GS500E vs. KLR650 horsepower

paradoqs · November 26, 2012, 03:54:43 PM

So, according to wikipedia, the GS500E has a horsepower of 47 while the KLR650 has a horsepower of 37. Their torque is pretty similar 33 for the KLR and 29 for the GS500E. But I dont know what has more to do with acceleration and top cruising speed. It looks to me though like my 2002 GS500E is faster than a brand new KLR650. I dont know anything about motorcycles though. Which one is faster? I guess it has to do with gearing as well. I'm 225lbs so I dont want to make a KLR my next bike if it is no faster than the GS500E.

bombsquad83 · November 26, 2012, 04:35:28 PM

Those numbers are only half the story. The KLR has a ton of usable torque from down low in the revs where the GS does not. I would ride a KLR before you make any judgement. If you purely want a motorcycle for power and speed, the KLR wouldn't be your choice. It certainly is more capable on the highway and 2 up or with luggage than the GS is though.

ThatOtherGuy · November 26, 2012, 04:44:39 PM

KLR has useable torque but the gearing is for using that effectively, it certainly will not get off the mark quickly, 1st gear is a get you rolling affair not a get up and go from the lights. one of my mates was hit from behind by a car a week ago and rightly says had he been on a sports bike (say a GS500 like mine) it wouldn't have happened as he would have been well ahead of the silly driver who rear ended him. IMO the KLR650 and GS500 have two very different purposes and not even comparable at any level.

gsJack · November 26, 2012, 05:53:35 PM

Cycle World had a 10 bargain bike comparo back in their 03 Buyer's Guide that you might find interesting. The KLR came in 2nd to the GS, guess that's why I saved it.

http://smg.beta.photobucket.com/user/jcp8832/library/#/user/jcp8832/library/CWDealsOnWheels?&_suid=135397689674505242209157730797

paradoqs · November 26, 2012, 08:16:20 PM

Cool Article. My reason for buying the GS is because I like the styling and its a perfect beginner's bike. My ultimate goal is adventure touring, possibly two up. For this I think the KLR may be a bit small but it seems like the next bigger option is the BMW or Triumph 800's which are like twice the price of a KLR. Decisions decisions.

Bluesmudge · November 27, 2012, 05:25:12 PM

Neither bike is very good at two-up riding. I think the KLR is actually heavier than the GS. The torque and suspension of the KLR and availability of front tires make the KLR much much better off pavement. GS is going to be more comfortable and burn less oil above 60 mph. KLR more comfortable if you are tall. Plus you can't effectively stand up on the pegs on a GS.

gsJack · November 27, 2012, 05:32:36 PM

Bigger KLR is actually lighter than the GS. Data from the comparo test linked above:

ohgood · November 28, 2012, 01:30:22 PM

Quote from: paradoqs on November 26, 2012, 08:16:20 PM
Cool Article. My reason for buying the GS is because I like the styling and its a perfect beginner's bike. My ultimate goal is adventure touring, possibly two up. For this I think the KLR may be a bit small but it seems like the next bigger option is the BMW or Triumph 800's which are like twice the price of a KLR. Decisions decisions.

advtour = klr, yes, no doubt

2up= how bigga girl isshe ?

do the 29cent oring mod and the doohickey, then ride the klr for years in the dirt. its a pig, dont be fooled, but its a great, cheap, fun adving bike.

acceleration (gs vs klr) is blah on both, and overrated.

the bmw will loooooove it

mikeybikey82 · November 28, 2012, 04:46:13 PM

my buddy at work has a 2008 klr. before that he had a jeep TJ. he always says the klr is the jeep of motorcycles; it handles like one, it barely gets better mileage, it weighs the same (he has panniers and a tank & top bag), and is no faster. but it never breaks down, and hes ridden it from WA to AZ a time or two. when i ride his klr, it does NOT make me want one...its very tall, and it feels clumsy. thats my 2 cents.
mikey

paradoqs · November 29, 2012, 06:13:29 PM

I would like to be able to ride all day and then drive up forest service roads to look for a campsite for the night. That brings up the question of how well the GS will do on gravel/dirt roads? My biggest worry would be damaging the engine from rocks and damaging the suspension. It should hold up if I go easy on it though right?

jestercinti · November 29, 2012, 08:45:08 PM

Quote from: mikeybikey82 on November 28, 2012, 04:46:13 PM
my buddy at work has a 2008 klr. before that he had a jeep TJ. he always says the klr is the jeep of motorcycles; it handles like one, it barely gets better mileage, it weighs the same (he has panniers and a tank & top bag), and is no faster. but it never breaks down, and hes ridden it from WA to AZ a time or two. when i ride his klr, it does NOT make me want one...its very tall, and it feels clumsy. thats my 2 cents.
mikey

Test rode one 3 times. Didn't like the big single. Have to wind the crap out if it to go anywhere

Malfruen · November 30, 2012, 02:25:45 AM

Test rode a KLR650 before settling on the GS500.

Great fun to ride, scared some kids at the park ramping the gutter and chasing them around a bit, but I found there was a lack of get up and go about it. You really had to hammer it to go anywhere. And with only 7000 RPM to play with, I found it weird...that and the one I test rode was really "thumperish", vibrated 100 times worse than my little brothers 1997 BMW F650 Funduro.

Something about winding the GS500 up to 10k RPM gets my hairs on end. My 2 cents.

jestercinti · November 30, 2012, 07:50:51 AM

I will say that if I am going to the end of the earth like Deadhorse, AK I'd take that bike. It's like a Military Spec 'humvee'. It will get you there, go anywhere, but not fun for everyday use on the road.

ohgood · November 30, 2012, 08:06:04 AM

Quote from: paradoqs on November 29, 2012, 06:13:29 PM
I would like to be able to ride all day and then drive up forest service roads to look for a campsite for the night. That brings up the question of how well the GS will do on gravel/dirt roads? My biggest worry would be damaging the engine from rocks and damaging the suspension. It should hold up if I go easy on it though right?

the gs suspension is too soft (stock) for any real gravel with the expected rocks and dips those kinds of roads have, at any higher speeds. the side cases will not be forgiving of drops, and yes, you -will- definitely drop it on gravel. standstill or 30 mph, it will not be good on the gs.

the klr loves getting dropped. it craves drops. might even try to tie you up in a drop given the chance.

that last question, yes, the gs will be just fine on gravel, assuming you never drop it.

that's a big assumption though. a car around a blind turn, or a slow speed u-turn, i'd bet on a drop. sliding the back end of a sportbike around on gravel is a heightened sort of thrill, the first unintentional time. all repeated attempts to safely drift on gravel are a freaking BLAST.

air your tires down to increase the foot print, DO NOT SPIN (risk slicing a tire) them, and use less front brake. you'll see what i mean about the tire pressures and the rear stepping out soon enough.

i am not a pro, never will be, don't expect anyone to think i am.

be careful.

Bluesmudge · November 30, 2012, 01:51:25 PM

Another thing to consider is that the GS uses tubeless tires (anyone ever run them with a tube tire?). So if you get a flat, its not as easy as swapping the tube and being on your way, like it would be with the KLR.

ohgood · November 30, 2012, 05:51:53 PM

Quote from: Bluesmudge on November 30, 2012, 01:51:25 PM
Another thing to consider is that the GS uses tubeless tires (anyone ever run them with a tube tire?). So if you get a flat, its not as easy as swapping the tube and being on your way, like it would be with the KLR.

remove nail

plug tire

riding again, five minutes tops, no tire tools.

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GS500E vs. KLR650 horsepower