1,000 Mile Thoughts on the KLR650 – Worth It So Far?

After 1,000 miles on the Kawasaki KLR650, I have a solid understanding of what this bike does well and where it falls short. While it’s far from perfect, it delivers rugged reliability, versatility, and affordability, making it a strong contender for anyone looking for a dual-sport or adventure bike.

Specifications

— Engine: 652cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC
— Torque: 39.1 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
— Transmission: 5-speed manual with wet multi-disc clutch
— Brakes: 300mm front disc, 240mm rear disc, both with ABS
— Suspension: 41mm telescopic front fork (7.9 in travel), Uni-Trak rear shock (8.0 in travel)
— Tires: 90/90-21 front, 130/80-17 rear
— Fuel System: DFI with 40mm throttle body

What I Like About the KLR650

— Ergonomics are solid, but the seat is terrible. The handlebar and peg positioning are comfortable, but the stock seat is awful for long rides. Upgrading to a better seat makes a huge difference.

— Lighting is excellent. The stock headlight is surprisingly good, and the accessory lights improve visibility even more. Many budget-friendly adventure bikes have weak lights, but Kawasaki got this right.

— Dashboard is simple but functional. The USB and 12V port are useful, though the lack of an RPM gauge is disappointing. That said, most owners install a Thermo-Bob system, which often includes an RPM readout anyway.

— Controls are well-placed. They feel cheap, but placement is more important than tactile feel. Compared to bikes like the Harley Pan America, which has high-quality controls in terrible positions, I’d rather have well-placed but cheap-feeling buttons.

— Easy to work on. The plastics come off quickly, and most maintenance can be done with a few basic tools. Even the plastic clips holding the dash are well-designed, making them easy to remove without breaking.

— The engine has just enough power for its purpose. Some people want more power, but I think it fits the bike’s design well. If you need more, a JD Jetting tuner or a front sprocket change can fine-tune the power delivery.

The Downsides

— Gearing feels awkward. First gear is too short, and second is too tall, making it difficult to find the right gear whether on the road or trails. The torquey engine still powers through low RPMs, but it’s not ideal.

— The styling isn’t for everyone. It’s not an ugly bike, but it’s not winning any beauty contests either. That said, the look is growing on me, and I may change my opinion as I put more miles on it.

— Vibration is intense. I knew this before buying the bike, but it’s still worth mentioning. The handlebars and pegs vibrate enough to make long rides tiring. I’d never mount my phone on this bike—the vibration could damage the camera.

— Stock tires are just okay. They’re not great on-road, not great off-road, but they do a decent enough job. If you’re serious about long highway rides or aggressive trail riding, an upgrade is necessary.

— Stock windshield is useless. Even with risers, wind protection is poor. The good news is that aftermarket windshields are cheap and make a huge difference.

Mods That Improved My KLR650

Seat Concepts Seat

The OEM seat feels like sitting on a 2x4—it’s terrible. After 30 minutes of riding, your backside is already sore. A seat upgrade should be the first mod you do.

I went with the Seat Concepts Low Comfort Seat, but there are other options depending on your preference. Many riders say the Corbin seat isn’t as comfortable, so I’d suggest doing your own research before picking one.

Seat Concepts KLR650 Seats https://seatconcepts.com/collections/kaw-klr650

16T Front Sprocket

If you do a lot of street riding or highway cruising (50-65 mph), this mod is a game-changer.

— Makes highway riding smoother
— No noticeable loss of acceleration
— Gears feel taller, making the bike “feel” faster

It does make low-speed maneuvering slightly more difficult, requiring a bit more clutch work. If you ride heavy trails, I’d stick with the stock sprocket.

16T Front Sprocket https://amzn.to/43RIg1i

Radio Head Unit (Apple CarPlay & Android Auto)

A lot of KLR riders install a Garmin GPS, but I wanted something more affordable.

— Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
— Great for navigation & music
— Limited app selection (not open-source)

I was hoping to install an OBDII app for live bike diagnostics, but the system doesn’t allow it. Still, for the price, it’s worth it.

Radio Head Unit https://amzn.to/4kwHfSn

Front Fender & Fork Brace

The OEM front fender acts like a giant air dam, making the front end feel loose at higher speeds.

— Low-mounted fender reduces wind resistance
— Fork brace helps stabilize the front suspension
— Much better handling feel overall

If you ride in heavy mud, this mod might not be for you—mud can get trapped between the fender and forks.

Front Fender https://amzn.to/4c00wre
Fork Brace https://amzn.to/4iaYgjp

Exhaust & Air Filter

I installed a UNI air filter, deleted the snorkel, and swapped in a Delkevic 18” muffler.

— Noticeable performance improvement
— Better throttle response
— Sound is fantastic, especially under load

I plan to install a JD Jetting tuner soon to take full advantage of the intake/exhaust upgrades.

Air Filter https://www.ebay.com/itm/381030994552
Delkevic 18” Exhaust https://www.ebay.com/itm/192370196820

Heated Grips

If you ride in cold weather, heated grips are a must. These have worked great so far with no issues.

Heated Grips https://amzn.to/41XJe9B

Other Useful Mods

— Tank Grip https://amzn.to/4bzJVuo
— ProTaper Front Cushion https://amzn.to/3FwN8yM

Final Thoughts

Despite its quirks and shortcomings, the KLR650 is an excellent platform for adventure riding. What makes it special is that instead of locking you into a specific style, it allows you to build it to fit your needs.

Most of the issues—seat comfort, wind protection, gearing—can be solved with a few affordable mods. It’s not perfect out of the box, but the foundation is solid, and the reliability is second to none.

The KLR650 is everything motorcycles should strive to be. The longer I own it, the more I understand why so many riders get a KLR and never look back.

I look forward to putting even more miles on it and doing a deeper review down the road.