Kawasaki KLR 650

The Kawasaki KLR 650 appeared in 1987 as the successor to the KLR600, and was a typical Dual Sport bike that was great for long-distance riding on rough terrain and on roads of any quality. This model had the factory designation - KL650-A '.

In 1989, the KLR650 line expanded, offering the market a new modification - the Kawasaki KLR650 Tengai . Factory designation - KL650-B. The motorcycle has received the features of the Dakar rally prototypes with a characteristic front plastic fairing and a low front fender. Among the technical differences, one should highlight the suspension settings (less travel, changed characteristics) and ergonomics (it became smaller, shorter and lower, reduced seat height), dry weight increased by 6 kg, and the front brake became 2-piston (instead of single-piston in KL650- A). The design of this modification was specially developed in Italy. Production period: 1989-1991.

In 1995, Kawasaki offered another modification of the KLR650, which had the factory code “KL650-C” ”. This model has received the features of classic soft-enduro - off-road motorcycles designed for cross-country riding over short distances. The capacity of the fuel tank was reduced from 23 to 14 liters, the characteristics of the suspensions, geometry and ergonomics were changed. Unlike the KL650-A, the KL650-C was equipped with a 2-piston front caliper and had a rather impressive dry weight of 168 kg. This modification lasted until 2004 inclusive.

By 2008, Kawasaki offers a new generation of KLR650, which is intended to replace the obsolete KL650-A. The new modification received the factory code - KL650-E . The model received a new appearance, new suspensions (the fork became thicker 38 → 41 mm), brakes (the disc diameters were increased, the rear caliper became 2-piston), a 22-liter fuel tank, new engine settings (the compression ratio was increased from 9.5 → 9.8), new, fully transistorized ignition and more powerful generator. This generation existed until 2018.

2018 was the last year of production for the Kawasaki KLR 650, after which it finally left the market. In the last years of production, the model could not be sold in the European market due to environmental regulations (the motorcycle still had a carburetor power system) and the lack of ABS.

The lineup of the Kawasaki KLR series:

• Kawasaki KLR 250
• Kawasaki KLR 650

Main competitors in the class:

• Honda NX650 Dominator
• Suzuki DR650SE
• Honda XR650L
• KTM 690 Enduro
• Yamaha XT660R

Photos

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Specifications

Specifications Kawasaki KLR650 (KL650-A, KL650-B, KL650-C, KL650-E):

Model	Kawasaki KLR650
Motorcycle type	enduro / dual sport
Release year	1987-2018
Frame	steel half-duplex
Engine type	1-cylinder, 4-stroke
Working volume	651 cm³
Bore / Stroke	100.0 x 83.0mm
Compression ratio	9.5: 1 - KL650A-C 9.8: 1 - KL650-E
Cooling	liquid
Number of valves per cylinder	DOHC, 4 valves
Fuel supply system	Carburetor, 1x Keihin CVK40
Ignition type	CDI - KL650A-C Fully Transistor - KL650-E
Maximum power	48.0 h.p. (35.3 kW) at 6500 rpm - max. power of full-strength versions
Maximum torque	54.9 Nm (5.6 kg * m) at 5500 rpm - max. moment of full-blown versions
Gearbox	5-speed
Drive type	chain
Front tire size	90 / 90-21 54S
Rear tire size	130 / 80-17 65S - KL650-A, B, E 120 / 90-17 64S - KL650-C
Front brakes	1 disc, 1-piston caliper - KL650-A 1 disc, 2-piston caliper - KL650-B, C Single disc, 280 mm, 2-piston caliper - KL650-E
Rear brakes	1 disc, 1-piston caliper - KL650-A, B, C Single disc, 240 mm, 2-piston caliper - KL650-E
Front suspension	38mm Telescopic Fork (Air Pump), 230mm Travel - KL650-A 38 mm telescopic fork (with air pump), stroke - 220 mm - KL650-B 41mm Telescopic Fork, 200mm Travel - KL650-E
Rear suspension	Pendulum progressive Uni-Trak with monoshock (adjustable preload and rebound damping), stroke - 230 mm - KL650-A Pendulum progressive Uni-Trak with monoshock (adjustable preload and rebound damping), stroke - 200 mm - KL650-B Pendulum progressive Uni-Trak with monoshock (adjustable preload and rebound damping), stroke - 185 mm - KL650-E
Motorcycle length	2290 mm - KL650-A 2175 mm - KL650-B 2190 mm - KL650-C 2295 mm - KL650-E
Motorcycle width	940 mm - KL650-A 920 mm - KL650-B 905 mm - KL650-C 960 mm - KL650-E
Motorcycle height	1345 mm - KL650-A 1300 mm - KL650-B 1220 mm - KL650-C 1350 mm - KL650-E
Wheelbase	1495 mm - KL650-A 1480 mm - KL650-B, E 1490 mm - KL650-C
Saddle height	890 mm - KL650-A, C, E 870 mm - KL650-B
Minimum ground clearance	240 mm - KL650-A 210 mm - KL650-B, E 215 mm - KL650-C
Acceleration to 100 km / h	5.88 sec
Maximum speed	158 km / h
Fuel tank capacity	23.0 L - KL650-A, B 14.0 L - KL650-C 22.0 L - KL650-E
Motorcycle weight (dry)	153 kg - KL650-A 159 kg - KL650-B 168 kg - KL650-C 175 kg - KL650-E

Documentation

• Kawasaki KLR 650