I've had my 22 KLR Traveler ABS for 2 weeks and have been really enjoying it. It feels and handles great on the quiet country blacktop and dirt roads in my area. It's just plain fun to ride and smooth and comfortable to me. Many bikes that I have owned or ridden have had the performance that seem to always temp hard acceleration during the ride. I feel very relaxed riding this and have enjoyed just local exploring so far, but looking forward to taking some more extended back road trips. It also sort of takes me back to my roots of riding 40 to 50 yrs ago with dual sport bikes.
I have owned two KLR650, I was more road than trail but I enjoyed them. 1992 model and 2010, hardly any difference between them, it was like going home when I got the second one. Being a single thumper got to me riding on the road more than off-road. Getting old I moved to a Vtwin Vulcan. Still a simple bike, just for riding nothing too flash.
I own one. 22 model. Got 37 litter bags ,skid plate, crash bars hwy pegs ,larger foot pegs, extension on windshield,bags on upper crash bars,brushguards,large hard plastic case on rack. I think that's all. I am 67 and having problems with nausea so not sure i can get away as seem to need to get back in ac or under fan often. With that being the case i sure don't need anymore bike than this. Got it in July and now Oct. Have about 2600 miles
Nice review as usual. Thanks! The KLR looks like a great bike for on/off roading variety. I still remember the first time I saw one in a Kawasaki dealer in the US when I got my 2003 Ninja 250R back then. It looked much different, but great to see Kawasaki has been offering it for so long for fans.
Has your dealership had to retorque the steering nut. There's a pretty good video on CZcams informing 2023 KLR650 owners of an over torqued issue from the factory. If caught soon enough no damage is done. Otherwise the bearing has to be replaced. Otherwise that same owner loves the bike.
Been riding my 2011 KLR 650 for almost three months, with quite a few offroad excursions. IT IS NOT A DIRT BIKE. Duh. Be careful about heading off the pavement/macadam. It is fine for dirt roads and a bit of gravel. However, I got in over my head on a broken dirt road with some rocks and a lot of gullies. Ended up dropping it about 7 times and getting in two crashes, one of which hurt my right shoulder in spite of my armored jacket and helmet. It was my own fault for not realizing I had ridden past my personal point of no return as the road rapidly degenerated. That said, about 450 pounds to lift seven times on a hot, Southern US day was brutal. For real dirt riding, make sure you are on something below 300 pounds in weight. And of course, ride on real dirt/trails with friends - never alone. Mine has good, aftermarket engine guards, Barbuster hand guards, and a sturdy bash plate under the crankcase. The only damage was something with the rear brake (still at the shop). This is a fantastic beginner bike for someone at least six feet tall. It will let a beginner try all kinds of riding while they learn what they like and don't like. The KLR is known for being 90 percent capable of most motorcycle task, but not 100 percent capable of any single motorcycle task (offroad, commuting, canyon carving, interstate cruising, etc). The 450 pounds is nice to have on the superhighways, not so nice when the KLR is laying on its side after a dirt road tipover.
Yeah, I'm surprised they don't have a tach, I get why they think we don't need it, but it's just so common on everything else, it's weird to not have one.
Hi, late again…. Been crusin’ in my SantaFe PHEV. Still ‘breaking in’, but 41.5mpg(UK) / ~33.2mpg(US). Hybrid mode only, battery sitting around 14%. Sorry, this review is bikes…. I’d like one, but I think I know a lady who’d disagree😢
the dash.... no, i pay thousands more for a REAL Dash... and a REAL engine... and a REAL suspension. cmon Kawa, update the dash at least. the KLR650 isnt much cheaper than the competitors. i know a bunch of riders who said to themselves "why not spend another 2k for a more capable bike?". im sure you get enough sales for this but meh, pass
I've had my 22 KLR Traveler ABS for 2 weeks and have been really enjoying it. It feels and handles great on the quiet country blacktop and dirt roads in my area. It's just plain fun to ride and smooth and comfortable to me. Many bikes that I have owned or ridden have had the performance that seem to always temp hard acceleration during the ride. I feel very relaxed riding this and have enjoyed just local exploring so far, but looking forward to taking some more extended back road trips. It also sort of takes me back to my roots of riding 40 to 50 yrs ago with dual sport bikes.
In Australia ABS is mandatory for all motorcycles sold here. Fortunately, the ABS on the KLR is in an "off road tune" and not very intrusive.
Pull the fuse if it bothers you so much .
I have owned two KLR650, I was more road than trail but I enjoyed them. 1992 model and 2010, hardly any difference between them, it was like going home when I got the second one. Being a single thumper got to me riding on the road more than off-road. Getting old I moved to a Vtwin Vulcan. Still a simple bike, just for riding nothing too flash.
I own one. 22 model. Got 37 litter bags ,skid plate, crash bars hwy pegs ,larger foot pegs, extension on windshield,bags on upper crash bars,brushguards,large hard plastic case on rack. I think that's all. I am 67 and having problems with nausea so not sure i can get away as seem to need to get back in ac or under fan often. With that being the case i sure don't need anymore bike than this. Got it in July and now Oct. Have about 2600 miles
Hello Glenn, I hope you are feeling better these days. Have you been riding the KLR much?
Nice review as usual. Thanks! The KLR looks like a great bike for on/off roading variety. I still remember the first time I saw one in a Kawasaki dealer in the US when I got my 2003 Ninja 250R back then. It looked much different, but great to see Kawasaki has been offering it for so long for fans.
Has your dealership had to retorque the steering nut. There's a pretty good video on CZcams informing 2023 KLR650 owners of an over torqued issue from the factory. If caught soon enough no damage is done. Otherwise the bearing has to be replaced. Otherwise that same owner loves the bike.
I'm not up to date with all the technical bulletins, or information that goes to the shop. I'll connect with them to see what they know.
Been riding my 2011 KLR 650 for almost three months, with quite a few offroad excursions. IT IS NOT A DIRT BIKE. Duh. Be careful about heading off the pavement/macadam. It is fine for dirt roads and a bit of gravel. However, I got in over my head on a broken dirt road with some rocks and a lot of gullies. Ended up dropping it about 7 times and getting in two crashes, one of which hurt my right shoulder in spite of my armored jacket and helmet. It was my own fault for not realizing I had ridden past my personal point of no return as the road rapidly degenerated. That said, about 450 pounds to lift seven times on a hot, Southern US day was brutal. For real dirt riding, make sure you are on something below 300 pounds in weight. And of course, ride on real dirt/trails with friends - never alone.
Mine has good, aftermarket engine guards, Barbuster hand guards, and a sturdy bash plate under the crankcase. The only damage was something with the rear brake (still at the shop). This is a fantastic beginner bike for someone at least six feet tall. It will let a beginner try all kinds of riding while they learn what they like and don't like. The KLR is known for being 90 percent capable of most motorcycle task, but not 100 percent capable of any single motorcycle task (offroad, commuting, canyon carving, interstate cruising, etc). The 450 pounds is nice to have on the superhighways, not so nice when the KLR is laying on its side after a dirt road tipover.
They should put a gear indicator, hense, thinking that you have another gear (6th) or atleast a tach. Give us one of them Kawasaki !!
Yeah, I'm surprised they don't have a tach, I get why they think we don't need it, but it's just so common on everything else, it's weird to not have one.
Thanks for the info! I bought one😊
Great & thorough review!
Thanks for watching!
When will the ZX6R 2024 review come?
Neat looking bike!
Hi, late again…. Been crusin’ in my SantaFe PHEV. Still ‘breaking in’, but 41.5mpg(UK) / ~33.2mpg(US). Hybrid mode only, battery sitting around 14%.
Sorry, this review is bikes…. I’d like one, but I think I know a lady who’d disagree😢
the dash.... no, i pay thousands more for a REAL Dash... and a REAL engine... and a REAL suspension. cmon Kawa, update the dash at least. the KLR650 isnt much cheaper than the competitors. i know a bunch of riders who said to themselves "why not spend another 2k for a more capable bike?". im sure you get enough sales for this but meh, pass