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Great all purpose motorcycle

I purchased the 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 when it first hit the dealers in mid 2007. I had been looking at an affordable all purpose motorcycle and hadn't found one that would allow me to cover the 120 mile round trip for work three times a week in comfort, look good and allow me to look for adventure ...down the dirt road. A neighbor had a 2007 KLR and while it would do what I wanted, I wasn't happy with the look of the bike. Enter the 2008 KLR.

When I first saw the bike on my weekly visit to my local dealer, I told the sales person who had been more the patient with me that I would "take it". His response was that "we will need to order one in for you". After 6 weeks of waiting I got to ride my new motorcycle home.

After 5,000 miles of travel in differing conditions I can say with out a doubt that this is one of the best "do it all" motorcycles I've owned. It won't set any speed or acceleration records, but it will get you from point A to point B comfortably. It will out perform many street only motorcycles on tight and rough pavement and if there is something you want to see at the end of a dirt or gravel road, no problem.

If you are looking for an affordable, reliable and fun all purpose motorcycle, consider the 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Read Full Review

Kawasaki KLR650 - It's the 'King'; but is it all they have in the growing 'Dual-sport' class?!?

I don't think so. But it's all that is listed here, in their Kawasaki "On-Off Road" category in the 'Drop-down menu'! Ol' Uncle Kawi has a couple surprises for you; one under each sleeve.



On one side of the excellent new KLR650 they now have another high performance, street legal, ...enduro type (street legal, with lights) of single - the KXL450E. That's one heck of an off-road performer, for which the KLR is no contest with-in that environment! Of course, the 'do everything' KLR650 (the 2008 boasts a first re-design in many years) is a superior street and touring bike, of long time note, in it's class! No slouch off road either. Enough of a great new combo that I bought the first '08 which showed up on a dealer showroom floor in our area, west of Portland, Oregon. Hard to believe you can get this caliber of motorcycle for "under $6000 out the door"! Then, ....

.... yup, you probably guessed my next move? Well, I missed not having as much power on the street/Hwy (as my former V-Strom DL1000 spoiled me there - a great road performer but a wobbly heavy pig off road). If any of you actually guessed that I became lucky once again and got the first delivered, shinny red, Kawasaki Versys 650, you'd be right on! Both bikes from MotoSports of Hillsboro, Oregon. The Versys is an outstanding all-around bike! But I'm here to let the true 'Dual-purpose' affectionados, who may be ready for a change, know about the best value anywhere for a motorcycle in the mid-range size class of these popular bikes.

Of a certainty, I'm referring to the new 2008, and onward "ho", Kawasaki KLR650 multi purpose bike. And 'multi' it is! Even though I wanted a bit faster bike, especially given that I had become a 90/10'er - an almost entirely pavement riding motorcyclist.

However, the '08 KLR650's improvements are significant and real! The single, 4-valve head, powerplant has gained it a few ponies throughout most of the RPM power-band range. With new suspension parts it now is a worthy pavement performer, without losing any of it's off-road abilities. More comfy seat, more protective windshield, and MUCH BETTER LOOKS round out the main improvements. Now ....

.... get this! The new KLR is a genuine candidate for all-around after-market performance equipment. The list is long, so I'll just mention the main ones - and let you have fun 'net searching for the many moderate change-ups available. ... For more power (good usable power), purchase the dealers/websites/magazines recommended "common three-some" - low restriction exhaust pipe, low restriction air filter, and the Dyna-Jet PC III (an EUC Commander, which sets everything to run right). I'd also strongly recommend an immediate upgrade to better tires! If you are a 50/50 on/off rider it's hard to beat the Metzeler Karoo's. If you are about a 70/30 rider (the majority of true dual-purpose riders) you simply can't beat the Michelin Anakee's! The 90/10 guys (and there are a lot of you) would do very well with the Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires. Stay with the stock sizes! And ---->

Get out there and have a blast on most days the rest of your healthy life!

Steve Hanson
reeltruth1@yahoo.com

P.S. - Computer files crash, so I'll have to look for alternatives later. Let me know procedure and time-lines for that. Thanks much.

Steve


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Waiting for the Decision

My personal experience hasn't been that great. I purchased the bike in May of 2008, soon after, the bike sprang a coolant leak, and the rear right blinker disintergrated... so it went to the shop, they didn't fix the leak and the blinker was on 'back order'. Fast forward a few weeks, I noticed the... oil was burning fast. 400 miles and 1 quart down. So, back to the shop it went, but this time I my front blinkers had fallen off along with the burning oil. After another week and the shop not being able to fix the problem, I took the bike to another shop, (at the suggestion of Kawasaki) and they ordered the blinkers, that were on back order (again) and called Kawasaki. Kawasaki told them to have me ride the bike and bring it back after the oil couldn't be seen in the window. So I took the bike on a 500+ mile ride (see video) had a GREAT time, and of course upon my return, there was no oil... so as I am typing this, my bike is once again in the shop ... waiting on Kawasaki to make a decision about the oil and I will finally get new blinkers :)
Once I get the bike back, I am HOPEFUL that I will get to have long rides and no fear of the bike breaking down. :) Because above all, you gotta love the ride! Read Full Review

No complaints

Decided to get back on a bike after nearly 20 years. I wanted something easy to ride and relearn the whole thing. The KLR is a bargain. It's one of the cheapest bikes out there. You get a lot for your money.

Positives:

Price

Great handling

decent power

simple maintenance

Your not going to ...trip over 20 of them in the parking lot.
Goes nearly anywhere, yet is a great commuter
cheap to insure

Negatives:
Let's face it: it doesn't scream quality
Could use more top end power
Exhaust note straight from lawn tractor
odd appearance
6-speed would be nice
Kawasaki is not very supportive of known issues (rubber rot and the doohicky)

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08 klr

purchased my bike in july 08 and have taken this bike up some serious fsr's/loggin roads,at times thought i had bent rims blown tires. This bike performed like a dream. For me it's a awesome machine and i ride my way to the mountains over 100 miles. I think all bikes will have lemons in the batch,bu...t try and and get a klr owner to sell! good luck Read Full Review