This is an unbiased review of the 2023 KLR 650s motorcycle. Geared towards novice riders, who would use the KLR for the average weekend adventure. Connect with me on Facebook! / getlostbrandon
Thanks for the honest review, I traded my KTM 790 adventure for a '23 KLR traveler model and have zero regrets. The KLR is simply fun to ride and can go anywhere reliably, plus it is simple to maintain. The bike is an absolute blast to ride through state forest roads and for camping trips, which is exactly what i got it for. I love how i can just tractor along through anything now. Enjoy the bike, the "smiles per gallon" are worth it.
I got the same 2023 KLRs model . Luv it stock with stock Kawasaki Bags, top trunk , & crash bars. I did add a windshield adjuster . This bike has taken me to the top of Mt. Washington twice already! Luv it !
I have the Gen 2 and I agree with you . I have had mine since 2012 . Got it off of another RU-vid creator. It has been on RU-vid it's entire life. I say it is the jeep of motorcycles and great for old timers or riders getting to be old timers . You get to see the world with them .
Crazy heavy chem trail spray in some of those shots! Great video. Love all the original perspectives. This is not your average review! This is extremely helpful and well done! Thank you!
I’m downsizing from a 1000lb Harley Touring bike to this. I’m about to turn 62. A over 500lb weight reduction will be welcome. The engine sounds like a tractor but that doesn’t bother me. Speed is not important. Being retired all I have is time. I don’t mind driving 65 or less I prefer it. I hate interstates and we don’t have one real close. Reliable and most importantly the ability to take dirt or gravel roads is something I missed on my bagger. It’s not going to cost me anything as my trade in value is double that of a new KLR. Win Win. This bike looks fun to ride and that’s exactly what I’m looking for. Thanks for your review.
As far as wind protection, I got a shield extender and added a wind deflector. Made a substantial difference in buffeting. Also, adding mirror extenders helped, believe it or not.
My KLR is my mule. I can load all my crap on it, It'll take me where I want to go. I won't get there in a hurry but I'll get there. It'll run on interstate highways, 2 lane highways, two track back roads and some trails that aren't challenging. I camp with it, I get groceries with it, I go to the auto parts store and stuff like that. It always starts. You have to maintain it by adjusting the doohickey and putting oil in it. It's burned oil since I got it. I've changed many parts because they make it better, not faster or louder. I love it. I've gone from the Great Lakes to the West Coast many times. As far as the biggest best changes was one tooth bigger on the front and one tooth bigger in the back. Didn't need to use a longer chain, the new one I put on with the sprockets fit perfectly. Get up mule!
Roger on the gearing upgrade. On my 2008 Vstrom 650, they come stock with 15t / 47t sprockets. The engine buzzed a but much for easy highway cruising. Texas is 75 mph most highways & 85 in West Texas. I JUST upped the front 1 tooth to a 16t JT brand cog: Total Game changer ! RPM is now relaxed & engine can easily w/ no strain pull the slightly higher gear. I'm sure mpg will increase & I'm told speedo inaccuracy will be fixed. What an improvement for an $18 cog lol !
I have exactly the same bike (plus skid plate and a lot more scratches and dirt), and I freakin' love it. It can feel top-heavy at times, and every once in a long while I'll air down the front if it gets too squirrelly in loose gravel. I don't usually bother, but I did figure out when it's a step worth the stop for me. Same thing with the preload--unless I have camp gear loaded, I actually find the squishiness easier to manage, and a bit more stable. I scrape it over
Very mater of fact and practical review. You have completed a nice array of adventures during your 1200 miles. I just got over 1200 on mine and have really only had one good adventure so far. I need to catch up. Best of luck on your next 1200 miles and the adventures yet to come.
Great timing for this video. I’m supposed to finally get a test ride on a KLR650 this week. It will probably have to be the regular height KLR but if I buy I’m much more interested in the “S” version as I am 5’ 8”, 30” inseam. I would like to try placing the shorter S seat on the regular KLR to see if that would be enough of a seat height drop, but I do like the feel of the shorter bike. I’m like you in that I don’t plan to do any mods that aren’t really necessary, just the bark busters, the crash bars, and maybe the skid plate. I live in Arizona so our highway speeds are 75mph+, but I’ll try to keep to the slower roads, hopefully dirt roads. My only real concern is getting a flat with a tube-tire. I guess I need to get a center stand too and an extensive repair kit. If I buy one it would be my first KLR, but my 22nd motorcycle so I’m not a newbie. Thanks for your video, you speak my language for sure!
Im not sure of the dealer inventory in your area, but i think an S would be worth waiting for in your scenario. The KLRs are so top heavy, once you give it a little lean at a stop light, it goes from 20 lbs to 500 lbs pretty quickly. I went for the S because i enjoy flat footing. Before the S, some people would just switch the seat out, I know Corbin and seat concepts make a low profile seat. to get that extra inch lower. For the highway, just raise the wind screen a bit, it is adjustable. 70 mph is what i consider my top cruising speed, saving some for passing
@@getlostbrandon My local dealer has several KLR’s of all types so I had my pick. I basically bought it today but I’ll pick it up in the next day or two. Since I rode my 550lb Bandit over there I thought the Adventure model I rode was pretty light actually, no issues with its weight. I can’t say I like it better or worse than my 1250, it’s a completely different feeling, but I liked it, it felt like an easier machine to ride and maneuver. My new adventure starts this weekend. Oh, I decided on the 650 S model, in that attractive gloss gray color.
ah good choice, i originally wanted an Adventure model, but quickly learned the factory accessories are weak. (the panniers are fragile plastic, the crash protection isn't really protection) the light bar is cool though@@louislopez55
I just bought that exact same bike. Candy lime green. Picking it up tuesday. Watching your video helped me make that decision. Thanks for the straightforward info. Is there any Sasquatch activity reported in that area?
Mee too I have a 2008 Vstrom 650. Perfect condition, never been off-road. I'd say the Vee & KLR occupy opposite territory, biased of road / off road opposite like 70/30. In a perfect world I'd have a KLR for when the "dirt mood" strikes. Until then.....
In Oct '23, I did a 2 day 925 mile all hwy/interstate ride. The second day was 550 miles. The KLR is capable and fun. I have a tall windscreen, custom touring seat and a GoCruise throttle lock. I am 6'1", 245 and 69 yoa. If u can do it, a KLR can do it.
Has anyone in here had issues with their 2023 KLR 650's steering bearings? I own a 2023 KLR and I am hearing that many of them had their steering nuts over torqued at the factory. Does anyone else know anything about this issue with some of the '23 models?
Ha! My daughter and i just passed an orange KLR 10 minutes ago and had this same discussion. I wanted an orange but settled for green, which grew on me
Being new to off pavement riding I figure the safety orange color made sense. Just kidding. It was the one they had in the "basic" model @@getlostbrandon
I got a KLR650S for all the reasons you covered here. We don't have any interstates where I live, so I never really have to go above 65. It's really comfortable at 65. I haven't taken it off road yet. I just got my Barkbusters in the mail and I am going to be ordering the Tusk crash guards and pannier racks right soon. Then it's Katy bar the door! One of the things I really appreciate about the S version as a short rider (27" inseam") is that they narrowed the seat as well as lowering the bike. That makes all the difference in the world for me. Thanks for validating my purchase!
i admit im a little on the top end of the "s" height at 5'11" with a 32" inseam. I do find when the bike is more laden with overnight gear, that my knees hit a less than desirable 90 degree angle. It's not quite honda monkey uncomfortable yet, but i am contemplating trading for the full height KLR, or maybe just switching the suspension back. I didn't know that the seat was narrower, that is a good thing for comfort reasons. I already wear padded shorts and find it extends the hours i can ride quite a bit
I've seen some people install the standard KLR Seat to raise the sitting position. I'm the same height as you and the standard KLR minus about an 1 inch would be close to perfect. But, other than the more difficult trails, the standard height is fine. I bet the corbin rally seat would be perfect for you. The better you can reach the ground the better it is in harder off road situations at least for me. I have a new set of tires coming, rear is a slightly taller tire 90 instead of the stock 80, which is suppose to help a little to lower the rpm's at highway speeds and will be changing the front sprocket to the 16t also. the slightly taller rear tire will also raise the bike slightly. For now I'm setting it up for more on road capabilities and for sure will get back to more off road adventures in the near future. just fun to play with it and eventually land on the perfect setup. But, they are great bikes @@getlostbrandon
I love the Kawasski Green. Mine is the orange colour. I got it for a good price, but if I had it my way I'd rather the green. Colour doesn't matter so much in the end though. I love the bike.
@@getlostbrandon I like it a lot. Mine is the red/orange, not bad, as I got it for a good price. If I had bought brand new, I would have insisted on the Green.
People have been complaining about steering issues with the 2023 KLR’s. Apparently a nut in the steering assembly was torqued improperly from the factory and they not only have to be re-torqued but some bearings need to be replaced. Have you noticed any problems taking corners at low speeds, like 10 or15 mph ? Thanks.
i've had zero issues with my steering. I am aware of the issue, but i believe it was only a few hundred KLR 650s that had the issue out of a certain batch number, it had to be an early 2023 model to be affected because Kawasaki caught the defect on their machinery and alerted dealers.
@@getlostbrandon Thanks. Someone in my area is selling their 2023 KLR S. Looks just like yours. Only 600 miles on it and they’re asking about $4,000. I’m think’n that might be a good deal.
I have a 2023 KLR 650 and I am hearing the same thing about the steering bearings. My KLR feels kind of sketchy, doing sharp, low speed turns. I am not sure if it is just me, or the KLR's possibly over-torqued steering nut.
@@lincolnscott5547 I'd take it to the dealer if you haven't yet. It might be one of the few problem ones. I did a lot of slow speed turns when i got mine. I still do, never felt sketchy.
Yeah that was an issue that came up. I think Bodeans Adventures did a video on it. Its only a small percentage of bikes made in early 2023. Mine has had no issues up to 2,500 miles now. It's also possible some shops also just knew of the issue and fix it before leaving the showroom
Oh honestly if you are looking for the single track lifestyle, any of the true dual sports will fit the bill. If you're tall, KTM 350 EXC-F for example, Honda CRF 450L, shorter riders might end up on a TW-200 even. A lighter sub 300 lb bike is really what you want for single track. Not a 500 lb tank which the KLR is.
Hey Bran, how tall are you? I'm 6 ft., but felt that the standard height was too high on my test ride. 73 yo and not an aggressive rider. Considering an S...fire roads and easy ATV trails. thx!
Im just shy of 5'11. if you swap a standard model KLR seat on to the S it will feel taller. My knees get cramped every now and then on the S, and i'm still running a stock seat. The suspension does settle a bit to over time. So what is too tall yesterday may be just right today. I think i would consider the standard model in your case and just expect the added weight of of bars and spare parts on the back to help it settle down.
@@getlostbrandon: Thanks, I've looked at Revzilli briefly. Now I need to know how to lengthen the chain for the change. Thanks for your answer to finding a sprocket.
as i understand, the reason people recommend the front sprocket is because you don't need to lengthen the chain. Changing the rear sprocket would require that im told @@CaliforniaFly
That gearing problem - 1st a bit too long, last gear - too short with a feeling tor one more missing top gear is a problem not only on KLR but maybe the majority of old J adv bikes that where designed in the 80's and they never changed them. It's baffling why they don't fix this things
It's easily fixed but YOU have to wrench a bit. Just upped my Vstrom 650s front cog from stock 15 to 16 tooth. The improvement is unbelievable. The bike now acts like a Highway Gobbler, with relaxed rpms & smoothness like never before. Total cost was $18 for a JT brand cog & 1 hour of my time. I DID watch a great RU-vid tutorial & got to "fine tune & lube" my chain - which is crucial to longevity anyways.
Please be aware new riders!....there's a HUGE difference between "Trail riding"....and "Off-Road Riding". A CRF300 or DRZ400 will go Off-Road, threw mud, rocks, hills, etc....and Rip threw it fast and effectively, they are Light and suspension is Built for clearance and faster Action, they are true Dual Sport bikes(300lbs or so) .....where-as a Trail Bike like KLR is built for Dirt Trails, and light off-roading.....expect to go Much slower threw rougher terrain, and expend a LOT of energy lugging threw such terrains, don't care how strong you are, a 500lbs bike will Drain you fast off-road!(not on dirt trails) And dropping is a Much bigger deal on a 400+ lbs bike.....where-as you can drop a 300lbs bike All Day, and it's literally nothing.
"You can drop a 300lb all day..." as a rider of a yz450fx that weighs 296lbs you Sir are way out of line. I am plenty string and rife enough and after 6 dumps (IN THE TRAILS) my back and quads (from lifting the bike off the trail floor) are toast.
Lol you must be a smaller fella? I'm 58 and still go to gym and dead lift 400 pounds for reps.. lol I pick up my KLR 650 with little to no effort.. lol benefit of having a strong back and legs .. I have stopped and helped other guys pick up there bikes and they always asked how did I do that so easy ? Back in my 30s I had a 675 dead lift.. these days I can't do that anymore but 400 for 5 reps easy
@@getlostbrandon no. I put it on yesterday and it takes two people to get the bike pull the bike backwards to use it. And that was in the dirt. Concrete is impossible. It adjustable.
thats why i always bring a book of matches. A machine with 6 gallons of fuel is sure to send up a large enough mushroom cloud that I will be seen from at least 10 miles away if something goes wrong, and $6,000 is cheaper than search and rescue!
@@xnihilo1044 You're right! And so does the XR650L. So, I don't know why I only hear this complaint about the KLR. They all have 5 gears, and there's probably a good reason for it. I apologize, I just never heard anyone complain that the DR650 only has 5 gears, and I thought i heard someone recently day it had 6 🙂 anyway, so does my 1971 CB350 and 1971 R60/5 only have 5 gears. I checked the Suzuki website, and it doesn't say how many gears in the specifications. Thanks for the correction.
Meeehhhh. It's more like your grandpas gravel road bike. I have found on the technical or more challenging terrain or road surfaces, it can not cut it.
