2022 Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure Review
2022 Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure Review
Let’s face it, there are probably more KLR’s roaming the earth than any other mid-sized ADV/dual-sport model ever produced…and for good reason. It’s a simple, affordable, easy to own go-anywhere motorcycle. All-in-all, the improvements were what this model needed for a while now and made for a better riding experience.
Sure, we would have liked a sixth gear added but the revised five-speed actually does a good job carrying speeds of 70-80 MPH with decent comfort for extended pavement pounding sessions. Perhaps replacing a doohickey for peace of mind will be a signature common bond between all KLR riders, but ultimately these and other upgrades (like adding a Versys 650 engine) would have come with additional cost and design time.
At the end of the day, while it may not have been what everyone was dreaming about, Kawasaki managed to bring a hefty amount of very welcome updates to an already legendary platform without much, if any, price increase. We’d say that’s a great success for many new and returning adventure riders out there. Fact is, aside from Suzuki’s out dated DR650, there are currently no new bikes which compete in this size and price range. While they could have gone bigger, faster and more expensive, we feel there’s no shortage of riders out there who will appreciate the 2022 Kawasaki KLR650 for exactly what it is: an affordable, fun, friendly and reliable way to explore the world.
2022 Kawasaki KLR650 Specifications:
Displacement: 652cc
Bore x Stroke: 100.00 x 83.0 mm
Compression Ratio: 9.8:1
Fuel System: DFI w/ 40mm Throttle Body
Ignition: CDI
Transmission: 5-speed, return shift with wet multi-disc manual clutch
Maximum Torque: 39.1 lb-ft @ 4,500 RPM
Seat Height: 34.3 in
Length: 89.8 in
Width: 38.2 in
Front Suspension: 41mm telescopic fork w/ 7.9 in of wheel travel
Rear Suspension: Uni-Trak single shock with adjustable rebound and preload / 7.3 in of wheel travel
Ground Clearance: 8.3 in
Chassis: Tubular, semi-double cradle
Curb Weight: 460.6 lbs. (Base) 471 lbs. (Traveler) 487 lbs. (Adventure)
Wheel Base: 60.6 in
Brakes: front 300mm disc w/ 2 piston caliper and rear 240 mm disc w/ si