get one and learning my dealer is selling them at over 2k above MSRP… I’ll take the KLR they have in stock for half the price.
Plenty of bike for me to commute in and hit the forest roads a few times a year. I’ve got three kids, practically never hit the highways, and am not a speed junkie (evidenced by my 310) so despite the performance dip I expect I’ll be happy.
Anyways, I hope all is well with you and yours. Your content is making a difference in my life and I am certain I’m not the only one. I sincerely hope you gain fulfillment from this endeavor not just monetarily but existentially.
Best,
Ben
What was problem with 310gs?
The main issue with the Tenere 700 is the utter lack of availabilty and severe mark-ups. Yamaha simply isn't making enough to go around, especially with all the supply chain issues going on.
It's not so bad now. I mean, there's a bunch in dealerships right now here in Alberta at MSRP. Just bought one myself a month ago or so - was actually in the dealership to see if they had a used DR650 or DRZ400 at a good price, and saw the T7 just chilling on the showroom floor. There's still a bunch around.
@@Wintersdark that's not the case in my area of the US. No dealerships had one in stock within 500 miles of where I live. If one did, it was gone the day they put it on the floor. Eventually I said enough, and bought a used Africa Twin instead.
Most people pre-ordered them, after that COVID hit and disrupted production.
@@Wintersdark There are 0 T7's available in CA for months and months. I rode an 890R and bought it quickly,amazing bike. There arent a bunch around in the US. Yamaha wouldnt even take a deposit on one.
@@bradsanders6954 I mean, I just bought one without a deposit off the sales floor, and there's still some in dealerships between here (Calgary) and Edmonton. For sure there's not many and like everything (even Groms!) It's a PITA to get one, but not impossible if you're willing to travel.
I bought a 14.5 KLR new in '15, and sold it in '18. It was a great bike, but not particularly exhilarating. One 20-minute demo (in town) was all I needed to make up my mind on a T7. The Tenere *wants* to be ridden, the KLR merely tolerates being ridden.
I want them both
The klr is clearly more durable. Its got less cylinders for something to go wrong and will struggle to pull to 100mph but it costs less so acrually you can beat on it and the money you lose from depriciation will be less
@@TheAnnoyingBoss Hundreds of thousands of oil-burning KLRs beg to differ.
You obviously do your home work very well ! ! ! I love the way you explain and illustrate your ideas ... combined with your experience, it makes your review the "one of a kind" !!! Thanks again ! !! NB: you could ask yamaha for your share ... I just got a Tenere 700 also because of you ;-)
Well this guy has owned almost every adventure bike in the market haha
Got my (first motorcycle) 2003 KLR for $1750 on craigslist in 2018 and took it on a solo 80 day, 6000 mile road trip around the western United States in 2019. Rode 200-300 highway miles on many days and rode single track to camp on BLM land/ National forest a majority of the time. I ran into a fuel leakage problem in Idaho that had to be addressed but never any issues with oil burn. I truly love this cheap do-everything-well-but-do-nothing-great beater machine.
All that being said, the T700 seems like a mature upgrade to make as I've learned more about bikes and respect the experience. Necessary? I don't think so. More enjoyable? Almost undoubtedly. Either way, I'm glad I started with The Pig.
Great job, Ian, you are really coming into your own in terms of how professional and comfortable you are in front of the camera compared to stay a year ago (I will not speak to the bikes themselves, as there are already tons of comments as to the merits of each bike)--it has been a pleasure to watch you progress. You do superb reviews, hitting the high points of at least what I would want to know if I was considering either of these bikes, and you seem so relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera. I cannot imagine how much time it takes to write, produce and edit these videos, but you are doing fantastic work--keep up the great work!
thank you it means a lot
The real question for me is the '22 KLR vs CB500X. The addition of fuel injection on the KLR took away the main advantage of the CB for me. As someone mostly looking for a lightweight moto camping bike a T7 is expensive overkill.
If your doing more road miles and not leaving pavement much, you may appreciate the smoother parallel twin. There’s also Versys. If your more into dirt, people go moto camping with dual sports like the dr-z400 and the CRF.
If the 500 was a 650. The stock klr has a larger stock seat than basically anything though.
I bought a 2022 KLR650 Adventure and I love it. It's motorcycle number 10 in my garage currently and I have no regrets whatsoever. And yes, it does just fine with interstate highway travel.
Definitely one of the best bike reviews I have seen. You did a great job covering both the positives and the negatives of the KLR. It's price is definitely attractive, but where and how you plan to ride make a huge difference. Keep up the good work.
This is the best review I have ever seen! Trully, straight to the point, pros, cons, prices and a final opinion. Simply amazing, congrats!
Great video. You review these bikes in a way that we rookies understand. I just bought a 2015 KLR with a lot of upgrades. New suspension equipment, doohickey, thermabob, fenders, bars, exhaust so I’m very fortunate that everything was done for me. That 2022 KLR does look awesome though
Great review of both bikes. As an original owner of a 2006 KLR650, that I still ride as much as possible, I am very well aware of ALL of its short comings, and you covered pretty much all of them. The bike has served me well, taking me above the Arctic Circle both on the Dalton Highway, and through the Yukon and the Northwest Territory to Inuvik, averaging 50mpg the entire trip. Up there, on the gravel and chip sealed roads, only a fool needs to ride super fast, so the KLR worked great.
Get it on the highway, and it SUCKS! But the bike was never meant to be a Goldwing. Prior to the KLR, I rode a BMW R100GS/PD to and from Alaska twice, once in 1998 and again in 2005. Amazing highway bike that stayed planted in all but the highest wind storms. But, get it off-road, and it was an 800# Gorilla with a mind of its own. It was also an extremely expensive bike to work on. The cost of the most simple part would make your butt pucker!
I’d been following your reviews of the Africa Twin, and was surprised to see that you sold yours. Now you have me intrigued with the Yamaha 700 Tenere. The AT search may have ended. I’ll soon be 73, and I don’t need a super heavy bike with more horsepower, gadgets, and wizardry than I’d probably use. Best thing about the KLR is that it’s as simple as a brick. But on the negative side, it’s as slow as one, as well.
Thanks for the thorough review!
Thabks for posting
This has got to be my favorite ADV bike channel. So much information. So much detail. I never have a question that isn’t addressed and usually he asks way more questions than I would ever think to. Great channel.
Glad you enjoy it!
I got a 2022 KLR and my only beef is the lack of beef in the BMX bicycle tires they put on them , No good for off road . I need to upgrade the tires for the dirt .
Thanks Ian. Great and thoughtfull analysis!! Bottom line: "both will take you to the same place!", however, it is obvious your preference with the better performance, quality and ride experience of the T7!
I have a relaible KLR, but being 5'9", my only concern was the T7's seat height. Now that you show seat hights are moreless similar, just can't wait it to arrive!!
Greetings from Bolivia's mountains.
Exellent comparison. Great job. The graphics on the Tenere is one of the nicest I have ever seen.
I love these late night video drops. I work offshore on a supply vessel and these videos get me through a night watch! Can't wait to get home and ride my motorcyces. Another great video Big Rock!
As far as this debate goes. There is no debate. The T7 is absolutely worth the money. I owned a KLR for years and I still have PTSD from pushing that pig through tough off-road and getting shaken to death on the highway. I've also had the chance to ride my buddies T7 and it was incredibly smooth. I'll be search for a T7 in the future.
I 💯👍suffer from "KLRPTSD" 😫. It's ugly, Its real and I'll never be the same ever again
😭waaa!
help🙏,
PO of an 08 Gen 2 oil burner .
@@PaydayGabeBCNV Oh yeah the 08 burned oil real bad. I blew up an XR650L from riding it on the highway and not checking the oil. Big singles eat oil up!
i have a 1700 cc Road King and a 2022 KLR. both bikes bring a smile to my face when i ride. the KLR takes me alot more places much slower and I soak in every step of the journey. The Road King is for the CA freeways, 80 mph all day long and the cars hear me coming a half mile away :)
What a great review! Congrats.
T7 is better but KLR does the job too. Two great bikes.
Great video. I bought a T7 this summer since I would need to spend more time on the highway...Ive been super pleased with mine.
There's 3.8 litres in a US gallon and 4.5 litres in a UK (imperial) gallon - the T7 has a 16litre tank
Or roughly a 160 mile range if you dont get on it too hard. Gotta carry gas.
My 22 has no oil burning issues and no concerns with doo hickey. Only mod is the thermobob which isn't necessary, but helps her not get cold shots of water in hot weather
I'm definitely with the T700, although I wouldn't mind scooting around in a KLR just for a test ride. Thanks for the excellent content. No fancy theatrics or drawn-out drama, just straight facts and honest opinions delivered in a neat package.
Great video and analyst. I agree buy within your budget and don't be bummed because you can't buy an expensive bike because with expensive bikes comes expensive maintenance and they are not necessarily more reliable either. You can have fun on practicality any bike.
Nice comparison here. Thank You. I’m 65 years old and have parked my road bike for various reasons. I just bought a new KLR in July. I think another factor to consider is how long you plan to ride your bike. 🤔
I’m very happy with my bike in the first 700 miles.
Very informative video. Thank you. I got lucky with my 1999 KLR. I've had absolutely no oil consumption issues (I've pushed it pretty hard) and I replaced the doohickey soon after I bought it 😁
Super comparison Sir.. i really loved it.. i'm a fan of the T7 but you pointed out some good and bad for both of the bikes.. Well done .. Nailed it in my opinion!! Hi from Italy
While my 2006 KLR 650 is about to turn 70,000 miles with no problems, I am going to buy a new T7.
The T7 fits within my budget, and I am over ready to move up to two cylinders and more sophistication.
I also have the new Honda CRF300 Rally, as a smaller, more trail friendly bike.
Thanks for a thorough, informative review.
Happy Trails
I'd rather have the CRF 300 Rally than a new KLR.
@@mikebarnett339 The CRF300 Rally is certainly a sweet little bike.
It’s a good compliment to the old reliable KLR.
Whata refreshing style of review you have. No wasted chit chat and no emotional bias towards this one or that one. Just straight up facts plus and minus of both.
When I’m comparing I don’t want the reviewer selling me on something. You gave the information is a coherent to the point manner and yes your opinion. But these are two bikes I’m looking at and wanted the fact which I now have.
If I was on a limited budget I would go KLR and get better value. I’m ok with the price difference and I usually go better quality because I get annoyed with imperfections and am willing to pay for better.
So now I know for me it’s the Yamaha. Thanks n
One of the best, if not the best reviews I’ve experienced, thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Sir. You have some of the best videos on all of RUclips - excellent clear speaker and very informative. Thanks for posting. Greetings and respect to all from Durango Mexico 🇲🇽
thanks
Thanks!
Thanks for being fair, and presenting the good, bad, and the ugly. I'd like to hear about maintenance accessibility/ease or issues. They can be deal breakers.
Thank you for such a good video. It was between the 2022 KLR and T7. The T7 was available to me first so I jumped on the opportunity. In NC it was $9,999 and $11,200 out the door and of course on top of that the Bark Buster, crash bars, etc. The list is endless. I have to say your T7 build is the best I've seen. What a badass looking bike.
I’m curious for your perspective of the comparison between your very nicely upgraded T7 with a bone stock T7. Perhaps that’s an idea for a future video?
I put the ebc 320mm rotor on my klr and it improved the braking 100x.
Excellent video comparison! Though I am interested in both bikes, I'll definitely be choosing the T7. Having three other current model Yamaha motorcycles (one being a Super Tenere with 46,000 miles,) I also hear A LOT of crickets!
the crickets were funny :)
Thanks for another good video. Just to nitpick the T7. Some people have bent the exhaust / rubbed the swingarm, because of the exhaust placement. Some people have converted to a high exhaust kid. This ofc really depends on how much / how badly you drop the bike,
The T7,has that skinny seat,and the 150 mile range on gas,and a headlight that isnt good,and really soft cheap suspension,and the exhaust that pushes into swingarm,the hump back gas tank makes the bike top heavy,and needs to be bigger. Its a cool bike for sure but if I had one I would be spending a lot of money fixing it.
I’ve been waiting for someone to make this video. Thank you! I thought you did a very good job pointing out the merits of each bike and the KLRs faults as you see them. A couple of things you did not mention are availability and pace of ride. KLRs are already in dealer showrooms. If you want one you can go buy it immediately with no waiting. I’m not sure how Kawasaki makes them and gets them to the USA from Japan; apparently it is a significant business/trade secret because Yamaha hasn’t figured out how to get the Tenere to dealer showrooms. As you rightly point out, the KLR isn’t very fast/quick; however, because of cost a lot of people will have them. As a result someone in your riding group is likely to have one if not several people. The pace of group rides will be determined by the KLR negating a big advantage of the high cost, difficult to obtain, Tenere.
The T7 is in demand,a KLR is a KLR. Ride a new 890R and it will blow your mind.
Ditto
Great point....also rider skill, and physical factors such as mobility (picture picking a bike up on a loose-dirt slope) going to have the rider group defaulting to the common denominator for the ride's route/destination.
@David Squibular Your mostly hearing that from bummed out T7 owners. "They could had a 890R"
@David Squibular Ive put 50,000 miles on my 03 DR650 since 2008,its been a really good bike. Still got it.
Great comparisons. I would say the exhaust location, and how it's connected to the frame is an engineerig mistake for the Tenere.
Spot on that engineering mistake will cost you your motorcycle if you drop your T7 and go through insurance to get it repaired.
It’s an easy fix
I have a 21 T7 and have already bent the rear muffler mount twice.
That said the easy fix is to remove the nut/bolt/spacer/washer on it, bend it back out, reassemble and run more miles.
The fix,is to not crash . No bike is designed to crash on,especially a 450 lb bike.
@@bradsanders6954 True so true…seems as though the ADV crew is all about showing off their crashes.
Great Video thank you ; should do a comparison between the 2022 KLR and the KTM 390 Adventure I think these bikes are pretty close, good points to each one. But do apples to apples the standard KLR 650 to the KTM 390 Adventure
What a wonderful comparison between these two bikes.! Excellent, well researched information that is worthy of these two bikes! Very impressive, as clearly you put a lot of effort into this amazing video! Thanks so much for all that you present to someone interested in these bikes. Ride with Peace from Texas.
Great comparo. The crickets were funny!
Great video as always. The only thing I will reiterate is 50% is a huge difference in price. Is the T7 50% better? Not sure.....but the KLR has been around doing its thing for years. I do wish Kawi would offer something with a bit more power.....but sales $$ talk...so we will probably not see it.
Thanks for posting.
They should put the 650 ninja engine in it...
detuned version, with more midrange
its a twin {parallel twin} engine exaust note sucks, but it has plenty of power, and is readily available
Would you pay the extra for the Yamaha, or is the KLR enough for you?
KLR unavailable to us in Europe. I have the T7, and the KLR and the T7 are almost incomparably different in my tiny opinion.
The performance of the T7 is far superior when compared to the KLR, wich is a tractor that will take you to places but a tractor nontheless.
I have the previous tenere model the xt660z from 2008 and having the same single cylinder and 660cc outperforms the KLR with preload adjustments front and back more power and torque and doesn’t have oil consumption issues. Nice review!
I will go with yamaha. Because if I'd buy klr I'd be always questioning myself what would it feel to drive yamaha. And not the other way around
@@mindaugassaulis3979 I can't find T700's anywhere with no due dates so that kinda tells me what I gotta do...
T7 if you can find one. Do you want a twin or a thumper? Do you ride on the highway, or just back roads?
This was an excellent data from these 2 road warriors. I saw the klr and I'm planning to get one but after your insights, Tenere is on my mind. When you are planning to buy a new or used car or motorcycle, do the homework. It will bring you to the info you need before investment. QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, AND RELIABILITY, period! Godspeed my friend.
Man, that T7 is beautiful! Congrats on that and in your videos. As for me the greatest difference is exactly the engine. The capacity to cruise at a great speed confortably without that feeling that you are blowing up your engine. I have a old XTZ660 and that is the main thing i miss, and i'm pretty sure the KLR is just like that (or even worse as i don't recall my bike to throtle up so slowly as that, but can be only bad judgement from my side)
Great comparison, but you have to mention the lack of 6th gear on the klr. Love my 09 Klr but the lack of a 6th gear would prevent me from buying a new one. Going up one tooth on the drive sprocket for better highway driving makes off road harder with a taller first gear. Keeping it stock makes for better first gear but too high rpms and vibration on the highway. I feel they really missed the boat on the sixth gear, fuel injection is awesome but won’t be buying a new one until they put a sixth gear in.
I had a 2001 Klr up until February 20 20 when it decided to slip a tooth on the cam chain and sent the piston into the valves then I bought a 2020KTM super adventure R and I’ll tell you what I’m never going back the bike is phenomenal handling acceleration cornering breaking it’s amazing!!!
The quick shifter the turning ABS the ride modes the traction control the hill hold an amazing bike I love it don’t get me wrong I had my car alarm for 20 years almost 318,000 miles on a factory clutch
Mate, I'm a 49yr old aussie, and I reckon that the klr650 is the dt175 of adventure bikes, sure there's better bikes on offer in the same range but with the right rider you may not come in first, but you won't come in last!
Nailed it again. Follow the budget. Most of the KLR's issues can be addressed down the road as a rider puts on miles. With the T-7 a rider won't have to tinker down the road.
Oh no! Have you seen what the aftermarket has for a T7? Guys are changing everything out but the engine and frame,its a total build it your self bike. Lot of fixes to be done.
Great comparison video! Really like your honest, down-to-earth, zero-bias, zero-sales-pitch style.
thanks
Another good video Ian. You give very detailed and informative explanations about everything. That's why I love your channel! I live in Indonesia and unfortunately the Tenere 700 costs, wait for it, 3 times more than in the US! The high price is due to very high import taxes here and the fact that there is only one dealer here that sells the bike. (Yamaha Indonesia don't stock it). That would be my dream adventure bike but sadly it is just too expensive... I roll with a CRF 250 rally at the moment which I do enjoy riding though.
Thanks for the video. I think the Yamaha T7 is an incredible value at $9999 but then I’m comparing it to the KTM 890 Adventure R. Unfortunately right now the T7 is difficult to find. I’m going to order a 2022 when it becomes available to ride the BDR’s
I'd like to see how the KLR fares with some of those issues addressed. The doohickey and thermobob are relatively cheap, easy fixes. The suspension can be upgraded for about 1/3 the difference in bike price. I wasn't aware that oil consumption was such a big issue, but that would definitely be a deal breaker for me.
I've put many highway miles on my 07 KLR and have had 0 issue with oil consumption.
@@henryhill6251 that's similar to what I've read. The only oil consumption issues I'm aware of are the 08/early 09 model years. I'm not a performance junkie, I just want to ride, so hopefully the new KLR is as problem free as the legends proclaim.
My 07 didn't use any oil to speak of. Most of the miles was commuting 65-70 mph, 65 miles one way.
I had an 09 KLR that was a bit of an oil burner, so I was always keeping an eye on that. Then I had an 18 model. My commute was a 100 mile round trip at speeds 60-75 mph. I did find that at those speeds, I could expect to burn about half a quart every 1000 miles or so. I always kept a quart of oil in the top case, but never had any surprises on a trip or anything like that. The bike had about 40,000 miles when I let it go.
If you change the front sprocket to a 16 tooth you can cruise on 70 mph @ 5000rpm no problem with zero oil consumption. Just done 2 trips of 4000km loaded with gear. It’s an 015 with 20,000km. I guess if you want to cruise over 70 then the KLR isn’t your best choice. Happy riding whatever you choose. Cheers from down under.
I'm sure I would probably enjoy the extra power and suspension of the T7. I did the Thermo Bob and the Doohickey my self with no mechanical skills but great RUclips vids. Put a 16 tooth front sprocket and I can add some oil for the times and Kms I put on the Highway. For the difrence in price. 28,000 kms later still just as fun. And you will always dream of the next motorcycle you want to get no matter what motorcycle you have.
I’d like both, but want to get the KLR first. Still the first thing I think when I watch any new KLR review is the handle bars look really small/thin
I appreciate your "low-key" approach. This video was useful. I have a suggestion, or request, rather, can you comment on which bike, in this case, would be better for a couple. Like many people, I'm married and I do like to bring my wife on motorcycle rides/adventures. Thanks! 👍
PS: Between these two bikes, I believe I know the answer, because of the suspension and power differences. It would not only be helpful in this review, but with most bikes you review. Keep up the good work and I will watch (new subscriber). 😀
Crickets for the T7 😂... I had an 88 KLR (yes to the Thermobob and the Doo Hickey) and called it a tractor (due to the motor characteristics)... this stress free cruising is enjoyable and possible here, regardless of the missing hp... I was considering a T7 after Honda's AT jumped to 20k... BUT... after the announcement of a new Honda Transalp I will be waiting to see if the concept is actually closer to the T7 than the previous model... this would be an awesome alternative... great review... 👍
Great comparison and great videos ! Can’t wait for you to evaluate and compare the new middleweight adv like the transalp / vstrom and 790.
Check your conversions , 6.1 us gallons is about 23 liters and 4.2 us gallons is something like 16 liters .
Nice video! I'm glad I found your channel! I'm a life long rider that is making a change from street back towards my roots of dirt. The KLR is in my sights. Your videos have been very helpful! AND... this one actually ROCKED at the end!!! ;-)
That is a nice comparison! If people cannot decide after that video, I don't understand. Good job, keep up.
Great comparison video review! You made it very clear and concise and explained the issues with the KLR and possible remedies for them. Very helpful, thanks
Another very well presented video! Thank you for all the content you put out we all appreciate it. Out of curiosity, what was your day job before this? I can tell it attributes to your youtube content lol
Another great video Ian. I chuckled at your comment that the KLR oil consumption is unacceptable for a modern bike because the KLR is anything but a modern bike! I hate the phrase but the KLR is what it is. I'd really like to trade my AT for a T7 but like Larry Tucker mentioned below, they're essentially unavailable, at least in Cali. Keep the great content coming, and I hope the RUclips channel is working out for you.
First off - First class review!
Lower center of gravity bike will always be easier to pick up, especially since you're talking only a 4lb difference (which is relatively no difference down to a decimal). The Hymalayan is easier to pick up than either of these bikes. It weighs 20lbs plus more than either of those bikes I believe.
My personal preference been the two would go to the KLR. Bolts falling off? Every single cylinder does that. Hell, I've lost kick starters that rattled off! You have to go around the bike maybe every couple months and tighten and inspect. But the KLR is more comfortable with more manageable power delivery.
KLR oil consumption? Probably an easy fix with an oversized piston ring. Sounds like the tolerance is crap. Break it in, break it down, and put an over-sized piston ring in it.
The CP2 Yamaha engine throttle is jerky. Always has been. Always will. Not good for technical finesse and can get you into trouble fast if you're not familiar with that power train. I know. I've owned an MT-07. I've ridden both bikes in this comparison.
Enjoyed your guidance. Don't rag on a product you have not ridden as some do.
Another great video- only one other thing that I think effects the purchase of a T700 vs KLR. Getting one to purchase. I know of several friends waiting over a year and one who gave up after 18 months and bought a 22 KLR650 adventure. I like the T7 but found it as almost as cumbersome as the KLR in real dirt. I have a friend that bought a xt250 for dirt and trail riding close to home or when camping because of the weight issue( perceived in my opinion) after dropping his T7 several times in the dirt, it mattered enough to him to get another bike. He still rides the T7 with buddies as an adventure bike and touring but on dirt trails close to home and when he’s alone rides the XT250. To the same effect I have a KLR650 and bought a Honda Goldwing for highway touring. So I guess as you said to each his/her/their own!
I have a 2018 klr650 and I love it! It does everything that I need it to do. That is going off road and exploring things that my street bikes won't. Its very manageable and won't run you into a tree if you get on the gas to much on weird trails, like my KX500 will do! I love my KX500 but it's not happy trail riding like the klr650 is plus I can ride home afterwards and not have to trailer it... I m not getting rid of it for sure..!
Great comparison! I just bought the KLR and I love it but you are right it was the bike for me for all the reasons you stated. My only issue is for as many videos and blogs I find about the dew hickey and its burning oil I find just as many that say it's nothing to worry about and some that say it's flat-out made up by the internet.
Nice work Ian!…We ALL appreciate the serious effort you put into your videos and this one was no exception!…Thx again!👍👌😉
This is definitely the video that i need, thank you so much for been so impartial
Good fair comparison. I couldn't find a T700 anywhere for sale, so I bought the KLR650 Adventure, which makes this KLR number 6, 2 gen 1, 3 Gen 2, and 1 Gen 3. Yes the design is a bit on the cheap side, but also is the price, only pet peeve is the side to side washout of the front wheel at 72-74 MPH, with the new rake and trail of the Gen 3, it comes in at 84 MPH in 3rd gear below the rev limiter engages going into 5the gear, mild wobble turned into a repeated 84 MPH wobble from hell. Dealer says I'm operating above its design parameters, I say no, if the rev limiter does not engage, it is well within, or maybe the rev limiter is failing to engauge. This is a serious safety issue.
I replaced my front fender with another brand and the wobble disappeared.
Really enjoy your videos. I live on the other side of the desert near the Sierra Nevada mountain range. I truly love adventure riding and exploring new area.
Would love to see a comparison between a KTM 390 Adventure and the KLR. Similar price ranges.
Thank you. Had a bmw F800GS for 10 years. Used it everyday to go everywhere but it was mostly an urban bike. Just downgraded to honda 300xre and i feel very disappointed although i must admit its great in traffic and i love the suspension. Ive been searching Everyday to try to decide to change it for a klr or a tenere. You just made my day! Thank you again
BRM..luv your real world honest vids..NOW my 2 cents..I have owned 2 KLR's.. a gen 1 and a gen2..never had an issue with them.. 18,000 miles in the gen 1..no oil issues no doohicky issues..that said...I found myself always looking for more..better suspension..more engine
ect..I guess it depends on what kind of rider you are.. casual vs serious..given a choice..the T7 clearly a better bike in all aspects..pay the extra money..don't look back..on the KLR you
will always be thinking.."damn I should have gotten the T7"..any who..BRM you the man..THANKX :0)
I own a klr 650 with which I did Patagonia Chile and Argentina with.. I found it a dork of a bike, I called it El Tractor.. Then I bought an old Suzuki Freewind 650 wich I done up with better springs and so on. WHAT A FANTASTIC MOTORCYCLE.. You will only believe when you have ridden it.. do not tell everybody, because they will all be after this bike.. because they are dirt cheap..
Good review. Thanks. I enjoyed your video. Obviously there are different types of adventure riding.
Good luck finding a gas station in the Atacama desert. Point for the KLR.
My KLR does not burn oil. It just needs to be broken in correctly. I have many 10 hour days of highway riding without adding oil.
Loaded up with gear in the andes mountains what you want is low end grunt not highway top end.
These reviews are great information but how the bike is used is the biggest consideration.
Lastly, I often leave my bike at a Finca or small hotel and fly back home. Leaving an expensive bike has a much higher level of theft stress.
You can talk about reliability and design but no bike will ever come close to the KLR's reputation. It doesn't break. There is a big difference from an afternoon ride in California and Bolivia.
thanks for sharing
@@BigRockMoto your welcome. I enjoyed your video. Keep up the good work. I wanted to add a bit of context. We westerners oftem strive for mechanical perfection in my experience it is better just to get out there and do it.
You are by far the best product reviewer out there. Perfect
Glad you think so!
Another great vid! Alot of those areas on your rides look familiar and alot like the Berdoo mountains I frequent on my rides. Curious to where in Cali youre at and ride.
KLR vs T7... Id consider it a Kia vs Toyota comparison.
@David Squibular No Toyota tax, just gas guzzler tax.
You got sharp in the focus of each bike. Very good comparison. Thanks
Man, I thought you must be crazy to do this comparison, as any pick you'd make would likely piss off a bunch of fan-boys from one side or the other. But I can't see any reason anyone could take issue with your assessment. Excellent job!
Because the T7 engine was designed for street use first, the oil sump is low.
If you look at the engine in the frame it is quite high, putting more weight higher. Being a twin versus a single also puts more mass up higher.
The tank is pushed forward and higher for rider room as well. Both will contribute to the heavy to lift feeling.
Park the KLR and T7 next to one another to visually compare. I would be curious to see where they mount relative to the ground (top of cylinder and crank centerline) even if the KLR is already lower to the ground.
Park a T7 next to an African Queen/Africa Twin. They are both tall and big and about the same size.
Great comparison,, if there's anything to compare. 🤷♂️
I've owned a KLR,
08 GEN 2 oil burner.
It served its purpose and its not a bad machine.. But it isn't a good one either. Except for the price.
I toured on it and was glad to trade it for a more appropriate machine
(650 Vstrom👍).
I've ridden the T7 on a Demo Days event and the very short time it was glaringly obvious how much better this bike was.
I would likely look into the 650-1k cc range for another adventure style bike.
I currently ride a 012 Yamaha Super Tenere XTZ1200.
Love the way you get right to it. I wish more reviewers were like that. Nice job 👍
I appreciate that!
Great comparison.
SIde note: My 2018 BMW R9T UGS burned 1L of oil per 10000km. The dealer said anything under 1L per 4000km is considered normal. Puzzling with todays manufacturing tolerances that companies still produce engines that burn oil, even when new.
I received a KLR as a gift when my best friend died. This helped me see its strengths and weaknesses.
Great information 👍🏾I like your video.Very helpful. My choice is definitely the Yamaha T700. Your Ténéré looks really really good. I think the T700 will keep me satisfied for the next 15 to 20 years. Side note. We have earthquakes over here too, pretty big ones sometimes.
I want a T7 eventually but the 22 KLR ADV is my first bike. I bought it new on sale for $5600 which was a steal so I can't complain. A great bike to learn on in my experience.
Great Review and pretty much agree with everything you said except the price.
I own both of these bikes and a DRZ400S
2022 KLR 650 Adventure $9900.00 OTD
2022 Tenere 700 $12,900 OTD
I had to wait 9 months w/deposit to get the T7. Thats why I ended up with both. There were three KLR adventures to choose from the day I put the deposit on the T7. I will say, I was going go sell my KLR when the T7 came in. But…riding at cruise speeds on the fire roads. The KLR feels like your riding on pillows vs the T7.
Overall if you can only afford one, get the T7.
Great video! Have been wanting a T7 since 2017. You are a bit more positive than some on its suspension! The Aussie’s got me convinced I have to spend $2k on its suspension if I want to ride at a moderate rate or take a passenger. If I had to add one design flaw to the T7 it would be the exhaust hanger, but there are pannier rack reinforcements available and exhaust kit re routes that solve this. And I suppose it’s only a problem if taking a heavy direct hit. But you are right; that oil consumption issue in its worst iterations would be on my OCD based mind every mile at highway speeds. Would love to see a Big Rock Moto review with a moderately sized pillion (150 lb or less) on the back on and off road, to see if the suspension must be stiffened up or if one can live without it. That would be appreciated!
New springs for your weight will be a big improvement and not expensive.
K tech 6.6 fork springs have made mine much better, only takes about half hour to fit them with the forks on the bike.
The reality is 90 percent of bikes outside the top tier models will benefit from suspension work. Unlike automobiles bikes need to have the suspension set up. Doing this allows riders get the best out of their bikes, not doing it one has to deal with compromises. Every buyer should set aside money for suspension, seat and windshield upgrades at a minimum. A great deal of riders add all manner of accessories without a single adjustment to suspension. These are the owners shortening side stands…🙄 Over the years I’ve seen too many buyers sell their bike because they refused or didn’t know they could make it right for themselves.
Fair comparison. But I'm not sure I'm going to do with an extra half a klr... and is it the top or bottom half?? Front or back? Key information.
Excellent video! Thanks for the fair and informative points.
For the tenere there are reported cases of rust under the tank and on other components. Other than that… exactly as you said. Thanks for the top quality comparison.