autoevolution and the autoevolution logo are registered trademarks. Initially, I thought ABS wasnt working on the test bike, so subtle was the intervention, but I noticed its absence when I took the non-ABS model off-road. The Gen 1's were more capable off-road..and did not have side covers crafted from fine bone china. The KLR got its first and only major update for the 2008 model year, with engine tweaks for smoother and stronger power delivery, better suspension and brakes, a more supportive seat and new switchgear and bodywork. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. KLR 650 ADVENTURE MSRP NON-ABS: $7,899 / MSRP ABS: $8,199 $1,000 SAVINGS ADDITIONAL VEHICLE FEATURES: Side Cases (optional One-key System) Fog Lamps Frame Sliders Tank Pad DC socket and optional USB socket Available with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Special color & graphics: Cypher Camo Gray VIEW SPECS & DETAILS TOP FEATURES ENGINE By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Good bike! The standard KLR650 is available with ABS for $6,999, or without for $6,699. Both the battery and generator have been updated to provide more power for accessories such as auxiliary lights and heated grips. The Kawasaki KLR 650 is a dinosaur, but it's an extremely affordable, accessible, and capable dinosaur that will take you wherever you want to go. Read our 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 road test review, Managing Editor Jenny Smith, who joined the Rider staff in 2016, owned a second-gen KLR: As a dedicated sport rider, dual-sport motorcycles were never on my radaruntil I moved to Colorado. I added an ATV lounge to the back and I made my own dash and windshield. I've had an '09 & '07 still currently own the '07. Hearing the distinctive tweet from the exhaust of a KLR riding by immediately transports us back to memorable adventures, carefree days and campfire nights. Here we are, at the beginning of a new year and the end of an era. Looking at 2005 or later somewhat arbitrarily, but also because I like the way the newer ones look. He has about $2500 to spend on it and has been looking at the KLR 650's. He wants sort of a do all bike. What years should I avoid at all costs? It has a throttle lock cruise control and Ram phone and drink holders. ADDITIONAL. Make the most of your next adventure by choosing the best KLR650 suited for your needs. Looking at 2005 or later somewhat arbitrarily, but also because I like the way the newer ones look. The KLR650 is heavier than specialized off-road dirt bikes, but it can handle most conditions when ridden carefully by a skilled rider. Ya know, theres always the venerable Suzuki DR650 with some palpable advantages over the KLR. Were all waiting. Read our 2014.5 Kawasaki KLR650 New Edition first ride review. I just added 1 tooth to my, 2006 model, countershaft sprocket which took care of that issue. August 18, 2017 in KLR/KLX 600/650. Sold it for a 2014 triumph tiger 800XC. and our I admire Kawasakis stubborn refusal to make more than the necessary enhancements to the KLR650. . To be fair, Dodge has been making Ram trucks for almost 40 years too and they still suck. Anchorage, formerly Spenard (hub of the universe), http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/klr650-only-thread.742912/, (You must log in or sign up to reply here. Truly the end of an era in motorcycling. The change starts at engine number KL650AEA72320. My son Jack thinks the ST1100 and ST1300 are too big for around town (doesn't matter what mom and dad ride! Two of those were KLRs (1988 and 2014.5) I have had some epic bike tours and none better than on the KLRs. It was a long-standing model in Kawasaki's lineup, having been introduced in 1987 to replace the 564cc (34.4cuin) 19841986 Kawasaki KLR600, and remaining almost unchanged through the 2007 model. The windscreen is 2 inches taller and now adjustable, although youll need an Allen wrench to raise it the extra inch. I have been to 35 countries with my KLR. An O2 sensor and catalyzer are also in place to ensure the KLR exhales as cleanly as possible. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kawasaki_KLR650&oldid=1135899637, Articles needing additional references from August 2009, All articles needing additional references, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox motorcycle with unknown parameters, Wikipedia articles that are excessively detailed from May 2021, All articles that are excessively detailed, Wikipedia articles with style issues from May 2021, Cleanup tagged articles with a reason field from May 2021, Wikipedia pages needing cleanup from May 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Front: 9.1in (231mm); Rear: 9.1in (231mm), Front: 1 disc 260mm, single 30mm piston caliper (piston area 706 mm2) Brake pad area 23 cm2; Rear: 1 disc 230mm diameter, single piston caliper. In the years that followed, Rider selected the KL650 Tengai as the Top Adventure Touring Motorcycle (May 1990 issue) and published touring features in which the KLR650 played a leading role (Dirty Duo, August 1993; A KLR in Color Country, May 1995). Wellif I had your money I would ride bikes like I used to own. Lot more pleasant to ride on the street, if off-road isn't the main interest. A trusted friend recommended some 2003 and 2006 bikes but do these have a specific model desaignation? Redesigned and unveiled on January 26, 2021, the third generation KLR brings EFI and ABS to the lineup. Cookie Notice The addition of luggage and personalized modifications (GPS, heated handgrips, larger windscreens) make it more functional on long trips. I had a friend who had a gray-market DR 750 Suzuki about the time the Tengai came out. I will probably have the 2014.5 until I no longer ride. The silt track might as well have been a road of marbles, and its at times like these when even the most experienced riders risk falling off that a lone traveler will be particularly thankful theyre on a simple, relatively lightweight adventure bike. There are, after all, plenty of multi-cylinder, all-singing, all-dancing adventure bikes to choose from, but even the middleweight examples are $10,000 or more. posted: 2023-02-27 15: . This includes going from tip of South America, OWN IT, Announce it, dont slink away in the dark, the KLR community is watching. As it does for many, the KLR holds a special place in the hearts of Rider staffers. In 2018, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer released the KLR650, an adventure bike that offered great performance on almost every terrain, such as sand, dirt, forest roads, and even on paved roads but also delivered comfort and great fuel efficiency. He also sent an adjuster from the previous model. they sell every one they make, thats why it stays pretty much the same. ;-). It was sold in the US starting 1990 and in other countries for two years afterward - this could be classified as a separate model in its own right as the others are more trail bike orientated. Back in 1989, when we published our first comparison test featuring the KLR650, its MSRP was $3,499 ($7,164 in 2018 dollars). Cookie Notice it does everything pretty well, thus making it an exceptional bike. Mid-1996: Changed valve cover, added bracket to hold cam chain bumper; changed crank to heavier unit; improved clutch basket with 1 more clutch plate; changed countershaft sprocket retainer from slotted plate to large nut; changed second and third gear ratios. The suspension is done as well as the KLX kit and Lmod. ABS is a $300 upgrade. Then, over time, the batcycle evolved with more black stuff in gloss, flat, and satin The Kawasaki KLR650 is a dual-purpose motorcycle intended for use on both paved and unpaved roads. The bike featured a semi-double cradle high-tensile steel frame made of round sections with a removable rear subframe that provided quick access to the rear shock, airbox, and carburetor for easy maintenance, while the engine was protected from rocks and trail debris by an engine guard. The KLR is for riders who want to enjoy the country theyre riding through, not just blast through to check another route off the list. Love my Honda because its easy and inexpensive to maintain, same with KLR. After spending two years on the bench, the Kawasaki KLR650 is back where it belongs, exploring the boondocks. on a 2014 Kawasaki KLR6750 New Edition. travel Brakes, Front: Single 300mm disc w/ 2-piston caliperRear: Single 240mm disc w/ 1-piston caliper Wheels, Front: Spoked aluminum, 1.60 x 21 in.Rear: Spoked aluminum, 2.50 x 17 in.Tires, Front: 90/90-21, tube-typeRear: 130/80-17, tube-typeWet Weight: 487 lbs. Some '09's used old stock of those rings so there were some in the year as well . For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Somewhere in the Majestic Rocky Mountains of Alber. To calm the nerves of the faithful, Ill start with what hasnt changed. A shorter rider may not experience the same issue, and a set of bar risers might have helped in my case. I'm in the market for a KLR and I want to k ow if there's any years to avoid for one reason or another. Its name "Tengai" is a traditional Japanese saying which means "The End of The Sky.". Given the price, I expect a lot of buyers will opt for it; I know I would. This was truly the best choice out there. Base Price: $6,699Price as Tested: $7,699 (Adventure model)Warranty: 1 yr., unltd. I really have been thinking of updating to the new one, but this one has a lot more miles in it. Mine was a '96. In its early days Kawasaki billed the KLR not as a dual-sport but as a triple-sport, a motorcycle good for street, dirt and touring. Holy sh*t he was fast on that thing, often two-up. Although the KLR is not a highway bike per se, it happily cruises at 75 mph. In my area I seem to have two options when it comes to used bikes: '08-'09 for $3,000-$4,000 with low mileage (<10k) or pre-2008 models with more mileage and lacking the updates that came with '08. . cap.Transmission: 5-speed, cable-actuated wet clutchFinal Drive: O-ring chain. The arrival of an updated KLR 650 is a welcome one since it was axed from the range in 2018, and fans of this dual-sport stalwart will be pleased to learn that it comes in three different forms: the base model KLR 650, as well as the KLR 650 . I was hoping that it would receive a fuel injection at some point. Rider ran more road tests, comparisons and touring features in the years that followed. Cookies Policy Former mtb & dirtbike racer who loves a big thumper. Having gotten the formula right out of the gate, the KLR underwent few changes during its first two decades. Suzuki is the best bang for your buck to this category of bike (IMO)as the ST is to sport-touring. Early the next morning, the KLR now loaded with gear, I set off solo for Arizona. -. KLR650-A: The "A" model was introduced in 1987, based on its KLR600 predecessor (1984 to 1986). Well Heck!! Over the decades it developed an entire legion of loyal owners, many of whom have owned multiple versions of the beloved machine. On 8/18/2017 at 11:39 AM, autoredial said: What model years for most reliable KLR650? Joshua Tree National Park, my next destination, is over 500 miles away, and Arizona Route 89 runs through Prescott before dropping from 6,000 feet to just under 400 feet in Peeples Valley. I do hate changing chains and sprockets over the years. It had the latest technology of the time and hasn't changed all that much over its 31 years of production. 1987-1995: used the 3-dog KLR600 transmission with a taller first gear and an electric start instead of kick. Theres a guy who claims hes a master mechanic and disassembled a 2022 KLR. Turning onto the backcountry roads that will take us into Taos, I got a chance to throw the KLR into some corners. In 2012, Kawasaki launched the KLR650, the best-selling dual-sport motorcycle for seven years in a row and a bike that could handle all types of terrain, such as sand, dirt, forests, and pavement, with its single-cylinder engine that also delivered incredible fuel efficiency. I really tried to like it but it made my R100GS feel like a Dakar racer by comparison. Privacy Policy If you want a rock solid dual sport buy the suzuki drz 400. Having turned the KLR into a more comfortable and versatile adventure tourer, he bought the bike from Kawasaki and kept it in his garage for more than a decade, occasionally using it for two-up camping trips with his wife, Genie. Free shipping for many products! . 2014 1/2: (Mid year) The 41mm forks were upgraded to make the springs 40% firmer and to increase the firmness of the rebound damping by 27%. No matter where Ive ridden in the world, I always seem to end up on tracks like these, with a mix of sand, rubble, and gravel. It has been made stronger and more reliable, and offers more comfort, wind protection, load-carrying ability, and versatility. Still miss my DRZ. So for 2022, the KLR650 has a host of updates, the most significant among them being the addition of fuel injection. But at higher speeds, it would really benefit from a 6th gear. The short answer: most of it. My KLR never let me down. Gotta say, the DR looks a whole lot more 70s fun bike than the KLR too. Riding the KLR on national forest roads and trails throughout the Angeles, Los Padres and Sequoia national forests and all over the Mojave Desert reminded me of my high school days, when I would explore trails on my mountain bike. What model years are the most reliable? Get on and GO! Compared to more modern bikes, this one-lung adventurer may seem lacking, but its simplicity and ruggedness are virtues not found in the high-dollar machines., Read Arden Kyselys The Arrival: A Tale of the Sierra Madre on KLR650s. 2001: Around this time final assembly moved from Japan to Thailand. The semi-knobby tires squirm a bit on pavement, but the bike is composed when accelerating through tight corners. The bike came with a new color scheme and graphics, such as the Metallic Spark Black with Metallic Matte Carbon Gray and Pearl Solar Yellow with Metallic Spark Black but also available in the Matrix Camo edition that featured a Matrix Camo Gray with Metallic Matte Carbon Gray color. Main interest by a skilled rider it an exceptional bike the KLRs the.... Have owned multiple versions of the beloved machine turning onto the backcountry roads will... As well will opt for it ; I know I would brings EFI and to..., often two-up time I comment arbitrarily, but it can handle most when... 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Cleanly as possible I was hoping that it would really benefit from a 6th gear updates the! Making it an exceptional bike and offers more comfort, wind protection, load-carrying,. When accelerating through tight corners a trusted friend recommended some 2003 and 2006 bikes but do have!.. and did not have side covers crafted from fine bone china calm the nerves of faithful. Semi-Knobby tires squirm a bit on pavement, but also because I like the the! Pleasant to ride on the street, if off-road is n't the main interest to Thailand hoping that it really... I had a friend who had a gray-market DR 750 Suzuki about the time the Tengai came out and still... Early the next time I comment 11:39 AM, autoredial said: model... End of an era the Tengai came out model, countershaft sprocket which care!