Out of the several dozen bikes I've owned...the KLR is the only bike I sold, regretted, and bought another one of. It fits, rides and feels like an old shoe. It just fits. It is the AK47 of the motorcycle world. This bike rocks and will keep on rocking now for years to come. Good job Kawi!
🤫 with minimal factory overhaul. The front cowling looks to be 2 sides and a head light assembly. Gen 2 were 2 sides, 2 cowlings and a headlight assembly. That's like 10 less screwings😆
@@joshabreu1156 personally I don't think so. If someone told me they took a KLR to Prudhoe Bay I'd say myself "great choice of bike". If they said they did it on the DR or the XR I'd say to them "wow I bet that was a rough trip". In my opinion and it's just my opinion, those bikes are street legal dirt bikes. To me, the KLR isn't a dirt bike but a true adventure bike. Great off road, great weather protection on road, a true 50/50 bike. Thise bikes are like 70/30 or even 80/20 bikes.
"They don't care about your opinion." - This made me think about the times when new bikes came out and we were excited, liked them, bought them and rode them. These days people are spoiled, they have a plethora of great bikes to chose from, but as soon as a bike is introduced it's: "They could have given it more power" or "It should have been faster/lighter/better" and of course cheaper. It's not easy these days to develop a new bike. If Kawasaki would've changed only the bodywork and made it look like a space ship, and added the latest bling, a lot of people would've been happy and shelled out a thousand $ more. People should complain less and be happy that something like a KLR650 is still available at all.
Agreed. The emissions certs alone are a nightmare for them and very expensive, not to mention the actual r&d and tooling costs. We are lucky for sure and that's a great mentality to have.
All good points. I would even go a step further and say what makes a bike great? It's a very subjective thing. To some simplicity, ease of maintenance, parts accessibility, etc combined with Known quality and heritage make a bike crate. If that's your idea of great then this is the cream of the crop. Catch my drift? It's an interesting thing and most of us like guys could go on all night about it but it's something I think these manufacturers know all too well.
@Nothing2SeeHere Honestly, I think the best way to solve the long distance problem is less a power thing, and more a transmission and gearing thing. I can imagine a world with an unbelievably short 1st gear, almost too short to start in, and increasingly longer and longer gears as you click up on the selector until you get to a double or even triple overdrive 5th gear that you can't really even shift into from 4th until you're a good ways through the rev range.
You helped change my mind. I was disappointed in Kawi when they re-released this bike. After listening to you, I am a convert. I think they knew what they are doing. ADV bikes are getting too expensive and Kawi is now giving an affordable, capable option.
They have to address how the bike performs at 120kph, though. Just did 6500km trip around Ontario on mine when the lockdown ended in July. At 90kph, there is no bike I'd rather be on than my klr, but at 105kph it starts to get... sluggish and buzzy. On a major highway like the 401 I wasn't happy at all. Another 15-20hp and some suspension improvements would have fixed everything, but I guess this is not an option with this motor. So, I am here with my zrx 1100 and my klr 650, wondering if I upgrade to something better for adv riding that includes highway travel.
@@Bob-Maplethorpe yet still no 6th gear while 250cc, and now 300cc have one. I just dont understand why. They underestimated the north american highway landscape...
@@bigbang1985 good point. 6th would a big deal as well. Add a CP2-like motor, with 6 speed to the current changes and you have a game changer. It would still cost less than the T7 and be a great all rounder.
I drove a KLR 650 from Montreal to Shreveport Louisiana in 37 hours. Crazy ride for sure. The sitting position and seat is very confortable, I had no back and knees issues the whole way. Ive had many different bikes since, and I can tell you, none can match the fun and confort I had with KLR. By the way. After KLR I had a DR 650 and I did a 10 h trip to Tennessee, I was in pain from my butt to my feet :-) Y’all ride safe !
I bought the ‘22 new KLR and absolutely love this thumper ! I had just bought the ‘20 Guzzi V85tt three months earlier and it’s such a nice cruiser that I cannot bring myself to trash it off road . So the KLR was purchased for that role , now I trimmed it all out with Tusk protection gear , bars and bags , I find myself always taking this bike instead of the Guzzi or my softail Harley . The KLR is just fun! If I want to cut through a grass median then no worries, take a gravel road to wherever it goes then it’s good to go . Kawasaki did a really nice job on this bike for the cost of $7k no complaints from me. Great review ! Oh and the CRF African Twin is next on my list🤩😁✌️
Well put and accurate. In 2016 I rode a KLR around the world and this summer I rode the TAT on a KTM790 Adventure R. The KLR is the perfect RTW bike and although the 790Adventure R was great and handled the dirt well, we ran into several significant "Manufacturing" errors that would have been trip killers if we were in Mongolia or Siberia.
I want to add, I'm of the camp that thinks Kawasaki made the right choices (why mess too much with a good thing) with the exception of adding a 6th gear, I was forever searching for it on the highway.
Agreed. That's the one thing I would have really loved to have seen. Although like I said in the video I have a sneaking suspicion they did somewhat address this with some other changes and keeping it in the same package. We shall see once we get some ride reports going
Nice to see someone who gets it. Too many people complaining about weight, still a thumper, yet have never ridden a KLR. Yeah its old school technology, but it's proven, stone cold reliable, and easy to fix.
@@danmanthe9335 The problem is EFI is far more complicated and expensive than a carburetor, it has 5-6 times more parts, and it would cost about 4 times more to replace all those parts than just a carburetor, yet it doesn't work any better, in many cases it doesn't work as well. I believe in simplicity. I can work on a carburetor out on the trail. When EFI fails, it's dead. No way to rig it or clean it or adjust it. And you often need expensive (and in some cases dealer only) equipment to even find the problem. Definitely not user friendly. If you are going to tune it, like for replacing an exhaust or air cleaner, you need a $500 tuner, not just a couple of $5 jets and maybe a couple of washers to shim the needle. To me it is just needlessly complicated and expensive.
I had similar thoughts when I first seen it. I am a DR rider but rode a KLR for 4 weeks in South America. First two weeks following the Dakar in 2014. 5 KLR’s and we did as much dirt and back roads as possible. The bikes didn’t let us down. One blown standard shock [260 pd / 120kg rider]. 7,500 km’s on each in 4 weeks. I might get me one of these
I have an extremely strong hunch that the final drive and 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears were lengthened out a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if Kawasaki managed to get 70 MPH down to 4500 or maybe even 4300 RPM from the current ~4800 RPM. That is a HUGE longetivity and rideability improvement.
Thanks. Wore out 3 Yamaha twin 2 strokes, 2 Honda 750 fours and have a ‘98 800 Kawasaki Vulcan w/commute and touring mileage. Each bike did it’s job. Love the Kawasaki. Service and comfort.
I was literally searching around for which dealership had a DR 650 but you brought up a great point all the new attributes and the fact that it’s fuel injected allows me to leave it in my garage for months at a time without the fuel going bad and gumming up the bowl. I’ve been riding since I was a little kid and now 58 I am ready for some fire roads instead of singletrack hill climbs. Thanks for the great perspective!
I talked my coworker (father of 2) into getting a KLR instead of R1 (as his 1st bike) like his buddies were trying to talk him into. I’m glad he listened to my side:) It’s a great beginner bike IMO.
R1 what a boring bike. Have to high Rev it to feel the power, which makes it for a litre bike dangerous machine. The thumper is fun in low rpm torky machine. Great for beginners.
Everyone in the klr forums wanted something different from the new klr. I think it's a perfect blank canvas which will make it great, just like the ones before it. Swap a sprocket for better dirt or freeway riding. $200 for decent suspension upgrades. $100 for decent crash bars. It's not just the best value at the sale but also could be the best value from the aftermarket.
I've owned Hayabusa, VFR - 4 of them, XT600, CBR1000, Buell, FJR1300, and a 2018 Goldwing for touring. If I could only have one, it would be my 2011 KLR650. It is a blast to ride on the road and no roads 😁
What about the klr do you miss? I switched from a v Strom to a klr this last year. I love the ergonomics and the off road riding on the klr, probably my favorite bike I have owned all things considered. That being said, honestly I am pretty disappointed every time I twist the throttle, and dread any longer miles at freeway speeds. I never felt like the vstrom needed more power, and I can't not notice how slow my klr feels when I try and accelerate out of a corner or go to pass. I have owned three 650 cc twins, and always loved the engine, the single cylender on the klr just doesn't do it for me after riding those bikes sadly. Plan on picking up a t7 next year which matches or tops the klr off road, but has just a tad more power than the vstrom. Best of both worlds I am hoping. I would just be sure to test ride a new klr before making the switch to be sure you won't be missing the power.
Agree 100%. That's what made the original KLR so danged amazingly popular. Everybody cries for more newfangled widgets, Then complain when those widgets fail on the higher priced bikes. It's a basic hammer, and serves a great purpose. I'm glad they brought it back, mostly as it is.
Funny... I have a kawasaki w650 and local triumph sales guy calls it exactly that... I usually say I prefer the Toyota to a Rover. he doesn't like it. I do.
I have owned 24 different types of motorcycles in those one KLR 650. The KLR was my most loved bike and think a new one will be in my garage maybe this winter! Great video, thanks and right on.
Thank you for answering my comment, good to hear that Kawasaki addressed this problem, "Eagle Mike" in the USA has an excellent replacement and Conical spring, the Perfect fix!!
I went to my local Kawasaki shop this morning to have a look at the base model and the ADV version, I love both. I never saw any of the previous versions so this was my first viewing and I wasn’t disappointed, the seat feels comfortable
Excellent video. You clearly did your research. Very professional and not just a fan boy type Video. I’m pumped that they made the advancements that they did and we’re still able to keep the bike at a incredibly affordable price point.
You nailed it by saying Kawasaki knows their target buyer for the new improved KLR. I will definitely consider buying one when they hit Australian shores. For me it has addressed the 2 main things for me:- 1. EFI 2. ABS Lets face it everyone wants to hit dirt trails, the reality is that most of the time we ride on roads (extended 3rd, 4th and 5th gear will really help here) As a rider with over 45 years motorcycling experience (currently ride Suzuki GSXS750 2020), I don't need high HP to enjoy the ride. The do it all KLR is back , does nothing great, just a very capable bike to handle everyday adventures at a great price.
Those heavy "heavy ass BMW"s are 506lbs this thing is 470+lbs. To put this in perspective the KTM 690 is only 320lbs , Africa twin is 460lbs, KTM 500 is 235lbs. That puts the KLR is in the same league as the "big ass BMW's". You are saving almost no weight using the KLR and losing more than half the HP.
@Nothing2SeeHere I think it's more of "you are not allowed to ride around the world any more" by bill gates and his ilk. I suspect a lot of people still want to but can't due to the now totalitarian grip of power by the billionaires who have 7 private jets, 5 yachts, fleets of luxury cars and 15 estates. The world is theirs and they don't want us in it.
Well said sir! I am all in with the KLR 650! I’ll be mostly riding on city streets and the extra is actually a bonus. That said, my family and I spend our summers in Baja Sur Mexico and the KLR is perfect for strapping a surfboard rack on the side and getting to some of those out of reach ( by car or truck ) surf spots! I’m may even ride it from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo with my girls following in our Toyota 4Runner.... 🤔
You and I see eye to eye. I was so stoked that Kawasaki kept what worked and didn't add anything they didn't need. I'm not even upset about the 6th gear because from my point of view I can fine tune that with the rear sprocket myself. All that for the same price that the KLR was selling for 4 years ago. GRAND SLAM!
Nice job breaking it down. If someone wants to spend their time hating on something- let them. The KLR650 has been around for a long time and for good reasons despite what some "experts" say about it's capabilities. It's does a lot of things well and that's what matters. If you want a bike that is the best at something- you're going to buy multiple bikes if you want to excel at multiple things. For my money- the KLR is what works best for what I want to do!
Just bought a new 2022 klr for my first bike. Absolutely love it and the fact that I didn't pay an arm and a leg on something I'm gonna be learning on, taking off road, and probably dropping numerous times I'm good with it.
@@downstateradv This is best comparison, I had an 82 F150 (mustard yellow) two-wheel drive, four speed, 300 6cyl, regular cab, 8’ box (S model small mirrors, crank windows, no air) loved it and still love my 2002 KLR. I to wish they would have put a sixth gear in it but all the other changes are good news. Will have to see it in person before making any purchase decisions though.
@@quadwayne Well there seems to be rumors that they revised the gearing. So maybe 5th gear is a little taller to take advantage of that extra torque. But in all honesty. 5 gears is plenty for a KLR and Kawasaki knows it. My 82 F150 is a Flareside, 4 speed 4x4 lifted. You can see a video of it on my channel.
As a KLR owner for the last 6 years and 15,000+ miles mine is a 2015 the last updated year before the 2022. I was like so many people excited to see what the new KLR would look and be like. All the new updates are great and it still looks like a KLR they even kept that ugly front fender, haha. The new bike is down on power and up on weight 30lbs+ but able to carry more weight they say all good. People get all tied up in the specs of a bike these days, people don't buy KLR's because of their awesome spec sheet. The only thing I would add to my bike to make it better is ABS other than that I wouldn't change anything. One of the big factors for me in choosing the KLR was its 6.1 gallon tank, over the Honda or Suzuki you mentioned and it's wind protection as well. I didn't want FI and all the other electronics that can fail out in BFE, I wanted to be able to diagnose issues on a fairly simple bike. But that said, I like all the new upgrades and Kawasaki will sell the hell out of the KLR once again!
With fuel injection, there shouldn't be any issues. The carbureted klr is a pain in the ass. Harder to start. Takes forever to warm up, idles higher when warm. I welcome the fuel injection.
Outstanding commentary and spot-on opinion! Though I have been riding for a long time, from 2008 to 2016 I owned the latest and greatest BMW's, KTM's, and Ducati's. In 2016 I had an epiphany and discovered European bikes were not for me, so I went Japanese and never looked back. Now that I am getting older I really don't care about horsepower numbers or the amount of electronic nanny's that are on a bike. To me its all about simplicity, reliability, and cost which is why the new KLR or the Yamaha T7 are on my radar.
I cant believe how great of a job you did on this review man. Very professional, very true down to Earth comments and just simple facts. I will be getting the adventurer edition of this bike because its gonna be my adventurer at a price I can afford with all the bells and whistles you could possibly need. I was second guessing myself wanting one of the big and flashy "unicorn" bikes every other company is offering but I know for a fact that this is the adventure I need and want. Thank you for your video you have acquired another subscriber keep up the great work and i hope to see more content as honest and great as this video. Take it easy and ride safe brother...✌😁
Great video and an insightful commentary! I'm a new rider with a month of experience on a kawasaki kle 500, klr 650 was always a dream. Fuel injection with a 23L tank, high seat and dual sport capability, getting to 0-100km/h in 6sec is all I need in a bike. Hope they come to Europe this time!!!
In 2003 I bought a used 1998 Gen 1, slapped on some soft saddlebags, a tank bag and a tent and took 4 months to basically ride from Montreal, Canada to Panama City Panama on a stock used $3400 KLR. It was a tank, not one mechanical issues on 14K miles of the trip or even a flat tire (that was pure luck). I had the bike shipped back home and rode it for another year until I got engaged and bought a few other bikes that were better for two up riding. After several other motorcycles I bought a Gen 2 and was happy with it, until marriage ended and bike had to be sold. Now I'm looking at the new Gen 3 and I like what I see. I like that Kawasaki kept the basics and that all the aftermarket stuff that makes fixing up a KLR to suit your style of riding so much fun. Like everything in motorcycles design it's always a compromise between performance and cost. People complain that the new KLR is only a 5 speed thinking that a 6 speed would automatically have you doing 80mph at 4500rpm but that's not really how engine performance or physics work. Take a close look at final gear ratios between 5 and 6 speed transmissions and you'll see that they are actually very close, only the space between the gears makes the jumps smaller. Kawasaki could have made a 6 speed, but it would have only increased the cost in redesigning a new transmission and engine casings making it more expensive and it would not have made a huge improvement on highway cruising speed, engine rpm or fuel economy. IMHO, I trust the engineers at Kawasaki will know more than I, or many other people ever will understand about getting the best all-round performance from their engine and transmission designs.
The KLR is what it has always been. The best adventure motorcycle made, for the price. Kawasaki just made it even better. Especially fully loaded for $8,000.
You’d spot on here. Especially with the price. When I first saw the Thailand ad I was thinking this would be pushing 9 or 10 k, but it’s the same price as the late model gen 2s retailed at. For a fuel injected, 650cc tried and tested adventure bike, I’d happily pay 7,000 for a brand new one
Thanks for your thoughts, I bought a new KLR650 in 2005, I sold it in favor of a BMW sport bike. The BMW K bike is an engineering marvel, but I miss the simplicity of the KLR. It's like an old dog always at your side that you don't have to worry about. I'll get the new KLR.
I too am a huge fan of BMW motorcycles and view them as engineering masterpieces but with that comes a whole set of problems that I also don't like. I think your sentiment matches mine and many others in this community. It's one of the main reasons as I mentioned the video that I see this bike doing quite well as it always has. There is a certain beauty and peace of mind behind simplicity and utility.
Very well thought out , legitimate points. Solid content in the video. No needless rambling. Very seldom can I watch a talk video and maintain interest. Good job.
Best assessment of the KLR I’ve seen. Pretty much the thinking that went into my purchase of one last week. I couldn’t have stated it this eloquently though. Just got yourself another subscriber.
Really like hearing your thoughts on the new bike. I bought a 2015 one about a year ago and absolutely love it! In a few years I will probably upgrade to the 2022.
Super fair and well thought out review! Appreciate your logical approach and not just hating on the KLR because it’s the cheaper bike. And I couldn’t agree more, absolutely the best bang for your buck on the market today.👏
Subscribed. Really enjoy your thoughtful commentary. I sold a 2007 KLR after 6 years because of the suburban riding I was mostly doing at that time, and bought a 2014 VStrom 1000 to keep up with traffic. When I move to the country I would definitely consider another KLR.
I'm exactly the empty-nester you describe, buying my first bike after not riding for 40 years (though I've spent thousands of hours and dollars on mountain bikes, and will keep doing so). I put money down on the new KLR after doing a lot of reading, and talking with my brother, who has a lot of experience with KLRs and loves the new model. Just as you said, this bike seems perfect for me, at a totally affordable price point. I value simplicity and reliability, and want money leftover for other fun things in life. Can't wait to get my hands on it this summer.
You nailed it! And this is from a KLR650 owner who rode mine all over SoCal deserts and mountains, and many Black Trails. What they have done is as you have stated a good price performance balance. You cannot beat the super reliability of a KLR. I have owned 3, in New Zealand, Japan and the US and taken them insane places (in NZ up a volcano to the rim, in Japan part way up Mt. Fuji, in the US up to 12,000 ft on a single track) and they have never failed me. Thank you for an honest preview. Full disclosure, I sold my KLR and regretted it, and 3 years ago bought an Africa Twin DCT which I love. It handles supremely well in the dirt but when you go down it's a beast to get up and often too wide for single tracks.
@@downstateradv Just watched your Africa Twin review, you nailed that too. We have the same AF but mines a DCT only due to being able to get it really cheap.
@@downstateradv It is an awesome bike for the price. Planning a round the country trip in late May after Spring Semester wraps up here on campus. From Northeast Ohio to Montana, to Central California, to Big Bear Lake (where I consider it home), then back through Utah and Colorado. It's amazing on road and surprisingly nimble and controllable off road. Even seriously considering getting a new KLR650 too. But I will wait and see to read the reviews.
excellent analysis....the points you are making register with many former KLR6 riders. They wanted improvements, but not the price point. They wanted fixes to some of the items that were missing or high failure or less than optimal design things they would have to go to after market ...with the added expenses. This "updated" machine hits all the key areas for these riders. It also sells into a market that is depressed at a price point no one..and I mean no one is even in the same ball field...in it's class. And speaking of, this updated bike while it has included many different component improvements...the facts remain where they are most important: one can easily maintain and repair this machine with few specialty and expensive tools. About the only thing that is a question mark for me at this point is the F-injection system. I will presume this is going to make the machine more reliable and consistent across the RPM range. But I am anxious to see the early reports on that matter. What I am particularly interested in with that FI system is pretty straight forward: will it be dependable. and if it fails, what is the expense of repairs. and second interest, same FI system: can it automatically adjust to altitude changes? For instance, does the fuel pump have some kind of differential pressure sensor that adjusts on the fly that will account for air density changes. Many FI systems accomplish this with a hard coded fuel map that develops the solution through some sort of torque and power sensor. Which is sort of an archaic and indirect and inefficient means to solve air density changes. With the more sophisticated FI systems, there is an actual fuel - air MAF type of device that measure air density and makes the appropriate fuel injection measuring for optimal power at all the typical altitudes. I am interested in what type of FI system Kawa decided to implement. perhaps it is a hybrid. I don't know the answer to this question, but I believe it is going to be an important question...particularly given many riders are packing heavy on lots of mountainous outings. I don't claim to know either way how this FI system actually operates to handle that altitude dynamic. I am hopeful, like so many things that Kawa appears to have fully recognized in the other updates, that there is a solid FI system to handle that and also continues the heritage it has earned for highly reliable fault tolerant and hi mileages rough and tough motors.
69 years old I'm coming back into it and having a blast on the basic orange one, adding a heavy-duty skid plate more for peace of mind protecting that drain plug and I'm good to go
I liked your comments and at 70 and in the market for an ADV I am going to get a KLR. I am going to visit my younger son in Perth next year so need something that will chug along, be reasonably comfortable and be able to cover some distances. When I get back I want to do some of the high country in Victoria Australia. I am going in later in the week to put my money down. Thanks for your comments, they were well reasoned and appreciated. John
Great video. Kawasaki have always been great on price & what you get for your money. I was a bit disappointed on the KLR release, expecting something totally new, but you hit the nail on the head. Smart move by Kawasaki, affordability, reliability, can do all bike. Ready to rock n roll. 👍🇦🇺🏍😎
All my Kawasaki have been ugly but super reliable ( like me) I’ve gotten 80-100 k miles on all 5 bikes I’ve owned and this is going to be my next. Thank you
Spot on, I think you’ve nailed it with your thoughts on this very clever move by Kawasaki. I personally can’t wait for a test ride to feel the positive improvements these changes have made compared to my old 2015 model. Good job!👍🏻
I’ve been eyeing the CRF250/300L for more off-road exploration. However, I am pretty excited to see the new KLR and it’s very tempting. Anytime I have ridden with other KLR riders, I have respect and a little envy in their practicality and affordability. The riders get to see the same sights, same people, have the same experiences as I do. And maybe I don’t have to work as hard on more crazy terrain or breaking the back end loose, I don’t think the KLR rider is suffering - it’s a minor difference. If you ride a KLR, the more expensive bike riders have no valid reason to look down in your ride... it’s just arrogance, -a bmw rider (for now)
The 300L would be a great option for you if you already have a big BMW adventure tourer. That said, after owning one of the very first 250L in the US, I can say with confidence that it's not the kind of bike you want to run on the highway whatsoever. If you're just looking for a cheap run about for trail use though it's hard to beat that little bike. If you truly want to do it all utility bike though, this new KLR will be hard to beat just like every other generation was.
@@downstateradv I've been eyeing the KTM 390 Duke because it is a fun bike (and probably the best bang for the buck), but this is what I've been waiting for. Also, Ive been trying to get the Marines diesel version of the KLR for almost 20 years, but the SoCal company claims that they can't keep up with the military demand. Anyway, thanks to the video, your review was very objective.
Very nicely put, far better than most of the available rubbish. Paid my deposit today and expect delivery mid June, but i do live in Thailand where they are made. Once again well put.
I think we have to wait for some real riding reviews. Not all bikes shines just from the specs, for example the Versys x300 doesnt seems interesting but its a very good adventure bike. 40HPs at 170kilos, better ratio than the original KLR 650. So I think its better to wait for a complete review, hopefully from Ryan Fortnine 😀
Thanks for the Video! I wanted to get back into dirt biking and realized i wanted a dual sport and then realized i did not fit on many of the dirt bikes with lights out there, started looking at Yamaha and stumbled on the KLR at the dealership. i knew the segment and the bike just kept grabbing my attention at every dealership I visited. The heritage of the KLR reminds me of a Toyota FJ40. The KLR price, the adventure look, ability to ride both dirt and street, and alas I can touch the ground! I have also ordered the lower profile seat! Anyway, your video is helpful in validating I made a great choice for what I want to do and my budget!
Very interesting, and insightful points. I’m awaiting my 1st ‘street bike’ @ 46 y/o. My KLR gets here in a month and I’m so pumped. I can tell you one thing, your right on them selling well. I’m in Canada and every bike is presold before it gets put on a ship. A dealer just told me he gets 6+ calls a day for them. I think they look better than any other DS under $25k, yet I don’t care what it looks like. With gas so expensive, it will pay for itself in no time. Thanks for sharing
It’s the 20 year old Jeep Cherokee of the motorcycle world and that’s a good thing. I’m glad they brought it back with modern updates! Fuel injection was a must. $6699 nails the price point in this market.
@@downstateradv The thoughtful upgrades are the only reason I’m interested. If it was the exact same bike as 2018 but with FI then I wouldn’t be interested.
I've got a 1999 gen 1' open mindedness is always good. when I do ride my klr 650 I'm not looking to go 80mph.IT's my bike to go exploring on. I love it so much that i cant justify getting rid of it for even a new 2021.great video btw
Best discussion of this I've seen so far. Found it via KLRDelusionals. I believe I share the initial reaction: Initial almost let-down . . . then . . . hey, wait a minute, there's a lot of good stuff here, and it's still a KLR.
I love the new design of the KLR 650 and all the changes to it and like you already said a very proven bike especially the fuel injection a big plus in my book
Love it, I'd buy it in a heartbeat! I had an 08 that I put quite a few miles on and I still regret selling it. I think Kawi pretty much nailed it, don't fix what isn't broken.
I'm anxiously awaiting the test rides and reviews of the new model, I'm thinking the fuel injection will make quite a bit of difference in pep and throttle response.
Dude hell yeah… I haven’t had a motorcycle in 10 years. Haven’t had a dirt bike in 20 years. I kind of want to get back in and this time I don’t care about high speed so I don’t need a crotch rocket. So I’ve been looking for bikes like this and they nailed this thing… If I was going to buy new it would be this.
I have owned more motorcycles than I can recall, everything from a 1948 Indian Chief over a handful of Harleys, several hand fulls of classic Z Kawasakis, including a first year Z1300, the Honda CBX and Benelli 750 Sei, three Ducatis, and a few old Triumph Bonnevilles. I would have loved to buy a Royal Enfield Himalayan, but at 6'6" there are very few bikes out there on this planet on which I can sit comfortably. One of them is the first edition Multistrada, then there's the BMW R1200GS, and finally the Kawasaki KLR 650. I found mine, a 2007 model with 5K miles on the clock, by accident when buying an old Jaguar. The bike was never on my radar, but it is everthing I want in a bike: comfy, dependable, affordable, and bullet-proof.
I test rode one and it performed just like one would expect for an almost 500lb bike with 34 hp and outdated suspension. The facts are the facts, it's too heavy, lacks decent suspension and can barely carry it's own weight. It's 'kind of' (EXACTLY) like taking a motorcycle from 1986 and doing nothing modern to it except fuel injection and expecting it to compete in the market. It has been almost 40 years without improvement and it rides like it. - If you had a $100 to buy a new mattress in 1986, you could get a very nice mattress. If you took that same $100 and left it under your mattress until 2022, it's no longer going buy you even a half decent mattress. The point is that Kawasaki should not have left this bike unchanged for so long, as it has lost it's charm and it's value.
I think the KLR was good as it was, but there were a few things that needed fixed. The aftermarket addressed them nicely but it sounds like Kawasaki has done their homework and fixed a lot of them in the factory. That in my mind is worth a sticker price increase. Since they are keeping the same price, that makes the KLR, in my mind, a much better bike than it was and I expect the sales of the new KLR 2022 will go thru the roof. Good job Kawasaki! By the way, I currently ride a 2001 KLR 650 and I love it. I almost find it hard to believe they have improved it that much. I may have to trade in the old beast.
That's a bike to look for this year, just awesome, like the gas tank capacity over the Honda or Suzuki. I have the same Breville coffee maker, the best!
Spot on. Thanks for the great vid. The only thing I hated about my old (90's or so) KLR was the vibration - I couldn't feel my hands after a few hours. Bought a BMW GS 1150R - which is sweet - but super heavy off road and getting any work on it is super expensive and it's impossible to find a shop if you're outside a major city. Thinking about going back to the KLR.
Hey Ben. Thanks. To be honest and I don't think you'll get a lot of people to actually admit this but I bet you there are a ton of folks out there who feel the same way about their more expensive upgrades that they've made. I would venture to guess there are plenty of folks out there who are thinking right along the same lines about going back to the basics with something that's fairly updated and proven like this. Appreciate the comment and the honesty.
I just made my own comment about considering swapping out my 2017 GSA for a KLR. Or keeping both and just using the GSA for road and “sporting” touring and the KLR for what I *thought* I’d use the GSA for.
That it is a bummer for sure. Unfortunately I really don't see Suzuki doing much this year or next. They are by far the most stagnant of the Japanese manufacturers. I am hopeful however for Yamaha this year. Fingers crossed!
Excellent presentation and well done on researching the upgrades properly. I completely agree on the price point. I’ve never bought a brand new bike just form the point of affordability and have always been concerned when buying someone else’s bike i.e it’s previous use and service history etc…. Anyone who owns/uses/maintains a DRZ-400 or comparable machines would be very interested in this bike, better on the road sections, EFI and I’d imagine relatively straight forward to maintain after the warranty expires. Time will tell but I think as a true 50/50 duel sport, Kawasaki got this right !
Out of the several dozen bikes I've owned...the KLR is the only bike I sold, regretted, and bought another one of. It fits, rides and feels like an old shoe. It just fits. It is the AK47 of the motorcycle world. This bike rocks and will keep on rocking now for years to come. Good job Kawi!
Agreed. Good comparison (ak)
The AK47 of motorcycles! Yes. That's the perfect comparison.
Perfect comparison comparing it to an AK47. It’s not beautiful but it will run forever!
I did the same thing.
More like the bolt action 20 gauge shotgun.
Finally, someone who knows what they are talking about! Very Logical thinking - You are exactly right in my opinion.
The KLR’s competition is ONLY used KLR’s. And that’s why Kawasaki is smart
🤫 with minimal factory overhaul.
The front cowling looks to be 2 sides and a head light assembly. Gen 2 were 2 sides, 2 cowlings and a headlight assembly.
That's like 10 less screwings😆
This comment is spot on.
Exactly!!
DR650. Xr650
@@joshabreu1156 personally I don't think so. If someone told me they took a KLR to Prudhoe Bay I'd say myself "great choice of bike". If they said they did it on the DR or the XR I'd say to them "wow I bet that was a rough trip". In my opinion and it's just my opinion, those bikes are street legal dirt bikes. To me, the KLR isn't a dirt bike but a true adventure bike. Great off road, great weather protection on road, a true 50/50 bike. Thise bikes are like 70/30 or even 80/20 bikes.
"They don't care about your opinion." - This made me think about the times when new bikes came out and we were excited, liked them, bought them and rode them. These days people are spoiled, they have a plethora of great bikes to chose from, but as soon as a bike is introduced it's: "They could have given it more power" or "It should have been faster/lighter/better" and of course cheaper. It's not easy these days to develop a new bike. If Kawasaki would've changed only the bodywork and made it look like a space ship, and added the latest bling, a lot of people would've been happy and shelled out a thousand $ more.
People should complain less and be happy that something like a KLR650 is still available at all.
Agreed. The emissions certs alone are a nightmare for them and very expensive, not to mention the actual r&d and tooling costs. We are lucky for sure and that's a great mentality to have.
All good points. I would even go a step further and say what makes a bike great? It's a very subjective thing. To some simplicity, ease of maintenance, parts accessibility, etc combined with Known quality and heritage make a bike crate. If that's your idea of great then this is the cream of the crop. Catch my drift? It's an interesting thing and most of us like guys could go on all night about it but it's something I think these manufacturers know all too well.
@Nothing2SeeHere Honestly, I think the best way to solve the long distance problem is less a power thing, and more a transmission and gearing thing. I can imagine a world with an unbelievably short 1st gear, almost too short to start in, and increasingly longer and longer gears as you click up on the selector until you get to a double or even triple overdrive 5th gear that you can't really even shift into from 4th until you're a good ways through the rev range.
Ryan from Fortnine needs to torture test that thing
Agreed. Pretty sure he has a gen1 klr650, so all he'd need is a gen2 to borrow and make a whole hour long video on it.
He can try but it'll probably survive 😂
Soul brutha.... I agree
He did on the gen 2...look up killing the unkillable.
I'm tired of pain over $10,000 for an adventure bike I think it's a good move by Kawasaki
Paying over 10k is a pain.
And who is comfortable running $10,000 through the mud and bouncing the body work off of rocks?
Pain is, in fact... the correct verbiage
This is what Land Rover should have done with defender, but instead they decided on electronic nightmare. Kawasaki did perfect decision.
I could not agree more.
Only thing they messed up was the colors! 😰
@@bluefrog8670 Colour preference is subjective. Me? I’m digging that “ivory”.
The new Defender is absolutely great off-road, seriously, it’s impressive! What scares me is Land Rovers reliability, it is the worst in the world.
@@bluefrog8670 honestly, I would buy a new Barbie KLR650
You helped change my mind. I was disappointed in Kawi when they re-released this bike. After listening to you, I am a convert. I think they knew what they are doing. ADV bikes are getting too expensive and Kawi is now giving an affordable, capable option.
Very cool. I have no doubt you'll enjoy it tremendously.
They have to address how the bike performs at 120kph, though.
Just did 6500km trip around Ontario on mine when the lockdown ended in July. At 90kph, there is no bike I'd rather be on than my klr, but at 105kph it starts to get... sluggish and buzzy. On a major highway like the 401 I wasn't happy at all. Another 15-20hp and some suspension improvements would have fixed everything, but I guess this is not an option with this motor.
So, I am here with my zrx 1100 and my klr 650, wondering if I upgrade to something better for adv riding that includes highway travel.
@@Bob-Maplethorpe yet still no 6th gear while 250cc, and now 300cc have one. I just dont understand why. They underestimated the north american highway landscape...
@@bigbang1985 I have a kle500 and even with the 6th gear anything more than 100 kph is still not nice
@@bigbang1985 good point. 6th would a big deal as well. Add a CP2-like motor, with 6 speed to the current changes and you have a game changer. It would still cost less than the T7 and be a great all rounder.
I drove a KLR 650 from Montreal to Shreveport Louisiana in 37 hours. Crazy ride for sure. The sitting position and seat is very confortable, I had no back and knees issues the whole way. Ive had many different bikes since, and I can tell you, none can match the fun and confort I had with KLR. By the way. After KLR I had a DR 650 and I did a 10 h trip to Tennessee, I was in pain from my butt to my feet :-) Y’all ride safe !
I bought the ‘22 new KLR and absolutely love this thumper ! I had just bought the ‘20 Guzzi V85tt three months earlier and it’s such a nice cruiser that I cannot bring myself to trash it off road . So the KLR was purchased for that role , now I trimmed it all out with Tusk protection gear , bars and bags , I find myself always taking this bike instead of the Guzzi or my softail Harley . The KLR is just fun! If I want to cut through a grass median then no worries, take a gravel road to wherever it goes then it’s good to go . Kawasaki did a really nice job on this bike for the cost of $7k no complaints from me.
Great review ! Oh and the CRF African Twin is next on my list🤩😁✌️
Well put and accurate. In 2016 I rode a KLR around the world and this summer I rode the TAT on a KTM790 Adventure R. The KLR is the perfect RTW bike and although the 790Adventure R was great and handled the dirt well, we ran into several significant "Manufacturing" errors that would have been trip killers if we were in Mongolia or Siberia.
I want to add, I'm of the camp that thinks Kawasaki made the right choices (why mess too much with a good thing) with the exception of adding a 6th gear, I was forever searching for it on the highway.
Agreed. That's the one thing I would have really loved to have seen. Although like I said in the video I have a sneaking suspicion they did somewhat address this with some other changes and keeping it in the same package. We shall see once we get some ride reports going
@@TBONED2010 now with extra torque and power that 5 speed transmission might be more bearable.
Nice to see someone who gets it. Too many people complaining about weight, still a thumper, yet have never ridden a KLR.
Yeah its old school technology, but it's proven, stone cold reliable, and easy to fix.
Sadly it is NOT old school technology anymore.
I think it's old school technology where it counts though. EFI has been around long enough that, in my mind, it has proven it's reliability
@@danmanthe9335 The problem is EFI is far more complicated and expensive than a carburetor, it has 5-6 times more parts, and it would cost about 4 times more to replace all those parts than just a carburetor, yet it doesn't work any better, in many cases it doesn't work as well. I believe in simplicity. I can work on a carburetor out on the trail. When EFI fails, it's dead. No way to rig it or clean it or adjust it. And you often need expensive (and in some cases dealer only) equipment to even find the problem. Definitely not user friendly. If you are going to tune it, like for replacing an exhaust or air cleaner, you need a $500 tuner, not just a couple of $5 jets and maybe a couple of washers to shim the needle. To me it is just needlessly complicated and expensive.
I had similar thoughts when I first seen it. I am a DR rider but rode a KLR for 4 weeks in South America. First two weeks following the Dakar in 2014. 5 KLR’s and we did as much dirt and back roads as possible. The bikes didn’t let us down. One blown standard shock [260 pd / 120kg rider]. 7,500 km’s on each in 4 weeks. I might get me one of these
I have an extremely strong hunch that the final drive and 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears were lengthened out a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if Kawasaki managed to get 70 MPH down to 4500 or maybe even 4300 RPM from the current ~4800 RPM.
That is a HUGE longetivity and rideability improvement.
Exactly. And with new cam lobe profiles, fuel injection, I'd bet it's highway manners will be vastly better than they were before.
It's going to be hard to tell, considering they did not provide a tach.
had mine up to 90 today
@@joesteadman1014what are your RPM’s at 75?
Thanks. Wore out 3 Yamaha twin 2 strokes, 2 Honda 750 fours and have a ‘98 800 Kawasaki Vulcan w/commute and touring mileage. Each bike did it’s job. Love the Kawasaki. Service and comfort.
I was literally searching around for which dealership had a DR 650 but you brought up a great point all the new attributes and the fact that it’s fuel injected allows me to leave it in my garage for months at a time without the fuel going bad and gumming up the bowl. I’ve been riding since I was a little kid and now 58 I am ready for some fire roads instead of singletrack hill climbs. Thanks for the great perspective!
I talked my coworker (father of 2) into getting a KLR instead of R1 (as his 1st bike) like his buddies were trying to talk him into. I’m glad he listened to my side:) It’s a great beginner bike IMO.
One of the best for sure. You're a good friend haha.
You may have saved his life.
lmao an R1 as a first bike. Jesus.
@@ivannunes6019 sadly it's too likely that it would have been his last
R1 what a boring bike. Have to high Rev it to feel the power, which makes it for a litre bike dangerous machine. The thumper is fun in low rpm torky machine. Great for beginners.
Everyone in the klr forums wanted something different from the new klr. I think it's a perfect blank canvas which will make it great, just like the ones before it. Swap a sprocket for better dirt or freeway riding. $200 for decent suspension upgrades. $100 for decent crash bars. It's not just the best value at the sale but also could be the best value from the aftermarket.
I've owned Hayabusa, VFR - 4 of them, XT600, CBR1000, Buell, FJR1300, and a 2018 Goldwing for touring. If I could only have one, it would be my 2011 KLR650. It is a blast to ride on the road and no roads 😁
I loved my old klr .and regretted selling it after I sold it.i am selling my vstrom 650 this spring and getting a new klr .can't wait thanks kawasaki
What about the klr do you miss? I switched from a v Strom to a klr this last year. I love the ergonomics and the off road riding on the klr, probably my favorite bike I have owned all things considered. That being said, honestly I am pretty disappointed every time I twist the throttle, and dread any longer miles at freeway speeds. I never felt like the vstrom needed more power, and I can't not notice how slow my klr feels when I try and accelerate out of a corner or go to pass. I have owned three 650 cc twins, and always loved the engine, the single cylender on the klr just doesn't do it for me after riding those bikes sadly. Plan on picking up a t7 next year which matches or tops the klr off road, but has just a tad more power than the vstrom. Best of both worlds I am hoping. I would just be sure to test ride a new klr before making the switch to be sure you won't be missing the power.
I sell you my 2014 so I can pick up a new 2022 😂
Agree 100%. That's what made the original KLR so danged amazingly popular.
Everybody cries for more newfangled widgets,
Then complain when those widgets fail on the higher priced bikes.
It's a basic hammer, and serves a great purpose.
I'm glad they brought it back, mostly as it is.
Kawasaki is the motorbikes version of Toyota :)
Funny... I have a kawasaki w650 and local triumph sales guy calls it exactly that... I usually say I prefer the Toyota to a Rover. he doesn't like it. I do.
EXCELLENT perspective!!!! This was the best and most honest evaluation I’ve EVER heard on RUclips. Thank you
I have owned 24 different types of motorcycles in those one KLR 650. The KLR was my most loved bike and think a new one will be in my garage maybe this winter! Great video, thanks and right on.
Thank you for answering my comment, good to hear that Kawasaki addressed this problem, "Eagle Mike" in the USA has an excellent replacement and Conical spring, the Perfect fix!!
i'm a 2013 KLR 650 owner and never looked back. A class unto itself.
I went to my local Kawasaki shop this morning to have a look at the base model and the ADV version, I love both. I never saw any of the previous versions so this was my first viewing and I wasn’t disappointed, the seat feels comfortable
Yeah it's going to be a great performer for sure. Simple reliable and affordable. It's a bike that's going to make a lot of riders very happy.
Excellent video. You clearly did your research. Very professional and not just a fan boy type Video. I’m pumped that they made the advancements that they did and we’re still able to keep the bike at a incredibly affordable price point.
Thanks brother
You nailed it by saying Kawasaki knows their target buyer for the new improved KLR.
I will definitely consider buying one when they hit Australian shores.
For me it has addressed the 2 main things for me:-
1. EFI
2. ABS
Lets face it everyone wants to hit dirt trails, the reality is that most of the time we ride on roads (extended 3rd, 4th and 5th gear will really help here)
As a rider with over 45 years motorcycling experience (currently ride Suzuki GSXS750 2020), I don't need high HP to enjoy the ride.
The do it all KLR is back , does nothing great, just a very capable bike to handle everyday adventures at a great price.
KLR650s go around the world better than Ewing Mcgregor or Charlie Booreman ever did on those heavy ass bmws.
Those heavy "heavy ass BMW"s are 506lbs this thing is 470+lbs. To put this in perspective the KTM 690 is only 320lbs , Africa twin is 460lbs, KTM 500 is 235lbs. That puts the KLR is in the same league as the "big ass BMW's". You are saving almost no weight using the KLR and losing more than half the HP.
@Nothing2SeeHere I think it's more of "you are not allowed to ride around the world any more" by bill gates and his ilk. I suspect a lot of people still want to but can't due to the now totalitarian grip of power by the billionaires who have 7 private jets, 5 yachts, fleets of luxury cars and 15 estates. The world is theirs and they don't want us in it.
I'm looking at the KLR after 30 years away from riding- thank you for the honest opinion - I'm subscribed.......
Well said sir! I am all in with the KLR 650! I’ll be mostly riding on city streets and the extra is actually a bonus. That said, my family and I spend our summers in Baja Sur Mexico and the KLR is perfect for strapping a surfboard rack on the side and getting to some of those out of reach ( by car or truck ) surf spots! I’m may even ride it from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo with my girls following in our Toyota 4Runner.... 🤔
Sounds like a hell of a plan. Enjoy.
I love simplicity. No need for gadgets in the middle of nowhere.
This is the perfect when shtf bike. Set up and ready to bug out
You and I see eye to eye. I was so stoked that Kawasaki kept what worked and didn't add anything they didn't need. I'm not even upset about the 6th gear because from my point of view I can fine tune that with the rear sprocket myself. All that for the same price that the KLR was selling for 4 years ago. GRAND SLAM!
Nice job breaking it down. If someone wants to spend their time hating on something- let them. The KLR650 has been around for a long time and for good reasons despite what some "experts" say about it's capabilities. It's does a lot of things well and that's what matters. If you want a bike that is the best at something- you're going to buy multiple bikes if you want to excel at multiple things. For my money- the KLR is what works best for what I want to do!
Just bought a new 2022 klr for my first bike. Absolutely love it and the fact that I didn't pay an arm and a leg on something I'm gonna be learning on, taking off road, and probably dropping numerous times I'm good with it.
I completely agree. Too many folks overlook the changes and the fact the price did not significantly escalate. I like it.
I still drive an 82 F150 with a 300 straight 6. So, I appreciate the KLR.
Great truck!
@@downstateradv This is best comparison, I had an 82 F150 (mustard yellow) two-wheel drive, four speed, 300 6cyl, regular cab, 8’ box (S model small mirrors, crank windows, no air) loved it and still love my 2002 KLR.
I to wish they would have put a sixth gear in it but all the other changes are good news. Will have to see it in person before making any purchase decisions though.
@@quadwayne Well there seems to be rumors that they revised the gearing. So maybe 5th gear is a little taller to take advantage of that extra torque. But in all honesty. 5 gears is plenty for a KLR and Kawasaki knows it. My 82 F150 is a Flareside, 4 speed 4x4 lifted. You can see a video of it on my channel.
Amen brother. Well spoken. True.
As a KLR owner for the last 6 years and 15,000+ miles mine is a 2015 the last updated year before the 2022. I was like so many people excited to see what the new KLR would look and be like. All the new updates are great and it still looks like a KLR they even kept that ugly front fender, haha. The new bike is down on power and up on weight 30lbs+ but able to carry more weight they say all good. People get all tied up in the specs of a bike these days, people don't buy KLR's because of their awesome spec sheet. The only thing I would add to my bike to make it better is ABS other than that I wouldn't change anything. One of the big factors for me in choosing the KLR was its 6.1 gallon tank, over the Honda or Suzuki you mentioned and it's wind protection as well. I didn't want FI and all the other electronics that can fail out in BFE, I wanted to be able to diagnose issues on a fairly simple bike. But that said, I like all the new upgrades and Kawasaki will sell the hell out of the KLR once again!
With fuel injection, there shouldn't be any issues.
The carbureted klr is a pain in the ass. Harder to start. Takes forever to warm up, idles higher when warm. I welcome the fuel injection.
Outstanding commentary and spot-on opinion! Though I have been riding for a long time, from 2008 to 2016 I owned the latest and greatest BMW's, KTM's, and Ducati's. In 2016 I had an epiphany and discovered European bikes were not for me, so I went Japanese and never looked back. Now that I am getting older I really don't care about horsepower numbers or the amount of electronic nanny's that are on a bike. To me its all about simplicity, reliability, and cost which is why the new KLR or the Yamaha T7 are on my radar.
Appreciate the comment.
I cant believe how great of a job you did on this review man. Very professional, very true down to Earth comments and just simple facts. I will be getting the adventurer edition of this bike because its gonna be my adventurer at a price I can afford with all the bells and whistles you could possibly need. I was second guessing myself wanting one of the big and flashy "unicorn" bikes every other company is offering but I know for a fact that this is the adventure I need and want. Thank you for your video you have acquired another subscriber keep up the great work and i hope to see more content as honest and great as this video. Take it easy and ride safe brother...✌😁
I have no doubt you'll love it. More to come!
I have a 2007 KLR 650 and still ride it in Colorado the Four Corners area. Love the bike.
Kawasaki KLR650 is a super reliable bike that I enjoy and love. I'm glad Kawasaki preserved it's original soul 👍
It's the "Jeep" of motorcycles, why mess with success.
I had a 1985 Kawasaki KlLR 600. I loved the bike and wished I kept it. I love it’s simplicity. Welcome back!
Great video and an insightful commentary! I'm a new rider with a month of experience on a kawasaki kle 500, klr 650 was always a dream. Fuel injection with a 23L tank, high seat and dual sport capability, getting to 0-100km/h in 6sec is all I need in a bike.
Hope they come to Europe this time!!!
You won't be disappointed. Enjoy the journey.
In 2003 I bought a used 1998 Gen 1, slapped on some soft saddlebags, a tank bag and a tent and took 4 months to basically ride from Montreal, Canada to Panama City Panama on a stock used $3400 KLR. It was a tank, not one mechanical issues on 14K miles of the trip or even a flat tire (that was pure luck). I had the bike shipped back home and rode it for another year until I got engaged and bought a few other bikes that were better for two up riding. After several other motorcycles I bought a Gen 2 and was happy with it, until marriage ended and bike had to be sold. Now I'm looking at the new Gen 3 and I like what I see. I like that Kawasaki kept the basics and that all the aftermarket stuff that makes fixing up a KLR to suit your style of riding so much fun. Like everything in motorcycles design it's always a compromise between performance and cost. People complain that the new KLR is only a 5 speed thinking that a 6 speed would automatically have you doing 80mph at 4500rpm but that's not really how engine performance or physics work. Take a close look at final gear ratios between 5 and 6 speed transmissions and you'll see that they are actually very close, only the space between the gears makes the jumps smaller. Kawasaki could have made a 6 speed, but it would have only increased the cost in redesigning a new transmission and engine casings making it more expensive and it would not have made a huge improvement on highway cruising speed, engine rpm or fuel economy. IMHO, I trust the engineers at Kawasaki will know more than I, or many other people ever will understand about getting the best all-round performance from their engine and transmission designs.
Agreed on all points.
My 2002 KLR loves me....always willing and faithful, whatever we're doing.
That's more than I can say for any of my Harleys........
The KLR is what it has always been. The best adventure motorcycle made, for the price.
Kawasaki just made it even better. Especially fully loaded for $8,000.
Probably the single most objective commentary on this segment, on the Internet
Very well put. Got my new 650 Adventure a couple weeks ago and love it so far. It’s like my 2011 was but better.
Awesome. Good to hear. Not that I doubted it! Enjoy!!
You’d spot on here. Especially with the price. When I first saw the Thailand ad I was thinking this would be pushing 9 or 10 k, but it’s the same price as the late model gen 2s retailed at. For a fuel injected, 650cc tried and tested adventure bike, I’d happily pay 7,000 for a brand new one
You're not alone for sure.
Thanks for your thoughts, I bought a new KLR650 in 2005, I sold it in favor of a BMW sport bike. The BMW K bike is an engineering marvel, but I miss the simplicity of the KLR. It's like an old dog always at your side that you don't have to worry about. I'll get the new KLR.
I too am a huge fan of BMW motorcycles and view them as engineering masterpieces but with that comes a whole set of problems that I also don't like. I think your sentiment matches mine and many others in this community. It's one of the main reasons as I mentioned the video that I see this bike doing quite well as it always has. There is a certain beauty and peace of mind behind simplicity and utility.
Very well thought out , legitimate points. Solid content in the video. No needless rambling. Very seldom can I watch a talk video and maintain interest. Good job.
Thanks Shane. Ride review coming in the next day or two. Appreciate the kind words brother.
Best assessment of the KLR I’ve seen. Pretty much the thinking that went into my purchase of one last week. I couldn’t have stated it this eloquently though. Just got yourself another subscriber.
It fits perfectly when you ask the right question rather than answering a lot of irrelevant ones.
Really like hearing your thoughts on the new bike. I bought a 2015 one about a year ago and absolutely love it! In a few years I will probably upgrade to the 2022.
Super fair and well thought out review! Appreciate your logical approach and not just hating on the KLR because it’s the cheaper bike. And I couldn’t agree more, absolutely the best bang for your buck on the market today.👏
Excellent analysis and insightful experience. Well done.
So who is going to buy one guys? Iam, loved my old KLR! Thumbs up for the new KLR.
I'll buy one. I always liked the KLR650.
Subscribed. Really enjoy your thoughtful commentary. I sold a 2007 KLR after 6 years because of the suburban riding I was mostly doing at that time, and bought a 2014 VStrom 1000 to keep up with traffic. When I move to the country I would definitely consider another KLR.
Awesome. Appreciate the kind words.
I'm exactly the empty-nester you describe, buying my first bike after not riding for 40 years (though I've spent thousands of hours and dollars on mountain bikes, and will keep doing so). I put money down on the new KLR after doing a lot of reading, and talking with my brother, who has a lot of experience with KLRs and loves the new model. Just as you said, this bike seems perfect for me, at a totally affordable price point. I value simplicity and reliability, and want money leftover for other fun things in life. Can't wait to get my hands on it this summer.
I have no doubt you'll be happy with it.
You nailed it! And this is from a KLR650 owner who rode mine all over SoCal deserts and mountains, and many Black Trails. What they have done is as you have stated a good price performance balance. You cannot beat the super reliability of a KLR. I have owned 3, in New Zealand, Japan and the US and taken them insane places (in NZ up a volcano to the rim, in Japan part way up Mt. Fuji, in the US up to 12,000 ft on a single track) and they have never failed me. Thank you for an honest preview. Full disclosure, I sold my KLR and regretted it, and 3 years ago bought an Africa Twin DCT which I love. It handles supremely well in the dirt but when you go down it's a beast to get up and often too wide for single tracks.
Thanks... And yes the twin is no lightweight to pick up!
@@downstateradv Just watched your Africa Twin review, you nailed that too. We have the same AF but mines a DCT only due to being able to get it really cheap.
@@kiwikidusa awesome brother. The twin is a real steal in the ADV market and an unsung hero in my humble opinion. Glad you enjoyed it.
@@downstateradv It is an awesome bike for the price. Planning a round the country trip in late May after Spring Semester wraps up here on campus. From Northeast Ohio to Montana, to Central California, to Big Bear Lake (where I consider it home), then back through Utah and Colorado. It's amazing on road and surprisingly nimble and controllable off road. Even seriously considering getting a new KLR650 too. But I will wait and see to read the reviews.
Good work. Glad yo see the KLR back on its feet only stronger.
excellent analysis....the points you are making register with many former KLR6 riders. They wanted improvements, but not the price point. They wanted fixes to some of the items that were missing or high failure or less than optimal design things they would have to go to after market ...with the added expenses. This "updated" machine hits all the key areas for these riders. It also sells into a market that is depressed at a price point no one..and I mean no one is even in the same ball field...in it's class. And speaking of, this updated bike while it has included many different component improvements...the facts remain where they are most important: one can easily maintain and repair this machine with few specialty and expensive tools.
About the only thing that is a question mark for me at this point is the F-injection system. I will presume this is going to make the machine more reliable and consistent across the RPM range. But I am anxious to see the early reports on that matter. What I am particularly interested in with that FI system is pretty straight forward:
will it be dependable. and if it fails, what is the expense of repairs.
and second interest, same FI system: can it automatically adjust to altitude changes? For instance, does the fuel pump have some kind of differential pressure sensor that adjusts on the fly that will account for air density changes. Many FI systems accomplish this with a hard coded fuel map that develops the solution through some sort of torque and power sensor. Which is sort of an archaic and indirect and inefficient means to solve air density changes. With the more sophisticated FI systems, there is an actual fuel - air MAF type of device that measure air density and makes the appropriate fuel injection measuring for optimal power at all the typical altitudes. I am interested in what type of FI system Kawa decided to implement. perhaps it is a hybrid. I don't know the answer to this question, but I believe it is going to be an important question...particularly given many riders are packing heavy on lots of mountainous outings. I don't claim to know either way how this FI system actually operates to handle that altitude dynamic. I am hopeful, like so many things that Kawa appears to have fully recognized in the other updates, that there is a solid FI system to handle that and also continues the heritage it has earned for highly reliable fault tolerant and hi mileages rough and tough motors.
Your opinion is spot on!! I am toying with the idea of replacing my 2006 KLR (that I have owned since new) with a 2022.
69 years old I'm coming back into it and having a blast on the basic orange one, adding a heavy-duty skid plate more for peace of mind protecting that drain plug and I'm good to go
I liked your comments and at 70 and in the market for an ADV I am going to get a KLR. I am going to visit my younger son in Perth next year so need something that will chug along, be reasonably comfortable and be able to cover some distances. When I get back I want to do some of the high country in Victoria Australia. I am going in later in the week to put my money down. Thanks for your comments, they were well reasoned and appreciated. John
Great video. Kawasaki have always been great on price & what you get for your money. I was a bit disappointed on the KLR release, expecting something totally new, but you hit the nail on the head. Smart move by Kawasaki, affordability, reliability, can do all bike. Ready to rock n roll. 👍🇦🇺🏍😎
I agree, thanks for your knowledge and opinions. I love my KLR and look forward to buying a used Gen 3 in a few years.
All my Kawasaki have been ugly but super reliable ( like me) I’ve gotten 80-100 k miles on all 5 bikes I’ve owned and this is going to be my next. Thank you
This bike is literally exactly what i wanted....my good old KLR, but better.
Let us know if you get one and how you like it
Agreed. I got mine a couple weeks ago and so far that is exactly what it is.
Spot on, I think you’ve nailed it with your thoughts on this very clever move by Kawasaki. I personally can’t wait for a test ride to feel the positive improvements these changes have made compared to my old 2015 model. Good job!👍🏻
I’ve been eyeing the CRF250/300L for more off-road exploration. However, I am pretty excited to see the new KLR and it’s very tempting. Anytime I have ridden with other KLR riders, I have respect and a little envy in their practicality and affordability. The riders get to see the same sights, same people, have the same experiences as I do. And maybe I don’t have to work as hard on more crazy terrain or breaking the back end loose, I don’t think the KLR rider is suffering - it’s a minor difference. If you ride a KLR, the more expensive bike riders have no valid reason to look down in your ride... it’s just arrogance, -a bmw rider (for now)
The 300L would be a great option for you if you already have a big BMW adventure tourer. That said, after owning one of the very first 250L in the US, I can say with confidence that it's not the kind of bike you want to run on the highway whatsoever. If you're just looking for a cheap run about for trail use though it's hard to beat that little bike. If you truly want to do it all utility bike though, this new KLR will be hard to beat just like every other generation was.
I loved my '95 KLR (sold it in' 05 w/almost 100k) and I've been waiting for an EFI KLR since 2014, when I sold my '04 Concours.
Good stuff. Time to put another 100k on this one!
@@downstateradv I've been eyeing the KTM 390 Duke because it is a fun bike (and probably the best bang for the buck), but this is what I've been waiting for. Also, Ive been trying to get the Marines diesel version of the KLR for almost 20 years, but the SoCal company claims that they can't keep up with the military demand. Anyway, thanks to the video, your review was very objective.
Very nicely put, far better than most of the available rubbish. Paid my deposit today and expect delivery mid June, but i do live in Thailand where they are made. Once again well put.
I'm very surprised you only have 681 subscribers... Great insight. Thanks!
I think we have to wait for some real riding reviews. Not all bikes shines just from the specs, for example the Versys x300 doesnt seems interesting but its a very good adventure bike. 40HPs at 170kilos, better ratio than the original KLR 650. So I think its better to wait for a complete review, hopefully from Ryan Fortnine 😀
Thanks for the Video! I wanted to get back into dirt biking and realized i wanted a dual sport and then realized i did not fit on many of the dirt bikes with lights out there, started looking at Yamaha and stumbled on the KLR at the dealership. i knew the segment and the bike just kept grabbing my attention at every dealership I visited. The heritage of the KLR reminds me of a Toyota FJ40. The KLR price, the adventure look, ability to ride both dirt and street, and alas I can touch the ground! I have also ordered the lower profile seat! Anyway, your video is helpful in validating I made a great choice for what I want to do and my budget!
Spot on!
Very interesting, and insightful points. I’m awaiting my 1st ‘street bike’ @ 46 y/o. My KLR gets here in a month and I’m so pumped.
I can tell you one thing, your right on them selling well. I’m in Canada and every bike is presold before it gets put on a ship. A dealer just told me he gets 6+ calls a day for them. I think they look better than any other DS under $25k, yet I don’t care what it looks like. With gas so expensive, it will pay for itself in no time. Thanks for sharing
All valid points and observations
Spot on review budget bike for budget minded people
I’ve owned KLR’ s before and they’re a dependable bike. Good video again
It’s the 20 year old Jeep Cherokee of the motorcycle world and that’s a good thing. I’m glad they brought it back with modern updates! Fuel injection was a must. $6699 nails the price point in this market.
Agreed. Only thing I'd add is that it's the 20-year-old, new Jeep Cherokee with some thoughtful upgrades and zero miles lol.
@@downstateradv The thoughtful upgrades are the only reason I’m interested. If it was the exact same bike as 2018 but with FI then I wouldn’t be interested.
I've got a 1999 gen 1' open mindedness is always good. when I do ride my klr 650 I'm not looking to go 80mph.IT's my bike to go exploring on. I love it so much that i cant justify getting rid of it for even a new 2021.great video btw
Best discussion of this I've seen so far. Found it via KLRDelusionals. I believe I share the initial reaction: Initial almost let-down . . . then . . . hey, wait a minute, there's a lot of good stuff here, and it's still a KLR.
I love the new design of the KLR 650 and all the changes to it and like you already said a very proven bike especially the fuel injection a big plus in my book
Love it, I'd buy it in a heartbeat! I had an 08 that I put quite a few miles on and I still regret selling it. I think Kawi pretty much nailed it, don't fix what isn't broken.
I'm anxiously awaiting the test rides and reviews of the new model, I'm thinking the fuel injection will make quite a bit of difference in pep and throttle response.
Love your thinking and this review. Very informative and balanced appraisal.
Dude hell yeah… I haven’t had a motorcycle in 10 years. Haven’t had a dirt bike in 20 years. I kind of want to get back in and this time I don’t care about high speed so I don’t need a crotch rocket.
So I’ve been looking for bikes like this and they nailed this thing…
If I was going to buy new it would be this.
Good stuff. You are definitely an ideal candidate for this bike. I'm sure there will be smiles for miles.
I have owned more motorcycles than I can recall, everything from a 1948 Indian Chief over a handful of Harleys, several hand fulls of classic Z Kawasakis, including a first year Z1300, the Honda CBX and Benelli 750 Sei, three Ducatis, and a few old Triumph Bonnevilles. I would have loved to buy a Royal Enfield Himalayan, but at 6'6" there are very few bikes out there on this planet on which I can sit comfortably. One of them is the first edition Multistrada, then there's the BMW R1200GS, and finally the Kawasaki KLR 650. I found mine, a 2007 model with 5K miles on the clock, by accident when buying an old Jaguar. The bike was never on my radar, but it is everthing I want in a bike: comfy, dependable, affordable, and bullet-proof.
You are dead on in all aspects of your opinion of the KLR. Like it or not Kawasaki did a great job with this 650. It's everything you said it is.
I test rode one and it performed just like one would expect for an almost 500lb bike with 34 hp and outdated suspension. The facts are the facts, it's too heavy, lacks decent suspension and can barely carry it's own weight. It's 'kind of' (EXACTLY) like taking a motorcycle from 1986 and doing nothing modern to it except fuel injection and expecting it to compete in the market. It has been almost 40 years without improvement and it rides like it. - If you had a $100 to buy a new mattress in 1986, you could get a very nice mattress. If you took that same $100 and left it under your mattress until 2022, it's no longer going buy you even a half decent mattress. The point is that Kawasaki should not have left this bike unchanged for so long, as it has lost it's charm and it's value.
I think the KLR was good as it was, but there were a few things that needed fixed. The aftermarket addressed them nicely but it sounds like Kawasaki has done their homework and fixed a lot of them in the factory. That in my mind is worth a sticker price increase. Since they are keeping the same price, that makes the KLR, in my mind, a much better bike than it was and I expect the sales of the new KLR 2022 will go thru the roof. Good job Kawasaki! By the way, I currently ride a 2001 KLR 650 and I love it. I almost find it hard to believe they have improved it that much. I may have to trade in the old beast.
That's a bike to look for this year, just awesome, like the gas tank capacity over the Honda or Suzuki. I have the same Breville coffee maker, the best!
Helpful, had one several years ago you have convinced me to look again, I subscribed, nice job, good video, keep them coming.
Spot on. Thanks for the great vid. The only thing I hated about my old (90's or so) KLR was the vibration - I couldn't feel my hands after a few hours. Bought a BMW GS 1150R - which is sweet - but super heavy off road and getting any work on it is super expensive and it's impossible to find a shop if you're outside a major city. Thinking about going back to the KLR.
Hey Ben. Thanks. To be honest and I don't think you'll get a lot of people to actually admit this but I bet you there are a ton of folks out there who feel the same way about their more expensive upgrades that they've made. I would venture to guess there are plenty of folks out there who are thinking right along the same lines about going back to the basics with something that's fairly updated and proven like this. Appreciate the comment and the honesty.
I just made my own comment about considering swapping out my 2017 GSA for a KLR. Or keeping both and just using the GSA for road and “sporting” touring and the KLR for what I *thought* I’d use the GSA for.
Agree, the point is to enjoy traveling. It's all about the rider not the bike.
This is what we can expect for the updated version for the Suzuki DR650. The last year was ended his production in Colombia 😭
That it is a bummer for sure. Unfortunately I really don't see Suzuki doing much this year or next. They are by far the most stagnant of the Japanese manufacturers. I am hopeful however for Yamaha this year. Fingers crossed!
Excellent presentation and well done on researching the upgrades properly. I completely agree on the price point. I’ve never bought a brand new bike just form the point of affordability and have always been concerned when buying someone else’s bike i.e it’s previous use and service history etc…. Anyone who owns/uses/maintains a DRZ-400 or comparable machines would be very interested in this bike, better on the road sections, EFI and I’d imagine relatively straight forward to maintain after the warranty expires.
Time will tell but I think as a true 50/50 duel sport, Kawasaki got this right !