Menu
What's new
By:
Filters

The new KLR 650 is out!

R

RonH

Guest
My neighbor bought one a few years back and was a new rider, and knew I had been riding for a long time and asked me to ride his was the only time I rode one. I rode it about 1/2 mile, and that was well enough of that. I had a new Yamaha XT500 back in 1977 and the KLR brought back vivid memory of that thing, a bad, bad piece of crap.
He got rid of it pretty quick and got a Can Am Spyder or whatever that thing is. No desire to ride that even the 1/2 mile, but he likes it.
 
SHUMBA

SHUMBA

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
1,242
Location
ONTARIO, CANADA
Well, if the new KLR 650 suits you, then, go for it.
Choose the bike best for your riding needs...and pocketbook.
I would like to take a KLR 650 for a ride to experience the finer points of the bike. Kawi must have done something right, since the KLR650 has been around for a few decades now. As did Zuki with their tried and true DR650.
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-A715W using Tapatalk
 
SHUMBA

SHUMBA

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
1,242
Location
ONTARIO, CANADA
RonH said:
My neighbor bought one a few years back and was a new rider, and knew I had been riding for a long time and asked me to ride his was the only time I rode one. I rode it about 1/2 mile, and that was well enough of that. I had a new Yamaha XT500 back in 1977 and the KLR brought back vivid memory of that thing, a bad, bad piece of crap.
He got rid of it pretty quick and got a Can Am Spyder or whatever that thing is. No desire to ride that even the 1/2 mile, but he likes it.
Click to expand...
To each his own as they say
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-A715W using Tapatalk
 
Johnwesley

Johnwesley

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2020
Messages
233
Location
Mena, Ar
The klr is a bike that really needs to be ridden a while to truly enjoy it. It was my first adv bike and I put 100,000 mile between two of them. A 1st gen and a second gen.At present I have another 2gen. My opinion is with each new generation they loose some of what they were, each becoming more street focused, maybe trying to “fit” the adv place and move away from dual sport. My 1st gen was a blast and with a little suspension work was much better off road than the gen2 and more durable.

kawasaki did a good job keeping the price down and only gaining 24lbs while thats a good bit, it’s not bad considering the price point they were shooting at. it has a longer swingarm which also results in a longer wheel base. The weight that was quoted earlier is for the full package including panniers and light bar with lights the base model is 450ish. The foot peg mount and handlebar mounts are updated and rubber mounted, that’s a nice pulse for long high rpm drones. The suspension has firmer springs and damping so it should ride better and the upgraded charging system is a nice plus. One article commentEd on quick starting which is nice and something the S10 could improve on. The tank is narrower between the knees which is a needed improvement as well as the other are wide there. While the 6.1 gallon tank is the same size they are able to use more of it. Mine has a usable 5.8 gallons. The windshield is adjustable and the brakes are improved as well. All of this plus FI for about $100 extra for the base, not bad, not bad at all.
 
SHUMBA

SHUMBA

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
1,242
Location
ONTARIO, CANADA
Xclimation said:
Looks like I'm in the minority on this one.......I LOVE IT!!! I was sad when they said they were stopping the KLR a year or 2 ago....Same bike....but with fuel injection, ABS, updated LED lighting, USB ports! I think this is brilliant of Kawasaki! Added 6 or so ft./lb of torque....more hp (sure some tweaking will yield more.) And the PRICE! 8k max price! The aftermarket and modding knowledge! Not happy with the weight increase....but I'm sure ABS upgrade and maybe more stout engine... I know I'm interested!
Click to expand...
There's no bad bikes other than some bikes are better than others
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-A715W using Tapatalk
 
Kurgan

Kurgan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2015
Messages
372
Location
SE Michigan
Last KLR650 I rode was a 2008 - pathetic. My 1980 Honda XL500 put out almost the same rear wheel hp (29-31 depending on who's road test you read back in the day) and the bike only weighed 305 pounds!
 
SHUMBA

SHUMBA

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
1,242
Location
ONTARIO, CANADA
Yup, as I mentioned earlier, the KLR 650 is a heavy bike considering it has only 653 cc. and it's not a performance rocket by any stretch.
On the plus side, it's reliable, comfortable and has a good range, without refueling.
All bikes have their virtues...along with a bikes that are questionable.
SHUMBA


Sent from my SM-A715W using Tapatalk
 
RogerRZ

RogerRZ

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Messages
257
Location
New Brunswick, Canada
Given the weight gain, I really don't see why someone would pick this over a two year old Wee-Strom. I don't thin that extra cylinder does much to affect reliability. What it does is add 30hp.

I had an '08 for a few years, and it didn't do anything better than my S10, and at 450lbs, I couldn't lift it out of a mud hole either.
 
nondairycreamer

nondairycreamer

Active Member
2012 Site Supporter
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
177
Location
Kentucky
Subtract the weight of gasoline and the bike weighs 424 with oils and battery. Why everyone expects every "adventure bike" to weight in as a 250 enduro is absurd. None of the adventure bikes are meant to be true offroad, single track, throw-in-the-back-of-a-truck miracle machines. There are many very light weight example if we want to jump logs, race across deserts and blaze new paths through swamps. Marketing seems to lead people by the nose into believing they can have it all if they buy whatever the hucksters are selling. Then add 50 pounds of protection because you are guaranteed to drop it because you took a heavy street bike up a rough road, add 30 pounds of luggage because your candy ass needs a fucking chair to sit in while you grind coffee beans for your must have latte, etc., etc., and you close in on 700 pounds. And then you can bitch about a KLR not being the miracle Jesus promised you in your dreams. These forums are more like hair salons and political talk shows, just endless bitching. Kawasaki improved on a bike a certain rider will buy and ride in rougher conditions and longer distances for less money than most of us will even consider. It fits a niche and is intended to stay in that niche. For those that need something else, go find it. And if you can't drag your bike or winch it up a grade without help (and I've done that with GS turds too many times, I've accepted reality and avoid those situations now) call AAA and then your therapist so she can get you out of your dream state and back into reality.
 
thughes317

thughes317

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 27, 2018
Messages
1,072
Location
The Bluegrass, KY
nondairycreamer said:
Subtract the weight of gasoline and the bike weighs 424 with oils and battery. Why everyone expects every "adventure bike" to weight in as a 250 enduro is absurd. None of the adventure bikes are meant to be true offroad, single track, throw-in-the-back-of-a-truck miracle machines. There are many very light weight example if we want to jump logs, race across deserts and blaze new paths through swamps. Marketing seems to lead people by the nose into believing they can have it all if they buy whatever the hucksters are selling. Then add 50 pounds of protection because you are guaranteed to drop it because you took a heavy street bike up a rough road, add 30 pounds of luggage because your candy ass needs a fucking chair to sit in while you grind coffee beans for your must have latte, etc., etc., and you close in on 700 pounds. And then you can bitch about a KLR not being the miracle Jesus promised you in your dreams. These forums are more like hair salons and political talk shows, just endless bitching. Kawasaki improved on a bike a certain rider will buy and ride in rougher conditions and longer distances for less money than most of us will even consider. It fits a niche and is intended to stay in that niche. For those that need something else, go find it. And if you can't drag your bike or winch it up a grade without help (and I've done that with GS turds too many times, I've accepted reality and avoid those situations now) call AAA and then your therapist so she can get you out of your dream state and back into reality.
Click to expand...
Don't sugar-coat it man, tell us how you really feel. ;)


BTW: Loved my KLR, it's what brought me here.
 
Johnwesley

Johnwesley

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2020
Messages
233
Location
Mena, Ar
It’s more than many are pitching here, it can do more tuff riding than a klr or s10. Much easier to ride once the path turns rugged terrain. It’s easier to pic a way through a rock garden and tractor up a loose Rockie up hill two track. Just took mine out on some FS roads and it’s just an easier bike to toss around than the bigger bikes. Light and nimble as an enduro but better for long distance riding. It strikes a balance many seem to like.

Don’t get me wrong I genuinely like my S 10. it’s balance sits more toward the long distance touring end and does a good job of balance crisscrossing the country and hitting dirt in the process.
 
Z

Zuan

Member
Founding Member
Joined
Oct 17, 2010
Messages
97
Location
Burlington, ON
I am intrigued. I owned a 2004 gen 1 KLR for about 4 or 5 years. Averaged 25,000 Kms per year on that bike. It was to be bike #3 in my stable but soon became my everyday ride. I enjoyed the bike... not very capable, lots of shortcomings but it seemed to have character and provided me with opportunity to mess with it without being worried about screwing up a $15,000 motorcycle. Yes, I tried to address most of issues. I did all my own work. Changed the doohickey, adjusted valves, put in a jet kit, rear raising links, fork suspension tweaks, tires, tubes, chains, swing arm lube, etc etc... My riding buddies would be on Goldwings, ST1300s and FJR1300s and could not understand my fascination with the KLR while I had a Goldwing and Valkeryie Interstate sitting at home in the garage.
 
Mak10

Mak10

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2018
Messages
2,567
Location
SE Idaho
The joy of riding for me does not always equal the most powerful, lightweight bike.

I love feeling the freedom of riding a motorcycle. A quick trip across town can be much more enjoyable on a naked small bike. A cross country long distance journey is much more enjoyable on a big powerful bike that protect you from fatigue.

It’s much more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow.
 
S

scott123007

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2012
Messages
1,481
Location
Jupiter, Florida
nondairycreamer said:
Subtract the weight of gasoline and the bike weighs 424 with oils and battery. Why everyone expects every "adventure bike" to weight in as a 250 enduro is absurd. None of the adventure bikes are meant to be true offroad, single track, throw-in-the-back-of-a-truck miracle machines. There are many very light weight example if we want to jump logs, race across deserts and blaze new paths through swamps. Marketing seems to lead people by the nose into believing they can have it all if they buy whatever the hucksters are selling. Then add 50 pounds of protection because you are guaranteed to drop it because you took a heavy street bike up a rough road, add 30 pounds of luggage because your candy ass needs a fucking chair to sit in while you grind coffee beans for your must have latte, etc., etc., and you close in on 700 pounds. And then you can bitch about a KLR not being the miracle Jesus promised you in your dreams. These forums are more like hair salons and political talk shows, just endless bitching. Kawasaki improved on a bike a certain rider will buy and ride in rougher conditions and longer distances for less money than most of us will even consider. It fits a niche and is intended to stay in that niche. For those that need something else, go find it. And if you can't drag your bike or winch it up a grade without help (and I've done that with GS turds too many times, I've accepted reality and avoid those situations now) call AAA and then your therapist so she can get you out of your dream state and back into reality.
Click to expand...
X1000
 
Sierra1

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
15,011
Location
Joshua TX
Highlander said:
I think all they did was put lipstick on a pig , . . . .
Click to expand...
No argument. But, there's almost no big investment on Kawi's part. All it did was FI the motor, and add the lipstick. I see more pre-08's than I do post. I think I even saw one on Himalaya Calling going into China. I'd buy one of the new KLRs before one from a certain German brand. There's something to be said for reliability.
 
E

Eville Rich

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2016
Messages
466
Location
Wisconsin, USA
For the international market, which really drives sales, the "new" KLR650 makes a ton of sense. Keeps the price point low, likely to be just as rugged, as the old one, and really fits a market where the discussion is only going to be about comparison between the old and new KLR - not giving free press to comparisons with competitors.

Even with the T700, we're getting sold on images of Dakar-level fantasies and the relative merits compared with KTM's offer. Kawasaki said "screw it, we're going to play in our own sandbox." I sort of like that attitude, though I'm not interested in that particular sandbox.

Eville Rich
 
Mak10

Mak10

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2018
Messages
2,567
Location
SE Idaho
There are a bunch of leftover, previous year models sitting on dealer floors around here. The dealers were pretty proud of them and asking retail or above.
 
S

Stantdm

Active Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2020
Messages
174
Location
Belle Fourche South Dakota
AVGeek said:
There's actually 2 here, I've never ridden a KLR either!
Click to expand...
I looked at them when I bought a ST. Didn't ride one though, just sat on it at the dealership. So there is three of us now. An okay bike but if I was going to buy one I would get a carb. model as I ain't going to BFE with something that cannot be fixed by me.

A restauranteur I know bought one and rode it back and forth from home to his eatery. Never went anywhere else on it but told me that the first year they came out he rode one from the east coast to somewhere out west. He thought it was a great bike. He sold it when the restaurant closed for about five hundred less than a new one as it only had a few hundred miles on it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top