I did a search for it but didn't see much on it.

Anyone have personal experience to offer?

My lower back is starting to talk to me on the GSXR.

My main use currently is driving the 10 mile round trip on base every day for work, never breaking 30 MPH. But the benefit of taking the KLR out in the woods, even on very mundane trails is exciting.

I never owned one but I've ridden quite a few.
My opinion is they are a really good ADV style bike but for mild commuting and having fun on trails I'd rather have a lighter and more agile bike. The Honda or Kawasaki dual sports in the 300cc range are going to be street legal and a bit more trail capable than the 650 in my experience. Honda also makes it with a 450 if you want more power.

https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us...TGROUPLIST-_-VEHICLE

https://powersports.honda.com/...e/dual-sport/crf300l

Former KLR owner here:
All around good bike.
Lots of mods and stuff to slap on it.
Motor may need a tweak or two to ensure longevity. Google "doohickey".
Heavy in the dirt.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:
I never owned one but I've ridden quite a few.
My opinion is they are a really good ADV style bike but for mild commuting and having fun on trails I'd rather have a lighter and more agile bike. The Honda or Kawasaki dual sports in the 300cc range are going to be street legal and a bit more trail capable than the 650 in my experience. Honda also makes it with a 450 if you want more power.

https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us...TGROUPLIST-_-VEHICLE

https://powersports.honda.com/...e/dual-sport/crf300l

This is good advise overall, but I'd add a couple of things:

1. If you're a big fella (over 5-10 and over 180) the KLR will fit you fine and I didn't find the borrowed one I rode several times to be at all unwieldy.

2. The KLR, being a 650, will just lope along at highway speeds (especially if you tweak the gearing a bit) where the 300 class will be buzzing pretty hard.

3. A used KLR will likely be cheaper than a new 300 class and there are (or at least used to be) a crapload of them out there.

As pointed out, it is an okay "adventure" bike with some tweaks, but compared to a really-truly trail bike, it's a heavy beast. Gravel roads, yes. Woods trails not so much.

If you want a great read with alot of experience check out Sargent Marty's site. Great guy to know. https://www.sgtmarty.com/mc-home.html

I've owned 2 KLR's, 1998 and the "newer styled" 2008. They're very comfortable motorcycles and seem happy at speeds up to 75 or so. They come nicely equipped with a luggage rack, skid plate (heavy plastic), large tank, hand guards, and fairly comfortable seat. The bike is way too heavy and bulky for off road but that's not what they're about, the KLR is about riding on all types of roads from dirt and gravel to I-80, and everything in between. They're great for commuting because you're up high with good visibility. Also great for riding around on back roads and it doesn't matter if they may turn to gravel or broken pavement.
The negatives to me; as speed increases they're a little sluggish as there is only so much that 35-40 hp can do moving all that weight. I found overall build quality was just OK. One of mine came with an improperly fitted seal on the head bearing that allowed water in, wiring was kinda crude, and both of mine (actually every KLR that friends had as well) used oil to a varying degree. I believe they took 2 1/2 qts and I always ended up adding the remaining 1/2 qt before the next change at about 2,500 miles, sometimes if running a lot of highway speeds even more. The engine also wore out oil like no other bike I've had, by 800 miles the oil was black as coal and within 2,000 miles shifting was starting to get notchy.

Local dealer in Morgantown has 2-3 new ones on the floor, I'm sure they'd like to sell one!

Has Kawasaki started to equip those with fuel injection and/or electric start yet? I really wasn’t entirely comfortable screwing with the choke then standing on the peg to kick start that tall, heavy-ass bike when it was in loose dirt. I could see it falling over on me and busting my hind leg.

^^^The KLR 650 has had Electric Start since it was introduced in 1987. Kawasaki 'discontinued' production of the KLR in from 2019-2021. When they reintroduced it in 2022, they added Fuel Injection, and ABS was an available option.

Here's a link to a PDF detailing the historical timeline of the KLR650 --> https://watt-man.com/wp-conten.../05/KLR-Timeline.pdf

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nhracecraft,

The KLR was on my short list about a year and a half ago when I was waffling back and forth between smaller adventure bikes and dual-sports. I ended up going with a Yamaha WR250R. Both bikes were highly recommended, reliable, and had been around for ages with lots of aftermarket support.

Weight was the final determining factor. Not sure what your physical attributes/health are like but I have 2 partially blown discs in my lower back. The first time I laid it over trying to negotiate a sandy wash my very first thought was "thank God I didn't buy a heavier bike." Picked it up with ease and I can nudge it around in the bed of my truck when I'm strapping it down.

I've had mine up to 75/80 so it will keep up with freeway traffic but I spend probably 75% of my time in the bottom 3 gears just putting around enjoying the scenery on random desert trails or forest service roads.

Certainly not trying to talk you out of a KLR but after you described your intended riding I'll echo the sentiment posted above about 300cc class bikes. My 250 has more power than I know what to do with.

FWIW,

Dan

I've had three KLRs, two 1st Gens and a 2nd Gen. Currently just have the two 1st gens, a 95 and 07. Both are great bikes. Perfect commuters IMO and OK for light trails or general ADV use. It's not a bike you want to be thrashing around on in the woods or dropping a lot, but if by off-road use you mainly mean dirt and gravel roads, then they are about perfect.

The KLR is a cult bike and the internet has a zillion opinions on it. That said if I had to go 10 miles at 30mph I'd be getting me a scooter. Or a Grom. Or if I wanted to do some offroad a KLX or a CRF. The KLR is a true classic but its 'all around' 'around the world' demeanor doesn't fit your goals very well.

I've had several bikes over the years including a KLR 650. It was by far my least favorite bike.
Just too boring. A bike that does lots of things ok, but doesn't really excel at anything.
And I really wanted to like it.
But to me it just had no soul.