Well this is a surprise. First sentence introduces Gregory Frazier. He is a friend of mine for over 35 years. I lived at his place in Denver for a year in 86/87 helping him maintain his motorcycle collection of over 30 bikes and drink beer with him. He lent me a BMW900 to tour the States in the summer of 86. When he came down to Australia in 91 to make one of his touring videos I was the one he was following in the videos. Also I had the very first KLR650 in Australia. It was the pre-production model for the media release to the journalists. It was number 48 off the line. I did over 160000km on it around Australia until it died of old age and worn out parts. A fantastic motorcycle.

@filippocorti6760

Ай бұрын

I thought Dr. Frazier lived in the Albuquerque area.

@deepbludude4697

Ай бұрын

Awesome thanks for sharing!

@databloom70

Ай бұрын

Maybe now he does, but about a decade ago there used to be a motorcycle "shrine" dedicated to him set-up inside Fey Meyers Motorcycle dealership here in Denver. And if memory serves he loaned Fey Meyers the actual bike he traveled the world on. Definetly worked on me as through the years I've owned 3 of them! @@filippocorti6760

@meeow3rides

27 күн бұрын

Kawasaki employed the KISS method Keep It Simple Stupid and it has worked since 1987 so why change just to get an extra cup holder or some electronic device that tells you you are lost ! who needs it you can do that with a map

@databloom70

27 күн бұрын

@@meeow3rides I agree, but try selling that argument to the younger generation of riders. They ride the bleeding edge of minutiae, and that's often what decides their purchasing decisions.

the KLR 650 DRZ 650 and XL650R seem like the bombproof dual sport trio that will just always go

@disyokerr

7 ай бұрын

XR or XL probably KLR or DR no i dont think so. I have DR SP XL XR adn TT, KLR is a great bike, for road , longer gear box confortable, but not durable , will not hold the abuse tha a XR or XL can hold.

@catherined.398

7 ай бұрын

@@disyokerr maybe? The liquid and oil cooling has something going for it. Those Honda HEVC engines run real hot. The KLR is a PITA to maintain in comparison to the DR and XR, though. But in exchange, you get way longer cylinder and ring life.

@disyokerr

7 ай бұрын

yes KLR vs XR is like lexus suv and a Hammer,,,,,,, lovey bike both@@catherined.398

@Ari--d

7 ай бұрын

f650 too

@littlereptilian7580

6 ай бұрын

Xt600

Not riding for about 25 years I bought a brand new 2015 KLR 650 in 2017 , I was 55 years old at the time. I've had trail bikes as a kid and later road, road bikes including Harleys . I'm 60 now and have over 40,000 km on the KLR. Probably almost more KMs than all the other bikes combined. I resently bought an other touring Harley but have no plans to sell the KLR. The low cost of the KLR got me riding again. The enjoyment the KLR got me was priceless.

After getting absolutely bored with road bikes I bought a 2009 KLR 650 and promptly fell in love. These bikes are just a joy to ride! A big thumping simple tractor that never quits. 38,000 miles later I sold it to a buddy and bought a 2022 KLR 650 Adventure, and while it's a different bike it's still a KLR. And I still love it!

A few days ago, the Bikes and Beards site posted a video about an ex-military diesel KLR that they bought. Fewer than 250 were ever made despite all the hoopla at its introduction, this motorcycle they did not stay in service for long. Although it was sold to them as a runner, it took significant work by a specialist (former engineer of the company that developed it) to get the oddball diesel engine running. The Bearded Mechanic has a video in which he took it to the one place that works on them to get it running again.

@Thebonesoftrees

7 ай бұрын

Completely different machine. The diesels are lemons.

@jfess1911

7 ай бұрын

@@Thebonesoftrees When they were introduced, there were lots of magazine articles and short videos that made it seem like the diesel version would become widespread in the military.... then nothing... for a long time. Apparently the engines were essentially custom made, easy to break and difficult to fix. The Bearded Mechanic video is definitely worth watching and goes over a lot of this.

@jfess1911

7 ай бұрын

@@retiredbore378 The main issue is that this particular engine has some one-off parts and outright design flaws (like the compression release that can cause valve and piston damage). There are plenty of small diesel engines that work just fine but the have poor power to weight ratios. My guess it that they tried to push this one too far. I agree with the lack of field development. Nevertheless, if a product is too flawed at introduction, it won't survive long enough to get improved. I don't know if you remember seeing the hype when this thing was introduced, but it was being billed as something amazing.

@someguy9520

7 ай бұрын

I find the track 800 to be more real world Basically a car 800cc 3 cyl diesel engine that can get fixed a lot easier

@hondaryder3779

7 ай бұрын

Wouldn't want to own one, great video tho.🇳🇱 NL, 2000 Transalp.

Loved my KLR650. I live in UK and toured much of Europe and North Africa on it. Just a tote bag strapped on the back and a map taped onto the tank. It never let me down and was ultra reliable, comfortable and quick on highways, yet manouverable when 'up on the pegs' riding trails and dirt. A full day spent crossing the Atlas Mountains in Morocco on goat trails was easy going on the Kwacker. Mine was even the same blue/white color as the one in your video.

I really like this guy's cadence, knowledge, content, pace, even voice. And no, I am not his agent

Lifetime rider, enduro circuit champion back in the day. Multiple GS's over the years. Bought a Pan America, the sold it and bought a new KLR. No regrets! Back to what made me fall in love with motorcycles in the first place.

Fortnine’s video is the best testament to this bike’s durability

I’m the proud owner of a 2008 KLR 650. I currently live in East Tennessee, constantly taking it on and off the road. My wife and I have been to Destin and Pensacola Florida, roughly 1500 miles each trip. One of those trips we took camping gear and camped on the beach in Pensacola. One of the guys I work with is big on West travel, I made one trip to Pikes Peak in Colorado, 3200 miles. I never thought I would be back out there, but a second trip was made on the same dependable motorcycle, this time I took it to the Grand Canyon a round-trip at 4300 miles! It’s still running good with really close to 70,000 actual miles. At 50,000 miles I was concerned about maintenance and was going to do a valve adjustment, it was still in spec. I have only used Rotella 15 40 oil in it still using the original clutch, I did the Doohickey, I think it was a good move, it was still running great when I did that. Still happy! Looking forward to my next ride on old faithful!

I currently own 4 motorcycles. One of them is my trusty '08 KLR650. I bought it in 2013 with just under 15k miles on it. It now has over 68k miles on it, has had its top end rebuilt once and many mods. made to it. Of all my bikes, my KLR is hands down, my favorite. My Wife and I have been all over the Western states on our KLR650s on many vacations over the years.

Im a xr650l rider because i fell in love with that triple sport idea that klr650 sold. Camping, traveling, commuting and some off road trails. I added tons and tons of aftermarket parts and I basically have a gen 1 klr and i love all of it.

I've got 5 Gen2 KLRs in South Africa that I use for my Tankwa Biking touring business here and in the desert in Namibia. In 11 years of touring other than a snapped clutch cable and a balancer chain that snapped on one bike (due to my fault of not adjusting it) I have never had other breakdowns. Only thing I don't like about the KLR are its air filters, after about 600kms on dusty dry dirt roads they need to be cleaned, otherwise they start using oil and the Petrol consumption goes up quite a bit. I also have a XR650L and CRF1000 Africa Twin, but my go to bike is still a KLR. Comfortable, easy to ride. Keep the RPM below 5,500, preferably 5000 and they are happy campers

@filippocorti6760

Ай бұрын

How many mph is 5000 rpms?

@carlmetelerkamp2151

Ай бұрын

75 mph

@filippocorti6760

Ай бұрын

@@carlmetelerkamp2151 Thanks.

Got my first KLR650A in April, its beautiful, best bike I ever had. Great comfort, fast, good handling. What ever you need this bike has it.

@MontanaDirtRoads

7 ай бұрын

I did 940 miles of Interstate, 2 lane and some destroyed forestry roads loaded down ..first part is on my channel.

@Prosecute-fauci

7 ай бұрын

You must be talking about some other motorcycle. I own a 2023 klr650 adventure and the seat is brutal after about 30 minutes, it’s slow, the handling had to be improved by using a fork stabilizer to get rid of high speed wobble. What the hell are you talking about?

@SoberRider78

7 ай бұрын

Fanboys only please...!!!

@MontanaDirtRoads

7 ай бұрын

@@Prosecute-fauci I don't start wobbling to around 90

@chuckmurphy5701

2 ай бұрын

After I set the suspension my '89 doesn't wobble at all. 😊

I"m old enough to remember when the first KLR came out back in 87'. It certainly wasn't a headline bike back then like all the inline four offerings from all the japanese manufactures but it still got some visibility. I imagine for quite a few of us (future) Dad-Bods, we kept the KLR in the back of our minds as we bought and rode various other bikes through the decades. Then the unimaginable thing happened. In 2018 Kawasaki discontinued the model and all of us curious admirers seemily missed the proverbial train. Needless to say when it was announced the KLR was going to re-introduced as a 2022 model with flashy new bodywork and fuel injection, I ironed up some of the crispiest dad jeans I had and stood in line for the first one I could find. Here on Oahu there is only one Kawasaki dealer and the day finally came I was going to buy my new 2022 KLR adventure model. I walked onto the showroom floor past dozens of other manufacturer models and gazed upon my vision quest. That was all it took. I walked straight to the first salesman I could find and in this case he was sitting at his desk eating a hotdog and I said, "I'll take that one over there". He wiped the mustard off his lip and rest is history. Since that glorious day I still have my other bike (Harley) but commute to work pretty much exclusively with the KLR. For me it's not a off road bike but serves as a any weather bike and 15K miles later couldn't be happier. Aloha 🍍🌴

@caleroby9483

3 ай бұрын

Awesome! Tks for sharing.!

I had an 08 green KLR and loved it. I rode it to work ripping through short cuts and side streets instead of the freeway. I sold it when it just got too dicey riding through Memphis (dodge City) and it made my arthritist flare up. I now ride a Royal Enfield Scram 411 and love it. Both bikes has a functional simplicity which I as always saw that as genius in and of itself.

@deepbludude4697

Ай бұрын

Right on Im considering the RE.

I own three bikes. BMW 1200 GSA, KTM 500 EXC-F and a KLR 650. The first two are amazing at what they do. BMW for long distance touring with lighter off road. KTM for short distance hardcore off road. The KLR for whatever I want. She has taken me places the other two haven’t yet. A true expedition bike. I have no plans to ever sell her.

Kawasaki really had some long lived models, they're great at getting every last bit of performance out of budget parts. The Klr650, the Ninja 500 and 250, the original Concours, the ZG1000... These bikes were introduced in the 80's and went basically unchanged till the mid 2000's. Even the ZZR600 introduced in 1990 and discontinued in 2008, great bikes from my favorite era of motorcycles.

I bought my KLR brand new in 2003, and still have it. Recently removed the terribly faded plastic and painted it matte olive drab. In 2008 I rode it from Colorado up to Deadhorse with the only upgrades being crash bars and a real skid plate. I’d never sell it, but am giving it a rest from errand running, as I just bought a new XR150L. Both simple, honest, hard working machines. When I crave nostalgia and great memories of epic travels, my KLR ticks both of those boxes!

@xnihilo1044

6 ай бұрын

Incredible! How many miles on it? Do the Doo or Thermobob? I just bought a '23 Traveler. It will always be with me.

@zachzuchowicz4842

4 ай бұрын

Just bought an XR150L two months ago myself! Never had a dual sport or rode off road and now I’m looking into the new s model of the KLR! Hope you enjoy the XR, it’s my new trail and around town buddy!

There is something "Primitive or Primal " about the KLR. It takes me back to the roots of my early years riding. When something was wrong, you knew exactly what it was. typically a pretty simple fix. Always got me home...

Thanks for the history lesson on the KLR. After riding for many years on dirt bikes, street bikes, cruisers and dual sports, my KLR brings a smile to my face every ride. It reminds me of the first time I rode a motorcycle, a rented Honda 90. The wind in my face, the fact that I did not have to peddle to go some where, the joy of freedom. That made me a motorcycle addict. I admit that I enjoyed much more sophisticated bikes, including 3 of the fastest production bikes of their time, and have a particularly fond memory of my Husky 400, that could make a mediocre dirt rider like me, fast, I come back to my KLR to get back to my original enjoyment of riding. KLR riders don't seem to care about our bikes not being light enough, fast enough, or look like a piece of art like a Ducati. They just ride them as the last surviving dinosaur of motorcycling.

@whereswaldo5740

6 ай бұрын

Yup glad to have obtained a 2016 before they interrupted production to upgrade. So mine is straight carbureted. New ones fuel injected carb. NW0 green cafe standards.

I daily a 2007, last of the Gen 1's. Thanks for this video, this is probably the most accurate KLR video ever. We do keep just trucking along and thanks for the shout out to Big Rock Moto! Ian seems like an honest guy.

@SlabCityNews

6 ай бұрын

I have a green 2006 I believe the Jen ones are the best. Eagle Mike doohickey

I love my 1989 KLR! 🥰

I have never owned or rode a KLR 650 and I was never attracted to one. True to form, this channel has shown me in this video, the significance of this machine. Thanks!

I owned a gen 1 and always regretted selling it. Saw the revived gen3 and bought it. I'm a happy camper.

I frequent a lot of the dualsport/adv forums, and it seems like for 80% of the bike recommendation posts, the answer is DR650, XR650L, or DRZ400. I think it's really fascinating how these bikes haven't really been refreshed or redesigned in forever, yet they are routinely recommended more than anything else. As a DR650 owner, it's just simply the best dualsport.

@SMHman666

7 ай бұрын

Michael Yes, I have a DR too and it's great. I love the simple nature of the bike. For me, it's all about FUN and I don't need all the modern tech on bikes these days. I have a M109R for the road and that's similar. So simple and heaps of fun! I know manufacturers need to put on all this tech crap to sell their latest design but you can't beat simplicity.

@Doomer17018

7 ай бұрын

Lol I always get a chuckle how when ever there is a klr650 conversation it’s guaranteed that a DR owner will speak up about how much better the DR is Objectively true but the DR costs double the price used.

@Michael_Shay

7 ай бұрын

@Doomer17018 KLR is probably much more comfortable on the road though. I didn't mention it to say the DR is better than the KLR. Just that its cool how these old bikes are still the ones most recommended despite the innovation that comes with the new ones. The KLR just isn't recommended as often in dualsport circles so I can't speak to that.

@micaKTM1290

7 ай бұрын

@@Doomer17018 What country is that. In US KLR $6899, DR650 $6999

@Doomer17018

7 ай бұрын

@@micaKTM1290 used used. Should have mentioned that. You can get a KLR for 1500 all day, drs are 3k+. Probably because they are much less common

In early 1990 I chopped my FZR1000 in for a KLR650.Not long after the Berlin Wall came down, I rode it around East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary & Yugoslavia. The next year I did a 4000-mile tour of Spain & Portugal on it. It was a great bike for these tours, the only problem being the narrow seat, which was pretty uncomfortable after a couple of hours in the saddle. I traded it in a year later for a BMW R100GS, but I do miss the KLR.

@sganzerlag

7 ай бұрын

Dude that tour of East Germany (and a few other eastern block ountries) right after the fall of the Berlin Wall must have been incredibly interesting!! Kudos for having done that!

@TheNigelrojo

7 ай бұрын

It was indeed. Very few hotels/hostels, lots of rough camping. Not many places to eat, not even much food in the shops. Easy to get gas though.I had no visa for CZ, I got in by giving the border guard 20 D-Mark. I bought a new rear tyre in Prague for $10.@@sganzerlag

The KLR is an utilitarian tool. It just works.

Still love the Gen1 KLR the most. Hate the later fender designs for the next two iterations.

I just purchased a '23 KLR (non-ABS) this past March and I am absolutely loving it. I have had two high-tech adventure bikes since 2011, but I sold them in search of something cheaper, lighter, and simpler. The KLR fits that criteria well. The only thing that I miss is a cruise control, but the throttle lock that I installed on the KLR works well enought.

@JudgeBigfoot

4 ай бұрын

Another channel mentioned that you can install aftermarket cruise control.

I ride a first gen DR650. I'm 6'5" and it fits perfect. I'll always have respect for the KLR650. They are tanks

Never owned a KLR, but I have been riding its fire breathing, off-road cousin....the rare, KLX650R. With much bigger cams, gear driven balancer and about 60hp, I imagine putting this engine into the KLR would probably remedy the sluggish nature. The KLX was a pretty bonkers (for the time) open-class dirt bike, and while I've entertained the idea of street-leagaling it, I imagine the spartan nature and tiny fuel tank would suck on-road.

@chrispekel5709

6 ай бұрын

The thing is, that engine doesn't last and long and requires more valve clearance and maintenance. The entire point of the KLR is the under-stressed engine has greater long term reliability

@chrispekel5709

6 ай бұрын

I've seen a couple here in Australia, they were road registerable here

I got my KLR650A in May, and I've already put over 3,000 miles on it and have done a valve clearance job, raised the rear for better suspension characteristics, diagnosed carb issues.... She's clunky and slow, but she will go anywhere you point her at, and doesn't even mind the occasional off road drop.

I bought an '84 KLR600 in 1994 for $2000. Although being 5'7", and thus vertically-challenged, it was a very pleasant surprise to see how much the height collapsed on being seated . A truly soft ride, without much wallowing, which I enjoyed for the insane territory I was riding through - Cambodian countryside. No-one could start it, apart from myself [BDC] I became quite proud of that ability after a few drinks, back in Phnom Penh. The power was adequate, yes, brakes were certainly not intimidating, the low weight made it 'flickable' to a certain extent, and a Super Trapp exhaust completed the package. I could feel safe in dropping it and the only thing to go wrong, in my three years owning it, was a sticking Mikuni carb' and clogged jets. That was more a fact of sub-standard petrol being the norm. I sold it for $2000 after 23,000k's of fun. You're right; CHARACTER - through and through - [Yes, I KNOW it's not a 650!!]

I did a fairly tame forest trail rally ish weekend a couple of years ago, advertised for larger adv bikes. I won the combined age of bike and rider prize, at 61 on a ‘88 klr. I wasn’t last, several (some brand new) failed to finish. Of course I wasn’t in the top ten. Hell, I’m 60+ So often I heard the chat about slipping the clutch, easing the power etc. From the guys on bikes with 100 + hp. Mine had a probable 40 HP? But what I had was a single pot with rediculous torque. It could chug at 700 revs, without stalling. Generally I stick it in second for the tricky bits, third for the rest of the time and it just plugged on! Crazy enduro or trials , nah, 90mph highway; nah. It is so forgiving for any rider on average terrain. Just t don’t be a short ass; grow some legs!!! It’s tall, top heavy and not enduro in any way. But it is a fun and easy bike to ride. I recommend the gen 1, but do the doo, and the bob.

That triple purpose ad sold me on 1987. Took me another 35 years to actually buy one. The 22 was my first KLR. A sixth gear and the “s” option would have kept this on my garage. Riding a 300 versys now. And a 1250 bandit.

@10:23 disc brakes were SUCH a treat back in the 80's. No one I knew was complaining about front and rear disc brakes back then.

I've owned....4? KLR650's over the years and honestly the first one I didn't even want. I picked it up for 1.4k and rode the shit out of it. It was such a simple bike to work on, so astonishingly reliable (compared to my WR426F) and just would do whatever you asked it to do. I jumped that KLR probably higher and further than you ever should, and this was after the previous owner did the same thing and broke footpegs doing. It's a steel frame so repairs like that are as simple as buying a bigger bolt and retapping new threads in. My current KLR is maybe a 2007 (idk or care but it's Gen I) and seems to have spent a decent chunk of its life either in a garage or under the control of someone who was new to riding. I love the thing, I just dragged it out of storage after not riding it for a year (life happened), drained the gas and it fired right up. Only issue was a water pump leak I had to fix which took 3 hours with minimal tools. A KLR is not a bike, it's a piece of farm equipment. Specifically a diesel tractor that will ALWAYS be able to aid you with whatever stupid thing you happen to be doing. The bike is hilarious to ride and is slow enough that you really can't get into too much trouble. The brakes are non-existent or as Fortnine once said "Are considered the worlds first off road ABS system"...as they will not lock up. The suspension is in need of upgrades, there's a component known as the "Doohicky" which everyone swears will blow up within 5 minutes of buying your bike and plenty of other flaws but I love my tractor.

@Snocone333

7 ай бұрын

forums convinced me to buy the doohickey which is sitting nicely in a box in my garage cause like....eh...ill do it one day but seems fussy and no weird noises yet lol, multiple road trips later. I am sure its an improvement over the real part but i think its more a badge of honor mechanically to bother to future proof your bike not a must do or die. or I could eat my words in another 10k miles, who knows.

@ThumperJunkie

7 ай бұрын

@@Snocone333 I've definitely bought the upgrades and lost them in my colletion of junk lol. I did install a thermobob on this KLR because for a while I was riding it year round honestly can recommend at least that one. Some day I'll get around to strengthening the frame and doing the doo.

Way back I had a KLX 650, lovely bike, even took it off road occasionally, though bit of a handful when dropped. Nice peaceful bike for our little country lanes here in the UK.

Reminds me of my '96 Jeep Cherokee with the in-line 6 @ 4.0L, still chugging along at 267k on the original engine... Stone-cold reliable, simple to work on, torquey but no high-end horsepower. I love it for all the right reasons

All the tech and how easy they’ve made bikes to ride. That’s the whole reason I’m selling off my modern sport bikes/sport touring bikes. I’m 37 now and my 2 favorite bikes I’ve owned are my 1st gen ninja 250 and my XR650. Retiring the xr due to how many miles I’ve racked up on it in the last 7 years. I think this time I will end up with an old KLR650. So far I’ve gotten 7 years and 72k miles out of the old XR650. So hopefully a klr will do that as well.

7:52 “double head over cam”. Not complaining, just made me chuckle over my corn flakes. Love Barts videos!

Best motorcycle ever made.

The first KLR 600 came out in 1984. I had the 1985 version, first year for electric start. It was a fun and good motorcycle.

I put 30k miles on a first-generation KLR. Other than a battery failure at a bad time, she has never let me down. I upgraded the fork springs, shock, added a fork brace, then I rode the absolute shit out of it. I took it on many trips, and to many places that one probably shouldn't take a 420lb motorcycle. I did several BDR type trips before the official BDR was a thing. Amazingly, I've never had to rebuild the carburetor, and in 30k miles it has only needed one valve adjustment. I check them every 5 or 6k miles, and only once were they out of spec, it was the first time I checked them. It was only this year that I upgraded to a more modern bike (AJP PR7). And really the only reason I upgraded was that I like riding in nasty places, and I wanted modern suspension. I'm still keeping the KLR. Too many fond memories to let it go.

I bought one that hadn't run for a few years, fixed it up, rode it for 3 weeks and then sold it. It wasn't terrible but didn't feel fast. I went drz400 a day later and I absolutely love it.

@CaptainCraigKWMRZ

7 ай бұрын

You did something wrong.

@WildernessLVR

6 ай бұрын

Depending on the day, maybe I'd agree with you, however he's free to have a different enjoyment of bikes.

0:22 wildly recognized as a versatile and durable.. .. because it ain't always reliable, but boy can it take a beating lol.

Perfect timing to come across this video.. just flew back home to finish up my 1996 KLR C and take it for a test drive over 4-5 countries in south east Europe starting tomorrow..😊

I have an 08 with piles of miles. Its name is “beer can”. Best machine imaginable for Vancouver Island.

I have owned 4 -KLRs over the years! Best bang for the Buck! 👍🏻🙏🏻😀

I have 2 1986 klr 600 road 1250 miles loaded so heavy with gear i had to replace chain and sprockets love the old mules

Best bike I have ever owned. Ride the slab all day, check into a hotel, then go out and hit the nearest trail. No other bike has kept my butt in the saddle as much as the KLR before or since.

i want one so bad! if only here in italy wouldn't be so rare to find!

At 15:07 was pleased to see my bike on your channel. Thanks!

My buddy bought an early 90s KLR for $2,500 to commute to and from work on. Ran it up to 85K miles, and sold it.....for $2,500. Other than maintenance the only failure was the radiator, which he replaced for like $50. Unreal!

I love my GEN 2 KLR. I want like three other bikes, but I don’t ever see getting rid of the KLR. It feels like a forever bike to me.

My 1st Gen '89 and I racked thousands of miles on and off road, and those days still shine in my memories.

@deepbludude4697

Ай бұрын

Same first gen 88 best KLR for me

Klr 650 was what everyone needed cheap affordable reliable period.

I bought another KLR last year. I've been all over Minnesota with it. Next year I will be checking out much of Montana. I ride my KLR more than my cruiser because I like the backroads/dirt roads.

I never had a klr but in my mind im sold

Man that ending hits home. I have a 08 KLR that was thrashed when I got it and I have preceded to beat on it more and it refuses to die. It’s been all over Wyoming and Colorado packed with all my camping gear and let me tell you… it’s a terrible bike. Off road tires cause it to shake over 75, it’s gutless in the mountains, the brakes are horrendous, it’s heavy when I drop it on a mountain pass. The suspension is so soft I can bottom it out easily. It randomly burns oil at high rpm (08/09 problem). Oh and the worst part they sound terrible, like a tractor And in the end I still love it. Paid 1800 for it and it’s been worthy every penny Every KLR owner I have met on the road has been super friendly and have always stopped to chat!

In the South African Defense Force, we used the Honda XR 500 with the Pro-Link suspension, big bikes, but it was a workhorse.

I have ridden and beaten on my 2015 KLR for many miles and I've certainly at times wished the bike was better at something I was doing on the ride, but even though I've ridden better motorcycles, I don't envy owners of them. My bike has been rigged and modified extensively and I've never felt like I've *needed* another bike. My motorcycle group pokes at me saying I should get a panamerica, and they're pretty sweet, but I have a bond with my faithful KLR that I haven't developed with any other bike, superior or no.

Background: I own a 2nd gen klr650. It is my first bike and I got it from a friend with only 12k miles. I cannot see how it is a triple sport or how they even thought it would pass as one. I've been 80-85ish mph and I have taken it to work on the freeway numerous times - It could use a sixth gear for sure.. Not comfortable at all at any speed over 60-65mph. It's great in the city and fire roads, but they tried so hard to make it a jack of all trades that not only is it not a master of none, its mediocre at best everywhere else. I have to preface this with I personally do not care that the klr650 is not particularly good at anything. The bike has character, reliability, is simple, and a is a fun bike most of the time. I love it.

I'm a '00 KLR guy, from new, only left me along side the road once, it's last time @ 97000 miles plus. When the balencer bearing gave out & popped a dime size hole in the block. BUT, it still runs, sounds like soon death, lol, after 19 years. 3 Speedo cables, 4 clutch cables, second after market big front rotor! Still have it, maybe for newer motor!

I'm on my 3rd KLR. They certainly have their flaws, but they're workhorses and a great bike for year round use. My biggest beef with my new 22 model is the lithium battery. It won't turn the engine over below -13c, so I've got a booster. Other than that I don't see much practical difference with my old 11 model.

@jmprov356

7 ай бұрын

3 KLR's? How many total miles have your ridden between the three?

@DrJaneLuciferian

7 ай бұрын

@@jmprov356 The first was a 94 KLR250, about 28,000km, the next 2011 KLR650, 34,000km, and this 2022 KLR650 is at 8,500 km. I also had a Shadow 1100, but I didn't ride it in winter.

@jmprov356

7 ай бұрын

@@DrJaneLuciferian That is impressive mileage on each of your KLR's! I am especially surprised that with the Fuel Injection of the '22, you don't see much practical difference with your previous model. It might be a good for those wanting a KLR to look into a good, low mileage Gen II. Thanks for the post!

@DrJaneLuciferian

7 ай бұрын

@@jmprov356 Ok, let me be a little more nuanced. With an older bike you could always adjust the idle when it was cold and damp because these high compression bikes don't like to run when it's cold and damp, and they still don't, but with fuel injection you have no control. But, for the most part I'd say the fuel injection wasn't a dead loss considering that Kawasaki does have emissions requirements carbs can't live up to. I would go back to the carb if I could, but it's not a deal breaker. The biggest issue, as I said, was the dumb lithium battery won't crank the engine below -13c.

@whereswaldo5740

6 ай бұрын

Try those hand warmer packs. Would keep your bike starting all day. JS.

KLR is eternal, KLR is life, KLR is Nature

I had the 600 version in the eighties with no e start available. What a beast to start when hot or cold! I had the RT1 360 Yamaha Enduro in the mid seventies too.

@Demonbfg

7 ай бұрын

No electric start, must have been an 1984 model.

@Dad3Sons

7 ай бұрын

I was a teenager and my older brother came home from Vietnam with an RT-1 Enduro purchased on leave in Japan. He let me try to kick start it. I almost perforated my Achilles tendon on the passenger peg mount. Made me appreciate electric start for the rest of my life.

@powerwagon3731

7 ай бұрын

@@Dad3Sons I bought mine from older friend who was a Vietnam vet, great guy!

Ran my 2008 on t5 diesel oil for 11,000 when I first bought it and burned oil like a mosquito fogger. Bore job to 661 and valves. Now I can go 2000 miles without adding a drop. Great platform. Mine will be running as long as I am.

@briangilmore2256

7 ай бұрын

Keep your speedo hub lubed! I’m on my second.

@briangilmore2256

7 ай бұрын

And the doohickey. Eagle mike makes a kit.

I bought an 08 KLR brand new for my stepson and both of us just fell in love with this machine. We put a larger drive spocket on it to give it more pep in the dirt. I also bought a KDX for him one Christmas and we would trail ride on these bikes. Great memories on these machines. I would definitely buy a KLR again especially since they went to fuel injection in 22.

300+ miles on one tank of gas is something few bikes can claim on their specifications brochure. Thanks for the video.

Wayback time machine, I had a mid 80's KLR 250. Simple and ultra reliable. Spare / guest bike was great for first timers. Didn't need the massive fuel tank either, the gutless 'KILR' sipped gas. BTW: US military used the near identical 250 to stock spec other than Helicoil thread inserts throughout.

Awesome video man! Love the story at the end

one of my friends has had one of these from 1990 - still going, been around and/or across Australia at least 20 times including via a multitude of 1000+km dirt "highways" has the nickname "Emu KLR" due to him hitting (and killing) no less than three emus in one single day on his first ever transcontinental trip going through the great central desert highway - fortunately for himself (if not the emus) back in the days before GPS/satellite phone distress beacons nothing more than a cracked headlight lens, loss of an indicator light, and for him, a broken finger

I've had four KLRs since 1988. Sold my last one only four years ago. You hit the nail on the head - it's a simple no thrills bike that's great fun. Besides the 23l fuel tank, I also really appreciated the fairing - just big enough to do the job, just small enough not to get in the way.

I bought a cheap KLR650 about 20 years ago because my Ducati Pantah was in the shop after a crash that would take 3 months to fix & I needed something to get around on. I hated every second of riding that thing. It was slow & the suspension was more slinky than stiff. As a road only rider the KLR made absolutely no sense to me & I got rid of it as soon as I could. Fast forward 20 years & many bikes later, my favorite bike in the stable is a 225cc single that I ride everywhere, including off road, but I miss the extra power of the KLR650 though, and I've been looking for a good deal on a KLR to add to the stable for about a year.

I had a 2008 KLR650 that I put around 15k on when it was lost. Drove it all over Kansas and Colorado. I miss the bike dearly and moved onto bigger bikes. My 2016 Tiger 800XCX was amazing, put 16k on that, then bought a 2021 1200 Scramlber XE that I got 3k on before it was stolen in Washington, and now have a 2023 1250 GSA which I love. I don't do as much offroad as I did but the touring aspect is amazing. If I was to get another bike though, it would be another KLR650 due to the simplistic nature and all the fun I had on my old one

I never liked the klr, so much to my surprise when I backed into owning one (when my bmw failed), I fell in love with the damn thing and now can’t figure out what I didn’t like about them!!

@WildernessLVR

6 ай бұрын

LOL! That's the beauty of "motorcycling spirit"... It's not the design of a bike, it's not the HP, it's not the aerodynamics... Heck, maybe it's all of that and more? Well, one thing is for sure, it's the resonance of it connecting with our soul when we want it do deliver us something we need at the moment and we get it. This goes to whichever bike and whichever application we need it to ride on. Continue enjoying your riding STYLE, because that's what makes you ONE with your bike 👍

Bro I was LITERALLY considering one of these last night

My KLR always gets me home.

Great video thanks, I had the first gen KLR 650 and loved that bike, my sun is still riding it. The longest trip I did on it was from Barrie Ont. to Epworth Newfoundland, a great ride. Crossing Newfoundland hit the worst rain storm any one could remember, riding at night had the road all to my self not event the moose were out. When I looked at the second Gen the suspension was to stiff and my feet no longer flat footed on bough sides, so passed it up. Now I see they came out with a lower model which I am looking in to, that is if I can even get one. The bike I would really like to get is the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, but no dealers hear in Prince Edward Island. Had a KTM 390 Adventure, but service was bad and need a computer to do any thing with it. traded it for a Honda CB500X not a bad bike but not a single. I also have a 2023 Honda Trail 125 a great little bike but wish it had a five speed manual transmission, But is a great little run about. I also had a DR650 but had to put a larger gas tank on it, another great bike, but at almost 75 a little hard getting on and off on, on even ground. Think other than the gas tank it came with would make a great ADV bike. I also loved that it had no wind protection love the feel of the wind in my chest. Well got all winter to see what other bike I will get for next years riding, been changing bikes a lot, trying to fine what I want to keep, Also had the CRF 300 L great little bike but gas tank way to small and again trouble getting off on uneven ground. I think a lower CRF300L with a large gas tank and a huge carrying capacity would make a great bike for a run about, a rear rack like on the Honda Trail 125.

Great job on this. Such a legendary machine.

Big fan of your channel. As a previous 2nd gen KLR owner. Your take on it was spot on and really entertaining.. Tastefully edited and Narrated expertly. One of the reasons I love this bike so much, was that I could beat the hell out if it and not care.. so many memories were made with this bike.

If you like driving tractors you will love the KLR.

@ramishrambarran3998

7 ай бұрын

Enzo Ferrari once told a tractor maker, " What do you know about sport cars ? Stick to your tractors !. Ferrucio Lamborghini was certainly not amused at the time ! The rest is history.

@scottberry5266

Ай бұрын

Yes yes I do. I love tractors

Kudos to an amazing review of the Anvil of motorcycles, the KLR650. Only thing I'd add is the "doohickey" debacle. A small part of the engine would, on some bikes, break off and hand-grenade the powerplant. I bought a new KLR in 2000 that was my only year-round transportation in a northern state. I learned about the doohickey just a week too late to replace it. The factory refused to stand by their product because I did my own oil changes. Yes, it's not a problem with every KLR, and the factory fixed the problem, but I was one of the unfortunate few.

When I saw you acknowledge the DT-1, I knew that you were legit with your information and observations. Thanks for posting.

"its the best bike at just being a bike to live with" 🎉

Got my 06 in the midwest. Its the most fun commuting ive ever had. The hilarious front loaded torque that falls off a cliff after 4K rpm makes riding around town a blast. Too bad i can only ride it 4 months outa the year.

I bought a new 2023 KLR in April & have already got 5000 miles on her & I was even locked up for a 😂. Love the bike!!

The KLR 650 has a good bit of vibration after 65 mph , it truly needs a 6th gear . The seat is uncomfortable where im replacing that because after riding for a short time my tail bone is killing me . But the powertrain is built solid .

i grew up dirtbiking but sold the ktm 125 2stroke i used to ride the same time my dad sold his honda 125 when i moved to mn for work. No more desert to play in. Still had my kawasaki f7 175 dual sport cause its old and fun to putt around but man i missed the dirt. Problem is i have to commute pretty far to go play in the dirt now, its not in my back yard toss a bike in my dads el camino or trailer and drive 20 minutes to the high desert. So i had a great idea! klr. Bought a total wreck, '99 parts bike of sorts, a retired marines military (but no diesel engine) from a Wisconsin dnr auction. They had apparently bought some surplus unused and converted them back to gas for rangers! Still has the marines stickers and tags tho, shittily rattle canned over in ranger green! Spent a whole summer fixing, replacing, and upgrading. finally took it out on the dirt...and good god it sucked at it compared to the purpose built machines. and then i went again, and again to find a dirt road or a muddy shortcut....its addictive. Youre sweaty, hauling this lump through single track or highsided on logs, but you cant wipe the stupid smile off your face the literal whole ride. Its pure joy to ride, and its fun to fix whateber you break cause someone in the community has a sick new clever upgrade that makes it incrementally better. wouldnt trade it for any other adv!

I owned 3 motorcycles that I truly loved in my lifetime. I had a 2008 klr650, I rode for a year. In that year I put 10000 miles on it living in Maine. Not bad The next bike I got was a 09 R1200GSA. Which was the best bike I've had and I'll continue to say it. I had that bike for 5 years, and put over 200,000 miles on it. Had very few issues apart from routine maintenance. And I beat the snot out of it. Used it offroad, on trails every day I could, and it outperformed many of my other motorcycles I've had. But this year, I got my first brand new bike. A 2023 klr650. And I gotta say, I sold my BMW, and started making the new pig a perfect touring machine. And it doesn't take much to make it as good as the bmw either. Gotta say, they knocked this machine outta the park.

Great video as always, cant wait to see the channel hit 100k.

Goddamn I love my KLR and all other fellow Gen 1s

2000 KLR still going , 72,000 miles crossed the USA 2 times . ride all the 2 track and dirt roads i can find ,,,,,,,,still loving it

Sold my 07' BMW R1200gs, maintenance and parts got to expensive, bought a 08' KLR for $1800, with all the kit on, thing runs like a dream, and I have $1900 left from the sale of the R1200gs, I'm a happy man 😊

Never rode a KLR, but have over 23k glorious miles on my DR650, including 4k+ miles through 7 western States last summer on mainly dirt roads (TAT). I can't imagine it being more fun on a heavier KLR with the added luggage I carried.

Beautiful, well-made, well-informed video. Congrats

Also in the 3 KLR club. '92, '06, and current '07. There is something about them.

With all the oil mine burned sometimes I wished it wasn't indestructible 😂 Still a great bike though.