First Ride Vlog: 2022 Kawasaki KLR650 - Max Fun, Min Price, & Zero Competition

2022 Kawasaki KLR650 : Max Fun, Min Price, & Zero Competition
(Many more videos on the Gen 3 KLR coming soon - stay tuned)

The 2022 Kawasaki KLR650, or the Gen 3 KLR, has been the subject of many internet armchair commenters stating that not enough was done to make it competitive. (I am guilty of this myself). We were wrong, and we missed the point. For $6,700 US dollars, you can buy a new KLR650 with a 6 gallon fuel tank, amazing wind protection, fuel injection, a smooth and torque rich engine, a strong frame able to carry luggage and a passenger, well damped long travel suspension, 21 inch front wheel, spoked wheels, and more.

This bike will go anywhere a KTM 790, Tenere 700 or GS will go, at a fraction of the price. Milk crates optional. The changes to the new KLR might seem minor, but collectively, they have vastly improved the bike for the way the average rider will use it: commuting, highway riding, touring. Without taking away any of it's off road ability. Personally, the bike felt the same or lighter to me, than the gen 2 bike, even though the gen 3 gained 25 lbs.

In my opinion, despite not being flashy or fast, this is probably the most important adventure (ADV) bike of the decade, simply because it is financially accessible to the most amount of people, and will bring the most joy to the greatest number of new and returning riders. It remains the swiss army knife, and we are lucky Kawasaki decided to continue the legacy.

Yes, the doohickey (balancer tensioner system) is still a problem, and there still is no thermostat bypass, and there is still the same issue of potential oil usage. (I have videos coming on these items) Despite these challenges, this bike has no competition in terms of capability per dollar.

00:00 Intro
00:32 Walk Around
08:08 Street Ride
21:03 Dirt Ride
26:06 Final Thoughts

🏍 My Riding Gear:

🏍 Camping & Other:

🏍 Beta 500 Dual Sport:

🏍 Yamaha Tenere 700:

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[quincylewis]

It's nice to hear about this bike from someone who knows his KLRs.

[paulwood]

For something that will mostlty be used on the odd weekend for some getaway fun .. then the KLR has all bases covered, yes its not high tech or the latest gismo bike but it gets you off the beaten track and does it all, , Leaves you with a smile on your face and CASH still in your pocket

[coinholeo]

Best bike I've ever owned.Takes me anywhere, comfortably.Good on fuel, can load up the panniers with tonnes of stuff, and you don't even notice.Can't race like a dirt bike, but you get there 5 minutes later with everything everyone else left behind.

[disekjoumoer]

"Like a roll of duct tape rising from the ashes" I laughed quite loudly at this.

[andyw]

They made a great do-all bike even better and still costs far less than anything else in its category. the "adventure" model is a cool setup with the side cases and guards.

[Grossman]

I love the simplicity of the KLR and give Kawasaki a ton of credit for keeping the spirit of the bike alive as a cheap, reliable single. It would be cool to see Kawasaki repurpose the Z650 or Z900 engine to create a more capable Versys-X to compete with other modern adventure bikes

[BigRockMoto]

I would buy one of these new KLR's. It's an amazing value for the capability and comfort. Would you buy one? Why or why not?

[odyshopody]

This was a great review. Always wanted one of those big adventure bikes, and I was eyeing that new Triumph 900. After watching your video I'm realizing this is all I really need, and at half the cost of the Triumph!

[cjgrubbe]

Man how I do get like this guy? Huge garage with a loaded Gladiator with 4 motorcycles??? Enjoying the channel, thank you!!

[briand]

Every time I find myself thinking I need to try something new like the T7 or CB500, I watch something like this and remember I really am in love with the KLR.
Literally the only thing for me, is that there are times in my off-roading where the KLR doesn’t inspire me to keep going up that slightly challenging trail.

[markcollins]

Man, nice I got the new 2022 KLR base model sand color no abs for $ 6.699, it weighs 456 lbs with six gallons of fuel, I love it !

[keyboarddancers]

Proven intercontinental comfort and practicality. Proven reliability. Proven ease of maintenance - and that's a basic description of the *previous* model!
Kawasaki have really nailed it with this bike.

[kawabungah]

I've watched this video about three times, while I'm still waiting for my own new KLR to come into the dealership. This is really entertaining and informative. Thank you

[CoolCoolCool]

I got the 2023 this past Saturday. I traded my R6 for this bike. Let me tell you the KLR is super comfortable and just laid back bike. I don't regret it.

[healthycycles]

Your reviews are really well done - thanks for your efforts! Bikes don't always have to be all about fast, there's so much more. I like this new klr

[johnhamilton]

A great first impression from the man who knows how to do it. Big shout out to your buddy for letting
you "rally" that thing.

[VVoltz]

"You are not a real Bronco anyway" LOL, the subtle snarks are the best part of this channel. Other than the MASSIVE level of detail and the very objective reviews I mean

[stevencaldwell]

Great video! Just went to the bike shop today to specifically look at, sit on and talk about the new KLR 650. I’m a pretty big guy, 6’4”, 240 and the KLR fit perfectly! It’s like the Swiss Army knife of adventure bikes.... does everything good but is a master of none. My kinda bike!

[michaelvollmer]

I will get one as a daily rider. Does everything I need and 70 miles per hour is enough for that. If I need more, the I will use a multistrada v4s for that. Have had aggressive single cylinder crossers and they produced nearly 72 hp out of 380 cc engines. That has been the time 40 years ago and now I will take it a little bit slower and more relaxed on two wheels❤.👍😎

[zerosixty]

Well, when I bought my DR650, the new KLR was just announced. I would be just getting it. As it was I was lucky to find a DR when I did. No one had one. The DR650 sells just fine.