I had a 2008 KLR 650 for 37,000 miles. I rode from San Diego to the Canadian Rockies and all of the states west of Colorado with that motorcycle. It is very reliable and I never did the Doohickey modification. If the engine is cold, and you’re above 7000 feet and it’s 32° you will have troubles starting the KLR. This only happened twice, in years of ownership, and it was easily remedied with a push start. My biggest complaint is engine oil consumption. On long trips, I always carried at least a quart of oil and found a motorcycle shop when I needed more oil. The electrical system puts out enough power to run an electric jacket and gloves. There’s nothing like riding through the Rocky Mountains on a cold morning and being toasty warm. I highly recommend the KLR 650 it’s definitely the best bang for your buck.

Plus, When you buy em used, People have already installed chargers, bark busters, better seats and still charge less than half what they paid for em.  Easy to maintain, can't lose.

The bike is light and nimble. It's just a blast on back roads and with my new China carb, it gets 56mpg. 2009 Gen 2 41K

Video starts @ 2:00.

In my country most roads are up to between 50/110km/h and on highway road is 140km/h .. So the KLR has enough of power to maintain any of the speed limits even above.. ( i drive mostly on roads with speed limit of 90km/h)
+ As a new rider.. the KLR was PERFECT for my budget/skills  ( got 08 for 1300euros)
I am very pleased with my purchase!

The hills look like a fun ride.

Hey Mate,
I might have gone through Kansas on family vacation in 1965 and 66, otherwise never been there, but I appreciate your approach. It resonates with me, as I have just this Spring obtained a KLR, 2012, black/ dark grey, 22,000 km. I paid 3800 Canadian dollars to get it. Seems like, all things considered, a great deal, and, it looks so new and un-crashed. The kid I bought it from was 20, had no plate on it, maybe was struggling to afford the safety, the necessary extras to actually get riding legally and safely -- it's cost me about 5500. in total with mechanical checks and paperwork. It's been a bit of a big deal for me, and I knew nothing about the KLR until I found this local Facebook market picture, and then, I was sort of turned from one aesthetic, or philosophy, to another.
I haven't ridden since 2008. Traded away the Honda 400 for something deemed more important, and figured motorcycles were done for me at  age 50. My taste for bikes has always been straight, minimal no flash classic types. I had a 74 BMW 900 that was fantastic but traded it for teachers college, and the Suzuki titan, the Honda CB400, all similar kind of silhouette.
But then along comes this necessity to make a trip way out west, 5000 km, and I don't have a car so when I added up the cost of train, plain, bus and taxis return, I figured I'd save money by just buying a used motorcycle, and going on my own schedule.
Well, it gets even more complex, in that I met the love of my life six months ago and she's an adventure motorcyclist who rides a BMW GS 800, and she pointed out to me that my favourite type of bike might be plenty cool, but will also get plenty uncomfortable once the miles add up, and she made other points about bags, racks, etc, because she's kind of an expert, and so I found this KLR, got intrigued, and I am absolutely thrilled with it. I've been watching videos like yours across a spectrum of technical and more recreational- driven content, and I'm so happy to have switched to the aesthetic which is the KLR.
I gather, from what I've seen, read and heard is that it's the motorcycle implement machine, so to speak , such as a good rugged tractor lawn mower needs to be, to cut grass and weeds and what not, and also get up that hill and around that cambered bit and not be defeated. Or like a really good quality extension ladder; it may not be the focal point of glamour but you just need something that works well for you, and my trip will involve camping, hopefully stealth camping, many prairie miles, many mountain summits and probably as much secondary road as possible. I am not the slightest bit interested in the
' speed and thrill of performance'
aspects of motorcycling at age 65. I only want a bike that sturdily gets me there, at a modest speed, enjoying everything around me and being safer and more comfortable on a bike built and designed around being such a versatile kind of implement.
I'm heading out June 1, but as yet I haven't ridden her. She just needs this little oil filter safety valve part that the mechanic found missing ( however he said no harm had been done -- he suggested that the last person to change the oil filter tossed it out with the filter by accident -- so he's ordered the part ) and it'll be a few days yet, but otherwise everything is set to go on the next chapter of my life in motorcycling.
I really enjoyed your video. I'm not one to make videos, more of a commenter wannabee, but anyway, do enjoy Kansas, I'm on Georgian Bay in Ontario, and there are lots and lots of amazing routes here.
Be safe, cheers, dave

I bought a 09. I liked it so much I also bought a 2012. I keep telling myself that I don't need 2 KLRs but can't bring myself to letting go of either. I then got myself a KLX 250 because the 650 was a ..... to ride on tight single tracks.

I bought a 2013 KLR, it’s too tall for me, & had a death wobble at 70 mph. I bought some 90/10 tires for it, & a lowering dog bone, & a modified kickstand. I’ll try it again…

The black and white is my favourite colour for the Gen2 model. I love it on the back roads.

Lots of good used ones put there with all the options.

Love mine, 06 with 27k on it, docile and friendly , comfortable for me. Sold an 08 sportster 1200 and I’m much happier

I'm subing just for the klr you got me wanting to buy a second

Thank you very informative

I love mine......

Just subscribed to your channel. Anyways, I’ve owned 2KLR’s 650s. First GEN, second GEN, both bikes had well over 60,000+ miles. I did the Doohickey, and all the other prescribed upgrades. Living here in Southern California where speeds exceed 80+ miles an hour on any given freeway, I just got tired of getting beat up/almost constantly ran over by cagers!! I have since then graduated too many other motorcycles. My current Motorcycle is a KTM 890 adventure S model put a smile on my face every time I get on this motorcycle.

Good presentation,  like your honest opinion  on the KLR.. Great  information... thanks !

Run non ethanol gas and carb cleaners in the tank once a year and never have to clean a carb again. My son has a 2015 and the carb has never had an issue I have a gen1 same thing. My son has 15k on his and mine has 20k on it

Fellow KLR rider in Kansas, Hays.

I have subscribed.

Definitely would love to get my hands on a klr and get to exploring! Great vid keep it up 👍