The Suzuki DR650S and Kawasaki KLR650 are big single-cylinder dual-sport motorcycles at almost the same price: $7,299 for the 2026 DR650S and $6,999 to $8,299 for the 2027 KLR650 line. The DR650S has more suspension travel, more ground clearance and a lower listed weight. The KLR650 adds fuel injection, a 6.1-gallon tank, a windscreen and optional ABS.
| Specification | 2026 Suzuki DR650S | 2027 Kawasaki KLR650 |
|---|
| Base MSRP | $7,299 | $6,999 non-ABS, $7,299 ABS |
| Engine | 644cc single, air- and oil-cooled, SOHC, carburetor | 652cc single, liquid-cooled, DOHC, fuel-injected |
| Transmission | Five-speed | Five-speed |
| ABS | Not listed by Suzuki | Optional |
| Seat height | 34.8 in. (33.2 in. with Suzuki lowering kit) | 34.3 in. (KLR650 S: 32.1 in.) |
| Wheel travel, front and rear | 10.2 in. and 10.2 in. | 7.9 in. and 8.0 in. |
| Ground clearance | 10.4 in. | 8.3 in. |
| Curb weight | 366 lb | 456.2 lb (non-ABS), 460.6 lb (ABS) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.4 gal (California model 3.2 gal) | 6.1 gal |
| Wheelbase | 58.7 in. | 60.6 in. |
| Tires, front and rear | 90/90-21 and 120/90-17 | 90/90-21 and 130/80-17 |
Prices are base MSRP and exclude destination, taxes, title, registration and dealer fees. Figures come from Suzuki's and Kawasaki's US websites, read on 14 October 2026. Browse dual-sport and other motorcycles for sale on Searchshop to see what dealers near you are asking.
The comparison uses published data, not test rides. Every specification and price comes from the manufacturer's own US website, read on 14 October 2026, for the newest model year each brand lists: the 2026 DR650S and the 2027 KLR650. Dealer asking prices come from Searchshop's own listings on the same day.
- Suzuki does not publish a horsepower or torque figure for the DR650S, so the two bikes are not compared on power.
- Kawasaki says its curb weight includes a fuel tank more than 90 percent full and the tool kit. Suzuki's spec page does not say what its curb weight includes, so treat the weight gap as a guide, not an exact measurement.
- Prices are compared on one basis, base MSRP, with each brand's published destination charge shown separately.
The 2026 DR650S costs $7,299 base MSRP, the same as the 2027 KLR650 with ABS and $300 more than the non-ABS KLR650 at $6,999. With destination added, the totals are $7,899 for the DR650S ($600 destination charge) and $7,684 for the non-ABS KLR650 or $7,984 with ABS ($685 destination charge).
Suzuki sells one DR650S version. Kawasaki sells three KLR650 versions for 2027:
- KLR650: $6,999 non-ABS or $7,299 with ABS.
- KLR650 S: the same prices, with a lower 32.1-inch seat and shorter suspension travel.
- KLR650 Adventure ABS: $8,199, or $8,299 in the Cypher Camo Beige/Pearl Matte Sand Khaki colors, with hard saddlebags, fog lights, frame sliders, a tank pad and a DC socket.
The biggest mechanical difference is how each engine is fed and cooled. Suzuki's 644cc DR650S engine is an air- and oil-cooled SOHC single with a Mikuni BST40 carburetor. Kawasaki's 652cc KLR650 engine is a liquid-cooled DOHC single with fuel injection through a 40mm throttle body.
Kawasaki says fuel injection helps the KLR650 start reliably at high altitude and in cold conditions. Suzuki says the DR650S engine is tuned for low- to mid-rpm power and uses a gear-driven balancer shaft to reduce vibration. Both bikes use a five-speed gearbox and sealed chain final drive.
Kawasaki rates the KLR650 at 40 hp at 6,000 rpm and 39.1 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm, measured under ISO standard 4106. Kawasaki notes that this figure may be higher than a measurement to SAE standards. Suzuki lists no power figure for the DR650S on its US spec page.
The DR650S lists a much lower curb weight, and the KLR650 carries far more fuel, which accounts for part of the gap because Kawasaki's figure includes a tank more than 90 percent full. Suzuki lists the DR650S at 366 lb. Kawasaki lists the KLR650 at 456.2 lb without ABS and 460.6 lb with ABS, and the KLR650 Adventure ABS at 487.1 lb.
The KLR650's tank holds 6.1 gallons on every version. The DR650S holds 3.4 gallons, or 3.2 gallons on the California model. Kawasaki says fuel injection and the 6.1-gallon tank let the KLR650 go farther between fuel stops. Neither maker publishes a fuel economy figure on its spec page, so the article does not estimate range.
The standard KLR650 is also longer, with a 60.6-inch wheelbase and 89.8-inch overall length, against 58.7 inches and 88.8 inches for the DR650S.
The DR650S has more suspension travel and more ground clearance on paper. Suzuki lists 10.2 inches of wheel travel at both ends and 10.4 inches of ground clearance. The standard KLR650 has 7.9 inches of travel at the front, 8.0 inches at the rear and 8.3 inches of ground clearance.
Both brands offer a way to lower the seat, but they do it differently. The standard DR650S seat is 34.8 inches. A Suzuki Genuine Accessory kit, fitted by a Suzuki dealer, lowers the seat 40 mm to 33.2 inches and includes a shorter side stand. With the kit, Suzuki lists ground clearance of 8.9 inches.
The standard KLR650 seat is 34.3 inches. The KLR650 S comes from the factory with a 32.1-inch seat, using shorter suspension travel of 6.7 inches front and 7.0 inches rear, a thinner seat and a shorter side stand. Its ground clearance is 7.3 inches. Seat shape and bar reach also affect fit, so sit on both before buying.
Both bikes use a 21-inch front and 17-inch rear tire, and both use a single disc at each end with two-piston calipers. The KLR650 has a 300mm front disc against a 290mm floating disc on the DR650S, and both have a 240mm rear disc. The KLR650 runs a wider 130/80-17 rear tire, against a 120/90-17 on the DR650S.
The KLR650 comes with more touring equipment as standard. Kawasaki lists an adjustable two-position windscreen, hand guards, an aluminum rear carrier, an LED headlight and all-digital instruments, with ABS available on the KLR650 and KLR650 S and standard on the Adventure ABS.
The DR650S is a simpler machine. Suzuki lists a 60/55-watt halogen headlight and an electric starter with automatic decompression, and does not list ABS. Suzuki Genuine Accessories for the DR650S include a cargo rack and a skid plate.
Searchshop dealer listings on 14 October 2026 put the median asking price of a new 2026 DR650S at its $7,299 base MSRP. Counts are listings whose title matched the model name, and prices are dealer asking prices.
- New 2026 Suzuki DR650S: 13 listings, median asking price $7,299.
- New 2026 Kawasaki KLR650 and KLR650 S, with or without ABS: 7 listings, median asking price $6,999.
- New 2026 Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure ABS: 7 listings, median asking price $8,199.
- Used Kawasaki KLR650, all versions, model years 2018 to 2025: 8 listings, median asking price $5,849.
Used DR650S listings were too few to give a reliable median. Listings change daily, so ask each dealer for a written out-the-door price that shows destination, fees and taxes.
Choose on how much of your riding is dirt and how much is distance, because that is where the published figures split.
- Choose the Suzuki DR650S if you want the lower listed weight, 10.2 inches of wheel travel, 10.4 inches of ground clearance and a simple carbureted, air- and oil-cooled engine.
- Choose the Kawasaki KLR650 if you want fuel injection, a 6.1-gallon tank, a windscreen and hand guards, or ABS. Shorter riders can look at the KLR650 S with its 32.1-inch seat, and riders who want luggage fitted from the factory can look at the Adventure ABS.
Comparing other adventure bikes first? Read Searchshop's guide to the best adventure motorcycles and the comparison of motorcycle brands, warranties and dealer prices. Buying used? Start with the used motorcycle buying guide. When you are ready, compare DR650S and KLR650 listings from dealers on Searchshop.
No, the 2026 Suzuki DR650S uses a carburetor, a Mikuni BST40, on its 644cc air- and oil-cooled single. The 2027 Kawasaki KLR650 uses fuel injection with a 40mm throttle body, and Kawasaki says this helps it start reliably at high altitude and in cold conditions.
The KLR650 offers ABS, and Suzuki does not list it for the DR650S. Kawasaki sells the 2027 KLR650 and KLR650 S with or without ABS, with ABS adding $300 to the base MSRP, and the KLR650 Adventure ABS comes with it as standard.
The Kawasaki KLR650 S has the lowest seat of the two lineups, at 32.1 inches from the factory. The standard KLR650 is 34.3 inches. The DR650S is 34.8 inches as standard, or 33.2 inches with a Suzuki lowering kit fitted by a dealer, which also reduces ground clearance to 8.9 inches.
The Kawasaki KLR650 holds 6.1 gallons on every 2027 version. The Suzuki DR650S holds 3.4 gallons, or 3.2 gallons on the California model. Neither maker lists fuel economy on its spec page, so compare range by asking owners or dealers about real-world mileage.
