Does a Kawasaki KLR 650 make a good touring bike?
Best Answer – Chosen by Asker
Other Answers (2)
yes it makes a great touring bike
For the 2008 model, the dual sports bike has improved markedly in areas such as fairing design. Kawasaki has been reported as saying that a lot of time was spent on improving the fairing to reduce wind buffeting at high speeds – something which would be well appreciated by riders on long distance trips across the country.
It is still based on the same engine which is fed by a carburetor instead of fuel injection – to improve reliability and ease of maintenance. Engine power is said to be dramatically improved with revised cam timing, better ignition mapping and a modified cylinder head with new intake porting, better piston rings which reduce oil consumption as well as a new, seamless exhaust pipe that allows for more efficient exhaust flow.
The suspension and brakes have been uprated. The new 41mm front forks are better sprung and shortened from 9.1 inches to 7.9 inches to give a taut, smooth ride on the road. The rear wheel travel has also been reduced from 8.1 in. to 7.3 in to give better road handling.
The bike is still pretty capable of going off-road, even with a lower ride height.
However, it would be worth pointing out that with a dry weight of 386 pounds and 21-inch front rim and 19-inch rear one – the bike’s handling albeit good for something of it’s size – is not nimble like a dirt bike.
Several new refinements make the KLR650 an even more credible tourer. There’s a larger rear luggage rack that’s 3.5 in. longer and 5.1 in. wider than the old rack, and a new, narrower tail section which makes it easier to mount saddlebags. A large 6.1-gallon fuel tank and an engine that sips fuel sparingly mean the KLR650 retains its fantastic range between petrol stops.
The instrument panel has a speedometer, tachometer, odometer, trip meter and water temperature gauge.
But some people may still struggle to understand what the KLR 650 is all about. To be truthful, I too didn’t understand initially why the KLR 650 kept on selling for so long.
When I collected the bike, and looked it over – I must say that it didn’t really entice me the way – say a Versys did. It was drab looking and seemed outdated despite the facelift. But riding the single on the way back – I began to get a feel of what the bike was all about. It cruises along very comfortably at 130km/h.
It’s not fast, but the engine putters along feeling like it could maintain this speed all day.
Then there is the reliability track record. KLRs have long been favoured by long distance tourers. The US army also purchases them in large numbers.
For some reason, in the world of bikes – there has always been a lot of passion involved. After all, isn’t motorcycling about passion? Isn’t being hunched over a cramped supersports the very defination of motorcycling?
But the legions of KLR 650 fans around the world have found out that there is something even more useful than passion.
These riders understand that simplicity, trustworthiness and practicality are useful attributes for a bike. Especially if you are the type of person that departs on epic journeys into far off regions where there is rarely a well-lit service centre in sight.
so u can guess what kind of bike it is. A great one
- PH2 ridden: Kawasaki W800 – PistonHeads
- Kawasaki Eliminator 125 Review Best Beginner Motorcycles
- Kawasaki Motorcycle: The Eliminator 125 Then and Now
- 2008 Kawasaki Concours 14 Sport Touring Motorcycle – Full Review of the…
- 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 650r Review: 40,000 Miles Later
