A gray, wet day seems an appropriate backdrop for a ride on a Kawasaki KLR 650, the next bike in the New Wheels in the Sticks project. The KLR has been on my mental radar for a long time as a sort of utilitarian do anything motorcycle. The Jeep of the two wheeled world. There is something satisfying in thinking there is nothing I could not do or place I could not go. Thanks to Kissell Motorsports I’ll have the opportunity over the next few days to take the Kawasaki out on the road and see how it feels.
There wasn’t much time to ride today, just a long loop around the valley to get a feel for how the big machine handles. I say big because the first thing I noticed was how tall the KLR is. I mean really tall. At just under 6’3″ tall I felt like I was barely able to touch the ground. In reality I had no problem flat-footing the bike but it felt pretty high for the first 20 minutes until I became accustomed to it.The past two bikes I’ve ridden had fuel injected engines and I have gotten used to just pressing the starter button and go. The KLR wanted me to give it a little fuel before it would start. And it wants me to open the fuel valve and even give it a choke when cold. The perplexed look on my face passed quickly as memories flooded back.
Like each new machine I ride I find a lonesome road to test out the brakes and stopping characteristics. In addition to clean, positive braking it was nice to know the aggressive tread on the tires worked well on the damp and wet pavement. The 650cc single cylinder thumper engine was a new experience. I intentionally didn’t use my normal foam earplugs so I could get used to the sounds the KLR makes. I like to have some idea of what sounds right and what doesn’t.Didn’t really have time for much riding this evening but I’m planning to leave early tomorrow to see how I like this big, tall motorcycle out in the sticks.
Steve,
I am looking forward to your take on this bike and whether it is comfortable to ride for some distance.
The best thing the KLR has going for it is price (said with some bitterness as I’m only 5’06” {168 cm}and thus will never be eligible for KLR membership).
I like everything about the KLR except I can’t reach the ground but then again, maybe it’s supposed to be that way. Looking forward to your comments.
I’m driving a 2005 KLR, I’m 5’10, and I’m going to be installing lowering links when they show up from mail order.
Dear Steve:
I’ll bet you breakfast in the diner of your choice that this bike does not edge out the Triumph in your mind.
Fondest regards,
Jack “reep” Toad
Twisted Roads
Interesting that you referred to this as the “Jeep.” I have said the very same thing about my husband’s new BMW F650GS, which I’m planning to take on a long ride tomorrow. I’ve had a fantasy of taking a klr to Nova Scotia or British Columbia’s backroads. I sat on one at a motorcycle show– I would need to take a stool along to climb on and off–it was the tallest bike I’ve ever straddled. How’s the seat? I recall that that would have been the first thing I’d change. Still, that bike seems rather solid and rugged. Safe riding.
Baron’s Life: Went on a hundred mile ride this morning in the fog. Tense and a little unnerving at times but I’m convinced I could ride the KLR all day.
Conchscooter: It is really tall. You would have to leave it on the kickstand and mount up from the footpeg.
Richard: I’m working on a post but probably won’t put it up until Monday. Need to sort out all the stuff that happened on the ride.
SpannerX: As tall as if felt yesterday today I was really comfortable with the height. Learned what to expect when I put my feet down…
Mr. Riepe: It’s going to be close. If I had to choose I’m not sure which I would take. Different motorcycles with different abilities.
I’ll think about diners…
Sojourner rides: The KLR would be great for a trip across Canada. It could handle whatever came it’s way and it appears to be solidly put together and I bet easy to get parts for.
The seat is comfortable. I have heard of the older ones being uncomfortable but perhaps the redesigned 2009 model has a better seat?
Steve:
Last year I went to a dealer that specializes in dual sports. KLR, Husquarna (sp?), KTM etc. I said that they were too tall for me. He said they are that way until you sit on it and load it down. I bounced on it a bit and soon I got used to it and found the ground much closer. They need the height and longer shock travel to do what they do. but I still think that they are a bit too tall for me
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
Steve,
I’ve owned 2 kawasakis in my life, one was a yellow tiny 90CC machine and the other was a 900cc blue machine and both were very extremely responsive, in fact dangerousely so…open the throttle and they just went.I’ll have to try this one some day…reminds me a bit of the Honda Translap. To be perfectly honest, I think I’m too old for this dual purpose… bike but would still very much like to read the rest of your evaluation
bobskoot: The KLR does drop when you sit your weight in the seat — my guess is 2 -3 inches. But even then it is still tall.
I find more difficulty getting on the bike than anything else due to a lack of flexibility on my part. I need to do more stretching so that I can swing my 55 year old leg up and over the seat without a groan….
Baron’s Life: Not sure how old you are but at 55 I’m not too old for the KLR! A lot depends on what you convince yourself you should be able to do on a motorcycle. Interesting topic for a new blog post. I think I may write something. Thanks for the inspiration!
The KLR does have some things in common with the Honda Transalp but is stilll much taller.
The height grows on you and there are a lot of short KLR riders out there. People are surprisingly adaptable when they put their mind to a goal.
56…an article on age and riding would be interesting for sure
Steve: The new model came out in 2008, and it’s an inch lower in the seat height than the previous model. I’m 5’10” with a 30″ inseam on a good day when I wake up, and with a full tank of gas it’s a little hard to get it off the kick stand if the ground isn’t perfectly flat for me. Riding 2 up and we compress the spring more and it makes it easier to flat foot.
I have had the new kawasaki klr (2008) and have ridden it extensively for 2 years. I am 5’9″. All you have to do is get a set of 1.5-2 inch loweing links. And lower thr front fork tubes 3/4 to i inch. Its an inexpensive and fairly easy mod. You will need to cut and reweld your kick stand. The result was amazing. A flat footed duel sport that handled like a ninja. No kidding.