Here in the Colorado Mtns I ride a XR650L and my buddy rides a KLR650 so I can give a good comparison. Both of us used to ride dirt Yamaha TT600's so we're used to riding big bore thumpers on rocky trails. The XR is unquestionably more capable off road, although the KLR made it over boulder strewn Tincup Pass last year too. On the other hand the KLR can out cruise the the XR on the highway significantly. KLR is alot heavier, much of which is up high making it harder to control on rough surface. That same weight along with farings and windshield make it hold the road easy at speeds I don't feel safe at with my XR , especially with crosswinds and/or 18 wheelers. XR holds 2.2 gallons fuel, KLR more like 6. Like Snowops said these machines are a compromise and not terrific on either highway or trail. But for dirt road and mtn passes nothing's much better.