2007 BMW F 650GS vs 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650

Full specifications comparison • 2 motorcycles

Comparing 2 motorcycles

Differences only

2007 BMW F 650GS

Enduro / Off-Road

Engine

Single cylinder

Power

37 kW / 50 hp @ 6500 rpm

Top Speed

183.4 km/h / 114 mph

Weight

191 kg / 421.1 lbs.

2009 Kawasaki KLR 650

Enduro / Off-Road

Engine

Single cylinder

Power

42.1 hp / 31 kW @ 7000 rpm

Top Speed

93.0 mph

Weight

428.0 pounds

Full Specifications

Differs Same

General
Year	2007	2008 - 09
Make	BMW	-
Model	F 650GS	-
Colours	Red Non-Metallic, Night Black, Iceberg Silver Metallic	Ebony, Sunbeam Red, Oriental Blue
Make Model	BMW F 650GS	Kawasaki KLR 650
Dimensions
Ground Clearance (in.)	-	8.1 inches
Width (mm)	910 mm	-
Ground Clearance (mm)	-	206 mm
Height (mm)	1265 mm	-
Width (in.)	35.8 inches	-
Height (in.)	49.8 inches	-
Seat Height	780 mm / 30.7 in.	889 mm / 35 in
Wheelbase	1479 mm / 58.2 in.	1480 mm / 58.3 in
Ground Clearance	-	210 mm / 8.3 in
Height	1265 mm / 49.8 in.	1350 mm / 53.1 in
Length	2175 mm / 85.6 in.	2295 mm / 90.4 in
Width	910 mm / 35.8 in.	960 mm / 37.8 in
Weights & Capacities
Oil Capacity (Quarts)	2.43 US quarts with filter change	-
Oil Capacity (l)	2.3 litres with filter change	-
Dry Weight	176 kg / 388 lbs.	175.5 kg / 387.0 lbs
Fuel Capacity	17.3 Litres / 4.6 US gal.	23 Litres / 5.8 US gal.
Coolant Capacity	1.3 litres, including 0.1 litre in expansion tank	-
Maximum Load / GVWR	380 kg / 837.8 lbs. maximum permissible total weight	-
Oil Capacity	2.3 litres with filter change	-
Wet Weight	191 kg / 421.1 lbs.	194 kg / 432 lbs
Performance
Maximum RPM	7400 rpm	7800
Top Speed	183.4 km/h / 114 mph	149.7 km/h / 93.0 mph
Acceleration (0-100 km/h)	-	5.880 seconds
Max Power	37 kW / 50 hp @ 6500 rpm	42.1 hp / 31 kW @ 7000 rpm
Max Torque	60 Nm / 6.12 kgf-m / 44.25 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm	47 Nm / 4.7 kgf-m @ 5000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio	0.2857 HP/kg	0.2057 HP/kg
Standing Start ¼ Mile	13.4 sec	14.400 seconds
Engine
Engine Type	Single cylinder	Single cylinder
Bore x Stroke (in,)	-	3.9 x 3.3 inches
Displacement (cc)	-	651.00 cc
Fuel Control	-	DOHC
Displacement (ci)	-	39.72 cubic inches
Stroke	4	4
Bore x Stroke (mm)	-	100.0 x 83.0 mm
Displacement	652 cc / 39.8 cub. in.	651 cc / 39.7 cu-in
Engine Detail	Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Fuel System	Injection. Electronic fuel injection	Carburettor. Keihin CVK 40
Bore x Stroke	100 x 83mm	100 x 83 mm.
Catalytic Converter	Closed-loop three-way catalytic converter	-
Compression Ratio	11.5:1	9.8:1
Cooling System	Liquid cooled	Liquid cooled
Engine Management	BMW BMS-C II	-
Engine Oil Specification	-	Semi-Synthetic, 10W/40
Exhaust	Stainless-steel exhaust system	-
Fuel Consumption	4.7 L/100 km / 50.0 US mpg / 60.1 Imp mpg	-
Fuel Consumption (Claimed)	3.2 L/100 km at steady 90 km/h; 4.3 L/100 km at steady 120 km/h	-
Fuel Induction	Electronic fuel injection	Keihin CVK40
Fuel Range	370.2 kms / 230 miles	-
Fuel Reserve	Approx. 4.5 Litres / 1.2 US gal.	-
Fuel Type	Unleaded petrol, minimum 91 RON	-
Idle Speed	1500 rpm	-
Ignition	Electronically controlled twin-spark ignition	Transistorized
Lubrication	Dry sump	Forced lubrication (wet sump)
Spark Plug	-	NGK, DPR 8EA/9
Starter	Electric	Electric
Valve System	DOHC, four valves	4
EV Specifics
Battery Capacity	12V / 12Ah	-
Drivetrain
Chain Size	520 (5/8 x 1/4 in.)	-
Chain Type	O-ring chain	-
Clutch	Multiple-disc clutch in oil bath, mechanically operated	Wet multi-disc, cable operation
Final Drive	Chain	Sealed Chain
Final Drive Ratio	2.938:1 (47/16)	2.867 (43/15)
Gear Ratios	1st 2.75 / 2nd 1.75 / 3rd 1.31 / 4th 1.05 / 5th 0.88:1	1st 2.266 (34/15) 2nd 1.444 (26/18) 3rd 1.136 (25/22) 4th 0.954 (21/22) 5th 0.791 (19/24)
Gearbox	5-speed	5-speed
Number of Chain Links	112 links	-
Primary Drive Ratios	-	2.272 / 75/33
Primary Gear Ratio	1.946:1 (72/37)	-
Sprocket Front and Rear	Front 16 teeth / rear 47 teeth	-
Transmission / Drive	5 Speed	5 Speed
Chassis
Fork Tube Size (mm)	41 mm	-
Fork Tube Size (in.)	1.61 inches	-
Trail (in.)	4.46 inches	-
Wheel Travel - Rear (mm)	165 mm	-
Wheel Travel - Rear (in.)	6.50 inches	-
Wheel Travel - Front (mm)	170 mm	-
Wheel Travel - Front (in.)	6.69 inches	-
Trail (mm)	113.3 mm	-
Frame Type	Bridge-type steel section frame with bolted-on rear section	Semi-double Cradle Made of high-tech, round-section, high-tensile steel
Suspension - Front	41mm Telescopic fork with stabilizer bridge	41mm Air-adjustable forks,
Suspension - Rear	Spring setting and rebound stage damping continuously adjustable	Uni-Trak® linkage, 5-way preload shock absorber with 4way rebound damping.
Frame - Rear	Bolted-on rear frame section	-
Rake	29.2 degrees	28.0°
Steering Head Angle	60.8°	-
Swingarm	Steel box-section double-sided swingarm	-
Trail	113.3 mm / 4.46 in.	112 mm / 4.4 in
Wheel Travel - Front	170 mm / 6.69 in.	200 mm / 7.8 in
Wheel Travel - Rear	165 mm / 6.50 in.	185 mm / 7.2 in
Electrical Systems
Alternator	Three-phase alternator 400W	-
Battery Voltage	12 V	-
Headlight - Bulb	H4 halogen, 12 V, 60/55 W	-
Headlight - Type	Halogen	-
Wheels & Brakes
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.)	11.8 inches	11.0 inches
Brakes - Front Diameter (mm)	300 mm	280 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.)	9.4 inches	9.4 inches
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm)	240 mm	240 mm
Brakes - Front	Single ∅300mm disc, 2 piston caliper	Single 280mm disc 2 piston caliper
Brakes - Rear	Single ∅240mm disc, 1 piston caliper	Single 203mm disc 1 piston caliper
ABS	Optional BMW Motorrad ABS; switchable off	-
Brake Fluid Type	DOT 4	-
Rims - Front	2.50 x 19 in.	-
Rims - Rear	3.00 x 17 in.	-
Tyre Pressure - Front	1.9 bar solo; 2.1 bar fully loaded (cold)	-
Tyre Pressure - Rear	2.1 bar solo; 2.3 bar fully loaded (cold)	-
Tyres - Front	100/90-19	90/90 -21
Tyres - Rear	130/80-17	130/80 -17
Wheels	Wire spoke wheels	-
Wheels - Front	2.50 x 19	-
Wheels - Rear	3.00 x 17	-

Verdict

Winner on specs

2007 BMW F 650GS

The 2007 BMW F 650GS edges out the 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650 thanks to its higher torque, lower seat height, fuel injection and standard ABS. Specifications are one part of the picture - dealer support, parts availability, and intended use all matter too.

Key Differences

2007 BMW F 650GS - Advantages

Higher torque: 60 Nm vs 47 Nm - more pulling power across the rev range.
Lower seat height: 780 mm vs 889 mm - accessible to a wider range of rider heights.
Fuel injection: Precise fuelling, better cold-start reliability, and lower maintenance requirements.
Standard ABS: A meaningful safety advantage in emergency braking on wet or loose surfaces.

2009 Kawasaki KLR 650 - Advantages

More rear wheel travel: 185 mm vs 165 mm - absorbs bigger hits and rough terrain better.
More front wheel travel: 200 mm vs 170 mm - greater compliance over rough surfaces.

2007 BMW F 650GS vs 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650 - FAQs

Which bike is better for shorter riders, the 2007 BMW F 650GS or the 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650?

The 2007 BMW F 650GS has the lower seat at 780 mm, making it more accessible. The 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650 sits higher at 889 mm. A seat height below 800 mm suits most riders; above 820 mm shorter riders may need to tiptoe.

Does the 2007 BMW F 650GS or 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650 have ABS?

The 2007 BMW F 650GS is listed with ABS as standard. The 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650 does not list ABS. ABS provides a meaningful safety benefit in emergency braking on wet or loose surfaces.

Which should I buy, the 2007 BMW F 650GS or the 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650?

Both are strong choices. The 2007 BMW F 650GS has the edge in higher torque and lower seat height, while the 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650 stands out for higher rear wheel travel and higher front wheel travel. Visit dealers, arrange test rides, and factor in local parts and service costs - these often matter as much as the spec sheet.

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