Kawasaki KLR650 reviews

This bike is my first motorcycle. Anyone who is looking for a great starter bike and hope to never get tired of it, this is the one for you. It's light and easy to ride, fast and easy to keep up with bigger bikes. This bike is in a group of its own. She is fun to take offroad. A little rough because of the 6.1 gal tank but with it half full, it is a lot of fun. I ride with a guy who owns a BMW 1200gs and we ride together and they are both geared together. I hope anyone who buys this bike finds that the bike is fun and easy to maintain. Show less

This is my first dual sport. An awesome machine. The upgrades to the suspension, engine, ignition, and brakes are balanced and refined. They compliment the overall handling and performance of the KLR. I had read the reviews for some time on the 07 and previous years, and felt that the current upgrades would make this the perfect all around bike for me. In January of 06, I purchased a new Honda 1300R and rode it accross the U.S., 15000 miles in 14months; it too was and is an awesome machine. It just would not, could not, navigate the gravel, and dirt trails which I love to explore. This KLR is just so very capable and smooth; after the first 500 miles I cruised at 65, 70 for several minutes at the time and she just hums along at about 4300, 4500rpm's. I do zero (0) interstate driving, nothing to see and undesirable cage people present everywhere; I poke about the old towns and gray roads, then blast off over the plains onto the uplands and down through grottos, thats where the real earth begins and the KLR shines. It is early to report and be so enthusiastic, however based on the upgrades and Kawasaki's excellent reputation, I have a feeling I'll be writing favorable reviews at the 25000, 50000, and beyond mile markers. I do my own work on the bike; some 40 years or so pouring over these type engines, and this KLR is built. Period. It's going the distance. Get one now, while they last. I may get another, just a different color. I have the green machine, perhaps the red next. Maybe three; to suit my moods. It's that good. Show less

I have owned my KLR for about a year and a half and have loved every minute of it. Maintenance is easy and other than occasionally cleaning the air filter and changing oil, there isn't much that needs done. I have done over a thousand miles off-road and the rest are on road and the bike is awesome in both areas. It can be pushed off-road through some really tough terain and it will handle it like a dream. I have taken it down the interstate a few times and it will keep with traffic without a problem. It does buffet pretty bad in the wind though. On a good country road I have ground the foot pegs many times. This bike will lean but have good tires. Show less

Well, today is my third day with my new 07 KLR. Have logged almost 250 miles already. Filled up after the first 150 miles. Took exactly 3 gallons. WOW 50 mpg and not even broke in yet. With todays gas prices, this bike is going to pay for itself real fast. I have had bikes most of my life, but never a dual sport. I absolutely love this thing. It is easy to ride, very comfortable and will have to admit the height had me intimidated for the first 30 minutes, but my size allows me to flat foot it at stop lights. I have the rear spring on the fourth notch, and the rebound maxed out on 4th setting also. This is a perfect set for me. Am trying to get the first 500 miles under my belt so I can play with it more. One thing I am planning on doing is upping the front sprocket to give the bike longer legs, and increase in MPG. I won't be doing a lot of off roading so the low end grunt is not a huge issue with me. For others, if you need more grunt go down a tooth on the front sprocket, that change will only cost you a few miles to the gallon, but you will gain a good amount of torque and grunt. I am planning on installing a Givi trunk and the doohickey change, and then change the front shock springs. I highly recommend this bike to anyone needing cheap transportation to work, the mall, the store down the street, or just to run a few trails on the weekend. Show less

I've been comuting on a 2001 KLR for 3 yrs now. 4 tour rides over 1000 miles. I let my truck registration go because this bike makes me so happy. I feel out of the rat race due to its reliability and over all cost of ownership. I've done 75mph on sandy dirt roads, and 98mph on the freeway. After 95, the front fender tends to catch air. The bike is stock. Awesome - what more do I need? Anything over 100mph is fishing for tickets around here anyways. don't think this is a dirt bike cause it ain't but I knew it before I bought it. I still dream about baja or ak, but til than I'll just alpin camp on long weekends. Show less

This is my 3rd KLR. Like my 07 Triumph Tiger I was hoping that Kawasaki would make the KLR more roadworthy as my off road riding is very limited. The brakes are a definite improvement over previous model, suspension better suited to the road and the seat much more comfortable. Cannot say how it does off road as I haven't used it there. As a commuter and backroad bike it is excellent. I would recommend this bike to anyone 5'10" or taller. Great bike. Show less

First time I saw this bike was 5 years ago. I was more into the dirt bike style, so this was no compromise. It definitely turns heads, people think you're riding a dirtbike, but when they see the plates they don't know what to think. If you're not at least 6 foot tall, don't bother with a dual sport. I'm 6'1 and can put one foot down (flat). The bike weighs about 350, which makes it very maneuverable on road, not so much off road. It's quick for a new rider, but can be more like a tank for some seasoned riders. If you have a need for speed, get a crotch rocket. The bike is rugged, after all it's used by the USMC, and it arguably has more aftermarket add-ons than any other dual sport. These types of bikes are very simple and basic, and don't bother with an extended warranty because you won't find a dealer anywhere that knows much about the KLR. I found the stock seat to be a little uncomfortable if you leave things in your pockets. Take out your wallet and cell phone and keep it in your jacket. This is in part due to the narrow seat. Keep in mind if you do choose to purchase this bike that there are several known problems which haunt every owner (not just some). These included the doohickey (engine idler: they are made very cheaply and need to be replaced with an aftermarket one), the shift level (again another piece made cheaply, 15 dollar fix for a high quality one), and thirdly the wiring harness(if you add higher power bulbs it will burn out the harness). Show less

I am so happy I got this bike. It is perfect for a tall rider like me and it runs like a champ. It is like the Evander Holyfield of Dual Sports. Show less

I bought the bike when the 2006 year model hit the showrooms. Riding dirt bikes my whole life it just made sense to get a dual-sport. I've never been much for the sport bikes or Harley's. It was hard to keep myself in check during the break in period but with a little self control it goes by pretty quick. It would be nice to have six gears becuase fifth gear keeps you at 55mph/3000rpm (which you can't exceed) during the break in period. It's hard to commute to work during this time. The bike is a little high in the seat but a 5ft 10in rider shouldn't have a problem. The seat can get a little uncomfortable on long rides so I upgraded to the Corbin. It really makes a difference for a ride longer that two hours or so. It's got great acceleration and the brakes are wonderful. The suspension is easily adjusted once you figure out that the owners manual is 20 years old and the correct information isn't in there. The service department I bought the bike from wasn't sure either, so I had to call Kawasaki directly. They really helped me out. I upgraded the exhaust with a Jardine slip on model. The stock exhaust had to weigh 20 pounds and the Jardine is 6 pounds. What a difference out of the whole and the added power is great for changing lanes on the highway. The only real negative thing I can say about the bike is during starting and the rear view mirrors. The neutral light will light up, but the bike will be in gear. It will buck until you run it through the gears and then find neutral again. Nothing you can do about it either but hold onto it when you start it. The mirrors are useless for seeing behind you on the highway. They vibrate so badly that you can't see anything. Nothing that a quick head check won't take care of but it would be nice to see behind me. You can purchase dampners for the mirrors. They fit in between the mirror and the mounting bracket and do a better job at controlling the viabration. I just installed them but it's been too cold to get out and ride to see if they really work. Great bike and I'm satisfied with it. Show less

Dont's have this bike anymore, but I bought this bike new and put 12,000 miles on it in the first six months. Rode 20% dirt and 80% on paved highways. Great handling and power. I was stupid to trade it in. Not because of problems with my new bike, 2003 Honda VT1100 Shadow Spirit, but I miss my KLR. It was fun to ride and my wife loved it as well. Show less