20 Things You Should Know About: The KLR650

This entry is part 20 of 22 in the series Adventure Rider Issue #2

The KLR650 is one of those bikes that, despite not being a technological marvel or built to claim a RallyRaid crown, has a legion of fans worldwide. It’s revered for its simplicity, reliability and comfort. We wondered if there was room for improvement in such a great bike, so had a word to Evan Byles in South Australia. With a lifetime of racing and riding on- and off-road, and South Australia’s biggest dealership under his care, he’s had plenty of experience with the Kwaka.

“The price is a massive factor in the KLR’s appeal,” revved Evan, from the comfort of SA Motorcycles. “If you want to buy a European bike that’ll do the same thing, you won’t get out of it for less than $15,000. Without haggling you can grab a KLR for $8500, registered in your name, with 22 litres of 98 octane in it, and you can ride that bike straight off the dealer floor to Port Augusta, Cape York…anywhere you like. It’ll do the job.”

Evan has seen some damn good motorcycles, but in his opinion the KLR is really exceptional.

“I had a customer come in and he’d put some dirt through his motor and he was bit worried about it. It’d done 150,000km. He brought in the piston and barrel, but only ended up buying rings and gaskets, and then put it back together.

“That’s normal with the KLR. We’ve seen multiple KLRs that have done 150,000km and have never had the motor apart.

“Not a lot of people do that many kilometres on a single motorbike.”

We figured that must’ve been a drawback for a dealer. If the bikes just keep going and going, that’s a whole lot less bikes Evan will sell over the years.

“There’s always another customer,” sidecarred Evan. “I’m better off when they’re happy. And I’m a motorcyclist first up and businessman second. I love to offer people a bike as good as the KLR.”

So here’s Evan’s tips for getting the best from Kawasaki’s adventurer:

1. The KLR650 is one of the most popular adventure bikes in Australia because Kawasaki has considered the changing role of this type of bike over the last 20 years. Key improvements to the KLR that have made it the first choice for many riders are: a large, 22-litre tank, frame-mounted fairing, a large pack rack and a heavy-duty rear frame, bashplate, comfortable long-distance seat, strong brakes and a high-output alternator.

2. The Australian market complies with Australian Design Rules. That means severe intake and carburettor restrictions that result in less than half the power of the US model. Some easy modifications will increase power output massively without increasing exhaust noise. Most Kawasaki specialists are well-versed in the carburettor-slide and air-box derestriction. The cost is very modest, and it’ll be the best money owners will ever spend.

3. The Dunlop Trailmax tyres supplied with the KLR650 are a great bitumen/hard-dirt road tyre. If you’re going to use the KLR on slippery surfaces and need off-road grip, the Pirelli MT21 Rallycross is a great choice.

4. SW Motech crash bars are very popular and do a very good job of protecting the front of the bike.

5. SW Motech also makes a centrestand for the KLR. It makes it easier to oil the chain and remove the rear wheel when you’re not in a workshop.

6. Buy yourself a spare Twin Air or Kawasaki OEM airfilter element. These are easy to change and take very little space to carry.

7. Add an eight-millimetre box spanner, socket or T-bar to the toolkit. The sidecover needs to come off for airfilter access, and that needs an eight-millimetre. For some reason it was overlooked in an otherwise comprehensive standard toolkit.

8. The shock is easily adjusted for spring preload with the 12mm box spanner included in the on-board toolkit.

9. Upgrade the grips to adjustable heated units from Oxford. The KLR has plenty of electrical capacity for extras like this.

10. It’s very common to come across a KLR650 with in excess of 150,000km on the original engine. These bikes are very robust units.

11. While the standard headlights are very good, if you want even more light up front the twin H7 halogen bulbs can be easily upgraded to twin HID bulbs for triple the output.

12. The standard high-density plastic bashplate offers excellent crankcase and frame protection with very little noise reflection.

13. Australian manufacturer B&B offers an alloybash plate for extra heavy-duty coverage.

14. The first major service is not due until 24,000km, when the suspension and steering should be inspected, adjusted (if necessary) and lubricated.

15. Valve clearances aren’t scheduled for checking until 42,000km.

16. While there are suspension upgrades available for the KLR650, most owners are very happy with the standard suspension. Make sure it’s serviced regularly to keep it working well.

17. For even more torque and power, Staintune here in Australia manufactures a maintenance-free performance exhaust system that’s recommended for its quality.

18. Barkbusters can be fitted, but most owners are happy with the standard hand protection. The standard gear offers great wind and lever protection.

19. If you’re going outback or filling from jerry cans, fit an inline fuel filter between the tank and the carbie.

20. The KLR650 is supplied with no rim locks. This is to prevent valves being pulled out of tubes. It’s fine when used with the standard tyres and no less than 25psi tyre pressure. If using more aggressive tyres or lower pressures, rim locks should be fitted in opposing pairs and the wheels balanced.

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