2008 Kawasaki KLR 650

2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 pictures, prices, information, and specifications.
Year
2008
Parent Company
Kawasaki
Generic Type (Primary)
On-Off Road
Make
Kawasaki
Display Name
KLR 650
Manufacturer Country
Japan
Price
Standard
MSRP
$5,349
Warranty (Months/Condition)
12 / Limited
Engine
Standard
Engine Type
Single-Cylinder
Cylinders
1
Engine Stroke
4-Stroke
Cooling
Liquid
Valves
4
Valves Per Cylinder
4
Valve Configuration
DOHC
Compression Ratio
9.8:1
Starter
Electric
Fuel Type
Gas
Fuel Requirements
Regular
Carburetion
Standard
Carburetion Brand
Keihin
Fuel Injector
No
Carburetor
Yes
Number Of Carburetors
1
Carburetion Type
Carburetor
Bore (mm/in)
100 / 3.94
Stroke (in/mm)
3.27 / 83
Displacement (cc/ci)
651 / 39.7
Carburetor Size (mm)
40
Transmission
Standard
Transmission Type
Manual
Number Of Speeds
5
Overdrive
Yes
Reverse
No
Primary Drive (Rear Wheel)
Chain
Dimensions
Standard
Weight
Standard
Capacities
Standard
Performance
Standard
Length (in/mm)
90.3 / 2293.6
Width (in/mm)
37.8 / 960.1
Height (in/mm)
53.1 / 1348.7
Wheelbase (in/mm)
58.3 / 1480.8
Ground Clearance (in/mm)
8.3 / 210.8
Dry Weight (lbs/kg)
386 / 175.1
Fuel Capacity (gal/l)
6.1 / 23.1
Engine Displacement to Weight (cc)
1.69
Construction
Standard
Frame
Steel
Body Material
Plastic
Foot Pegs
Standard
Foot Peg Location
Driver and Passenger
Adjustable
No
Hand Grips
Standard
Handlebars
Standard
Exterior Guards
Standard
Belt Guard
No
Brush Guard
No
Drive Shaft Guard
No
Engine Case Guard
Yes
Exhaust Guard
Yes
Fork Guards
No
Hand Guards
Yes
Light Guard
No
Saddle Bag Guard
No
Exterior Covers
Standard
Front Fender
Standard
Rear Fender
Standard
Stand
Standard
Stand Type
Kick
Upper Fairing
Standard
Skid Plate
Standard
Steering Control
Handlebar
Front Suspension Type
Telescopic Fork
Front Adjustable Fork Pre-Load
Yes
Front Adjustable Rebound Damping
Yes
Front Central Suspension Strut
No
Steering Damper
No
Rear Suspension Brand Name
UNI-TRAK®
Rear Suspension Type
Twin Sided Swing Arm
Rear Adjustable Shock / Spring Pre-Load
Yes
Rear Adjustable Rebound Damping
Yes
Number Rear Shock Absorbers
1
Air Adjustable
No
Front Suspension Size (in/mm)
1.6 / 41
Front Travel (in/mm)
7.9 / 200.7
Rear Travel (in/mm)
7.3 / 185.4
Wheels
Standard
Tube / Tubeless
Tubed
Tires
Standard
Front Tire Width
90
Front Tire Aspect Ratio
90
Front Wheel Diameter
21
Rear Tire Width
130
Rear Tire Aspect Ratio
80
Rear Wheel Diameter
17
Front Tire (Full Spec)
90/90 R21
Rear Tire (Full Spec)
130/80 R17
Brakes
Standard
Front Brake Type
Hydraulic Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Front Brake Diameter (in/mm)
11 / 280
Rear Brake Diameter (in/mm)
9.5 / 240
Seat Type
One-Piece
Seat Location
Driver and Passenger
Seat Material
Vinyl
Adjustable
No
Folding
No
Seat Specifications
Standard
Number Of Seats
2
Backrest Logo Plate
No
Grab Rail or Strap
Standard
Seat Height (in/mm)
35 / 889
Speedometer
Standard
Tachometer
Standard
Trip Odometer
Standard
Fuel Level Warning
Standard
Fuel Level Warning Type
Gauge
Temperature Warning
Standard
Temperature Warning Type
Gauge
Side Storage Mount
Optional
Tank Bag
Optional
Lockable Storage
Optional
Rear Rack
Standard
Rear Rack Storage
Optional
Saddle Bag (s)
Optional
Type
Halogen
Headlight (s)
Standard
Halogen Headlight (s)
Standard
Rearview Mirrors
Standard
Windshield
Standard
Tinted
Yes
Height
Mid
Height Adjustable
No
Windshield Lowers
No
Satellite
No
Saddle Bag Mounts
Optional
Windshield Mounts
Standard
Paint
Standard
User Reviews
8 reviews
  • Join the KLR Cult and you will love it!
    By  (I am an Owner) on Jul 05, 2010

    I have been riding BMW's for over 30 years and still am a R1150RT rider. My last dual sport was a 2004 R1150GS Adventure. I decided to try a KLR for a change I found the GS too Heavy and the gearing to low to really through it around. Well I love my KLR! it is nimble, smooth and they make a ton of ...

    Join the KLR Cult and you will love it!

    -Craig

    Laconia, NH

    Avid rider for over 30 years

    Read More
  • Adventure bike?????YES
    By  (I am an Owner) on Nov 25, 2009

    If your buying this bike for adventure riding, go ahead. Its an awesome bike and the price is unbeatable. Logging roads and highways this bike loves. Tight technical, no way. As for the power, a $$$pipe and the cheap recommended mod's and it becomes a completely different bike.

    Read More
  • KLR650 Fun and economical
    By  (I am an Owner) on Oct 25, 2009

    I absolutely love my KLR. I put 5100km on the bike this year (about 3000 miles) and have had no problem at all. The longest ride in one day was 780km through the Rocky Mountains in Banff Alberta. The KLR handled the mountains nicely. I got 450km+ on a tank of gas. I changed the oil at 100km, 500km, ...

    Read More
  • 08 klr
    By  (I am an Owner) on Dec 08, 2008

    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,but ...

    Read More
  • Waiting for the Decision
    By  (I am an Owner) on Nov 13, 2008

    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 ...

    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 More
  • No complaints
    By  (I am an Owner) on Oct 07, 2008

    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 ...

    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)

    Read More
  • Great all purpose motorcycle
    By  (I am an Owner) on Sep 16, 2008

    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 ...

    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 More
  • Kawasaki KLR650 - It's the 'King'; but is it all they have in the growing 'Dual-sport' class?!?
    By  (I am a Writer) on Sep 16, 2008

    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, ...

    .... 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

    Read More