Quote from: Tyll Hertsens on July 08, 2013, 06:40:35 PM

(Up here in Montana there's plenty of room to cruise along. Thank you Valentine radar detector.)

No laser traps up there?

You're talking about a state that didn't even have a speed limit back in the 90s.

The fun is in the bends obviously... a couple of months ago, i completed the 36hour Moto Guzzi Club endurance here in Greece (some say it is tougher than the Ducati equivalent in Italy, but i cannot say).

About 1700km of pure twisty roads (some gravel too) on secondary roads and all this in 36hours (one hotel stop for sleep)... it was really something... many people thought the FJR would be too much for these roads, but i made it ok.

I must agree with shipsupt who sounds like a hell of an experienced biker, that the schools are absolutely necessary to be able to command your machine. Things that you do unconsciously become apparent and you learn to control them.

The FJR handles well, and in my humble opinion it is the best sport tourer. On track it didn't show any weaknesses and we were not laping any slower than the Busas for example... (twisty track only one extended straight)... the problem i found is that if you push it, the brakes give up on you due to the weight.

There is nothing more fun than controlling your bike exactly like YOU want to in a curve.

Yes Tyll, 90mph... hmmm... you guys are unlucky in the States with these speed limits... but yes the FJR is rock solid at 120kmph, we tend to cruise a little faster though here in Greece and in Europe generally.

My one track day of the year.. his past sunday at the Ridge.

I had a DR650.  It was a solid bike that did everthing OK, but nothing outstanding.  I had it set up for both adventure riding and had some super motard rims to throw on as well for the street.  The motor was bullet proof, but not exciting.  Since the KLX is essentially the same bike as the the DR I'd think it would be similar in a lot of ways.

I don't know much about the CRF, but Honda always makes a solid bike, and this one is pretty much a direct competitor to the KLX.

Great starter bikes, really versatile.  If you're not planning to push them too hard off road, and you're not expecting huge excitement from these motors you probably can't go wrong. 

Be sure to go and sit on a few.  First, thy can surprise you with their height if that's an issue.  Second, sometimes the smallest ergo item can make all the difference for you when you are in the saddle all day.  Since you are talking similar price and features, it may just come down to which bike 'feels' better for you.