Having been quoted $9500 from Canberra Motorcycle Centre for the bike with Staintune pipe and onroad costs, it was time to ring around other dealerships to compare prices. Noting that most interstate dealers could not deliver with ACT rego, I requested and compared prices excluding rego and stamp duty. I then added 3% to the bike cost for stamp duty and $511.40 which is the cost of registration.
What I requested from all dealers was: 2010 KLR650 (Black) with Staintune exhaust, bike derestricted and jetted appropriately – ready for delivery/pickup anytime from 15 Janruary onwards.
This is a table of the prices I received;
| Store |
Website |
Phone |
Price |
StampDuty+Rego
(price-650)+3%+511 |
Total |
| Canberra Motorcycle Centre |
http://www.canberramcc.com.au/ |
02 6280 4491 |
8,725 |
775 |
9,500 |
| Sydney City Motors (Kogarah) |
http://www.sydneycitymotorcycles.com.au/ |
02 9587 3000 |
8,640 |
751 |
9,391 |
| On Two Wheels (Campbelltown) |
http://www.ontwowheels.com.au/ |
02 4625 7518 |
8,400 |
744 |
9,144 |
| Bikebiz Kawasaki (Parramatta) |
http://bikebiz.com.au/ |
02 9682 2999 |
9,910 |
789 |
10,699 |
| Kawasaki Newcastle |
http://www.kawasakinewcastle.com.au/ |
02 4950 4955 |
Never called back. |
| Sharptune Kawasaki (Dandenong) |
http://www.sharptune.com.au/ |
03 9792 0232 |
Cound not match prices quoted thus far. |
| Peter Stevens Motorcycles (MLB City) |
http://www.peterstevens.com.au/ |
03 9602 5833 |
8,550 |
748 |
9,298 |
| Nowra City Motorcycles |
unknown |
02 4421 4899 |
8,499 |
747 |
9,246 |
Detailed information: KLR650 Dealer Prices and notes
Took the KLR for a test ride again this morning. Very happy with it. It feels light, is not over powered and makes you want to just cruise around which is exactly what I want the bike for. The seat feels like a lounge chair. Moving from first to second seemed a little clunky, this may just be because the bike was not run in and only had 6 kms on the clock and it is not a sports bike.
I took the bike around town for a little ride, found some dirt road and took it out on the highway. The suspension is very soft on dirt, which was expected. Wind buffeting at highway speeds it quite bad and will need to be looked at. I also forgot how bad some car drivers are…. bike got back in one piece though.
With a Staintune exhaust fitted and bike ready to ride away with ACT rego for 12mths, CMC are qouting me $9500 (AUS).
Room has been made in the stable for the new KLR to join the KTM 450EXCR.
Some items that I have already purchased for the bike and are in the mail on their way;
Yeah I know, I went crazy with a twisted throttle catalog. But it was great fun!
I will document the up grade process as parts turn up and are fitted to the bike.
It it time to decide on a new bike.
Another mate and I will be travelling the top of Australia from Broome to Northern Territory via the Gibb River Road and then follow the Savannah Way to Queensland and on to Cairns. We have already delayed the trip by 12mths, however at this stage are planning to start June/July 2011. (AdventureTrip.kmz)
After looking at a lot of Dual Sport bikes, comparing prices, looking at available options for them and testing it has come down to a choice between the KLR650 and DR650. Some of the bikes looked at;
| Bike |
Price (AUS) |
| BMW R1200GS |
$26,800 |
| BMW R1200GS Adventure |
$30,800 |
| BMW F650 GS |
$16,000 |
| BMW F800 GS |
$20,000 |
| KTM 990 Adventure S |
$19,990 + orc |
| KTM 990 Adventure |
$19,990 + orc |
| KTM 690 Enduro |
$15,000 |
| Honda XL700V |
$11,990 + orc |
| Kawasaki KLR650 |
$8,499 + orc |
| Suzuki DR650S |
$7,690 + orc |
So with a budget of about $12,000 AUS the logical choices were either the KLR650 or DR650 especially given that additional items and work on the bike that would be required prior to under taking a trip like this.
Not only price, but both bikes are very capable and reliable which we considered very important when riding in the remote out back. There is no doubt that the KTM 990’s or 690 would be great bikes, but cost and possible reliability had them excluded. The BMWs felt way too heavy to me and cost was prohibitive.
After lots of reading of forums, talking with bike shops and other KLR owners the decision has been made. I will be the proud owner of a new 2010 KLR 650 very soon.
The plan is to purchase in Janruary of 2010 and it cannot get here soon enough.
This is an example of how NOT to get up a steep hill…. but you have to give it a go!
No excuses but where I came off the second time there is a sharp left still going up the hill. Next time I am in Mogo I will give it another go.
