2014 Kawasaki KLR650 New Edition Revealed

[SpudRider]

The new edition as a firmer suspension, and a narrower saddle. You can read the Motorcycle.com review at the link below.

http://blog.motorcycle.com/2013/12/1...ampaign=weekly

[Weldangrind]

They claim that the revised suspension is worth the extra cash. I've never actually ridden a KLR650, so I wouldn't know the difference.

Don't you love the eye candy they parked near the bike, in case we needed more incentive to be interested?

[tpar1220]

i have got 50,000 miles om my 07 klr that i bought new. the stock suspension pretty weak. i would bottom it out front and rear riding over a cigarette butt! i upgraded to a cogent dynamic moab rear shock that nc rick built for me. that along with the progressive front spring with emulators completely changed the suspension and made the klr into something you can actually use off rd.

it is still not a dirt bike! but is a very competent adv machine that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and is claw hammer reliable. after sorting the suspension... the brakes should get some attention. they are bout as weak as stock suspension.

every bike has it's quirks... and if i could only have one bike, i would keep my trusty klr!

[MICRider]

If I was in the market for a new KLR I would jump on the new model with the upgraded suspension and seat .

I really enjoy my KLR, pretty much the perfect bike for me!

[FastDoc]

The KLR is always a great bike.

I have had 4 ad probably will wind up with another someday.

It's suspension was soft, especially for it's weight.

Also, not a critisism but an observation, it is about the least powerful 650 I've ever ridden. There has GOT to be more juice in that motor.

[MICRider]

Lol, they're definitley not high powered by any means .
I've ridden a mildly modified one and it had quite a bit more pep than my stocker. I suspect that the motor being so understressed contributes to it's impressive longevity.

[FastDoc]

I'm sure you are right.

Like a Gold Wing. Only 125 HP out of 1850cc. Understressed but that's what it takes to go 300,000 miles.

My airplane engine makes 180 HP out of 360 cubic inches. VERY understressed but it's all about longevity and reliability.

My YZF makes 43 (or so) HP out of 400cc. Very much not made for longevity, although it is holding up perfectly.

[MICRider]

On a side note, my old GL1200 feels like a regular rocketship compared to my KLR, and it's like... A hundred years older!

Love to take a 1800 for a spin sometime but they still command crazy prices in my neck of the woods

[FastDoc]

The GL1800 is an excellent performance bike. It handles the mountains like an obese sportbike. Picture an Olympic athlete who puts on a few pounds but continues to work out. Does not have the athletic look anymore but can still perform 90% as well.

If I'm riding aggressively, and on my game, I don't have any riding buddies who I can't keep up with, or leave behind, no matter what they are riding.

The exception is my buddy Scott on his Ducati... I can barely keep up with him when I'm onb my Ducati!

[FastDoc]

STILL,

If I had to do it all over again, I would not have gotten the Wing. Although I love it, it was a concession to an unhappy (ex)wife. I had an Interceptor prior which suited me better.

As I age though, the WIng is better and better, and I can ride it very fast and very far.

Still, a BMW GTL1600 would be a better match for me.

[SpudRider]

I'm glad to see Kawasaki is still making improvements to the bike. I think the extra $100 for suspension improvements is money well spent. Of course, Kawasaki has been making this bike a long time, and has recouped the research and development costs a long time ago. Therefore, they could have improved the suspension as a standard feature, and not added another c-note to the purchase price.

[MICRider]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I'm glad to see Kawasaki is still making improvements to the bike. I think the extra $100 for suspension improvements is money well spent. Of course, Kawasaki has been making this bike a long time, and has recouped the research and development costs a long time ago. Therefore, they could have improved the suspension as a standard feature, and not added another c-note to the purchase price.

Very true! Kawasaki has had a good run with the KLR, and has many avid (or is that rabid?) fans. It is good to see them making improvements vs replacing the old girl

[FastDoc]

The KLR is almost unchanged since its introduction in 1984. It's an excellent design to have no major changes in 30 years!

[SpudRider]

Indeed, the KRL650 is a great bike, and probably the ultimate adventure motorcycle.

Incidentally, I wasn't trying to be too negative regarding the extra $100 for the suspension improvements. I am cynical about Honda removing the grease zerks from my XR650L and the oil cooler from Doc's XR250. Therefore, I resent it when I think a company is trying to maximize profits on a long term, best selling motorcycle.

It takes a while to start making profit on a new motorcycle design. However, Honda has been making the XR650L for 21 years, and has recouped the R&D costs a long time ago. Yet, in 2003 Honda remove 3 of the 4 grease zerks from the bike's rear suspension.

My hat is off to Kawasaki for making major revisions to the KLR650 in 2008, and further improving the suspension with this special edition. It's obvious Kawasaki is committed to continue improving this great motorcycle.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Therefore, they could have improved the suspension as a standard feature, and not added another c-note to the purchase price.

True. That said, it still strikes me as a bike with good value, especially when compared to the cost of the new 700cc Kymco scooter. I know which bike I would choose.