2022 Kawasaki KLR650 First Ride Review | Road and Off-Road Test 

Check out the full review at: www.advpulse.com/adv-news/2022-kawasaki-klr650-review/

My wife and I just purchased two of the KLR 650 adventure versions 2022 and we've wridden for decades on the street now we're going to try and ride some moderate adventure riding now that we're 60 years old and looking forward to another type of cycling

ADV Pulse needs to use Steve Kamrad in more if not every review! Hands down the best motorcycle journalist out there; knowledgeable, can relate to the bikes purpose and who it's for, understands the entire spectrum of riders, happens to be one of the best riders out there and rides it like he stole it which is exactly how many of us ride our bikes! Watching other reviewers struggle on basic trails is a joke but you know if Steve is on that bike he is gonna push it harder than you can which inspires confidence in his reviews along with the fact he is honest. And yes, his antics that might get him in hot water with demo bikes from time to time (just my guess from other awesome video's he has done) but he is the absolute best! The guy has style and moxie for days - The World Needs More Steve Kamrad!

I just bought a 2022 klr 650, only putted around town on it so far I’m also super new to riding Street legal in general but I love this bike it’s easy to ride so much fun. I grew up on dirt bikes nothing crazy though, in my opinion this bike is perfect for starting out.

One of the better reviews I have seen on the new KLR!! I own a 2007 KLR and its my beat down these Iowa gravel roads bike. I also own a 18 Road Glide and for some reason, I smile just as much if not more, when riding the KLR. I rode bigger adventure bikes but for some reason I just keep the KLR. I guess I really dont feel like I need 150 HP to ride down gravel roads. I rode the new KLR base model and just didnt feel like there is enough difference to warrant the price. The nice thing about the old bike is that I can rebuild anything that breaks however nothing ever does!!

The intro music put this video over the top kewl 😄🤙

I like the ending ,that was great. thanks

It’s a excellent bike for its price point! Only $6700 for the base model!

still riding my '88 ;)

Really liked your review. I was looking at a Himalayan for the last year doing research and went on a trip to Johnson City, Tennessee and stopped by a kawasaki dealership their, and they had a Himalayan and right next to it a KLR. First time seeing both. Fell in love with the KLR. Thank you for the info. Makes my last year of research worthless. Now it's which version KLR I want to get, thinking of the abs version and doing aftermarket parts to finish it off, as I did not like the saddlebags on the top of the line one

Hello from Spain. I like your videos.

As someone who owns a 2007 KLR, I REALLY don't like the new one. The dash is huge and has so much wasted space in it, I HATE that the ABS is either non-existent, or on, your can't toggle it, and the frame being one piece and NOT having a subframe is foolish, trust me, my subframe is currently cracked, THANK GOD IT BOLTS ON SO I CAN JUST TAKE IT OFF AND REPLACE IT RATHER THAN HAVING TO TOTAL THE WHOLE BIKE BECAUSE THEY DECIDED TO MAKE IT A UNIBODY. The non- toggleable ABS and the unibody frame ruin it for me

Dr.Disrespect!

Doohickey schmoohickey. Internet lore. I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy who’s cousin had one fail.

Great bike if you’re poor.

Loved your review! You nailed it with your oservation that the KLR is like a wheelbarrow and that it gets all Cs while still making the honor role. My first KLR was a '94 and my current one is a 2014. I'm 75 years old and ride about 750 miles a month.

Don't worry about the stuff you don't like, just modify the hell out of it. It's the KLR way.

Nicely done. The KLR650. Basic good fun for the average rider. Which is what most of us are.

If you have a KLR, *particularly* a camo one, you will get non stop comments about how amazing it looks. It gets far more love from non riders than you can possibly imagine.

Man, I got the new KLR base model, I love it !

Best comment ever, "it gets all Cs but somehow makes the honor roll."

So basically if you liked the old KLR you'll love this one. If you didn't you still won't.

I just bought my adventure model. I’m a cruiser/Harley guy, but I love the KLR. I bought mine to ride between my house in Mexico to work in San Diego.

Yes. Yes it is. I owned a 2017 and my new Adventure model is way better than the gen 2. Holds 90mph all day and solid as a rock, but still a donkey!

Just purchased one of these beasts. Appreciated your honest review and it’s the bike I’m after at 55 for around the farm, picking up some smokes and disappear now and then for the weekend. $11K AUD on road. 🍺

I like the way you did this review. And lots of good footage. Best Wishes! M.H.

Really wish Kawasaki made a branded milk crate as an accessory 😜 Nice Job Kawasaki, new KLR looks good

Hey Brothers we loved your review so much we shared it on our facebook page, as we have a stable of these bikes. Thanks for making a great video! Cheers!

We rode into the backcountry of Northern Canada on our 2022 KLR650s researching Climate Change Mitigation. What a cool ride. B. Bowman CEO Camden Loche Inc

I picked my ABS model 2022 up for 5399.00. Kawasaki is offering dealer rebates. Dealer should pass to you.

This will sell like hell!

Yes, the Doohickey is not done, which is ridiculous from Kawasaki for all this time, Kawasaki USA should have done a deal with Eagle Mike Eng, for saving so many KLRs.

After having owned a 2006 KLR I will state that any KLR is an extremely rewarding ride although many of my friends have the "must" silly massive GS 11-1250s the honest truth is a KLR below 70mph will do everything the blimp will. I do hope more people break out of the designer accessory Beemer to discover one of these. It was way too tall for me and it could never be lowered enough, saying that the ride 5-11 and over will find it such a blast.

"The New Digital Dash is a Step Up over the older Analog dash"??? What? The New dash Does NOT have a Tachometer? Your dumbass response is that you run every gear up to the Rev Limiter. dumb! The reason the KLR had a "Cult" was that there were NOT a lot of other dual sport bikes to pick from at the KLR's affordable price (my 2008 cost $4200 new). I'd buy a new Triumph Tiger 900 Rally if they didn't cost so ridiculous much. THE REASON KAWASAKI MADE THE NEW KLR FUEL INJECTED WAS TO MEET THE 2020 NEW AIR POLLUTION STANDARDS. They could NOT sell a carburated bike anymore. My carburated KLR has never had a carb failure, gets 50MPG and runs cool.

The JT 16 tooth sprocket fits an it makes way better riding in 5th and no extra clutching at launch. Torque easily handles it. No need for a 6 speed folks $20 fix and less vibes. What a bike. Now 2nd gear does roosters!!!!

Yeap Great Review from ADVPulse as always 🏍🇨🇷 🐕

As a solid C student during my high school years, i feel for this bike. Lol

Great review. I just picked one of these up a couple of months ago as a second bike, and it is a blast! Thanks. New sub!

I know I can't compare my late 80s KLR 650 with the new(er) ones. Mine was an utter turd and has steered me away from wanting a new one. But, the great reviews don't lie and maybe mine just left a bad taste in my mouth. Seems like an awesome bike.

If it weights now same as V Strom 650 I wouldn't go with two cylinder Suzuki.

I will recognize this terrain anywhere!! Taos, New Mexico ❤ Glad to see northern new mex getting appreciated

90 mph! What, did you throw it down a mineshaft? 😀

Have a 2011 that needs a cylinder rebuild and a 2009 that's a placeholder or maybe a keeper😁🔫 Have been all over Canada and the north west States(x2) with that 2011. They are my daily ride and my dirt bike. Don't mind the old carb and cleaning it. The EFI will still need maintenance but won't miss the cold choking every time the bike is off for half an hour or loss of power at altitude. I will never forget the guy at the bar in Alpine, Wyoming..."you guys came all the way from Ontario on those dirt bikes?" If your just starting to get into travelling off a bike or the mid sized adv type riding. The price, fuel range and simplicity, will determine if your ready for more or to move onto a different bike. You'll still get the wave from me✌😁

Thanks Man, Great and Objective Review.

Doohickey has been improved on the new model and should not need to be replaced but only time will tell if it's enough of an improvement

The Gen 3 is MILES ahead of the Gen 2. I can’t believe how much better it handles off-road compared to my farkled Gen 2. It’s a night and day difference. It’ll also do the Ton (100mph).

Bought my 22 adventure in nov 21. Today is early jan 23 and i have 15000 miles on. Great bike!

Isn’t the royal enfield Himilayan the direct competition for this?

I own a 2024 KLR Adventure. Added a pair of studded foot pegs and Acerbis hand guards; the stock soup bowls had to go! Simple, efficient, agile, excellent gas mileage and handles really well on tarmac and off-road. Two upgrades I’d be excited to see: A 6th gear and a KLR900! A pinch more power for freeway speeds would be a game changer.

Weird not having a tach, the data is being acquired for the FI, it would be a simple matter of adding a program to the display.

Desafortunadamente no le modificaron / mejoraron el problema del tensor de la cadena interna Que pena 😠😡

What a fantastic review!

After watching tons of KLR videos, and now buying one, I've determined this is a mediocre bike for a mediocre rider. "Me" LOL.....

I own a 2022 KLR. I wouldn't suggest going over 80.The aerodynamics of the bike isn't made for that speed. A little wind under the front fender will lift the front end up. Had it happen. Promised the almighty that if he got me out of it, I wouldn't do it again 🤪

the big issue I have with my KLR 650 is on windy days on the highway. not very good at crushing miles when you have to go slow because the bike gets shoved around like crazy when its really windy which is always the case here in Texas. As far as the other issues people have like top speed, gear indicator and tac, I personally like having a bare bones bike when I am putting it through off road use.

Yeah, I those two Australian guys that just go on and on about the ABS / the brakes didn't seem to think it through or fully test, because it will lock up the Rear tire for just a second and a half so you can still start a drift through a dirt corner. Also they do this silly thing where he rides down a steep hill riding the brakes with the clutch in??? like dude, its a thumper the primary brake is 1st gear. haha. They also seemed to forget its only a 500 lbs bike, it feels light for its weight and the breaks actually work amazing in my humble opinion.

KLR guys are like Harley guys; we just happen to wave at anyone on the road. :)

How many ways can he say the bike is a turd but still be nice well it’s linear it was kind of enjoyable being on a motor that didn’t provide a lot of power did I mention the motor is linear how many times

I'd rather see someone actually ride it than show little bits and pieces of it going down the road and someone standing in front of it talking.typical review though.I already know what all it comes with.doesnt everybody? what I don't know is how it handles loose gravel,climbs hills, how hard is it to pick up.just lay it down and pick it up, not asking you to crash it or anything.anyway deja Vu video.

SO - I'd be able to comfortably keep up with my Harley buddies on their 100 mile highway/thruway/turnpike-only trips? Thank you!

"why does someone love this bike" I just bought my second KLR, a 2007 gen1 with 1900 miles on it for $1k. Bike is in great shape and runs like a scalded dog.

ive had two of these and drove the living snot out of them... I loved them but they are way too heavy and wallowy for anything but a dirt road. The suspension is the major letdown on this bike. its completely piss poor and ghetto and is a total fail. The motor may have been good 30 years ago but its weak as hell now and hwy driving aint fun because the motor is so stressed trying to keep up with traffic. God forbid you end up in a rut on a dirt road or in any kind of sand.... expect to eat the dirt

A class of its own??? Tenere 660 is a fuel injected single cylinder adv bike.

I own a Harley-Davidson Heritage and just bought a new 2023 KLR 650 Traveler. I live in Las Vegas Nevada and I wanted to ride in off road areas that I wouldn’t dare take my Heritage. The price of the KLR was only 1/4 of what I paid for the Harley-Davidson Heritage😎🏍️

Thanks for sharing!

I have the new adventure model when do you recommend the doohickey? Or should I not worry about it.

people love KLRs for 1 reason. price. it will go anywhere for dirt cheap.

Excellent review… like many who watched this video…. I had a KLR. The sound of that motor brings back good memories!

I loved my 2011 klr. My brother rides it now. I am torn between buying the new klr and the dr650. I lean toward the dr650 just because it is lighter. The klr is very comfortable though. Great review.

Iv been told tgat theres a stroke kit for it to help on the highway. But idk if thats true

Will suit me...I'm a C... kind of guy..

I had a 2008 model for a while; I didn’t like it and won’t own another one.

[pause] The fake non-KLR motor sounds in the first 20 seconds immediately makes me sceptical of your review. [unpause]]

I read were changes were made to the dohicky. Improvements to the cam chain guides and a different metal on something ???

dude you were looking at the wrong side in reference to the Doohiky!

C+ come on…… lol

Homerun on this review. I've owned a 2008' model and just bought this 2022 adventure model. I'll be tackling BDR's and possibly the TAT with this one.

How I wish it would have been a six speed dual cylinder!

Heavier & less power .. yea sure it’s better .. wink wink !

amo tu tshirt mate,,, cheers from guanajuato, mx.

I really wish he would have told us if it was "linear" or not. That was my main question....;)

I switched to a horse 🐎

Great review 👍

New to motorcycling, I own a ninja 400, I hit the twisties as often as I can and make all my longer commute/highway trips on it. I mob a grom to work as a daily. Interested in “adventure riding” and possibly riding 2up and longer road trips. Would the KLR 650 be a good bike for that?….. In your opinion?

I bought a KLX 300 dual sport a little over of a month ago. I've been approached by KLR riders 3 different times at the gas station so far lol

Surely a better dashboard wouldn't have cost them that much to do

I call shenanigans. This bike wont do 90 MPH. Not ONE review that I've seen has gotten this bike above 77 MPH. Maybe downhill into a black hole with your cat driving, almost out of gas and a tailwind.

I mean I went across Canada with my DRZ 400 sm...so I'm pretty sure I could handle this on long trips. One thing I don't understand (maybe its age) that people are afraid to ride non conventional bikes longer distances. Man up ladies.

Had an 08 KLR650 that thing used oil. Did Kawasaki fix the oil consumption issue with these engines?

Kawasaki really screwed the pooch on this!!! They could have swapped in the Vulcan S engine and taken on the T7 for thousands less

What the difference between “super-frantic” “super-performance” and just ‘frantic’ and ‘performance’? Is this just his lack of ability to articulate himself as an adult, instead of a teeny-bopper millennial, or does it mean something?

Just picked mine up. Great bike. I am a long time, experienced rider. Have had the biggest bikes available from all manufacturers. This is simple and fun. Compared to Harley , it is a very light bike. Buy it. Its a great bike.

Price is an A+ And you forgot to mention the most important thing on any motorcycle. The TYRES!! We're the OEM tyres any good?

Steve! You gotta have a talk with RU-vid and tell them to notify me whenever you put up a video in any realm. lol I liked what you had to say about the Gen III. I bought a 2018 and didn't even get 100 miles on it, decided to tear into it and start modding. I did the drill through and replacement of the main frame bolt, and subframe bolts in the rear. I bought the two popular carb kits, I really need to decide and put one in. Crash bars, thermo Bob, Doo Hickey, blah blah blah... Then crazy Covid hit and life went topsy turvey. It's still torn apart but I'm hoping to get some time in 2022 to get it on the street. I have been enjoying the KLX300, and the Pan Am. Stay frosty my friend!

This bike, IMHO, is for those people, like myself, who used to ride dirt bikes and still want to take one on the road for travel and get that semi-dirt bike feel.

Lol I have had a RubberMaid Action packer as a top case on my 07 KLR for as long as I have owned. Figured I would rock it until I broke it; but it never broke. I loved this bike and I am only selling it because I have moved on to dirt bikes and light ADv bikes.

The music is linear, not really necessary and doesn’t fix the doohickey but makes me feel like i am going 90mph with the wind to my back in a hurricane.

Ugh the dashboard is terrible

If the KLR was a tank, what tank?

All C's? What dual sport bike at this price point has any A's? You've got to grade it on a curve, and at it's price it's straight A's...