Just your average shmucks opinion of the new EFI kawasaki KLR. Sorry for the poor audio, new mic on its way. Covering MPG, Suspension, Windscreen and more
I couldn't agree with you more concerning a tachometer. Been riding bikes for over 50 years and I don't think I ever paid attention to the tach. If ya need more speed toe up, if ya need more grunt stomp down. The engine sound and response will tell you when to shift if your just cruising around. Pretty simple.
Its great to see people getting the new KLR out there and on the road. Thanks for the great review brother. I think this bike will make a lot folks happy. The Adventure package looks really decent. The extra wattage on the electrical is a nice subtle feature for everyone that has a million things charging and getting power.
It’s a nice bike for this price tag! I was expecting just a bit more from Kawasaki but it’s good to hear that the customers are happy with it so far🤙 enjoy the ride
I just got this exact bike last week. The first cold morning I must have flooded it. It does take what seems like a long time to crank when it's cold, 21 degrees F. After learning and building confidence.. Just hold down the start button, after the fuel pump primes, until it starts. It may be only 3 seconds.. but it seems long. I am 53 and I plan on this being my last Motorcycle. I think it's plenty fast for me.
I have a 2015 KLR bone stock , bought it new now have 16,000 miles she gets 49mpg in town and 50-54 highway depending on speed. I change my oil every 3k with Kawasaki oil. I’ve had nothing go wrong zero in 6 years! I ride it daily to work rain or shine. Currently on 3rd set of factory tires, 3rd battery, 3rd headlight bulb second tail light bulb, second front brake pad that’s it ! Enjoy!!!
Did anyone ever change the doohickey? I have my 2017 for sale with 7500 miles and I am getting reamed by everyone for not upgrading it. I have owned it since it was new.
Awesome review. Just picked up my Adventure KLR 650 just like the one in your video. Such an amazing motorcycle, Kawasaki did an amazing job on this bike.
Just purchased one yesterday brand new. Going to ride it right around my country in 6 weeks time. I've got 6 weeks to try and break anything that will break so it's ready and reliable. Cheers from Australia
Hey, I liked you review very much. The doohickey is actually an improved, more reliable component set (lever and spring) for the counter-balancer chain. Being a thumper, without any opposing balance provided by another piston, the KLR requires a set of counter weights driven by a chain to offset the weight of a single large piston. The doohickey is supposed to make this more reliable, especially for higher mileage (over 5000 miles) bikes. Great review! Thanks for sharing your new bike with us.
I think the new KLR is a much improved bike over the gen 2. The only thing they didn't mess with that I wish they had is the doohickey. That thing is just a pain that a guy shouldn't have to deal with and I believe he has to. Nice that you have a choice for ABS or not. I love my 2011 with 24,000 miles on it and won't give it up but I'd buy a new one if I needed to. Thanks for posting. Cool video!
Great review and full of info. I saw that his was posted 4 months ago and wanted to know if you can give us an update on how you feel about your bike now. Also it has been my understanding that the doohickey is an adjustment to the counter balance chain not the timing chain. I noticed a bad vibration all of the sudden on my new KLR and loosened the doo heard a click tightened it back down and no more vibration. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
THANK YOU SO MUCH for this review! I have watched all of them on this bike....and THIS ONE is the FIRST ONE that addressed my questions! I am literally ready to buy one right now and really wanted to hear what someone with a mechanical background....that knows this particular bike had to say about the doohickey and the "thermobob. BIG concerns. I will say that the guy who evidently owns "Eagle Manufacturing" I think it is....has a pretty convincing video on RU-vid about both things. He's the manufacturer of the "fix" for the doohickey and the "Thermobob". My feeling is.....it's Japanese. I've owned lots of Japanese bikes...and NEVER had problems with any of them. They are high quality. I was SO glad to hear you say that you went over the entire engine with a thermal scan thermometer! I have owned 4 of these. I really think that the 2022 is way better from what I 've seen. One question though: How is the clutch? Everyone of the previous ones that I've had....the clutch cables were all too long, and every one of the clutches friction zone was way up high instead of the middle when you let the clutch out. How is this one? (BTW: You are correct. Replacing the stock exhaust removes 10.8 lbs. Quite a bit of weight. But do you really need THIS particular bike to be lighter? That's the question. GREAT review! I'm buying one!
Thanks Ray...I think you'll dig the bike....it's essentially the Gen 2 with fuel injection, less vibration, better seat, more usable fuel, better windshield, LED lights etc....for roughly the same price. Ive since added a ricochet skid plate and am looking forward to some spring rides. Hope you enjoy the bike man!
@@motonomad4900 I BOUGHT ONE....THEY DELIVERED IT ALREADY....AND I JUST RODE IT. IT IS SOOOOO MUCH BETTER THAN THE OLD ONES. SO MUCH BETTER. The dealer put 90 octane REC fuel in it....and honestly....it runs like a bitch! Way more power than my 2018 had....and it fires right up! NO choke! SO FAR.....SO GOOD! I will tell you though.....I found myself looking for the Tach. NOT because I "needed" it.....but because breaking it in.....I want to keep the revs down.....but not lugging it. I know how....it's just there is something about having the tach. Don't forget.....without a proper 6th cog......these things are running just over 4,000 RPM'S all the time.....at 60 MPH. That's pretty high. I love it though. Thanks again for your review. I looked at all of them....and....since I'm NOT going to RACE it off road....the rest of the reviews are pretty useless. Yours......was valuable.
Man. I got the 2022 KLR650 base model sand color no abs, it weighs 456lbs with six gallons of fuel, I'm looking for some crash bar's, it's a hoot to ride, I added a hour tacometer yesterday, it was 30 buck's from Amazon, easy install looks and works great, and no it doesn't need a sixth gear just my 2 cent's !
Agreed, 5th gear is plenty tall.....the additional cost of the R&D it would take to change up the gear box would be unnecessary. My 2nd fill up netted 55mpg. And I don't feel the weight at all once under way
@@212driller yeah thats something I've wondered about. From what I've gathered the oil consumption was mainly at sustained higher rpm cruising, like 75+ mph for long periods
Wow somebody who actually talks sense. Well done sir, but i do not agree with your fuel usage, i've done 1200 kms on my new klr and i'm getting about 360 kms per tank full. Well done you.
I just got one two weeks ago. I'm an old dirtbike dude and I'm digging this bike too. Just wish it had about 15 to 20 more hp. No worry at all to whiskey throttle this bike for sure. Gas gage is way off. It shows empty around 250 miles but you still have 50 miles left. Vibrated the very tip on my pee pee every time I ride it so severely that I have to tape the tip now to keep from having the little fella falling asleep on me.
I put 100k miles on my 1999 klr without changing the doo. Is not the doo that is the problem, is the idiots gorilla tightening the doo screw when they adjust it. To each it’s own
Love the review, have a brand new adventure model in the garage. Waiting for spring to break it in. Actually switched over from H-D . I need something I can get dirty and also super reliable
Nice review - I picked up a base sand color one last week, a much improved KLR than the 2017 model I had a few years ago. I agree about the so-called doohickey and thermo bob 'mandatory' upgrades, always pushed by the people who just so happen to have the 'fix' to sell you! Plenty of very high mileage KLR's out there that haven't had a thing done to them. I have a Z900 and Versys 650 that start instantly too, and my KLR takes just a second or so longer, but starts every time. Probably just a KLR thing, like you said, it's a big piston to get moving.
they are a fix for some people. the spring on my 2015 was eating into the side of my engine case when i did the doohicky conversion. im glad i did the swap. as for the thermobob is does a good job of keeping temps stable.
Hey Man, Thanks for the overview....I'm looking at that same model/version KLR. With ya on comments of tachometer and performance gripes.... I know you said suspension always been soft on klr's, but wondering if aftermarket fork springs / shock recommended. Im 6'1, 215 and planning on light trails, creek crossing, dirt roads and the like. Thanks for vid and any thoughts on suspension.
My opinion is that it's perfectly set up for what you're describing...I'm about the same weight and it doesn't feel overly soft...it's plush and I wouldn't really do much jumping with it but that's not it's intended purpose. I race motocross so any dual sport/adventure bike is gonna feel soft compared to what I'm use to....but I'd say from the factory it's pretty good stock.....now adding 50lbs of luggage may make a difference.
@@motonomad4900 Thanks Man, my buddies ride street-oriented adv bikes so, prob not many jumps on a group ride!! ....save the jumps for a proper dirt bike. Really appreciate your time and insights!
I don't want a tach, but I would like a gear indicator. Just because I like to visually confirm. Especially when I am at higher speed and have a hard time hearing the engine. I would just like to look down and double check I am In the gear I think I am.
Hello, thank you very much for the video. In a video I could see that the pedals are flexible, is this a problem when driving standing up? Is the lack of support very noticeable?
It hasn't been a problem at all but I could see if they got wet it could be an issue....but ideally when you're standing you should be squeezing inward with your legs...I do that instinctively from racing Motocross most of my life. I probably will upgrade the pegs to a more off-road style peg though
Hello mate I was going to buy one of these too , I love the look and the functionality of the klr all I hear is how slow they are what do you think ? I csn not think of another bike that does do much for the price . Like I said I think the new Klr looks amazing. Are you happy with the acceleration? Thanks
Hey Thomas....it's certainly no rocket but it'll pull away from traffic just fine....it may be slow in a drag race compared to modern multi cylinder bikes but it has tons of torque down low and great roll-on power. I've never accelerated from a stop feeling like I needed more power..... actually off road a tame engine can be a great asset...it creates traction as opposed to wheelspin
What difference did u feel when u increased the pre load? I think I heard u say u felt the bike was taller? Im a new rider. Trying to understand the preload. Do I have a stiffer ride? Seems fine at 1 as it came
It will be firmer with less sagging, ultimately the spring rate is the same it's just "pre compressed" to a degree, so yes the seat ride height can fluctuate depending on the pre load. It's as easy to adjust as turning a socket or T Wrench to the left or right.
I have been riding a road king for a long time and I am thinkng of buying this and trying something new with riding on gravel and dirt roads. How does the height of the bike feel or affect your riding? Thanks
so far i havnt liked any of the ad on parts that comes with the adventure, i will most likely get the stock one and ad parts over the months (i have lots of time because i have zero experience on a motorcycle, this will be my first one ever, so i wont be doing any trails for a little while until i get more confident and stuff, the aftermarket parts look cooler to me and everyone i watch that talks about that giant USB port says it's annoying because it flops open all the time and is basically useless, i want to sneak a tachometer in place of it, tbh i want all analog everything, i have plans to eventually source and fit a kick start on it, ive seen it can be done in other videos, i may not want fuel injection either, i just dont want anything to go wrong in the middle of south america that i cant fix in the rain on the side of the trail. (when i get to that point i mean, thats my goal, to eventually go ...everywhere)
Yes the TTR is electric start from the factory. And I got the light kit from rocky mountain atvmc. Very simple to do...just plug and play mostly. The TTR actually comes as a dual sport in Australia so the stator I'd already juiced up a bit for lighting
I've been consistently in the upper 50s... usually 56-57. But I'm actually being more aggressive than I was during the break-in period and getting the same mileage. I'm pretty sure I could break 60mpg if I just cruised constantly at 55 or so.
Should be the perfect setup for a 55 mph commute. Vibration is minimal, wind protection is excellent at 55. And it rides like a Cadillac on 2 lane roads
4:19 thats gotta be the worst thing they could have put on this bike. in every video ive seen on this '22 model, EVERYONE always reaches up and pushes on that cover. im starting to think its gonna turn into a good luck charm. lol
I am honestly surprised they are selling at all. It just sits at an uncomfortable place between the drz400 and yamaha Tenere. The drz does everything the klr does but lighter, better power to weight and still has a carb. The tenere is a little more but brings alot more to the table. All 3 bikes are bulletproof so it's nice to have 3 good choices. I just see the klr as the weakest of the 3.
Ride that DRZ or Tenere for 600 miles and you’ll see where the KLR sits. It’s not really a competitor of the DRZ, Tenere or KTM. This is very entry level spec. It sells because some of us scoff at spending $15K for top of the line.
@@cobbmobileatgmail well. I look at it as it's something you can configure for touring and ride to and back from the trail. The drz is definitely more trail and hates roads. The klr is all roads and hates trail. The tenere kinda does both but at a higher price point.
Ok so did you do the doohickey or not? I have watched a lot of videos and I say why take a chance if anything i will have a peace of mind knowing it won't be a problem down the road on some trail and get stuck because I did not do this upgrade. Just my option
