Wow look!

Kawasaki KLR®650 | Dual-Sport Bike | Escape. Explore. Envy.

The Kawasaki KLR®650 dual-sport bike features a reliable 652cc fuel-injected single-cylinder engine for unparalleled capability to take your adventure farther.

www.kawasaki.com

 

There is another BIG change other than the fuel injection and ABS....It's 460 lbs!!! No thanks.

 

Im going to hang onto my 03 as long as I can. At least they are keeping the price down in true KLR tradition. $7,000 aint bad compared to everything else out there.

 

At least they are keeping the price down in true KLR tradition. $7,000 aint bad compared to everything else out there.

But, who will spend $7000 for it? I've not seen anyone post so far that they are going to replace their current KLR with this "new" one. So, that basically means the market segment that wants/needs the low price in order to commute or do some light off road are the potential sales. A friend of mine is the GM at the local Kawasaki dealer. He commented that interest in the KLR really tailed off around 2015 at their dealership. Up to the point where the 2018 was not available, he said he had only sold "a few".

 

I wonder if the fixed the doo

 

was just wondering that myself 🤣

I'd wager not......

 

I wonder if any extra power. By looks of tq id say minimal. The ol 705 would eat that thing im thinking.

 

Amen to holding on to the machine you got especially when on it, perhaps let legs do most of holding and I'm not so sure I want a fuel pump buried inside my gas tank and clogged injectors in Tegucigalpa

 

My weak eyes tell me it's reverted to the Gen1 style chain tensioner / axle adjuster.

Edit: maybe a hybrid / new style. Pic

 

Possible, anything is possible. But it would be a ton of work. You would have to replace the wire harness, motor, all the EFI sensors would need to be added, Motor control computer, Exhaust system, Fuel tank because of the fuel pump. More than likely the gauge cluster also. If the ABS computer is attached to the motor computer, then that will need to be added. That is the major stuff. There will be more little stuff to add also. You are going to have to figure out were and how to mount all this stuff.

 

Underwhelmed. No way does this make me want to move from my '09 that has had most everything done to it.

FI? Nice feature, but not worth it to move on. Also, appears to be the same old school suspension. And, I'm guessing it will keep Eagle Mike in business for a while longer selling doo kits!

 

Underwhelmed. No way does this make me want to move from my '09 that has had most everything done to it.

FI? Nice feature, but not worth it to move on. Also, appears to be the same old school suspension. And, I'm guessing it will keep Eagle Mike in business for a while longer selling doo kits!

Think everyone is right about the new old pig-heavy, polished turd

 

I'll just paste this from my earlier reply on the KLR (KLX) 700 thread,

300mm front disc with front & rear ABS (unknown if it has an Off Switch), Gen1 style swingarm/chain adjusters?, larger rear rack?, slightly different top design of 6.1 gallon fuel tank, I didn't see a pic of instruments, LED headlight, power ports & stronger alternator and of course EFI.

Still a 5 speed transmission, still Gen2 suspension travel.

USA has a 3rd model, the "Traveler" with a top box rather than panniers.

OH, did you all notice the Larger Engine displacement? lol 652 cc

It will forever be a mystery why this wasn't released 2 -3 years ago. And I always disliked it when they don't call this super early release date by current year model. Anything before August should be current year, IMO.

 

Here is a bit more on the new old KLR:

It’s Back! All-New Kawasaki KLR 650 Is Unveiled - ADV Pulse

After much speculation and rumors, Kawasaki has announced today the return of the faithful KLR 650 to its lineup. The legendary dual-sport bike is back with key improvements, including new technology many riders have been waiting for. At the heart of the 2022 KLR is its long-running 652cc...

www.advpulse.com

 

Believe it or not, the more I read, the more I like it. But it will not replace my Gen 1.

The above article talks about improved cam chain guides. There has NEVER been any issue with KLR650 cam chain guides! This way they blame the advertising department for incorrect terminology, without admitting previous errors.

"At the heart of the 2022 KLR is its long-running 652cc single-cylinder engine, now equipped for the first time with fuel injection. Kawasaki states the changes not only make starting easier, but this update combined with the fuel tank’s greater usable volume contributes to an increased range between fuel stops. Performance has also been improved with revised intake and exhaust cam profiles resulting in increased power and torque in the mid range. Plus a stronger cam chain guide material and shape add to the increased reliability. The new model still retains a 5-speed gearbox, but several refinements have been made for smoother shifting operation."

 

I'll about bet that the speedometer will now read off of the counter sprocket and gear ratio changes will cause it to really contradict with your GPS read out.

 

It does appear in the pictures that there is no speedo cable going to the front wheel!

Kawasaki seems to have lost it's mojo! They still make competitive MX bikes and the Versys 1000 is worthy of consideration in that segment. Everything else on 2 wheels is pretty mediocre IMHO!

 

I wonder if the speedometer runs off the ABS reluctor rings?

 

Cycle World says they fixed the doohickey ...

 

we'll see; they said that in 2008 too... ;-)

Dave

 

I read this "The exhaust pipe diameter has been reduced by 7.7 mm to improve mid-range torque characteristics to better suit everyday riding. An oxygen sensor provides feedback to the fuel injection system, contributing to cleaner exhaust emissions and increased fuel efficiency." and interpreted that as the head pipe. It sorta looks like the pipe clamp is different and there does look to be a step-down. I couldn't find a good picture.

 

Like most things in life (for me I guess anyway) the anticipation was much greater than the realization. Guess I won’t be making any plans to ride my 2015 to the dealer for a new KLR. Really not worth it. I was told that the new KLR might have a V-Twin. Guess I’ll have to ride my Honda Transalp if I want a V-twin 600. Here I go again – do the rearview mirrors look smaller on the new version or is it just me? 😂 I’m sure they’re the same size as the latest models. Of course, if they were larger you must know they’d cost far too much. Oh well.

Now, I know a lot of you don’t like graphics on your KLRs, but I like mine on my KLR. However, the graphics shown on the new KLR leave a lot to be desired as far as I’m concerned. Again, Oh well.

 

Looks as though I double posted. Not sure how that happened????? Just not my day I guess.

 

I noted some useful changes.
1. Alternator output is up to 26 amps from 17. That’s a significant step up for those who want to power heated clothes and other gadgets.
2. LED headlights will reduce electrical load leaving even more juice for other purposes.
3. New fairing looks like it will provide better protection form wind and rain. Taller windshield too.
4. Rubber mounted handlebar and foot pegs will smooth the vibes.
5. EFI almost Certainly will improve fuel consumption. Maybe up to 60mpg?

The other stuff you can read, but those I think are good upgrades to call out. Those won’t make me trade in my 2013/692 with all the improvements on it, but for a new buyer I think it’s a good value proposition.

 

‘Cause they didn’t change it? Actually it is supposed to have a little more midrange. Which, if the exterior of the engine is the same, means that at some point you could swap the smaller headpipe onto your Gen1 or Gen2.

I also gotta think that with EFI, there are a few more ponies on tap, and when Eagle Mike starts tuning them, he will come out with some improved fuel/ignition maps that will add 5-10%. they might not be “street legal” but that hasn’t stopped people from fiddling with the maps yet.

 

‘Cause they didn’t change it? Actually it is supposed to have a little more midrange. Which, if the exterior of the engine is the same, means that at some point you could swap the smaller headpipe onto your Gen1 or Gen2.

I also gotta think that with EFI, there are a few more ponies on tap, and when Eagle Mike starts tuning them, he will come out with some improved fuel/ignition maps that will add 5-10%. they might not be “street legal” but that hasn’t stopped people from fiddling with the maps yet.

I don't even think the "non street legal" maps for EFI are going to make much difference for power.....probably about the same as stock jetting to KLX jetting. Kawi claims an "improvement" in mid range torque and tout a smaller header.....but that's probably offset by a WOT power drop.

Reminds me of an article by Jeep magazine back in the day (I had the same TJ they tested so I was interested); they tested K&N filters, cold air intakes, hi flow exhaust and tuners - at the end of the day they lost 2hp! Finally they just added a supercharger - that worked!

Not trying to be a "Debbie downer" or rain on anyone's excitement but I predict that time will prove that the "Gen3" produces pretty much the same power as a Gen1 and 2.....maybe as much as a jetted Gen1/2 but probably not as they still have to meet emmissions. Reading between the lines makes me think that actual internal engine changes (especially ones that would effect power) are very minor at best. Is it possible the new KLR has 2-3 more hp? sure, it's possible. Is it possible it has more than an older KLR with a jet kit and airbox mods? yep, but probably not. I would imagine the big advantages from the new EFI system will be ease of operation and better economy....not power.

Dave

 

Since we’ve gotten back onto the weight issue, I’d really Ike to see Kawi or another manufacturer rethink the ADV bike concept.

Current ADV bikes are based on some kind of dirt or dual purpose bike modified mostly to carry more shit a further distance, with a lot of the appearance driven by marketing departments that want it to look like a Paris-Dakar racer.

Reality check: has anyone here ridden PD? I didn’t see any hands go up. What we end up doing with our bikes is a lot more quotidian. And to deal with the everyday uses, we end up spending hundreds of dollars putting on heavy crash bars and bark busters and other stuff to protect the expensive, fragile, lightweight plastic parts; and then we spend hundreds more dollars to hang panniers and pannier racks and other heavy parts to allow us to carry more shit.

Instead, I’d like to see an ADV bike designed with a perimeter frame, including a skid plate as an integral part, that surrounds the engine in such a way that protects from damage without adding another 20 lbs of crash bars. The gas tank should be made of polypropylene, like the IMS tanks so that they are inherently damage resistant, or should also fit inside the perimeter frame (think Ducati Monster style). And the rear frame should be designed wide enough so that panniers mount directly to it, instead of requiring another 10 lbs of mounting racks. And while we dreaming it, I want a front fairing made of polypropylene or polyurethane that can take a beating and bending and not break, and a polycarbonate windshield for the same reason. Something like the Gen 1 fairing, but significantly bigger to provide more wind and rain protection.

Surely some Moto-designer somewhere has doodled this in his sketch pad. I’d like to see it built.

No, don’t wake me up yet...

 

Since we’ve gotten back onto the weight issue, let me throw some ideas out. I’d really Ike to see Kawi or another manufacturer rethink the ADV bike design.

Current ADV bikes are based on some kind of dirt or dual purpose bike modified mostly to carry more shit a further distance, with a lot of the appearance driven by marketing departments that want it to look like a Paris-Dakar racer.

Reality check: has anyone here ridden PD? I didn’t see any hands go up. What we end up doing with our bikes is a lot more quotidian. And to deal with the everyday uses, we end up spending hundreds of dollars putting on heavy crash bars and bark busters and other stuff to protect the expensive lightweight plastic parts; and then we spend hundreds more dollars to hang panniers and pannier racks and other heavy parts to allow us to carry more shit.

Instead, I’d like to see an ADV bike designed with a perimeter frame, including a skid plate as an integral part, that surrounds the engine in such a way that protects from damage without adding another 20 lbs of crash bars. The gas tank should be made of polypropylene, like the IMS tanks so that they are inherently damage resistant, or should also fit inside the perimeter frame (think Ducati Monster style). And the rear frame should be designed wide enough so that panniers mount directly to it, instead of requiring another 10 lbs of mounting racks. And while we designing it, I want a front fairing made of polypropylene or polyurethane that can take a beating and bending and not break. Something like the Gen 1 fairing, but significantly bigger to provide more wind and rain protection.

Surely some Moto-designer somewhere has doodled this in his sketch pad. I’d like to see it built.

No, don’t wake me up yet...

You are HIRED!

 

Now let’s discuss salary...

 

I'll have my people call your people.......

 

deleted...too far off topic.

Dave

 

Well, @DPelletier all you needed to do was add "...but I intend to put an EFI sticker on the swingarm." and it would all be good.

 

I was really hoping they would use the Z400 motor and release both a sub 400 lb. Versys 400 and KLR400 this season.
I guess I'll be keeping my '03 KLR for another low mileage pandemic riding season and seeing what presents itself next year. My wife and I are planning on retiring in the Spring of 2022 and I will be looking for a dualsport "Grocery Getter" that is light enough to more easily load into a pickup truck before I hitch up whatever travel trailer we end up hitting the road with. Maybe a TW200 or KLX300 or KTM390 adventure. Or more likely it'll be a fat tire E-bike...

 

My second post on the forum. Don't have a klr....yet. I do have a tw200. Fantastic bike. I ride 2 up with the wife 95% of the time. It is great for dirt roads in the NC mountains, the blue ridge parkway, and short non-freeway rides. Low seat height. Actually the TW was the only bike my wife could get on without a ladder. I am looking for something now to take us for longer rides. Never even seen or ridden a klr but this 2021(?) caught my attention. I will be standing in line to check it out!

 

.... and after months of deliberation with upper Mgmt and budgeting it will come out looking like a Gen 3 😂