OpenTube

An Honest LONG TERM KLR 650 Review

Derek Dual Sport

19,284 views

*KLR mods below description*

After living with my Kawasaki KLR 650, taking it off-road, camping off of it, commuting, and putting it through real adventure riding, I think I finally understand this motorcycle.

The KLR 650 will do almost anything you ask of it. The problem is... does it actually do any of those things great?

In this video, I'm breaking down the good and bad of owning a Gen 3 KLR 650, including comfort, highway riding, off-road capability, commuting, and the reason I slowly stopped getting excited to ride it.

This isn't a KLR hate video. In fact, I still think it's one of the easiest adventure motorcycles to recommend to the right rider.

But it might not be the motorcycle for me anymore.

Subscribe for dual sport, adventure motorcycle, camping, and long-distance motorcycle content.

#KLR650 #KawasakiKLR650 #adventuremotorcycle

NEED NAVIGATION? Check out Carpuride:
https://carpuride.com/?ref=Dualsport
Use code DUALSPORT30 for 30% off any Carpuride product!

KLR PARTS:

USB POWER:

USB Quick Charge Socket:
https://amzn.to/3PSwBqR

Relay:
https://amzn.to/4aBheg4

3d Cycle Parts 2 pin Connector:
https://www.3dcycleparts.com/2022-KLR...

Wire Connectors:
https://amzn.to/4hwEBtv

Wire Strip and Crimp:
https://amzn.to/42uutgw

HANDLEBARS:

Pro Taper Adventure High Bend:
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pa...

Pro Taper Riser/Bar Adapter:
https://amzn.to/42hn4kv

Pro Taper Pillow Top Grips:
https://amzn.to/4akHonj

Renthal Grip Glue:
https://amzn.to/4akHonj

Tusk Dsport Adventure Handguards:
https://amzn.to/4g3iUjG

BODY:

Tusk Crash Bars:
https://amzn.to/4h2ab2g

Tusk Pannier Racks with Olympus Bags:
https://amzn.to/3CDJ8vc

Sea to summit roll top bag 65L
https://amzn.to/4gzCDeK

FOOT CONTROLS

Tusk Billet Footpegs:
https://amzn.to/4jB3VQG

Tusk Longer Shift Lever:
https://amzn.to/3CD3On7

JNS Lowering Bracket:
https://jnsengineering.com/products/2...

WINDSHIELD

Windshield Risers
https://www.3dcycleparts.com/2022-KLR...

V STREAM MID:
https://www.3dcycleparts.com/VStream%...

Suspension
https://motocd.com/product/the-moab-s...

Seat
Seat concepts Go with Comfort XL!
https://www.seatconcepts.com/comfort-...

HELPFUL TOOLS:

Hex/Allen Key set
https://amzn.to/4exO3Mz

Socket Set
https://amzn.to/3v9b5HG

Metric Wrench Set
https://amzn.to/3v9b0Uo

Locktite
https://amzn.to/4a1dcwc

OIL CHANGE:

3 Quarts and Funnel
https://amzn.to/4jQy8Li

K&N Oil Filter:
https://amzn.to/4jYlJW5

Waterproof Grease
https://amzn.to/4bm4N6y

Tusk Low Profile Drain Bolt:
https://amzn.to/42GGOOs

00:00-00:50 Why I bought a KLR
00:51-02:15 The Good Bits
02:16-03:35 KLR Off Road
03:36-04:57 KLR Highway
04:58-05:30 KLR Commuting
05:31-06:14 It's Outdated
06:15-06:43 ADV Beginnings
06:44-07:29 Final Thoughts
07:30-08:07 Future KLR Plans

20 Comments

@SnakeyPooo 2 months ago

I love my 25’ Klr. It puts a small on my face all the time. I ring its neck everywhere I ride and it cracks me up. When I open the garage I smile knowing it’s always going to run and I can take it solo 100 miles into the woods and I trust I will always get out.

@dwightrhodes2051 1 month ago

If you can't be happy on a klr it's you not the bike. You will always be chasing the dragon

@MrBikercat 2 months ago

Thanks for your opinion on the KLR. I'm very happy with my KLR. I'm old and not interested in excitement anymore. I'm happy that I can still ride two wheelers.

@mred6472 2 months ago

I really like my 22 KLR, your experience is yours and that’s okay! I have three bikes and I enjoy the KLR the most!

@mw0131 2 months ago

I can appreciate your outlook on the klr. I've been riding them since 1989. They have been just perfect for me. I own 12 bikes my 22 KLR is my go to bike. It's dependable. I sold my 2014 with 210k on it. It took me to Canada, Mexico and beyond. My 22 now has 18k on it. I kinda miss my 2014. I think what I love about my 14 most was I could work in it anywhere most like the fuel injection I don't. I didn't have to worry about a fuel pump going out in the middle of nowhere. I love the fact that it has no tech. Yes I'm old now.I don't care about speed as long as it does highway speeds I'm content. My 23 Harley pan America is a great bike but too much tech for my taste. I'm never in a hurry to go anywhere. Many years ago I traveled to many countries and most of them rode 350cc or less, traveling hundreds of miles daily. Seeing and understand that bike were their main mode of transportation. I realized any bike no matter the size is faster than walking.
My KLR is my forever bike no matter the destination.

@bigmike6853 1 month ago

Very honest review. This is the perfect bike for someone getting into adventure riding, commuting, or anyone on a budget! These bikes are super reliable and almost bulletproof! I love mine

@Mike-yq7ce 2 months ago

Overall I can agree with your review. I do think the KLR is a versatile bike. It puts a smile on my face everytime I ride.

@waltbianchi4828 1 month ago

I’ve spent months at a time motorcycle camping/touring on mine. I fucking love that bike🤓Truly wonderful bike off the interstates. On the interstates you can flog it all day and it will never complain. You feel bad about it sometimes but you crawl out of your tent in the morning, the KLR smiles at you and says “Where are we going today?”

@SulCoCrazy 1 month ago (edited)

What a nice review! I like how you are offering feedback without criticizing or putting down people who ride the KLR, which unfortunately comes from other reviewers. I agree with most of what you’re saying. I live in the countryside of Northeast Pennsylvania, so I have never driven it on the highway and just due to the lack of top end, I really wouldn’t want to. But it has just enough power for me. And I will be honest with you… On the back roads, and on the dirt roads, I kick the gears down a couple of notches, hold her wide open, and that thing just puts a grin on my face! It’s punchy! Sort of a it’s more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow type of thing going on here :-) . And I think anything to do with it’s off-road capability is more of a limitation on my part than the bike, although I can see why a lighter bike would be more preferable off-road. My XT 250 was! Ultimately, it’s me who needs more modification and not the bike :-)…. Well, except for that god-awful padded pan they call a seat. thanks for your review!

@upchuckchops 2 months ago

I really like my KLR, but you are right. I haven't done any real off road, just gravel. I kind of look at it as a tool for motorcycling rather than a toy for excitement. Thanks for sharing.

@kingsqueak1 1 month ago

My first bike was a Gen 1, I'm 6'5" the KLR and my GSA are the best fitting bikes I've ever owned and I've had a few now. I've had a TE610 and a 690R and a GSA. My 690 was a total loss from a mouse eating the harness and I nearly got another KLR for the slow poking around on dirt that I do now but... on the ride to the dealer at 80mph on the highway I remembered now much I hated it on the highway, weak brakes, no power left to pass and the vibrations were crazy at high speed. I got an Ibex 450 instead and no regrets so far.

The KLR has a mountain of torque, it's awesome and it is just stone axe reliable and simple to fix and maintain. It is very heavy, the brakes on the old ones were scary bad (unsure on newer ones, haven't ridden them), the suspension is just teriible but now there are full swaps for it, cartrides and shocks that will really make it solid but it's a $2200 tax to pay.

For the screen, I just cut mine way down, much better. I've done that on a few bikes now being tall. I just got a shortie fly screen for my GSA actually, much better without the buffeting and noise.

@catherined.398 8 days ago

I got an '05 KLR. Lifted and stiffened the suspension which changed her rake and shortened her wheelbase slightly, down geared her slightly, put 50/50 tires on her, over sized gas tank. She will definitely hold her own if you know what you are doing. I like catching sport bikes in technical sections of the street, was screaming at people around route 129 for going so slow. She's survived everything, high sides, off road drops, ice and snow. I've got a literbike, but I keep coming back to the KLR and I don't know why. Something about those old Dakar/Baja singles just tickles something in me. I wanted an XR, but she's just fine.

@moedavis1 2 months ago

Thanks for the honesty

@Idkdude-l5e 1 month ago

I’m looking at a 2023 as a first time bike for 4700.. I like the idea of an adventure bike for cheaper commuting. If you guys have a better option with a little more get up and go to it, while not breaking the bank, let me know!

@mattconklin8 2 months ago (edited)

AWESOME ! I just picked up a 2026 klx300, i absolutely love riding it here in the mountains of Western NC. The only thing thats a drag is the darn seat is hella uncomfortable and i roughly get 80-100 miles per tank. I enjoy watching your content! Thanks for sharing

@YouTubecensorshipteam 2 months ago

Just rebuilt mine that was sitting in storage. Excited to get back out there.

@highteckredneck1980 2 months ago

I have a 22 adventure model in the camo pattern and I love it. For excitement I have a cbr 1000 but for fun I bought the klr. Entry level for sure. I’ve gotten it up to 102mph and it was fine. As for buffering don’t run a dual sport helmet at highway speeds. I use my shoe helmet and have absolutely no buffering. Also added the tusk solid mount pegs since I seem to be standing more than sitting. Overall I’d say get one if nothing more than a cheap off-roader and a backup bike.

@shanepitzer4126 2 months ago

2024 KLR owner here. Your review is spot on.

@dalleymd1977 2 months ago

One time I wanted excitement then I got old slow and wanted simplicity that I had when I was younger a bike and you could get me there and get me home as for excitement this bike excites me when I open the garage because I know it's ready to do anything that I'm willing to try

@94Greenbean 2 months ago (edited)

Great review bud. Good to see you powering through the tuff times brother. How tall are you? I’m 6’4” and went with the mid mild tint National Screen, works great but looks like a hat bill flipped up, hahaha
Dated for sure, my 2024 has no ABS because I got it new for an amazing deal from a dealer that had five of them in mid 2025! I love it!!