There’s nothing quite so surprising as something utterly unremarkable. And so it is with the Kawasaki KLR650 – it’s comfortable, grunty, quiet and reliable. Forget your fancy-pants BMW R1200GS' - providing you can live with adjusting and lubing a chain the Kawasaki KLR650 is at least as good at overlanding and a mere fraction of the price.
Engine
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There’s nothing particularly special about the Kawasaki KLR650's 4v DOHC motor; it feels lazy and doesn’t particularly care for speeds above 85mph. But the Kawasaki KLR650 is torquey, flexible, reasonably free of intrusive vibration and dependable. The ratios in five-speed gearbox are well-spaced, the action is smooth and it wears well.
Ride and Handling
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The Kawasaki KLR650's suspension is soft and, typical of most trail-style motorcycles, colossal fork dive buggers up the braking. It’s nothing that can’t be assuaged with some stiffer fork springs and/or thicker oil, but fundamentally the suspension/braking package is budget that works better off-road. The Kawasaki KLR650's rear brake’s not quite ineffectual.
Equipment
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The Kawasaki KLR650 underplays its hand as a round-the-world contender with no centrestand, fixed rubber blocks on the footpegs and no official hard luggage. All of which can be fixed on the aftermarket thankfully along with colossal 30-litre tanks. The Kawasaki KLR650's charging system is a bit weedy, throwing out around 12 amps, which will limit your ability to plumb in heated vests and a GPS.
Quality and Reliability
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Kawasaki KLR650 clutches are a bit weak and you’ll need to keep the switches doused in WD40 to prevent them corroding. Chain tensioners on the Kawasaki KLR650 are fragile and have been known to break – the aftermarket can supply more reliable kit. If you use the KLR650 to carry heavy luggage it’s worth replacing the subframe mountingbolts with high tensile steel items – the stock stuff is of very poor quality.
Value
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The Kawasaki KLR650 is excellent value and much cheaper than BMW’s comparable BMW F650GS. Find a Kawasaki KLR650 for sale.
Model History
1987: Kawasaki KLR650 introduced.
1995: Kawasaki KLR650 gets improved front forks, engine, crank and clutch.
1995: Kawasaki KLR650 gets improved front forks, engine, crank and clutch.
Other Versions
None.
Specifications
| Top speed | 94 mph |
|---|---|
| 1/4-mile acceleration | 14.8 secs |
| Max power | 42 bhp |
| Max torque | 45 ft-lb |
| Weight | 168 kg |
| Seat height | 870 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 14 litres |
| Average fuel consumption | 53 mpg |
| Tank range | 160 miles |
| Annual road tax | |
| Insurance group | 8 of 17 |
| Engine size | 651 cc |
|---|---|
| Engine specification | 4v single, 6 gears |
| Frame | Tubular steel cradle |
| Front suspension adjustment | None |
| Rear suspension adjustment | Preload |
| Front brakes | Twin mm discs |
| Rear brake | 220mm disc |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 x 218 |
| Rear tyre size | 180/55 x 18 |
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