Kawasaki KLR 650
For a middleweight dual-purpose motorcycle, it’s a rare thing to be powered by a single-cylinder engine, but the KLR 650 actually is and by a 651cc, four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve unit.
With 7.9 inches of travel front and 7.3 inches of travel rear, the 41mm telescopic fork respectively the Uni-Trak rear shock aren’t ready to hit the off-road just on paper, but in reality as well. Also, the standard spoked wheels (21-inch front and 17-inch rear) come to support the suspensions equipment and provide a smoother pass over difficult terrain.
Featuring a 58.3-inch wheelbase, on-road stability isn’t an issue, but the 35 inches high seat is for those under the average height. Up front, a 280mm petal-style disc works with twin piston caliper while the 240mm rear disc sticks to a single-piston caliper.
Kawasaki KLR 650
Looks weren’t that important and yet, wind protection was sufficiently good to ensure comfortable riding conditions even at a top speed of 108 mph.
Kawasaki KLR 650
Among the Japanese crowd, this middleweight dual-sport Kawasaki is pretty much the most attractive as ever since the 2008 revamp the bike features a generous fairing and a sufficiently high windscreen to offer the proper wind protection that day-long riding requires. Kawasaki updated the KLR 650 for 2008 and the new generation model is overall more refined and offering different power and torque figures (37bhp at 6,200rpm and 45.3 Nm of torque at 4,950rpm). The bike’s exterior appearance was totally renewed by a new half fairing, headlight and windscreen.
Kawasaki recently invited me to accompany them to Idyllwild, California in the San Jacinto Mountains to ride their dual sport bikes, the 2010 KLR650 and KLX250S. I have been riding street bikes for 30 years now, but my
We'd be riding along well-marked public trails, I was properly geared up, and we were in no hurry. Riding the fire roads and trails that we tackled reminded me very much of the kind of technical 4-wheeling that I enjoy. The KLX 250S is a fully street legal dual sport, with lights, turn signals and other equipment required for licensing in 50 states. Single 250 mm front and 240 mm rear petal disc brakes provide the stopping power.
Kawasaki KLR 650
Switching to the KLR 650, I felt like I had finally discovered my personal ride. I was instantly confident on dirt roads on the KLR. The Kawasaki accessories catalog lists pages and pages of add-ons for the KLR, and the aftermarket bursts at the seams with extras that add to the KLR's versatility.
The KLR got a big time makeover for 2008, after rolling around unchanged for almost 20 years. In stock form, the KLR has a healthy 33" seat height, which might scare off the inseam-challenged. The KLR's riding position is no-nonsense, upright and comfortable. While not light at 432 lbs, the KLR is still quite maneuverable and light on its feet. After a few miles on dirt roads, I decided to take the KLR for a longer ride on pavement. We regrouped in Idyllwild for a van ride to Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. headquarters. So it's a good thing I chose the van ride, right?