Kawasaki KLR 650 Video Test - Part 4

Part 4 of our 2008 KLR 650 video test. This episode focuses on off-road use and just riding on one incredible road - continued. This is our first sampling of the KLR off-road. Much more adventure to come. In this episode we make it to San Francisco.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• kawasaki
• KLR
• KLR650
• dual-sport
• dual-purpose
• motorcycle
• video
• review
• motorcycles
• test
• street
• off-road

[frincho]

Thanks so much for this series. I was pretty much decided on the Suzuki DR-Z 400SM (partly because the license for 400cc bikes is cheaper here in Quebec, Canada), but this KLR650 seems awesome! Thanks for the great review!

[mvrtvcom]

@frincho The DRZ is much different. It's a better hard core dirt bike by far, less comfortable, more buzzy. Not nearly as comfortable or smooth on the street. Doesn't have the fuel range of the KLR. The KLR is much more relaxed and a much softer setup. MVR

[jstanley011]

Off road? More like off pavement. How does the bike do on "stand on the pegs" "hop the log" type of off road?

[mvrtvcom]

@jstanley011 Like any dual-sport bike would (on the pegs hop the log) it would suck. Only the KTM street legal enduro bike would be suitable for that. MVR

[wilkbor]

Thanks for the review. You mentioned around 2:00 how well suited the stock tires are for the kind of riding you were doing. What are the stock tires on the bike? What are they designed for in terms of percent on-road vs percent off-road riding?

[mvrtvcom]

@wilkbor This is usually an easy question, but not with these tires. These are a very light-weight tires with a sidewall as thick as a dry leaf pressed for a photo album. The problem, or not, is that they work quite well. The stock tires were on for all of our testing. I would say 70 street 30 dirt. They are a big compromise for each - but work. I would replace them with a much better tire - but I don't have specifics. Stay tuned for at least 2 more episodes soon. Off-road, Garmin 550 GPS, more.

[NoFatChicks281]

I like to put my headphones turn the volume and make it full screen and pretend in actually riding it

[jstanley011]

@mvrtvcom Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

[ecelectic1]

Nice to see the KLR taking the old coast road - that was highway 1 before they put in the bixby bridge, so everybody had to drive that way (up to I think it was 1934?)

[gomiftw]

Very nice ride, thanks alot for this video, I really enjoyed it, gonna get some new kenda K270s on my KLR this weekend, hopefully get some good riding in this summer.