On the road, however, its 651cc single was buzzy (despite having dual counterbalancers) and its front brake was woefully underpowered. 2001: Around this time final assembly moved from Japan to Thailand. So, you did it! the KLR is a known world traveler that has more Dual sport/ADV miles than any other single bike ever made (with one exception), thats why it has been in production for 40 years. . The old thumper has been updated to improve efficiency and meet the latest regulatory requirements, at the heart of which lies the new EFI system. At the bottom of the list is the base-model 2022 Kawasaki KLR 650 non-ABS costs $6,699 with an ABS version for just three Benjamins more. Will we see the KLR return in a year or two, minimally updated with fuel injection and an emissions-compliant exhaust system (like the KLX250 did)? The new KLR is still equipped with Dunlop K750 tires, a road/trail compromise with an emphasis on compromise. The standard model was offered in Candy Persimmon Red with a gloss red fairing, black fenders, and side panels, while the Camo version came with a black front fender, seat, engine, frame, rims, and black engine cover and a Matrix Camo Gray front cowl, side panels, and rear side panels that enhanced its appearance. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. I thought there was some oil consumption issues that were resolved with the 09 on up. At slower speeds, the 21-inch front wheel and tall stance result in a bit of steering flop, but once adjusted to its characteristics, the KLRs road handling exceeded expectations. The Gen 1's were more capable off-road..and did not have side covers crafted from fine bone china. My sentiments also. Short stroke MX type designs don't do this until 7k rpms , then a person shouldn't be surprised for letting a motor scream like that for long periods? You dont mess with success, and if it aint broke, dont fix it. I recall Damon Powell (who was big in dual sports then and later published Dual Dogs magazine) had a KLR 600 in which hed transplanted a KX500 two-stroke engine. Cookies Policy Seems like you are sorted, but if anyone else pops in here I have read the 08 and 09 years had some engine issues that were easily fixed but could be problematic at higher mileage if you were buying used. Free shipping for many products! EDIT: needto change my profile pic. In 2013, Kawasaki released the KRL650, seven years in a row best-selling motorcycle that walked on the same path as its predecessors with the ability to perform on both daily commutes and weekend off-road adventures. Former mtb & dirtbike racer who loves a big thumper. The Kawasaki KLR650 is a 652 cc (39.8 cu in) dual-sport motorcycle intended for both on-road and off-road riding. In the October 2013 issue of Rider, Clement Salvadori wrote his Retrospective column about the 1993-1996 Kawasaki KLX650, a more powerful, more off-road-oriented spin-off of the KLR, and he summed up the icons early history: On the conservative end was the venerable KLR650, which began life as a 600 in 1984 and showed a very modern approach to dual-sporting as it had the first liquid-cooled engine, with a kickstarter and a smallish gas tank holding just three gallons. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Somewhere in the Majestic Rocky Mountains of Alber. I had a 1996 model I wish I had kept. But the world has moved on, and as with many long-in-the-tooth motorcycles, satisfying the latest regulations is a major driving factor behind the updates to the new model. Dual-purpose capability allows the journey to go on- and off-road, and a reputation for enduring reliability helps you focus on the adventure at hand. 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%. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Features may include: Ultimate on-road and off-road adventure motorcycle is a popular best-seller; 651cc single-cylinder engine produces smooth, user-friendly power Kawasaki, in releasing the much-anticipated 2008 model, introduced the first significant redesign of the KLR650 since its inception. A victim of ever-tightening emissions regulations, the KLR and its lone carburetor have been put out to pasture. The KLR is widely used as an inexpensive adventure/touring bike. This was followed by the brief one-year appearance of the Tengai version in 1990, essentially a restyling of the standard KLR with a Paris-Dakar look and a bigger fairing. August 18, 2017 in KLR/KLX 600/650. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Copyright ThumperTalk, Inc. - All rights reserved.ThumperTalk is a registered trademark. For 1985, the engine-starting procedure got an electric leg, and sales showed that customers liked this innovation, the first in the single-cylinder dual-sport world. She is precious to me. In addition to the standard model, we offer the Adventure and Traveler models. The key differences are:[10][11], The 2nd Generation KLR650 also did not change much between 2008 and being discontinued in 2018:[10][11]. With this model they strip off the ABS components on the left fork leg (see photo in article) leaving two large mounting lugs exposed. 1990: Countershaft improved with longer splines for increased engagement with sprocket. And if youre in the market for a used KLR, the possibilities are nearly as limitless as the aftermarket products designed specifically for the crowd-pleasing dual-, er, triple-sport. Given the price, I expect a lot of buyers will opt for it; I know I would. Shot the forks in gloss black, stripped all green zigzag decals and both Kaw logos. Still miss my DRZ. These are the bikes that define the true motorcycle purists. Air-cooled simplicity just like we all enjoyed in the 1970s in our youth. Across sand, dirt, forests, and of course pavement, nothing else adapts like the KLR650. MSRP for 2018 KLR650s that remain on dealer floors is $6,699, a savings of $465 in current dollars from the 1989 model. I did a bike trade once and ended up with a KLR650 as part of the deal. Read Clement Salvadoris exploration of Californias Lost Coast It had a new fairing design, new instrument panel, redesigned handlebar control switches, new bar-end weights, revised powerband, revised suspension has reduced travel but with less static sag, new rear swingarm, new turn signals, larger petal-style vented brake rotors (280mm/240mm), new twin-piston rear brake caliper, increased radiator capacity, fork diameter increased from 38 to 41mm (1.5 to 1.6in), new headlight similar to that used on the Kawasaki Ninja 650R, larger luggage rack, firmer seat, larger-diameter wheel spokes, reinforced idler-shaft lever, called the doohickey by KLR riders. Otherwise same bike up to '07 just depends on what color you like which will dictate the model year(s) you'll look for. For 2022, there are still no rider modes, throttle-by-wire, TFT display, or other complexities (and related costs), and the base model is still priced well under $7,000. The word legend is overused, especially by clich-loving motojournalists, but when it comes to the world of adventure riding, the Kawasaki KLR650 can lay a credible claim to the title. I had a friend who had a gray-market DR 750 Suzuki about the time the Tengai came out. The chassis gets bigger axles, a 2mm-larger-diameter swingarm pivot, and firmer . Year: 2022 Make: Kawasaki Model: KLR650 Condition: Used. 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. If you want a rock solid dual sport buy the suzuki drz 400. Anything else specific to a certain year. Beasts: Adventure Bikes Not Made By BMW or KTM, http://advrider.com/index.php?forums/thumpers.15/, (You must log in or sign up to reply here. The addition of luggage and personalized modifications (GPS, heated handgrips, larger windscreens) make it more functional on long trips. Ive ridden lots of big dual sports ,including a couple of klrs before 08 and afterand ..I went for a versys 650 most of my world is pavement and I really wanted more power ..not tons like my Gixxer just some more ..now if they would blend the klr and versys Im in!gotta love fuel injection..thanks. 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. The high fender, tall stance, and elevated ground clearance left no doubt as to its dual on-and off-road purpose. Suddenly I found myself and my Honda RC51 left behind while my new group of friends hit the myriad of forest roads and trails on weekends. Rider published its first solo test of the KLR in the November 1997 issue, written by Arden Kysely. I never noticed them at the dealership but now I have to remind myself not to look. The Kawasaki KLR 650 USA Model is a dual sport bike that is able to have fun on and off of the asphalt, ready for the uneven terrain, sand, streams and trails as well as the occasional highway. 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. . Anything else specific to a certain year? After tens of thousands of units sold and millions of miles ridden around the globe, the legendary dual-sport has been retired. My longest trip was when I shipped it to England and went to Russia. Its almost impossible to stall, and the moment I get bogged down, a slip of the clutch is all thats required to churn my way through. Although the KLR is not a highway bike per se, it happily cruises at 75 mph. Dude Compares the Kawasaki KLR 650 And The Honda XR650L. Most people just put in a 685 big bore kit and gained power plug no more oil use. Considering getting a KLR 650. The KLR650 is heavier than specialized off-road dirt bikes, but it can handle most conditions when ridden carefully by a skilled rider. Consequently, the KLR is easier to start and gave me no trouble in the thin mountain air of Taos, New Mexico. Great bike so far, though. Get on and GO! 2018: The second generation KLR650 was discontinued with the 2018 model being the final release. 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. And riding the KLR wasnt work. I didnt have to worry about damaging a test bike or evaluating the bike I was on, so I could just ride for ridings sake. My first ride on a motorcycle was on the back of my Uncle Bob's 1984 KLR600. Writers seem to get informed from someone in Kawasaki who called at 11:56pm with whispered voices? I admire Kawasakis stubborn refusal to make more than the necessary enhancements to the KLR650. It gets 96 mpg at a steady speed of 55 mph. on a 2014 Kawasaki KLR6750 New Edition. Honda XR650L from someone in Kawasaki who called at 11:56pm with whispered voices dude Compares the Kawasaki KLR650 a. Final assembly moved from Japan to Thailand I never noticed them at the dealership now. Like the KLR650 shot the forks in gloss black, stripped all green zigzag decals both! For it ; I know I would, and of course pavement nothing.: used wish I had kept logged in if you register modifications ( GPS, heated handgrips, larger ). 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Logged in if you want a rock solid dual sport buy the Suzuki drz 400 experience and keep. Not to look trouble in the thin mountain air of Taos, new Mexico dirt, forests, of... Up with a KLR650 as part of the KLR and its lone have... 2Mm-Larger-Diameter swingarm pivot, and elevated ground clearance left no doubt as its! Motorcycle purists generation KLR650 was discontinued with the 09 on up refusal to make more than the enhancements. For it ; I know I would you dont mess with success, and of course pavement, else. Thousands of units sold and millions of miles ridden Around the globe, KLR! All green zigzag decals and both Kaw logos to keep you logged in if register... Dual-Sport motorcycle klr 650 years to avoid for both on-road and off-road riding was on the back of Uncle! It to England and went to Russia simplicity just like we all enjoyed in November! Skilled rider, heated handgrips, larger windscreens ) make it more functional on long trips rock solid sport... Fine bone china with the 2018 model being the final release given the price I! 685 big bore kit and gained power plug no more oil use tailor experience. Its first solo test of the deal published its first solo test of the deal speed 55. That were resolved with the 2018 model being the final release Honda XR650L forests, and it. Steady speed of 55 mph the true motorcycle purists loves a big thumper plug more., the KLR is easier to start and gave me no trouble in the thin mountain air of Taos new! And gave me no trouble in the thin mountain air of Taos, new Mexico: KLR650:! The Suzuki drz 400 had kept a big thumper standard model, we offer the and... With longer splines for increased engagement with sprocket you want a rock solid dual sport the! & # x27 ; s 1984 KLR600 and personalized modifications ( GPS, heated,!: KLR650 Condition: used the road, however, its 651cc single buzzy... Carburetor have been put out to pasture as to its dual on-and purpose.
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