The venerable Kawasaki KLR has truly stood the test of time, at its core it is still the same motorcycle that first rolled off the assembly lines back in 1987.
For 20 years the bike really did remain completely unchanged, only getting what most would view as a facelift in 2008 (Kawasaki sold it as a redesign, but fooled few). It did get two significant changes this year though, for the first time in its long history the bike will come with (gasp) fuel injection. A necessary change to help the bike pass global emissions tests. It also gets optional ABS, something most buyers will likely pass on. To be fair, it is a small miracle that it did pass the Euro 5 test, considering just how archaic this engine design is.
10 The 2022 Model
For a bike like this to still be around in 2022 can only be a good thing. It gives everyone a much-needed rugged alternative to the extensive range of high-tech machinery available to us these days.
No matter how much they tout it as “dual-purpose ABS” it isn’t advisable to choose this option if you're going off-road, as it is not a switchable unit (or so we believe). Other than that, it is just the necessary-for-emissions addition of a direct fuel injection system, that actually does bring the bike into the 21st century to some extent but doesn’t take anything away from its rugged appeal.
9 Appealing Used Market
It is a great value option at around $7,000 new, but after being around for over 30 years, there are a range of options on the used market. Unlike sport bikes or dedicated dirt bikes, the odds of these bikes getting thrashed are minimal.
Even if they are, they can take a lot of abuse without showing any significant wear. Finding well specced bikes that are only a few years old for around half the price are not unheard of. For the mechanically inclined, older bikes might be as little as $1,000 but will need a few hundred put into them.
8 Endless Aftermarket
You can literally get anything you might dream up for these bikes off the shelf, they are that common.
You can convert it into a supermoto, a full on trail bike or a fairly convincing Adventure bike. Choose wisely though, the bike is already heavy and adding anything will obviously add even more weight.
7 Unkillable
With most modern bikes equipped with a myriad of electronics, they tend to go wrong a bit more often, especially when wiring harnesses are positioned too close to a small, hot engine.
The KLR, for better and worse, does not have any such problem. It also comes with an engine that was developed in the dark ages and simply won’t die. Old technology isn’t better, but in the case of this bike it certainly is more durable.
6 Not A Beginner Bike
With a seat height of 35 inches, not many will be able to flat foot this bike. Although the suspension is soft, and it will settle a bit once you get on, it is still pretty awkward to ride as a novice.
Add to that the fact that it is extremely heavy, and the accessibility factor comes right down. It is affordable, but not something you would want to learn how to ride/crash on.
5 Somewhere Between Classes
It began life as a pretty big, but pretty clear-cut enduro bike. Over the years, it has evolved into something rather different.
Some dealers offer it as a tourer, others offer it as an adventure bike. Kawasaki seems convinced it can be both.
4 Jack Of All Trades
It is just one of those bikes that can do pretty much anything you want it to, it is a very versatile machine that can truly be used as a daily rider and a weekend off-road trail bike.
Not many bikes exhibit this kind of versatility, it is likely for this reason the bike has stayed on the market for as long as it has.
3 Master Of None
With a machine like this there are always going to be compromises, and the main problem with the KLR is it is compromised in every aspect.
It can do everything, but it doesn’t do anything particularly well. For off-road use it is exceptionally heavy and awkward at low speed, and on the highway it can barely keep up with traffic.
2 Really Big Thumper
Very few manufacturers dare make a single this big, and it is for good reason they choose not to.
Big singles vibrate a lot, no matter how much plastic and rubber they put between you and the bike, it is still going to transfer some of those not so good vibrations to you.
1 Affordable Fun
The aging Kawa exists in something of a vacuum, it stays affordable because of its age and complete lack of investment in R&D.
Although compromised, it is still a whole lot of fun to ride off-road. It is what it was built to do, it is a cheap, convenient way to get to all your favorite trails.