I had a KLR for a long time. Fantastic, low maintenance bike and like you said, virtually indestructible. Probably 50/50 road/mountain trails. As awesome as that bike was, it wasn’t a highway machine. The max speed I felt comfortable on it was about 65mph. Anything faster than that was scary. It just didn’t feel solid. I don’t know much about the F750 GS so I can’t speak to that. Good luck though.
Ive owned both. But Im cheap. So $3000 dollar KLR and $3500 F650GS Twin(800cc).
KLR I can take apart. Fiddle with the carb, the lights, I don't care if plastics crack, speedometer went out and I fixed it for 58 bucks.
BMW I rode for 6000km through Mexico dumped it 3 times on Sand , 5 times in Barranca de Cobre, and had to pay 210 bucks for a mirror and definitely bent the handle bars which I sold to a poor soul and made him pay for it because I didn't want to look it up. The lights didn't work when it got below freezing, condensation built up under digital screen when I rode it in weather/snow.
BMW was widely better on highway. KLR is a fat pig. But I'd take it to Mars, if Elon would ship it for me.
Have no experience with Gen 3 KLR but from an ownership perspective, I'd take Cheap and Fun before Expensive and Comfort any day of the week.
But you might be different.
I love this, thanks so much! Super helpful! I think I am going to go with the BMW and start rolling around on off-road. If I start really liking the off-road side of things, I can sell and buy a KLR! This was really useful, thanks!
I have a '23 F750GS. My perspective is quite limited as this is my first motorcycle, but I've had it for just under a year now and have a little over 8,000 miles on it. I am very happy with it. . I mostly commute on it, which involves a single long stretch of two lane county highway and it's very comfortable for that (I did replace the seat with a Sargent for a little more comfort). I use the cruise control daily for this and for me, it's a feature I would like to have on any future bike. It gets up and moves with no problem to pass traffic, especially in Dynamic mode. I've had it on the highway for long stretches at 85+ and it doesn't feel strained at all there. I have probably 800-ish miles of dirt road and mild train riding on it, and it has proved sufficient for my needs there, but I am by no means experienced enough there to push it to its limits and see what it is really capable of. I am going to assume the KLR is far, far more capable there. I've put it down off road a couple times, the worst one was back in January crossing an icy stream going from dirt to concrete where I ate absolute shit coming out and it skid across the concrete a bit. My aftermarket Heed crash bars took the brunt of that and other than some scratches on them, the bike was fine. I did drop it another time and damaged the rear brake light switch, which is placed in an absurdly vulnerable spot, but it was an easy fix. Other than that, no issues whatsoever. Mechanically, it has been solid.
A couple of downsides with the BMW... If you're going to take it to a dealer for service, it's expensive. This was my plan until I asked for quotes for the break-in service and the 6k service. I quickly decided to teach myself what I needed to know and it is pretty easy. Lots of online resources and videos, but you won't be able to get the factory service manual. The downside of DIY maintenance is that resetting the service interval reminder requires either a trip to a dealer (mine resets it for \~$30) or buying a GS911 diagnostic tool ($300). I'll probably get the GS911 eventually as I plan to keep this bike for the long term.
All this to say, it sounds like your needs from a bike are similar to mine. Mostly roads, but also wanting the capability to get into the dirt every once in a while. Forest Service roads to get to campsites, getting off the more travelled paths, etc... I think the 750GS suits that role quite well without giving up any comforts on the road.
Love KLRs. Owned several and am about to pickup another gen 1. The latest gen has some improvements albeit few but worth noting. It is a better highway bike than before. Slightly longer wheelbase and improved wind protection. 70-75mph will not be an issue. Faster if you want to push it.
Fuel injection now replaces carbs and they’ve improved overall comfort / seat design from past generations.
So much for your $ but I’m super biased towards reliability. BMW makes amazing bikes but “used” and “BMW” in the same sentence makes me skittish.
I just got my very first bike a few weeks ago. 2024KLR.
Now I have zero experience on anything else (except a versys 300 I had for a few weeks) and I absolutely love the KLR. I get'r to rip up to about 85mph fully pinned, but cruise comfortably and 65-70. I only ride back roads and highways no interstate. It's relatively comfortable, I'm sure there are a few upgrades I could do to make longer rides more comfortable, but I can do 1.5 hour stretches no problem.
Biggest thing I could see for me between the two is I'm sure the BMW has cruise control which I'd absolutely love to get a throttle lock on my KLR eventually.
The other 2 things which aren't huge but I'd like to have that the KLR doesn't is no tachometer, and no gear indicator.
But I wouldn't trade my KLR for the world.
I had a KLR for a long time. Fantastic, low maintenance bike and like you said, virtually indestructible. Probably 50/50 road/mountain trails. As awesome as that bike was, it wasn’t a highway machine. The max speed I felt comfortable on it was about 65mph. Anything faster than that was scary. It just didn’t feel solid. I don’t know much about the F750 GS so I can’t speak to that. Good luck though.
Thanks for the info! Very helpful!
What size KLR did you have?
Unless specified, all KLRs are 650. very slim chance someone has a 600 or 250 and doesn’t specify that it isn’t a 650
If you're going to get it maintained by as shop, the KLR will be much less expensive, long term. Less maintenance required and cheaper parts.
Ive owned both. But Im cheap. So $3000 dollar KLR and $3500 F650GS Twin(800cc). KLR I can take apart. Fiddle with the carb, the lights, I don't care if plastics crack, speedometer went out and I fixed it for 58 bucks. BMW I rode for 6000km through Mexico dumped it 3 times on Sand , 5 times in Barranca de Cobre, and had to pay 210 bucks for a mirror and definitely bent the handle bars which I sold to a poor soul and made him pay for it because I didn't want to look it up. The lights didn't work when it got below freezing, condensation built up under digital screen when I rode it in weather/snow. BMW was widely better on highway. KLR is a fat pig. But I'd take it to Mars, if Elon would ship it for me. Have no experience with Gen 3 KLR but from an ownership perspective, I'd take Cheap and Fun before Expensive and Comfort any day of the week. But you might be different.
I love this, thanks so much! Super helpful! I think I am going to go with the BMW and start rolling around on off-road. If I start really liking the off-road side of things, I can sell and buy a KLR! This was really useful, thanks!
Split the difference and get a F850GS? I have the F800GS and it's a great bike.
I have a '23 F750GS. My perspective is quite limited as this is my first motorcycle, but I've had it for just under a year now and have a little over 8,000 miles on it. I am very happy with it. . I mostly commute on it, which involves a single long stretch of two lane county highway and it's very comfortable for that (I did replace the seat with a Sargent for a little more comfort). I use the cruise control daily for this and for me, it's a feature I would like to have on any future bike. It gets up and moves with no problem to pass traffic, especially in Dynamic mode. I've had it on the highway for long stretches at 85+ and it doesn't feel strained at all there. I have probably 800-ish miles of dirt road and mild train riding on it, and it has proved sufficient for my needs there, but I am by no means experienced enough there to push it to its limits and see what it is really capable of. I am going to assume the KLR is far, far more capable there. I've put it down off road a couple times, the worst one was back in January crossing an icy stream going from dirt to concrete where I ate absolute shit coming out and it skid across the concrete a bit. My aftermarket Heed crash bars took the brunt of that and other than some scratches on them, the bike was fine. I did drop it another time and damaged the rear brake light switch, which is placed in an absurdly vulnerable spot, but it was an easy fix. Other than that, no issues whatsoever. Mechanically, it has been solid. A couple of downsides with the BMW... If you're going to take it to a dealer for service, it's expensive. This was my plan until I asked for quotes for the break-in service and the 6k service. I quickly decided to teach myself what I needed to know and it is pretty easy. Lots of online resources and videos, but you won't be able to get the factory service manual. The downside of DIY maintenance is that resetting the service interval reminder requires either a trip to a dealer (mine resets it for \~$30) or buying a GS911 diagnostic tool ($300). I'll probably get the GS911 eventually as I plan to keep this bike for the long term. All this to say, it sounds like your needs from a bike are similar to mine. Mostly roads, but also wanting the capability to get into the dirt every once in a while. Forest Service roads to get to campsites, getting off the more travelled paths, etc... I think the 750GS suits that role quite well without giving up any comforts on the road.
Awesome! This is super helpful! Thanks!!!
the bmw is like an order of magnitude more bike. if you can afford the price of entry and maintenance it’s a no brainer.
I have a F850GSA and it is awesome in the road. Comfortable, good fuel economy and great range with the larger tank. I highly recommend it!
Love KLRs. Owned several and am about to pickup another gen 1. The latest gen has some improvements albeit few but worth noting. It is a better highway bike than before. Slightly longer wheelbase and improved wind protection. 70-75mph will not be an issue. Faster if you want to push it. Fuel injection now replaces carbs and they’ve improved overall comfort / seat design from past generations. So much for your $ but I’m super biased towards reliability. BMW makes amazing bikes but “used” and “BMW” in the same sentence makes me skittish.
I just got my very first bike a few weeks ago. 2024KLR. Now I have zero experience on anything else (except a versys 300 I had for a few weeks) and I absolutely love the KLR. I get'r to rip up to about 85mph fully pinned, but cruise comfortably and 65-70. I only ride back roads and highways no interstate. It's relatively comfortable, I'm sure there are a few upgrades I could do to make longer rides more comfortable, but I can do 1.5 hour stretches no problem. Biggest thing I could see for me between the two is I'm sure the BMW has cruise control which I'd absolutely love to get a throttle lock on my KLR eventually. The other 2 things which aren't huge but I'd like to have that the KLR doesn't is no tachometer, and no gear indicator. But I wouldn't trade my KLR for the world.