Kawasaki KLR 650
In these days of fancy $20,000 high-tech motorcycles, there is a refreshing alternative for those seeking simplicity and time-tested reliability: the Kawasaki KLR 650. Kawasaki started making this dual sport bike in 1984 and in twenty years has made only minor modifications, other than changing color schemes every four years or so.
There are no computer chips to melt down. Just one carburetor and one piston to maintain. The components are as accessible as on a old tractor. The US military recently converted the KLR to diesel, fulfilling their goal of having all their vehicles consume one fuel.
What sold me on this bike is the community support. Over 3,000 feisty members on a Yahoo group can provide you with anything you want to know (and sometimes more than you want to know). Local groups around the planet get together for rides and maintenance sessions. A long list of web sites show you in full detail any repair or modification you can think of. A former Midwestern corn farmer will overnight parts from his shed in Moab, Utah to anywhere you might be waiting.
Many call this one of the best 'value bikes' you can find. It is certainly one of the top adventure motorcycles, with a huge variety of aftermarket options catering to the countless people who have traveled to every corner of the planet on the KLR.
One advantage for a vehicle that's been around for twenty years is that you can find old ones dirt cheap and easily resuscitate them. New ones are a bit over $4,000.
Maybe you can find a cheaper bike out there, but with the KLR you've got a bullet proof bike you can fix yourself with a network of support. You can comfortably take it back country in rough terrain, use it around town as reliable transportation or head out on a global adventure.
-- Jonathan Foust
Kawasaki KLR 650
$1,000 and up, used
$4,000 new
Manufactured by Kawasaki
The famed KLR FAQ
A popular site offering detailed instructions for a variety of repairs and modifications
Favorite (15)
Ron
hi friend i have a honda 125 NXR bros and is looking for a real heavy duty dirt bike.. I live in guyana and i love riding long distances thats because i live in the interior and teach in town which is 160 miles of ridingand it takes me 3hours with my honda 125. I test ride the kawasaki klr 650 2008model two days ago and i fell in love with its power style and much more. i got to get me one ! if i want one how can i get it and how much would it cost me to get it in my country (Guyana) my phone # 5926947802
david martin
Find me a KLR 650 new for 4000USD and I'll bye it now.
pat martin
Find me a new klr for 4000usd and i'll by now.I dont care for my local dealers.
chris
owned a klr since august of 2009 , great machine , fun to ride and own , great value for money , but sadly more than 4,000 dollars , nearly 5 thousand really .
Dirt Poor
I don't consider it sad that a new KLR 650 is close to $5k, and I don't understand why anyone would worry about an extra few hundred dollars or even $1k. Whether you finance the entire cost of the bike or just part of the cost over a number of years, we're talking chump change.
It is hard to find a better new bike at the price point, period. Great bike with a very good price = nothing to complain about.