View Single Post Old 12-01-2012, 07:35 AM   #16 Dino de
Laurentiis Working on it Joined: Mar 2010 Location: Ultima Thule
Oddometer: 63 Originally Posted by beergut View Post  As has
been stated in the thread already, the DR and KLR has comparable
power levels, as do a few other dual sport bikes like the XT
660. The reason is reliability and economy. They are designed to
be affordable, so they don't use much exotic materials, and most
have engines dating back to the 90s or even 80s in original
form. They are also built to last, they really only need an oil
change at specified intervals to make them last for tens of
thousands of miles without issues.  You can spend the money the
factory didn't want to spend to increase performance, but
usually the cost outweighs the gains. Not familiar with prices
abroad, but just reflowing the head costs like 1/6-1/8 of the
cost a used bike. A new carb, a few hundred dollars. Lightening
the crank for faster throttle response, like a 1/4 of the cost
of a used bike. A new exhaus