Ok folks, I am toying with the idea of getting a bigger bike. I've searched the thread and haven't found this particular question posted yet. So this is directed at those with at least some experience with these two bikes.

If price and mileage were basically equally, which would you recommend for adventure riding. That being defined in my case as 70% highway and 30% off-road (loose dirt, gravel, packed dirt). Mostly day rides with a multi-day trip thrown in a few times a year.

One other factor, where I live there are far more Yamaha dealers available than Kawasaki.

I'm speaking about mid 90s models. Anything newer is cost prohibitive here.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.


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it's really comes to which one suits you better, very similar bikes. Both good and reliable. Almost same wet weight, yamaha has a bit more power. Ride it and you'll have a winner in no time.

Tremens
Thanks for the reply. I am hoping to elicit some responses with regards to issues involved with either bike and which is easier to work on and make it more "adventure" ready.



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I’ve owned both - albeit sadly briefly with the klr.

Bought a new KLR650 for a pan Africa trip, had it prepped but wrote it off in an accident early on. Immediately replaced it with an xt660z which i did the trip on.

In my view the xt660z is the better bike. More modern, fuel injected, a bit more power. Both are easy enough to work on.

That said, i liked both - you’re picking between 2 good options.


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Hey, thanks for the response. I'm leaning toward the Yamaha more, simply because that maker has a slightly bigger presence here in Argentina. Thus more availability for parts, theoretically.

What upgrades would you recommend for the Yamaha? Suspension?

Due to work, I'm here for the time being. However, due to the rotten economy and the high taxes on motorcycles above 250cc, I can only consider a 90's model of either the KLR or the XTZ. Bikes here sell for 2-3 times what I would pay back home in Texas.


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I didn’t do anything clever with mine - its not an enduro/motorcross bike but for adventure riding it is great.

I have crash bars, engine bash plate and decent off road tyres (tkc80s are best for off road, k60s where you need longevity). Everything else is pretty standard - i didn’t do anything with suspension - for me it is fine (i am 100kgs).


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xt660z really doesn't need much upgrades, as there is no need for crashbars or skid plate. I added hand guards, central stand, led spot lights as stock headlamp is weak, givi racks for bags or panniers and changed foot pegs. Suspension after 2012 is pretty good and I am heavy guy. I like tenere a lot although it is top heavy, probably much more then klr.

I am in Santiago I have ridden down from the USA on XT660R Oxford heated grips have been amazing esp on cold mornings. Bike has been great fuel injection for altitude is very good.

Thanks for all of the responses. Much to consider. Haven't decided cause I'm pretty attached to my trusty NX4 still.


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Some confusion here... xtz and xt...z are different bikes.

As I wrote in my original post, a XTZ 660. Mid 90s model, carbureted, old school Tenere. Available in Europe and South America, as far as I know.


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I own both a 88 klr and a 95 xt660z.
I am in the great position of swapping between both bikes, neither of which I have got perfect.
At 172cm and 70kg, the klr is taller for me, but with the suspension at its softest, I can almost flat foot it.
It is really torquey and will chug along at real low speeds, but it is tall and heavy.
The tenere has a little more power, but a little less torque, I think.
Both are fine bikes, but both will need crash bars, the tenere has way more plastic fairings to crack, the klr will need a bash plate.
The klr will also need the doohickey swapped over, and in cold places, the thermobob added,
Both will need hand guards.
I have had to do more work on the klr, only because it sat for 4 years before I got it.
But the reputation of the klr is that it is a sturdy tractor, and easy to work on.
The tenere is prettier, and you might feel the need to keep,it neat and clean, where the klr suits staying scruffy and dirty!
The Yamaha is also reliable, but parts and aftermarket stuff is easier to find for the klr, worldwide, though harder here in Scotland as mine is an import, and it was never sold here.
Yet I can easily get factory parts, at a price, and used parts are easy to get in the US.
The klr was ‘discontinued’ last year, then relaunched again this year!
So it has been mostly the same engineering since 1987, and many parts interchange.
I do like having both to play with, and keep,the tenere shiny, and the klr for winter and puddles!
Good luck, and keep grinning!

I don't get why everyone goes for the XT660Z over the 660R without proper consideration. It's got a smaller tank and slightly less ground clearance. But that really isn't an issue for most. The Tenere is way too heavy for any serious trails anyway. And with an economical FI motor, the smaller tank still gives great range.

The weight savings and physical size difference make it a great choice. It's also cheaper !!

The 660Z is under-powered for it's weight.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Totally agree. I've done over 104,000kms on my 2007 XT660R. It has been used and abused and only let me down once in Georgia with a collapsed rear wheel bearing. Never considered the XT660Z due to it's size, weight and cost. It does look the part though.

Dicky

xt660 z is a lot more comfortable to ride than the R as it has a screen + crash pads on tank. but they are both a bit vibey if you ride them every day for a month or so ! ..........but very reliable
The new T700 is twice the bike !