Added: 2 years ago
From: halfthrottle
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  • good bike for the price

  • 0:03 i live 10 mins away from that spot. small world.

  • This video is the reason I purchased a 2008 klr 650 with 11k this last week. Total cost was about 3500, it came with primo equipment like happy trails everything. Even has a fresh tune up. Can't wait to ride in the mountains.

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  • Not quite as powerful as the KTM 950 enduro.

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  • wearing proper gear fail

  • a bmw is a BMW.

  • the Suzuki DR 650 has 2 more hp, 2 more ft/lb of torque and it's cheaper.

  • @Grafight23 And a lousy 13 liter gas tank

  • Ammo cans... On a motorcycle? That's brilliant!

  • oh come on dude... get yourself some gear!

    you're setting an example to people here. reviews are great but really - atgatt.

  • crampbuster for the win!

  • it's a nice bike too bad kawasakidoes not sell this bike in europe

  • It does look like it needs a better rear shock.

  • I think you can do a long wheelie with that motorcycle

  • Why should I trust you though?? Despite your EPIC savings, you still didn't buy yourself some kit?? not even a jacket........

  • @clbp08 Yes please disregard anything I say.

  • You are kidding yourself if you think that this is the most powerful Dualsport/Enduro bike.

  • not comparable with BMW R1200 GS..no way!!!!!

  • that looked odd, i owned a ninja 250 for a year and the front end (headlight and screen) looks the same, kinda weird looking :)

  • This is a sexy bike

  • Great bike, but don't forget the KTM 690 Enduro R!

  • it,s for girls , I want a GS......stop.

    I have a GS whoehahaha

  • U missed the Suzuki DR 650se.... and its power to weight not just power.

  • Nice video, but what's this guy's fascination with people eating their own livers?

  • I have a 1988 klr with 107 000 km on it. Original piston, original bore, original valves, original bottom end, ect. Still runs fine. I put an aftermarket tensioner lever in it for $60. The bike is in such good shape, someone asked me if it was brand new the other day. Been across canada on it, ridden every trail in bc. Greatest welfare touring bike ever. For those who can't afford fancy bikes, this is the answer. The vw beetle of motorcycles. Would I like a ktm? Sure, can I afford one? No.

  • park the bike and hike that bitch!

  • Nice video.

  • "by the long way series" are you talking about ewan mcgregors journey?

  • @Takunrsx Yes. Long way round, and Long way down. Still hoping for a long way up.

  • @halfthrottle same here, thx to those journeys, i decided to have my own adventure and im planing to buy a chinese 350cc trail motorcycle (damm my low income) and go 10.000klms from argentina to venezuela...and who knows if im gonna be able to come back lol

  • I dunno dude, for the riding on those semi-gnarly trails you are doing I'd prefer a smaller dual sport. 650's are heavy! But then again, I'm pretty small.

  • prefer the KTM adventure tourer they are highly reviewed bikes but for money on a budget a oldish bwm bike or honda will do the job

  • I have a KLR and love it, but if I was ever in a financial position where I could comfortably afford a BMW, I would buy one in a NY minute.

    (but keep my KLR for when the Beemer breaks)

  • KLR riders are cheap cunts....made in Taiwan, and definetly not the worlds most powerful anything....they are junk!!

    I did laugh though!!

  • What size are the ammo cans on the back?? I like that system, be sure to let me know if you guys get that to market. Thanks, SteveD328

  • I'll still take my dr650 any day light fast with balls

  • i wonder if TLWR they used smaller bikes they would have had that much trouble. droping the bike while leaving the garage is bad..

    around here the Yamaha xt660 something is the most common.. kawasaki enduro is only the Versys.. know anything about these two in comparison to the klr?

  • I am not sure this bike appropriate for the people, because of this bike performance ( Rock riding, sand riding) not for well, in my vision........................­.

  • Im sorry but man they really are a shit box , its like riding a lounge chair

    but each to there own , , if it gets you out there its the best bike around

  • i think a yz 250 would b better

  • haha one of the crappiest videos and bikes out there. a single small whoop makes the back end bottom out and it couldnt make it up that LITTLE sand hill for crap

  • the klr 650 is one of the best bikes ever made.Heres why: Price: 10/10($6200+tax value: 10/10 range: 10/10 reliablity :10/10 add ons/ mods/ support:10/10 load carrying 10/10 utility:10/10 maientence cost 9/10 versatility:9/10 overall handleing:9/10 (with must have fork brace) dirt/trail: 8.5/10 highway:8.5/10 comfort 8/10 smoothness 8/10 speed 7.5/10 weight 6.5/10 everything about this bike is true i would trust it to take me around the world,just as much as a bike that cost triple.
  • Yeah?! I had the 07'. I did 7266 miles in two years. That is after I reassembled the bike from the dealer using lok- tite on everything. Upgraded the front and rear suspension, re-jetted the carburetor, made a steel skid plate, and added vibration dampeners to the handlebars. It was a fun toy, but NOT for serious adventure ridding. Honestly not a huge fan of the 1200GS or any bike for that matter that has a computer.

  • Awesome luggage, what brand is it? I guess its custom but I can ask :P

  • @diegosaenz Yeah that's a DIY brand.

  • haha. wow...i think this was the 1st video i watched, before i even subscribed to this channel.

  • @hughes40 It's a classic for sure.

  • the klr is a great bike, not as nimble as the dr650 but better equiped for long rides. i still think the ultimate dualsport is the URAL GEARUP. DR650+KLR 650+URAL= ready for any condition or trip, plus you can get all three for less than 24k.

  • I am very interested in the luggage system you're using. Especially if it cost under $300! Where can I learn more about this?

  • Ok, I'm interested. My KLR is an '06 model. What are the sizes of those ammo cans? Will the mounting system you have there work on an '06 model? Thanks.

    Steve D

  • Hey halfthrottle great video!!

    You have the original rear shock on that Kawa right?? And you said waterproof and lockable luggage, how did you do that to the 40mm Ammo boxes??

  • @4pasch4 This is actually my friends KLR he had the stock shock here but has since upgraded. It was needed badly with all the additional weight. He just bought a rack and bolted the boxes to the rack, pretty simple.

  • @halfthrottle Of course the upgrade is a must with the heavy ammo boxes. Im investigating on that, getting ammo boxes but for me it is really important to be able to lock them with a key, the lid of course.

  • @4pasch4 You will need to rig up a hasp lock of some sort. Some drilling and bolting and cursing should have the job done in no time.

  • @halfthrottle What is your opinion on Mermite Panniers, they weight (together) about 25 pounds less than the ammo boxes, plus made from aluminum, no rust (but hard to weld)

    I do think that the ammo cases look the best on the KLR, but as long I keep the original shock, weight is an issue

  • @4pasch4 If you can get your hands on a good pair I say go for it. 25 pounds is a lot to save.

  • I have an '06 model. Best all purpose bike in the world.

  • Great video! I have a 2009 and love it. After seeing this video I need to get more luggage and accessories.

  • Fact is the KLR 650 was such a good bike from the get go that they never changed a thing on that bike for like 24 years. The price beats out every other bike in the category, yeah they could have added some anti-vibration mirrors and a doo-hickey upgrade. I would have liked to see it be a bit lighter but with such a large capacity gas tank and all its built like a tank and is about as heavy. Its a very durable and dependable bike so its wins above all others in its class.

  • A KLR does not do any one thing great, but it does do it all....

  • A KLR does not do any one thing great, but it does do it all

  • KLR takes a nice road ride no doubt, but take a bit of comfort and a lot of weight and you have a nice 50/50 split with the DR650. I've put thousands of miles and only a few dollars to have a setup that tears up the highways and hops right to the trails

  • how do you get those army ammunition cases mounted????

    must know.

  • But a KLR is not a BMW

  • My buddy sander is a long time enthusiast, Raced in a ton of national events, completed numerous Bun Burners, etc, and now runs a dealership his youtube name is AvantMotorcycles, - Now he rides and has ridden a KLR For a long time, Yesterday he rode my DR-Z400s and said it was just as comfortable at highway speeds, and did 5x better off-road due to the light weight compared to the KLR, - Just thought i would chime in,

  • i like klr but how come it doesn't have a gas gauge on it?

  • 4 klr's for theprice of 1 gs? ...well how many bikes can u ride at once? lol with all due respect you can not compare a klr to a gs the klr is a far more inferior bike plus u will need 4 klr's jus to match a gs's lifespan and a klr would not make it around the world a gs has and does often cos a gs can take impacts klr's cant

  • @ddr110285

    that is definitely not true klr's are very dependable .

    my daughter and me drove them from canada to the tip of south america and back with no trouble.

    they are the quintesential travel bike believe me !

    BTW, i own 2 bmw"s and they are good bikes but if i have to travel i will take my klr any time.

  • @theklrdude fair play to you dude but comparing a klr to a gs? gimme a break gs is the best all rounder in the world!! bar none .. i have also owned both these bikes klr was good light round the cities etc but long distance comfort gs all trhe way

  • The honda XL is better off road but that really hurts it on road. The KLR is so nice feeling on road that it can be stopped by stuff the honda can make off road. The DR Zuk is a pretty good in the middle but for all those reasons any one of them can be best depending on the person. Me personally I have an old school XT550 Paris Dakar rally edition. Love it. But any way you go dual sports are the funnest bikes out there.

  • @JcXtreme72 Excellent comment. Lots of great bikes out there all good at what they were designed for. Like how Harley's look so good being pulled on trailers for example.

  • @halfthrottle Ok that's funny. I don't know many Harley's that can make 1000 miles with out needing more then gas. I always say bikes are like religeon it doesn't matter which one is right. It's more important to be riding.

  • BMW F 800 GS

    THE BEST ADVENTURE BIKE IN THE WORLD !!!

  • This bike needs to be in fallout.

  • hmmm by this logic I am better of with a xr650 given that for the price of a used KLR I can get 2 used XR's

  • I've heard the diesel conversion was for army use only. Could be wrong.

  • @auaaron11 They are trying to release a civilian version of the diesel KLR. But it will be to expensive to compete. $18,000 was the estimated price last time I looked.

  • Love this bike, To bad in my country there is to many forest and no desert.

  • @adybarbarian Theres nothing wrong with having a little fun in the desert.

  • I rode the prototype diesel version of this bike for us forces.Anybody know if they are on issue yet/

  • This is a very nice video.

  • .....yeah sure but trail riding has moved on from the 80s. The KLX not much.

  • Thanks for the comment germanshep enjoy yours to.I put a nice bag on the back and some barkbusters foot pegs aluminum skid plate and kooba lowering links in the rear

  • also if you could post a video where you show how you put them on and made whole thing work that'll be very nice of you

  • If you have to ask if you can ride it on the freeway-the answer is no. We dont need anymore retards riding bikes on the freeway that dont belong. Also, why not buy a used KTM 950 for the same money and get a real bike.

  • @jessepitt Ziiiiiing!

  • KLR FOR LIFE BABY

  • I wanna know how and what he outfitted it with for $300.

  • the worlds most powerful enduro motorcycle????

  • @JDogDrums Piece of cake. They use oil at high speed. I have an '08 I put just under 18,000 miles so far smilen all the way. They are tall and heavy off road but have plenty of power. More of a tank than a rocket. Handling is super great . Stock seat is a bummer. Figure 200 miles for gas on the freeways opposite of a car it gets worse mileage on the freeway than around town unless you keep your speed down. If you aren't a do it yourself type guy than stuff can cost you. klr forum.

  • Where do I get 300$ luggage like on the vid bike

  • @wheatleylaner Go to the Army/Navy Surplus and pick up some ammo boxes, i'm sure there are a few mounting arms that need to be bought (not sure, don't own a KLR yet) but from here, it looks like you just drill some holes and mount them. They may not be all nice stainless steel like the BMWs, but they'll get the job done.

  • Where do I get 300$ luggage like on the vid bike

  • @JDogDrums Sure you can take a KLR on the freeway. If that is where most of your riding will be you might want to pick up a 16 tooth counter sprocket, and more street oriented tires.

  • Anything honda will rape, this bmw and all klr's, 360 no-scope?

  • I am so glad alot of people say this is a great bike cause I am picking up a new one this weekend I hope it's decent

  • @MrDjh66 enjoy your new klr,i have a 08 and far as oil burn issues never had it. Went 950 or so miles never burnt a drop,break in period is the key i think;]

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  • @BillieBobSmith Source?

  • i rode and maintained one in the marines those are alot of fun and you can roll it down a hill flip it up side down crash it into a tree and pee on the dam thing stand it back up and i guarantee it will start right back up and run.

  • @bordone Do you know if the Marines ever retire their old KLR's and sell them to the public?

  • @halfthrottle yes they do but usually if your going to go that route you might want to buy two or three bikes just to get one good one out of it. Remember the marines never get rig of anything unless its totally fucked and would cost more to repair than its actually worth. If you would like more info feel free to message me personally and your other videos are awesome i just subscribed

  • @bordone Good point about the Marines. Gotta use it up before you can get a new one. Glad you like the videos, I've got plans for some great ones coming soon.

  • @bordone Don't forget to remind them the Marine KLR's run on JP8.

  • @GrigoriZhukov I thought anything that runs on JP8 would also run on diesel.

  • @bordone how did the military modify them for their needs. doesnt seems it rides too good with all that weight

  • @ViolentEncounter marine corps models have up graded suspension skid plates on the engine and reinforced handle bars. theres two different versions one is gas and one is diesel the diesel model if your unit is lucky enough to even look at one has a different shaped fuel tank and can run on anything combustible. but like i said most marine units dont have them.

  • "I prefer a GS because I'm a snob"... priceless lol ☺

  • Those luggage boxes kinda look like ammo cans!

    KLR's are the best enduro bikes ever... If KTM's wheren't so expensive i'd say KTM's are the best competition they have.

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  • kawa 4 ever

  • what size of ammo boxes are on the rear

  • Lol at guys who hate the KLR. I wonder, why? Why come to a klr link on YouTube and try to diss it? Jealousy, maybe?

  • KLR's are good at what they were made for, but to say they can do anything that enduro bikes can do, yeah, come tell me that on a real Dual Sport ride like the Shenandoah 500. I see more KLR's being towed back than anything. They are good but not as hard core as real off road requires. Heavy and underpowered, but for what they were made for, good bike.

  • "one bike thats ready for the apolypse right off the showroom floor"

    gotta say, you convince me with that i had to be honest

  • The KLR is good. I prefere my own bike a CAGIVA ELEFANT. i modived the engine i have now 130ps. Hagon suspension. I drove trough mud pools until my waste and it didnt get stuck. I drove with gear on the back trough mudpools 40cmdeep and no problem. It's way tougher then the KLR.

  • @bobsbikeshop I had never heard of the Cagiva Elefant. Looking at some pictures now, pretty sweet looking.  I don't think they sell them in the U.S.

  • @halfthrottle No not anymore they stopt selling afther 1997 so it's not a new bike. The reason they build it whas to ride paris dakar. It whas disignd as a rally bike and later they made it street legal. And about selling in USA im not sure i know 3people in Canada with Elefants.

  • @halfthrottle did and didn't most in teh U.S. are gray markets through canada...ducati motor.

  • ...and by the way.....the KLR650 is still my favourite and for me always the 1st joice!

    Try "Sebring"-exhaust pipes and you will enjoy the sound!!!!

  • I ride a KLR650A1 since 1989, did more than 60tkms, long rides thu the Alps and Italy, mostly with 2 persons on and a lot of lugage. I was always satisfied and impressed and when the roads were small with a lot of turns, no BMW could pass me. Even a hard accident could not kill my KLR650. The best motorbike ever! Not so pretty and no lightweight 180kg is not a lightweight.

    I even saw versions of the KLR650 specially for the US Army etc even with a Diesel/all-fuel-engine.further questions? ;-)

  • Where can I buy the lugage system???

  • Where can you buy the lugage system?? thks.

  • You could haul a lot of beer!

  • Are you kidding! even four KLR's put together won't be as powerful as a R1200GS.

  • @AltusPienaar ...maybe not, but the KLR is four times easier to buy (not to mention four times easier to haul out of the mud!) You buy your GS and ride it to work with your $1200 riding jacket and pants over your business suit... meantime, I'll load up my KLR and head for the hills, safe in the knowledge that if it tips over, I can pick it up myself, if it gets stuck, I can likely haul it out myself, and if it breaks, I can probably fix myself, or have someone else do it for FOUR TIMES LESS!!

  • The KLR is fat enough. Did you REALLY need to add 4 ammo boxes? Really? Do you travel 2 up and need all that crap? Halfthrottle- aren't you the guy who also has a Suzuki DR 650 all tricked out? Why on earth would you ride that KLR if you have a modded DR? The DR with a few minor mods and some soft luggage would be waaaay better, and prolly bout at least 60 pounds lighter when all said and done. Not to mention the KLR is so ugly.

  • @bkk5000 I have a 1200GS, this is my friend Mitch on his KLR650. He has since beefed up the suspension and the bike rides much better. I have another friend who did ride a V-Strom until his wife broke his balls and made him sell it.

  • @halfthrottle hey halfthrottle Where can you buy the mounting brackets for the ammo cans? and who makes them?

  • That bike looks pretty lightweight........hahahaha

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  • idk jack shit about a GS adventure, but i know one things for sure, a KLR KICKS ASS when it comes to offroad. ive taken mine through sand dunes, through woops doin like 30, in deep muddy water, up rocky mountain-sides, and ive even jumped it and its still as good as new. its more of an offroad bike though considering it tops out at a lousy 100MPH DOWNHILL and sits at like 5,500RPM's at only 65 MPH in top gear. plus is sounds like a lawn-mower stock. cheap though :P

  • KLR is a very good motorcycle but the power is not the best side to wacht. Specialy if you know the HONDA XR 650R. Oh my GOD!!!!!!! Good video

  • You've completely missed the point if you are genuinely thinking of buying this over a GS. You may pay more for a GS, but you'll never require a "monkey with a spanner" to fix it.......it'll never go wrong! I'm a snob.....I wouldn't be seen dead on a Kawasaki.

  • @EngineerAn No you wont need a monkey with a spanner. You will need a certified BMW technician charging $90+/hour. And if you take the GS on an adventure as it is intended and something breaks, your not going to be able to find anyone who can fix it.

  • @halfthrottle Just like ya stated, "Any monkey with a wrench." I got plenty of wrenches.

  • @halfthrottle heh that's only true if you buy anything after the mid 90's. Man up score a R80GS or R100GS from the 80's and you can repair it anywhere with pretty much your normal tools. 8^)

  • @halfthrottle Very well said dude. That is a fact.

  • @halfthrottle i felt your words man..

  • @EngineerAn and the usmc and special forces dont use a GS because?

  • @EngineerAn "...it'll never go wrong!" Oh REALLY?! Tell that to the 'Long Way' team, who suffered multiple issues in their two treks, including several instances of broken frames, brake issues, and, in Africa, four broken rear springs on three bikes. And before you rail back at me, I'm not saying a KLR would have necessarily done any better, I'm saying the BMW is NOT infallible, as you are stating, and that the KLR would have been cheaper and easier to fix!! ...& yes, you are a snob! LOL!

  • @gary550 I'm not so much of an Enduro rider anyway, I'm more a road/track rider. The weight of the GS always puts me off every time I pick it up from the stand, and it's a damn wide engine. I wouldn't have either, I'm happy with my BMW S1000rr, perfect for the streets (and Losail GP track) of Qatar. And no racist comments please, I'm not an Arab before anyone attempts to rile me.

    Happy riding to all!

  • I have a 94 KLR... My brother has a newer GS... both great bikes.... but I could have bought 4 of mine for what he paid for his. Is the GS better?... probably. Is it FOUR TIMES better?... not a freakin' chance! So I guess it depends on what you want it for.

  • Got one, love it, haven't been off road on it yet.

  • cheap this cheap that who cares what you buy or what you spend just go ride

  • I just bought one last night 2007 with 11k miles for $2450

  • Shit i have been at that same spot at 0:02!! It's an amazing road, and hella long!

  • Huh?'worlds most powerful dualsport'enduro motorcycle'??- how the hell did anyone make that conclusion?

    I've had KLR's, and they're good, not powerful but ok, i've also had BMW gs's, and if i were planning to do some serious long distance rough road/off road riding, it'd be the klr with its inferior suspension, painful seat and buzzy motor that would stay in the garage, no question.

    I'd be more inclined to trust the bmw's reliability too and thats from someone who LIKES the klr!

  • You forgot to add a part about the reliability of the doohickey right of the showroom floor.

  • Great video!

  • anyone who thinks a KLR can do "anything" a GS bike can do, has never ridden a gs800 or gs1200.

  • @zenrhythman Sure it can, a KLR can be dropped, kicked, smashed, raped, crashed, and lit on fire all without giving the owner a heart attack when he gets the repair bill. For what it would cost to repair a GS after even a small mishap you could go and buy another brand new KLR.

  • @halfthrottle the klr is a great bike, Im not a hater at all. I love the KLR for trails and mountains. But with 44BHP, the klr cant even come close to the F800Gs 85BHP speed, stability and power. In open dessert, and certainly on street, an F800Gs or a KTM990 will smoke a KLR evry time. Its no contest. Ive ridden them both.

  • @halfthrottle i have a 650 gs dakar,and i have ride and the 1200gs and the klr....the 1200 is too heavy and has very expensive parts.....i myst say that i agree with you....if you fall with the gs you will pay it....here in greece they buy 1200 gs just for show us that they have money....

  • @halfthrottle You mean like repalcing the final drive that eats it's self? 

  • @halfthrottle Im a fan of the KLR, having owned one (and totalled one), but it doesnt take much damage to total this thing, because its so cheap. My bike slid on one side, only one side was damaged at all, and repair totalled over 50% of the bikes total worth, so the insurance company wouldnt repair it.

  • @ThePaulanthony62 I laid my 1200GS down on a dirt road. Cracked the cylinder head, scratched the front rim, dented the exhaust. Few other minor cosmetic things. Same thing happened insurance company said I had totaled the bike. So because the GS is so expensive, if you break or scratch anything on it you're left with a salvage title.

  • @halfthrottle It doesnt really matter what bike your riding, damages add up quick, wether its a kawa or a BMW. So after having ridden a GS, you would still rather have a KLR?

  • @ThePaulanthony62 ...i know people who has drive gs ....and they return to klrs...i think is for the handeling factor...they are very confortable..your legs are in nice position as well as your body and arms....also.. the way how klrs take the curves in hiways..is awsome..i cant see another bike kicking klrs on short curves..never...and the heavy and trully potential off road is amazing..

    thats my experience..so klrs..they just wonder....mine is a 94 light green model..and i love it..

  • @ThePaulanthony62 well watch some of @halfthrottle 's vids and atles rider's vids about how much they put there klr's through. and check out this guy called billmaa he's in the proses of riding his klr to Alaska.

  • @zenrhythman

    KTM & Yamaha - winners of Paris-Dakkar.

    BMW - wins only several times.

  • @lsandry: KLR650 never won Paris-Dakar, but Cagiva did with it's elefant.....I have both...KLR AND Cagiva Elefant.....guess which one is my favourite....KLR650.