02 Oct Two Wheelin’: Kawasaki KLR650
Workshop technician JP du Plessis takes to the handlebars in a regular series about bikes. This month he defends the reputation of his personal machine…
The Kawasaki KLR650 has been offered for sale since 1987, with the only major updates being made in 2008 and 2022. In the first of these, the trim, fairings, headlight and fork were redesigned, which changed the look of the motorcycle entirely and improved stability on the open road. After being out of production for three years from 2018, another cosmetic redesign was introduced in 2022, which saw the addition of fuel injection, ABS and an adjustable screen amongst others. However, although this latest model is not available in South Africa.
While many modern bikers may turn up their nose at the KLR due to the tractor-like performance (only 40 hp – 30 kW), there’s little doubt that it has established its status as an affordable and reliable dual-sport motorcycle that gives the ‘pennywise’ end of the market a great opportunity at exploring off the beaten track. Er, which is where tractors tend to fare well… I am one of these ‘frugal few’ who still depend on the simplicity and durability of my 2008 model – or ‘Pig’, as they’re affectionately called by some owners abroad.
Some of the advantages of the KLR include a huge fuel tank that makes for a great fuel range, especially useful when conquering long distances away from civilisation. It also is a very simple design and doesn’t make use of fancy electronics, which could leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere, if you don’t take a diagnostic scanner along. The simplicity also means that general maintenance is very affordable and fairly easily done at home, even if you have only basic skills. The KLR has great low-end torque to push through anything that could bog you down when the going gets slow and technical. The KLR has been the subject of a plethora of DIY aftermarket modifications that may or may not improve its ride, usefulness or comfort. Whichever way you prefer, KLR owners won’t judge…
Over the years, many adventurers have taken their KLRs to some of the most remote locations. As recently as 2017, four US army veterans took their KLRs from the North of Alaska all the way down to the Southern tip of Argentina, crossing the notoriously treacherous Darian Gap on their way down.
To each their own, but there is something beautiful about simple technology that has remained largely unchanged for decades, yet has stood the test of time.
