I HATE the Kawasaki KLR650… so I BOUGHT one
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- Опубліковано 26 тра 2022
- OLD, BORING & UGLY! I have no idea why anyone would like the Kawasaki KLR650. So I bought one for myself to figure out what so many people see in them.
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I started out with one of these (2nd gen) and loved it. It's cheap, parts are everywhere, easy to work on, extremely reliable and mechanically simple. It rides decently well and gets the job done. Sure, it's slow, but that's not the point of the bike. What's not to love for the price and point of use? People just have some wild expectations nowadays and do not understand how the design and manufacturing process works. Balancing cost and performance is a very hard job, it's called value engineering.
exactly
👍
The Glock of motorcycles some say it’s too square some say it’s ugly some say it’s not safe or comfortable but no one can with a straight face say it’s not extremely reliable and tough
Same here,me too, just to get the job done, thanks God I own a commuter bike but good for family and daily up down.
I'd ride one I feel like it's too big for me hahaha
Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one
K. D dm
I came here to say this 😅👌
Thank you for using the full quote! 👍🙏
As someone who is owned this and the DR650 and a XR650 L. Great cheap simple bikes but as life goes on you grow out of them. Maybe when one get old broken and broke one will
grow back in?
Lol super original Chad.
"It's the speed bump king."
Exactly. I bought a cheap, beat up, used KLR when I needed a daily driver in a pinch. I live in Houston, TX with terrible roads all along my daily commute. As much as I love my vintage BMW for long tours and windy roads, the KLR is the commuter king (as long as that commute is under 45 minutes, otherwise the stock seat will amputate your legs). The roads here seem to be the ideal conditions to have a dual sport. Broken, pot-holed, uneven, and covered in construction debris, with that one random stretch of relatively nice pavement. Yeah, that's where the dual-sports reign supreme.
The KLR is ugly. I hate how it looks. And I hated it when I bought it. I intended on keeping it for a year or so, and now here we are 5 years later. Aside from the stock seat and the pathetic plastic hand guards, I've come to love that it just keeps running no matter what.
If you live in a place where the roads on your commute are well-maintained, get a street bike for your commute. If you want a bike to ride out of town and go on trails, get a BMW. But if you fight with crappy pavement on your commute and want to sit as high as the folks in Ford F-150s, get a KLR. Just make sure to drop it every few days so it knows you love it.
I guess everyone's taste is different. The more I look at KLR's, the more they appeal to me! And not in a beer goggles way, either.
@@michaelhrivnak1719 Oh, it's definitely a matter of personal taste! I don't understand the visual appeal of sport bikes or choppers. But lots of people love those looks. I'm just glad that there's a lot of variety in motorcycle styling, so we can all find the bike that fit our personal taste.
@@checkadam42 Agreed! Being a child of the 60's and early 70's, watching the movies Grand Prix, and then Easy Rider, kind of shaped my tastes in bikes. Grand Prix, for it's international road racing flavor. That equates to super fast sport bikes in many flavors! Formula 1 cars are a little too pricey for most of us dreamers. Easy Rider, for the ultimate laid back motorcycle. That mean's choppers! If you never rode one, you need to give it a try. But carefully, that is!
I actually think my stock seat and mostly stock setup is pretty comfortable considering it's a dual sport. It's much more long ride capable than the Honda XR650 and Suzuki DRZ400 that are more off road capable at the expense of comfort. The PO of mine actually put knobby Continental tires on which I'm going to switch to more 80/20 tires and can't wait to see how much more it'll smooth out.
@@checkadam42 I'm no really into the 2nd gen klr, but to me the 1st is one of the best looking bikes. Old adv's look nice (the gauloise ténéré's also)
With a few upgrades, the KLR becomes MUCH more dirt-worthy, without losing it other charms. Exhaust, suspension, skid plate, etc. I ride in Colorado and whenever I encounter someone on a heavy adventure bike (such as a GS), I always leave them in the dust.
I remember pulling up to my friends at a rest spot while trail riding. They all had true dirt bikes so I was obviously last on my 06' klr650. The look in all their eyes said all that needed to be said. My reply was "but, can yours do this? Beep, Beep. as I hit the horn. Peace/JT
and when you hit pavement, they're done
I had a 2009 KLR, and loved it! I had full luggage, high windshield, comfortable air seat and gps. It would run all day long and easily keep up with touring bikes. Reaching the off road trails, luggage and windshield off in 5 minutes and off road you go. There wasn't anywhere I asked it to go that it didn't soldier through. Knock it all you want, it's a beast.
Where is your KLR now? Why did you get rid of it? What are you riding now!? We need to hear the whole story! ha. I had a 2002 ZX-6R Ninja, and I will say, they are the best motorcycle ever made. For some reason I got scared and sold my bike for $3,200 with only 10,000 miles on it, after my friend got hurt and almost died when he hit a deer at 130 mph. Not a day goes by I don't cringe because I wish I had not sold my pride and joy motorcycle.
I like the big gas tank on them. I wonder if a bigger aftermarket one is available ?
Always interesting to see someone "disliking" a functional and reliable 650cc bike, while i live in a country where a 150cc is 15x the minimum wage...
I owned and rode a KLR across Canada (and back) on the TCAT (Trans Canada Adventure Trail) much of the way and can testify to its extreme reliability. Broke the chain (fixed with a link I carried with me) and fixed a bunch of flat tires (not unexpected in these coditions) Sure it's a pig, but it is ultra reliable and parts can be found everywhere. So, while all those KTM and BMW riders are stranded scratching their heads while looking at their electronics, the KLR's just putt by. Classic tortoise and hare story for sure.
But I have to say, the issue with the electronics is also a myth. I know several bikers who ride theirs bmw's around the world and never had any issues at all. Yes If something bad happens youre f*****. But thats usally the case when something had happens with your bike unless its a super old one where you can just replace the engine with anything more or less similar. Actually KTM's are definitely not very reliable , heard of many brakesdowns and they couldn't figure out the issue wihtout a mondern device ;)
The most overlooked aspect of the KLR is the community. You need help? Have a question? Want to just share something (even a bike that's not a KLR) without having the "fan boy fraternity" chastise you? KLR owners are typically down to earth good natured people that just like riding.
For a performance dirt bike, The YZ250 Yamaha is the same way.
This is such a true statement
Well....now I really want one
If you have a question... they have been asked before.
I never expected you to own a KLR!!! This is my bike of choice, and am in complete love with it. Its so awful at everything, and yet so simple and cheap that i just love it
I've been thinking of getting one, but wanted to talk to an owner. How would you rate it in terms of durability, reliability, and ease of maintenance?
@@slappy8941 a KLR is the modt durable and reliable bike you can own. You could neglect this thing and ride it hard and it would still outlast just about everything else
@@TwentyTwoThirtyThree like a Toyota
But the himalayan does it all better.....and its slower as well
@@slappy8941 I’ve got a 2004 KLR650 that the previous owner had ridden every day on the highway to work. 60,000 miles, hours upon hours of running. Never needed a top or bottom end rebuild, only thing that ever went on it was a little fuse. These things are a lot lighter than they look when you’re on them. Great bike
Showing the "action" in the dirt a big plus. As an over 6 foot tall 370 pound guy, the KLR is the only bike that doesn't make me feel like I'm riding a YZ80 down the road. Also, it's a plus to get a trunk box big enough for your hat in case it rains while sitting in a parking lot. I hate carrying my hat around in stores, and don't want the bluetooth to get wet or stole in the parking lot. I always wanted to paint it to look like a Hayes m1030 or a Harley MT500 but never got around to it. Miss that bike. This assessment is spot on. Kudos.
I literally got my 99 KLR running after 7 years. Bought it as a non runner. I got it running to fight these gas prices.
I've got my 88 KLR for some eco duty, it's been parked a while also 🙃
i'm right there with yall, my 88 is coming back to life just to be my daily driver
Man, nice I'm 68 and recently got a new 2022 KLR650 base model no abs, my first KLR, I bought it because I wanted a big thumper, and it's a hoot to ride !
I’m 61 this is my 3dr Klr I end up trading them in for faster bikes ,but I keep coming back their cheap great all around bike 2022 model is nice around town like I do these days . Have fun with yours
I have ridden both the KLR 250 and KLR 650 in the military. Yes they are clunky, but very reliable, can get you where your going and take a beating. They are not fast or high performance, for duel purpose and what the military needed them for, they worked out great. Use to ride Camp Pendleton in California, up and down the mountains and along the beach. It is good in all terrains.
You did a great job with this one🤙 I’m not sure if you mentioned it but the fact they’ve built these for so long means parts are readily available and inexpensive. I don’t own one and likely never will, but I do respect them for what they are and I’m glad they exist.
Great video. The KLR just is what it is. Once you stop trying to compare it with others and just enjoy it for what it is, you understand why they still have a place in the market. Likely not for too much longer, but we'll see.
They just launched a new one that's even better and dealers can't keep enough of
The XR650L is about the only thing I’d compare it to. They’ve both been around about the same timeframe without changing. And both 650 duel sports obviously
I describe mine as 'the Swiss Army Knife of motorcycles'. It doesn't do anything particularly well but it will do everything to get you there. I rode out to brutal trail ride with a group who brought their bikes out in the back of pick up trucks and was greeted with a chorus of 'We know who we will be waiting on.' Well they didn't end up waiting on me but I did hear 'How the hell did you get up here?' at least 1/2 dozen times. Getting it to stick to your planned lines can be a wrestling match but if you know how to ride it will get you there. BTW get the crash bars if only to protect your radiator, well worth the cost. A serious real bash plate to protect your engine is also a good idea.
@@AutoCrete That's the thing, isn't it? Wherever you're going, it will get you there and back. That's all some people need, and it does that well.
Place in the senior citizen motor scooter market
Can we all just take a moment and fully appreciate this guys amazing videography/cinematography skills.... absolutely amazing!!! Every video you produce is so pristine and enjoyable to watch with so many great effects to make it involving and entertaining. Thanks mate, you're awesome. Keep up the great work (this channel easily deserves a million+ subscribers!!!)
Yup his content is underrated
Defenetly should have a mil
Agreed 🤙
100% agree, he could make opening a tin of soup entertaining! 😂🤣🤘
Agree 100%
If the T7 was out when I bought my KLR in 2018 I would have likely bought one of those. However, I got a KLR. I was looking for a bike that I could go long distance on, was simple enough for a non-mechanically inclined person to maintain and I needed it to be able to travel at least Jeep trails. Price was a consideration, but it was not a primary concern.
Beyond the KLR, I considered a GSA, we-strom and an Africa Twin.
The GSA is an impressive bike and the we-strom was kinda fun. The AT though had me very interested. I basically had one picked out and was researching luggage and parts. In an effort to be complete, I went ahead and test road the KLR. I bought it before I left the dealership for $4800 out the door. A 2016 with 616 miles and luggage included.
A third of the cost of an AT with luggage.
The AT is a better bike in every way, but it is not three times better.
The KLR is my favorite bike I have ever owned, it goes interstate speeds without complaint and then also goes further off road than I have the skill for. But my next bike will still most likely be a T7 =)
That's the way I feel about mountain bikes......$5,000 MTN bike is better than a $250 Schwinn Boundary but nowhere near $4,750 better.
A Wee-Strom should be as boring as a KLR but far from it due to its capability, frugality, range and rips in the twisties.
You obviously can't go as far off-road on a Wee-Strom, but it is quite comfortable cruising gravel with a bashplate mounted.
@@michaelbrinks8089 If you tried to ride a $250 MTB anything like what the $5k one is capable of, it will break. Quickly. By the time you buy enough $250 bikes to cover the distance the $5k one will go, you're likely losing out.
@@phreenom Or you could buy a brand new $5,000 motorcycle that'll last much longer the $5,000 MTN bicycle. Sure seems like you get WAY more for your money when you spend $5,000 on a new motorcycle VS $5,000 on a new bicycle.
If one $100 bike frame is made of 6061 aluminum, similar shape & weight to the other 6061 frame that is $1,500. I don't understand how the $1,500 frame is $1,400 better.
@@michaelbrinks8089 There's no reason the $5k motorcycle would last WAY longer than the $5k MTB.
I'll give you the short answer as to why the more more expensive bike is better. Because it is. Though I can assure you there are vast differences in the quality of the frames (assuming that $100 frame is actually the same material and weight, which would be doubtful), the greater differences are found in the components. The wheels on your $250 bike are literal garbage, along with most of the other parts. There just really is no comparison.
The KLR-650 is too heavy to be a dirt bike, especially in loose sand. It is very comfortable on roads, dirt roads and trails, but too heavy to maneuver like a dirt bike. The riding position is upright and very comfortable, and handlebar leverage is excellent. It's a great ride to and from work, which is about 10 miles each way for me. No problem keeping up with highway traffic, and gets about 50 mpg. Just make sure you replace the two bolts that hold the forward frame to the aft frame near the tank. Replace them with a single, very long 10mm bolt that won't break. This mod is in a kit for the KLR, and comes with a long drill bit for drilling all the way through to accommodate the single bolt , and is a must do for riding off road. If the original two bolts are there when you hit a very big bump, they can and will shear, separating the frame near the tank and ripping the gas tank open, soaking you in fuel as you fall and leaving you stranded. This mod is a critical safety issue and is a MUST DO!
Ur not supposed to go slow in sugar sand. If you do you'll have life.
Having experienced the dreaded sub-frame bolt failure, I can tell you that it's pretty unlikely that your gas tank will fail and rupture. However, you will most likely have your air box ripped open, with the chance of dirt or sand being sucked into your carburetor, and -- if you're really unlucky -- the wiring harness will be torn apart, leaving you the unenviable task of figuring out which wires go where, and testing your soldering skills. I almost forgot to mention that you may end up having to drill out the remnants of the factory bolts -- SO much fun! Learn from my mistakes: replace the damn bolts.
Yes these things are like riding a wet noodle in the sand.
Scott Hicks There are cases where the tank is ripped open. Maybe you were lucky.
Ronnie Williz The KLR is just too heavy for sand. It ploughs the sand. It is a gentle trail bike, a timid road bike, but a terrible MX bike.
If it's not broken don't fix it, well done Kawasaki.
Wouldnt trade my KLR for anything. So so easy to maintain, and cheap. BMW and KTM adventure bikes love to have fuel issues if you drop them just one time. KTMs are also a nightmare if you need work done on them. The vstrom is not nearly as good off road, er, at least the people I ride with. I ride off-road circles around everyone unless they have a literal dirtbike. I also do 6, 7, 8 hour days without soreness.
Edit: Just wanted to add that I loved this video. I LOVE content like this, earned my subscription.
Buy a new KLR for $7,000 and change the "Do," "Thermo-Bob," Cogent shock, Race-Tech fork internals, and sub-frame bolts, etc, AGM battery etc, etc. Now you have an over weight under powered $11,000+ pig of a bike. The KTM is super value compared that DIY build IMHO. Then again, I only had 20,000 miles on mine...what do I know? /S
But..why change any of that? Unless you have one of those ~100kg actual Motocross KTM bikes you won't be going much faster anyway. And at that point you are comparing 2 completely different things
I am a new rider, I own a KLR and a Goldwing. They are so different it's not even worth mentioning it. I like the KLR for commuting because it gets 43mpg, its fast enough compared to most cars and it's easy to ride. I ride on the freeway no problem doing up to 85. At high speeds it does lack in passing power by a lot and the brakes suck when you need to stop fast. But driven with all that in mind it does just fine. Mine is a 2008 and I paid $1000 for it and love it. When I think about getting rid of it, I am unable to find a better replacement.
What mpg does the wing get?
I think that is the last year with the old frame?
I haved owned a lot of old motorcycles, and what I've learned is that you can dramatically change the gearing on most bikes, because most bikes have the wrong gear ratios for North America. Most motorcycles are geared about 50% low, literally. They feel like they are stuck in 3rd gear when they are in top gear. So I changed one bike by reducing the rear sprocket by about 25 or 30 teeth, to a much, much smaller sprocket that was several inches smaller in diameter. After the change my 400cc Yamaha 500 pound XS400 twin got 94 mpg and was only barely above a high idle at 60mph. It fixed the horrendously stupid low gearing that motorcycles have. For the life of me, I cannot understand why consumers are not demanding an overdrive 6th. They should not be allowed to sell a motorcycle without an overdrive gear.
I appreciate the KLR for what it is, though when I went to looked at the new KLR recently, I realized that it is just too big, and heavy for me. I am 56 years old, and have been away from riding for 30+ years.
Please do yourself a favor though. Before you go riding again, round off those top corners of the windshield before they slice you open.
I am the same age, I have a 2006 BMW F650 GS. I took it to West Virginia to try some awesome off road mountain trails. I lasted about a half hour. The 450 pound bike was a beast to keep upright on that terrain. I dropped it in a huge mud puddle, I barley could lift and walk itout of the water. Physicaly beat the hell out of me. I found my way out of the mountains and spent my time riding the buetiful twisting county roads.
@@lot2196 I have a KTM 500, every thing else "dualsport" is just to heavy after having owned a Yamaha WR450 first...
Rah Gunny! Haha man, wish I coulda branded around on one of these when I was in Pendleton, sounds like a good time! Though perhaps it was before my time (2012-2016)
I really like my KLR.
I would simply rather have a small enduro for local Rides in the hills.
Like a KLX 300. or even a 250.
But I like the bigger KLR for dirt road, paved side roads and two tracks.
You can have more than one bike.
Best Wishes! M.H.
Having owned one for a year so far (2018 model, last of the 2nd gens) I compare it to my grandpa's old Farmall 'M'. It does whatever you ask of it without any mechanical complaints and has a character all it's own and you can't pinpoint why you love the thing. I'm thrilled every time I hit the starter switch and hear the 'thumper' engine come to life and ask 'Where can we go that other riders can't?' It's also a great commuter bike considering the state of our degenerated third world infrastructure with gracious shocks that laugh at potholes along with it's great gas mileage.
one thing to think about, for us tall riders (6'6" here) its PERFECT height for me, my knees are even alittle bent. i think tall riders get more out of the KLR than average or shorter riders.
Agreed. Modify your footpeg mounts--its easy to add 1 inch to your legroom by just cutting em off, remove some metal and weld em back together. Even such a small improvement makes a big difference.
Thanks. I'm a noob and literally a foot shorter...Mexican 🤷♂️
I absolutely loved this video! The cinematography, the story telling, the effort put into it. Literally enjoyed every second! Keep this up buddy!
I bought one of these for commuting the back roads and side streets 31 mile round-trip every day to and from work. 1996 or 1998 model. I replaced the Doohickey, I put braided steel front brake hose on, EBC pads that would actually bite, I put street bike tires on it, a Corbin seat to replace that torture rack they call seat,, stock exhaust, stock handlebars, I added Chicago brand plastic military equipment cases.
I’ve always written standards or sport bikes, I road raced for eight years in my 20s..
buying this machine and commuting to and from work on it, I never had a motorcycle that I misbehaved on more. Spraining the speed limit. Every time I pulled up next to a car at a light, it was a drag race. This machine was so much fun to ride, that I was addicted to running the snot out of it..The reason it was fun, is because I could tell I was getting everything out of the machine. At the same time, I really wasn’t going that fast. It had instant throttle response. With good street tires it stuck.. it didn’t squirm around on nobby‘s or dual sport tires the way they do as those blocks flex while cornering and braking.. I could take all the shortcuts to work down the bad roads, because it had so much suspension travel… because it was a mostly plastic bodywork machine, I really didn’t care what it looked like. I didn’t wash it, I didn’t polish it. But the oil was changed, the brake fluid was changed annually, the tire pressures were checked at least every two weeks, I did warm it up, I babied the transmission, I never tried to smoke the back tire, I never really took the RPMs near red line ..i didn’t have to.. it had instant torque…
The front brakes sucked.. but it had lots of engine braking if you turn the idle way down.. The flat as a 2 x 4 Corbin seat was the best improvement I did to it. I wish Kawasaki had put this engine package in a chassis like the ninja 250 or 500…
that machine was a lot of fun. The only reason I sold it is, I had three other street bikes at the time, that was my commuter, and I got a company car and worked from home around that time. So I didn’t have to commute by motorcycle anymore. That was the best part of my day every day was a commute to and from work
Great video, thank you. I bought a KLR Tengai (many years ago), I also owned a Suzuki GSX750,, but when my daughter and I decided to go on a trip from Hereford to Monte Carlo via Amsterdam, we took the Tengai, which was more comfortable with camping kit loaded on. A bit slow on the N7, but it handled 16 hairpin bends at Eze, a huge thunderstorm plus a brake blow out on a truck in front of us. The tank was too small for touring, and the tyres wore out on the 2500 mile trip, but we had a lot of fun. I dropped it once off-road, too heavy for me to lift, and I could only just touch ground. No complaints though, the Tengai was perfect for touring country roads and camping sites, was totally reliable, and carried two of us and our camping kit.
Had a 97 KLR 650. Put 90000 miles on it before I traded it in on a 99 Tiger. Wish I had kept the KLR as a second bike. The KLR was rock solid dependable. Rode it on 2 week tours going from Seattle area south as far as Moab and north to Laird hot springs on the alcan. Never gave me any problems. Only reason I went to the Tiger was I was tired of having to work the gears to keep the one lunger in proper power band. Lugging a one cylinder cuts the life in half. Comfortable for long rides, good fuel range.
K olsen in those 90,000 miles did you have any issues with the so called dohicky. Also did you upgrade the "thermobob". I ask this because I have had 2 different KLRs a 1996 which had 28,000 miles when I sold it with no issues. My curreny 2003 has 30,000 miles on it and counting. I have never had any issues with it either. Let us know.
Unlike gingers, the KLR650 has soul.
We had a 2014 in the family and I cannot stress what an all round amazing bike Kawasaki brought out. There is an abundance of parts if ever needed. It's for the most part fuel efficient and just an absolute pleasure to ride in any conditions. Might I add that it remains the most reliable motorcycle that I have personally encountered in my existence.
I just got a 2017 KLR650, after owning many bikes, its probably one of the most fun bikes ive ever had. Cant offroad an MT07/09 without crying
Very well put together video! I enjoyed the way you wrapped it up at the end.
I have a 2013 KLR as well and the FIRST thing I did was change out the seat, the stock seat was like sitting on a log. I went with a seat concepts replacement made a world of difference. Great video greetings from Ottawa Canada 🍁
I removed my cover, cut away the foam and installed gel pads.
What a superb video. Love your review. I went for the Versys X 300 as my first foray into Adv bike. Have to say I absolutely loved it, largely due to the fact that I could get my feet on the ground. I found the KLR just too tall to feel comfortable on. Having said that it was right up there on my potential list of bikes to get. Keep up the great work. Ps we do have the best "playground" in the world here in South Africa 👍
Very informative, thanks for taking the time to go through the KLR so thoroughly. As a Harley road guy, I've been considering a dual purpose 'beater' that I can ride on the dirt roads around the place and the KLR may just be the right (read cheap) answer!
Of all the choices it will best fit the bill. A 2 wheel tractor for sure
I've even seen some 2023 models for less than 5500 brand new
Great video, well done ,I enjoyed it. When I began riding, bikes were simple and a lot worse than the KLR but we were blissfully happy. Recently I bought a 2022 KLR and its simplicity has transported me back to those uncomplicated, happy and easy times. I love it. Keep up the great work.
The effort in cinematography is sublime. I really enjoy the way you edit your videos. Great work!
E: also, shoutout Gaggia Classic (espresso) owners, I love mine!
And the Eureka grinder...
@@ianburton9030 indeed! Good choices all around. I have a Sette 270. I've had both since 2019 and it's been great!
Great review. You failed to mention one of the highly desired features of the KLR, the HUGE gas tank. As an adult, I started my off road riding on a Suzuki DR650. With knobbies it could do most single track, just not very fast. It was too heavy and suspension way too soft. I sold it and went full offroad. I few years later a friend was selling a 1st gen KLR which seemed perfect for dual sport rides and I figured it would be very similar the the DR650. Come to find out that the KLR is much more street oriented, but if that fits your riding, it's great. While it did work well on the road portions, it was too low and wide in the single track and kept pulling my feet off of the foot pegs. The final nail in the coffin for me was when the drive chain adjusting nuts vibrated loose and the rear axle started to slide forward (on the left side). With no rear sprocket chain guide, the chain came off and snap and jammed in the engine case. Luckily there is a decent demand for them and was out only the cost of repairs.
I had a 2000 KLR650 for several years. I had a few options then on what to pick from. What I wanted was a standard Jeep, but in a motorcycle. Nothing crazy, just cheap and accessible. The 2000 in all green was the best look for that purpose. It was my first and only bike. So I think that is something too. I think it was an entry bike for many.
Most people who rode on trails had to toss them into their trucks to hit the hills. I didn't have a truck and the drive to the dirt was quite a few miles so the 6+ gal tank was important. I think the other sizes out there were about 4.3 max at the time. It was the ultimate local adventure/camper/errand bike.
It is not for motocross style on single track trails. I ran it up over 100,000 miles with minimal routine maintenance mainly as an all-around use vehicle: commuter and exploring. It was GREAT on forest roads, anything NOT single track. On the Highway, I could get it up to 90+ . It was best at about 70-75 with some power left in reserve. Anything more was work and sketchy (unsafe). With a different sprocket and a slightly less restrictive exhaust I had all the power I needed to haul fast or putt along ANY road.
I heard form the dealer maybe, that the frame style that became the KLR was based off of a road bike, not a dirt bike, like comparable bikes at the time. I may be totally wrong.
It is capable for a skilled rider but never does hit one mark perfect. it has enough power when tweaked a little to point and shoot up a steep rocky hill and bounce it through. Coming down? HAHA! So, it fit the bill for me. What you showed when you decided to just go off in the dirt was what it was all about for me. Riding along either to work or somewhere and saying "hmm, where's that dirt road go?". Thing is, with my jeep, it took much longer to check out that road. So, for me, for the price and use, it was better to spend less and get the KLR. After a few years, those miles, and really, very little maintenance up til then, it was easy to let it go. BTW, longest trip I took was Northern Colorado Mountains to East Texas in December during Colorado snow.... Me, shedding warm layers as the hours went by... Sadly, that was its last good ride. BUT, it made it there and I did ride it there for a bit. Like I say, I had 100,000+ miles. I'd do it again, but I bought an E-bike....
John geers. You story was Super neat until the last sentence.
Best Wishes! M.H.
you've made me realize that i need a slow but reliable motorcycle, what a great story
Terrific perspective on a legendary motorcycle. Fun video. Thanks for sharing.
Guy with his ears tucked into a flatbill calls things ugly. Lmao
😂
Brilliant storytelling and super informative ..
Subed while I was at it ..👍🏼
Want to get another really slow, even heavier 650 that can also go off road? Try a Ural next! (and those are even twin engines)
KTMs have good 0-60mph times, out running many when the light turns green.
A granny with walking aid can outrun an Ural at 0-60, because you'll be stuck on the side of the road fixing it 99% of the time lol
I had looked at the KLR when I got back into riding after 10 years off. Especially with the latest redesign. But due to me more pavement bias versus dirt and gravel I went with more power and pedigree.
Very nice review. As someone that commutes somewhere around 100 miles a day on a KLR, I'd say this is a pretty accurate assessment of these bikes.
I have seen so many mentions of the KLR650 in other posts but this video by far was more memorable and entertaining. Just the right seasoning of sarcasm. All the traits I look for in any vehicle (reliability, function, simplicity, parts/repair, good history. I’m on a Valkyrie now but a KLR could be in my future when I retire to a third world country in a few years.
Went from an 08 klr to a 2021 t700. Glad I made the switch. Loved the versatility of the klr, but it always came at the cost of feeling dull and undergunned both on and off road. The t700 has every bit of versatility found in the klr, but is anything but dull. I get that it costs more, but I think it's worth every penny. The klr is a great intro into adventure riding due to its cost, but I personally was left wanting more after only a year of riding. Now having had the t7 for a year, I can't see myself replacing it any time soon. Didn't help that the klr also guzzled oil above 4k rpm.
It might be “worth every penny” if you have the Pennys. If I were buying a new KLR and financing it I likely would just go with the t700 but I’m on a tight budget and don’t want to finance a bike. I can get a used klr with a few extras included for 3-4k and ride it for a few years without really losing any value. Even the cheapest used t700 is close to 2x that.
Interesting take on this tractor, CC! 👍🏼Getting the backpack load off my back improved my ride on another level. I just DIY'ed 4-points clip-on straps to the rear seat without using the top box.
My buddy has one. He sometimes has a hard time climbing sandy steep hills and harder single tracks. Falls over a lot. He's still having fun with it & not afraid to get it dirty. I love videotaping him. Sometimes, I wish I had one to make the trails more challenging.
i had a klr in 1990. drove thru snow. got me to work! im old now and miss biking.one of many bikes i rode. great video.
I have seen quite a lot of videos with the KLR, your and RyanF9, but no one mentiones his brother, the KLE500. Twin cylinder bike, six speed, with almost the same looks as the KLR. I highly reccomend you doing an episode on the KLE. It also has a massive community behind it.. after the 2007 KLE came the Versys.
KLRs are great and as much as you warmed to it somewhat in the end, you were still pretty unfair to it. This, the DR650, even the Royal Enfield Himalayan, all exist in this space of simple, reliable, honest motoring, with the rider as under-stressed as the motors while heading from A-B as the crow flies. They might be more donkey than racehorse but that's no bad thing, horses for courses right? And you use the phrase 'Jack of all trades, master of none' in a negative way at the start, but that phrase finishes 'but better than a master of one', meaning the exact opposite of its abbreviated version. Better to be adequate everywhere than exceptional in one way and useless in the rest.
With all that said, a well shot and produced video, as usual.
TIL : "but better than a master of one"... thanks!
The KLR 650 isn't a great understressed motor, it's a motor that will eat all it's oil in a couple of hundred miles. I have watched a new, broken-in KLR self-destruct on a single trip within a couple of fuel tanks. The KLR isn't good at anything but being initially cheap.
@@snarkylive I'm sure your experience with one KLR is completely representative.
Brilliant Video, wonderful effort. I think for the value the bike is great, and you nailed it on that point. Now back to my GSA 1250 .
It's very rare that I get to see content about motorcycles here in UA-cam that discusses sense and sensibilities. Sure you got that click-bait title but I was really impressed at how you discussed the merits of the the KLR650 and how its simplicity makes sense. You also wowed me with your diligence - not only in your videographic editing skills - but on the wisdom that you explore on why we have this bike and that bike, and then how this bike is most likely to be used. I'm a Honda user and fan and so reliability is a big thing for me. Thank you for sharing this video.
Great work dude the cinematography skills are up there i enjoy your videos bro your are not boring to watch , now get the Dr650 or xlr650 and compare since they are basically age mates
I liked the klr650 until I rode a dr650. It's lighter, faster, even simpler, never uses oil and just feels more fun to ride.
Yep, and it blows out the oil gaskets fairly regularly
Excellent vid. I owned a Kawasaki Tengai 650 (KLR in a nice frock) for several years in the early 90's.
I put hairline cracks in the frame near the footpegs by riding it to Central Australia @ 130kph. (nice 23L tank, though)
It was/is a tractor. I rode a more recent model KLR about 5 yrs ago and the (not so) happy memories came flooding back.
Suzuki V-Strom 650's have been my steed of choice since 2007 and they are orders of magnitude better than the John Deere.
Nice video; had a Klr for about a year. Never really got to like it; the wind over Sir Lowry’s pass made it feel like a very poorly controlled dinghy; it had serious stability issues for me. On the other hand it never complained for a moment. Still, I’ve got a vstrom now and we are much happier together.
Like your stuff; amusing and informative. Keep up the good work.👍👍👍
They're just Fun Bikes !!!
And your not Scrunched up on some tiny machine .
You have good posture .
Good visibilty .
A ton of carrying capacity .
So Just enjoy the ride .
LOL, I'm on my second 2006. The first one I rode for a few years and gave it to my son. Then I found another 2006 with only 900 miles, same red and silver as the first, I'm still riding that one with just over 60k on it. Best bike ever built by the Lawn and Garden division of Kawasaki.
my first bike, been using it as a farm tool works great for someone with no bike dealerships and nearest city being 200km away. tractor is fitting.
cheap
reliable
versatile
Great to see a fellow south African on youtube focusing on motorbikes, I have the 2005 Kawasaki KLE500 that looks so similar to this KLR650 (I just have a smaller twin cylinder motor)
Functional Bike that is also reliable. Well done. Amazing video production skills too. 👍
Not being updated much in decades and low power are the things I like. Without an update parts from the 80's still fit, lots of part compatibility from other model years. With the low power you aren't stressing the motor and the reliability is high. I have a 40 year old honda XL500 and it's a similar story with the xl-xr. Nothing special makes for reliable and easy to fix!
I bought one in July,. A 2013 in nearly new condition with less than 8,000 miles on it. It's comfy although for my height I'm on my tip toes at stop lights lol. It doesn't accelerate very quickly, but I can get it to 85 on the road if I ring it out a bit. To me, the vibration and wind buffeting is part of the fun of it. I like that it is relatively quiet, I strapped a milk crate on the luggage platform, because I use it to do any errand that gives me an excuse to take a quick ride. It is surprisingly nimble for it's size. I will eventually upgrade the front brake setup for better stopping power. I'm also probably going to put a more road friendly tire on the front. I don't see myself trail riding with it (Although, where I live some of the roads are not much better than gravel tracks lol).
my man goes 30 in a place where no police car's been for the past 2 years, and takes a "shortcut" through woods rather than just going a bit faster.
Team green! You're going to hate the Versys - absolutely love mine 😁. Especially, with a 100km daily commute.
Let's go fam, love your channel ❤️🔥
I looked at one of these in the late 1990s. The very narrow usable rev range drove me nuts and despite the balance shafts, it was not especially smooth. My fingers hate vibration. I'd had a 1972 Honda XL250 K0 so was well acquainted with vibes, worn out chains, rubbish off-road and minimal power. But at least the the Honda became a classic.
Most reliable bike in the world .
My daughter and me drove them from Canada to the tip of south america and they did not mis a beat .
38,000 km. Through rivers , heat , cold , and real bad roads and half way , all you see is KLR's all the monster bikes are gone for several reasons , most because of break downs , some because of falls .
If I had to do it over , I would take my trusty KLR again .
Got one just recently, fully pleased with it, especially the new one with EFI and ABS (I've since had a chance to try the Gen 1 and Gen 2). Gets me everywhere I want to go, as fast as legally permissible. The new one is a bit more stable at speed.
Yes it crushes speed bumps.
Cheers.
Yup. I like going up and over the center curb/sidewalk? at the local roundabout. Really raises some eyebrows and gets some laughs.
Takes it in stride.
@@whereswaldo5740 > curb/sidewalk?
That curb is there so that large trucks can use it for their wide turns, but it's tall and abrupt enough to discourage people from driving on it with cars.
The benefits of versatility are very real and far outweigh being the best at (some) one thing. Its why i loooove my Versys 650. But i do wish it went offroad… 🤔 (nah, i love the corners too much 😆)
Does a versys take corners well ? Like compared to a naked bike such as the er6-n or bikes like that.
@@kasey2463 Mine looves corners. Literally just plant at the desired angle and there she goes.
@@kasey2463 its a strange bike that doesn’t handle in a leaning way of a sport bike…but it can really boogie down. You use the handle bars much more than leaning. I havnt had a sporty naked so im not too sure. Its probably the same feeling but the Versys probably feels “taller”. I bought some Road 5s for it 😆
Had the opportunity but chose the Suzuki 650 because it was more simple to operate.
Which I use for 2,400 Interstate road trips at posted speed limits and camp after dirt
rides over to tidal water or cave entrances. I find caves within old lava to park within
to escape summer heat in the Modoc National Forest. I usually ride in temperate
rain forest or beside the Salish Sea. Also, for day rides in British Columbia,
I love my KLR. It's fully modded with all the bells and whistles for under 10 grand. It gave me tons of riding time but also my favorite, garage time tinkering/ modding. Making it my own art.
That single big piston is in a ported 2 stroke bore! Entertaining review.
I saw that and was like WTF 😳🤣
I got a KLR so that I can do some off-pavement riding with my wife on her Himalayan. The biggest BENEFIT of the bike is the cult following. If you need to do anything on it there are loads of resources online on how to do it and it has a pretty big aftermarket. It was cheap, and I don't feel bad beating on it, although I did care enough about it to do a new top end in it.
one of the best video on motorbike, I enjoyed ! What about the gearbox on the versys 650 ? I am going crazy with that but probably could be amended....
A KLR with the Versys powerplant would be epic.
Well, some better suspension too but that's easy to do in the aftermarket.
The problem with fuel injection is that it need electricity. So when you forgot to turn the light off it's dead. With a carbureted bike you can always put it in gear and run start it.
Wrong ... this Gen KLR , if your battery dies ... you ain't starting nothing
@@neilgouws6962 it'll start, there's no electronic shit that needs powering up. Will push start no problem at all.
For me its a great bike 👌something u can ride on and off -road and most important is the riding comfort👌
I too find my ‘99 to be very comfortable.
I call the seat a sofa cushion. Most comfortable bike I've owned 🙂
I love mildly tuned off-road "thumpers". They are tractable with torque curves that look like mesas. There are no surprises as you wend your way through complicated terrain. Just even slow predictable power.
Love the humor a realistic point to your video. I have 37000 km on my 2015 KLR 650. At 60 it keeps me riding and you would be suprized where I take it.
Wow, thats a review i would expect to see on fortnine channel. You are up there with the best!
My brother really liked his.
No accounting for taste.
I just bought a 2018 with 3,402 miles with plenty of performance mods in pristine condition with a maintenance journal showing all work.
I had walked in to the local dealer expecting to ride out on a 2023 Himalayan, but I got so much more a little more money. Its the only time I've owned the same model twice. My previous KLR was a gen1.
This 2018 gen 2 with carb, intake, exhaust, suspension, etc. mods is an Uber Pig. I took it up to 92mph at about 5krpm and it was still pulling steady with no speed wobble. It'll do 100mph+ no problem. I did get a minor speed wobble when I chopped the throttle at 92mph.
Sadly, my pig will be relagated to commuting and living outside of my condo 24x7x365. I expect weather to take its toll in 5-6yrs.
As an outside bike that is self maintained, simplicity counts. The biggest pain is the shim in bucket lifters under twin cams, but I've done them in a morning in my parking spot on my old pig. I would even think about it on my vStrom 650.
The KLR lifter service is every 15k miles. The Himalayan is evey 3k miles, but it has tappet adjusters that are tiny and hard to get at like my baby ninja. The Himalayan only has about 60% of the hp of a stock KLR and the weight of the bikes are essentially the same.
The only advantages of the Himalayan are its air cooled which translates to few maintenance issues and it has a lower center of gravity at the cost of suspension travel and ground clearance.
I've owned an early model and enjoyed it. I've ridden several. A friend put a 685cc kit and that was actually nice. Still not a rocket but could lift the front off the throttle. It's more Kia Soul than Honda Accord. It's get you there better than you think but still...
Dang, those safety squints though. 7:56
It's just a matter of perspective.
Your content is very good by the way.
When I was a kid I thought bikes were for the dirt or big loud Harley’s
I’ve owned a cruiser and now own a naked, and I’m still amazed at how many different types of bikes there are, and how different every brands bike is in subtle ways.
I have a 2008 which I purchased for $2500. it came with Nav garmin Givi bags ,aluminum dash plate and bash bars. The guy who had it befor me toured and put 64,000 KLms on it, now has 67,000klms. The running gear was worn, New sprockets & chain, new clutch, new tires, carb kit got rid off heavy GIVI bags, just put new shims in and engine is still running strong. Does what i want it to do back roads gravel, hwy. for the small investment and bringint up to snuff, its a beauty.
You, my guy, are floating to the top like a turd in water. Your videos are getting better with each upload and it's obvious you're getting into more and more ambitious projects. It's great to see and makes me smile every time. Also diversification is getting better and better. You're killing it! Never stop, can't wait for your next upload!
It's awesome bike and it was the first 650 I rode on. But it not everyones cup of tea. Andries form Cape Town
Wat kijk jij?
This Was Really Cool. Thanks! So What Can You recommend as a Do All Bike? I've owned Honda VFR 800 Joey Dunlop, Ninja 500 and All the Old 2 and 4 stroke Dirt Bikes - XR 75 The One I Learned on from My Father. 1980 CR 80 when I was a Bigger Kid - Suzuki RMX 175 in the late 80's. What Works for All around in 2022?
I had a KLR-250 that was fun in an ironic sort of way. Also that you were born when the R1 was released makes me feel super old, I remember reading about them in paper magazines at the time.
'' With a face only his Mother could love''😂😂
not sure why you bought a old one though, a new KLR has different powerband, fuel injection and different suspension, longer rear swing arm, more rake in the front, a more solid frame and subframe, vibration dampening, digital dial, better seat design, a bigger magneto and places to put USB and other electricals, basically everything you didnt like was changed.
Does it still have the doohickey?
Yeah what the hell are you thinking of buying an old one?
Maybe because a new one is 3 times the price? Maybe because this video was obviously never meant to be about how much better the new KLR is, but rather about why people liked the old ones in the first place? Just a wild guess.
i bought an 88 KLR as my first bike and it has absolutely served that role perfectly. 1500 bucks for the bike, plenty of cheap mods and excellent cheap replacement parts that are readily available
I’ve ridden with people who single track their KLR’s and do some amazing things on them. Not me, but I’ve seen it lol. They’re so customizable and the community is the best thing about them. There’s a huge KLR family out there.