2014.5 KLR650 New Edition Review

Calling this KLR 650 a "New Edition" is a slight exaggeration. The bike is nearly identical to the standard model except for the seat and suspension upgrades. I wish Kawasaki had addressed the doohickey issue and replaced those "pogo stick" front forks with those found on modern dual sport motorcycles. This bike is more of a KLR650 "S" than a "New Edition." Regardless, the upgrades are well worth the extra $100 over the standard 2014 model. Read on and decide for yourself, all of the tech specs and more pics are in the story below from www.ridermagazine.com

2014 Kawasaki KLR650 New Edition First Look Review

 by Greg Drevenstedt

2014.5 KLR650 New Edition in Candy Lime Green/Ebony

After chugging along with few changes and a distinctive tweet from its exhaust pipe for 21 years, Kawasaki’s legendary KLR650 dual-sport got a major update for 2008. Engine tweaks, suspension improvements, stronger brakes, new styling with better aerodynamics and a comfier seat are the major items on an even longer list of changes that improved the KLR’s on-road manners at the expense of some off-road worthiness. Though updated, the KLR650, which still uses a Keihin CVK-40 constant-velocity carburetor, has remained fairly old-school, with a low price to match.

41mm fork has 40% firmer springs and 28% firmer rebound damping.

Rumors have been circulating for a while about a larger displacement, fully modernized KLR, perhaps a fuel injected 800cc twin to compete with BMW's F 800 GS and Triumph's Tiger 800. When Kawasaki unveiled its 2014 lineup last fall, the KLR650 returned with the same specs and the same price ($6,499) as in 2013, but with color selection limited to Candy Lime Green/Ebony, the Ebony and Pearl Solar Yellow having been dropped.

Quietly, with little fanfare, Kawasaki slipped a mid-year addition into its lineup. The 2014 Kawasaki KLR650 New Edition has more robust suspension and a better seat, and it comes in two new colors: Metallic Flat Raw Graystone/Ebony and Pearl Starduct White/Ebony. Comparing specs side-by-side for the KLR650 and KLR650 New Edition, they’re virtually identical. Same liquid-cooled 651cc single-cylinder DOHC 4-valve engine, same claimed curb weight (432 pounds), same fuel capacity (6.1 gallons), same seat height (35 inches) and so on.

One of the KLR650′s weakest links has been its too-soft suspension, which reflects the bike’s old design and low price. The New Edition attempts to remedy the situation with a 41mm fork—in the same size and with the same 7.9 inches of travel as the base model—that’s filled with 40-percent firmer springs and has 28-percent firmer rebound damping rates. The Uni-Trak linkage-equipped rear shock still has 7.3 inches of travel, but the New Edition has a 63-percent higher spring rate and 83-percent firmer rebound damping. All that extra firmness should reduce brake dive, sag (especially when loaded) and overall mushiness, offering better control in most riding conditions. As with the base model, the fork offers no adjustment but the shock has five-level spring preload and four-level rebound adjustment. 

The KLR650 New Edition’s seat is still 35 inches high, but it is narrower in front for an easier reach to the ground.

Even after its 2008 update, the KLR’s seat remained a sore point, literally. The foam is too soft and crushes down easily, leaving the rider’s bum on the seat pan. The New Edition’s seat features a narrower front section with a more rounded profile that Kawasaki says will make it easier to reach the ground and enhance off-road maneuverability. It is more than an inch wider and features a flatter, less tapered profile, offering a more stable and comfortable platform. Whether it offers more support is an open question.

MSRP for the 2014 Kawasaki KLR650 New Edition is $6,599—just a Ben Franklin more than the base model gets you better suspension, a better seat and more color options with revised graphics. The KLR has long been one of the best deals on two wheels, and the New Edition is even better. We’ll get a chance to ride the new KLR soon, and they should be arriving at dealerships any day now.

The New Edition's seat is an inch wider and has a dimpled cover.

Uni-Trak linkage-equipped rear shock has a 63% percent higher spring rate and 83% percent firmer rebound dampening.

The KLR650 New Edition features stiffer suspension, a new seat, and more color options with new graphics.

MSRP for the 2014.5 KLR650 New Edition is $6,599, just $100 more than the base model.

2014.5 Kawasaki KLR650 New Edition in Metallic Flat Raw Graystone/Ebony

2014.5 Kawasaki KLR650 New Edition in Pearl Stardust White/Ebony

2013 KLR650 Review

It's the time of year to pull up a chair next to the fire and start reading the reviews of the 2013 bikes. When it comes to the KLR, the reviewers have a difficult time, because this bike is the same as last year's and the previous years's and...you see where I am going.

With that in mind, here is the Total Motorcycle.com review of the 2013 KLR. The article is right-on in describing the KLR650 and its on-and-off road capabilities. But, I was surprised the article failed to discuss the one significant change in the 2013 model and they did not include a picture - I have corrected their oversight here...

New for 2013, along with the updated decals, the KLR is available in Pearl Solar Yellow. In simpler terms I would call it yellow or gold. That is an unusual color for the bike and will certainly turn some heads when riding on the street.

Aside from that, the Total Motorcycle.com article reads like previous KLR reviews. It affordably and reliably takes you anywhere you want to go. That's nothing new or exciting to those familiar with the bike.  For those considering the leap into dualsport motorcycling with the KLR 650, it is worth the time to read. Just click the link below...

Total Motorcycle.com Reveiw of the 2013 KLR650  

2012 KLR650 Change Can Be Good

Ask anyone and they will tell you that I do not like change. I generally prefer things to stay as they are. I will concede that 8 track tapes, Low-D TV, dial-up internet, and That 70's Show were all things that needed to change and the world is a better place for it. But, most change is not so significant and is therefore not needed. You might dismiss my attitude by saying, "Well, those old guys are all that way," and I would agree. Except in my case.

I was never a fan of change, even while looking over my shoulder at Wal-Mart to be sure that nobody noticed me in front of the Just For Men hair color display. Besides, restoring my hair to its youthful, sun bleached, brown was a good change; a needed change...and nobody even knows....

This brings us to the changes on the new 2012 KLR650.

Pictures and specs for the 2012 model are online at the Kawasaki site, with no surprises for the new model year. That's good, because most change is bad; remember that "superman" who replaced Christopher Reeves? The one improvement for 2012 is the blacked out rims, fork, and swing arm. This looks good in pictures and I am excited to see this bike in the flesh. Kawasaki carried forward the varied shades of  Red, Blue, and Black paint and plastics from previous years with one exception.

Last year's "burnt candy orange" is not in the new line up, which surprised me. I seriously considered the Orange 2011 KLR over the Blue model that I finally chose. I finally chose the Blue model because of its performance. The Blue KLRs are much fast than the other colors. Don't take my word for it, ask any Blue KLR rider. But the Red 2012 would be my choice this time around and is probably almost as fast as my Blue bike. I can always tell a fast bike just by observation - it's a gift.

While I enjoy the new Red model as eye candy, I will not be trading in my Blue 2011 for a Red 2012. Although I could understand anyone feeling the pull of that Red model. The blacked out rims and so on, are a great look for the new bikes. A color change like that is sure to add a couple of MPH to top end speed, the same effect that Just For Men had on me!

1000 Miles On the KLR

This was a beautiful morning and afternoon for Father's Day. I took advantage of the weather and went for a ride around town. This was the big ride that the KLR rolled 1000 miles. This was an important moment for Long Tall Sally, so I pulled over and took a picture with my phone. The city streets are still really  broken and full of potholes. Some of those could swallow a small car. The KLR does just fine on rough roads, but I could see those cruisers having a rough ride. I really doubt the city is going to do too much about the roads with all of the flooding going on this year, but we will see.

Thermo-Bob Install