2009 Kawasaki KLR 650 Review

Introduction

Most likely, the best way to start when reviewing the 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650 is the fact that for under $6 grand you get virtually more motorcycles into one. After spending a fair deal of time on it, we seriously started considering that the concept of a multi-purpose motorcycle almost doesn’t make it justice. This thing will commute, deal with crowded city traffic, tour and ride as well on gravel as it does on the tarmac so it’s really hard not to fall for it…well, not really because it isn’t that good looking and neither as powerful as the alternatives on the market today, but it’s one hell of a ride for the buck paid on it.

For a middleweight dual-purpose motorcycle, it’s a rare thing to be powered by a single-cylinder engine, but the KLR actually is and by a 651cc, four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve unit. A Keihin CVK40 carburetor sends fuel into the big bore and stroke (100.0 x 83.0mm) motor, ensuring plenty of low and midrange grunt while the five-speed gearbox makes sure that the engine will be kept “in the zone” although we have our abstentions regarding to that.

2009 Kawasaki KLR 650

Weighing overall 432 lbs, the bike features a steel frame and generally massive bodywork, making it look much heavier than it actually is. With 7.9 inches of travel front and 7.3 inches of travel rear, the 41mm telescopic fork respectively the Uni-Trak rear shock aren’t ready to hit the off-road just on paper, but in reality as well. Also, the standard spoked wheels (21-inch front and 17-inch rear) come to support the suspensions equipment and provide a smoother pass over difficult terrain.

Featuring a 58.3 inches wheelbase, on-road stability isn’t an issue, but the 35 inches high seat is for those under the average height. Wind protection is ensured by a fairing and a fairly tall windscreen because those 6.1 gallons of gas going in the tank won’t be burned fast at all.

Like most the equipment on this bike, the brakes are modern and highly effective. Up front, a 280mm petal-style disc works with twin piston caliper while the 240mm rear discs sticks to a single-piston caliper.

Although not built for the most ostentatious of you out there, ’09 KLR 650 won’t pass unnoticed wherever you ride and look much more expensive than it actually is.

History

Kawasaki KLR 650 Previous Generation Model

But was it always that way? Not quite, because the first ever Kawasaki KLR 650 was introduced back in 1987 as a heavy duty piece of machinery powered by the same liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, 4 valves engine that developed 44bhp. The fork was a 38mm unit and there was also the Uni-Trak swingarm. Looks weren’t that important and yet, wind protection was sufficiently good to ensure comfortable riding conditions even at a top speed of 108 mph.

The bike was highly reliable and dependable so it carried on being produced with no significant change for no more or less than two decades. Last time I checked, the previous generation model was still going strong on and off the road and appreciation from riders didn’t lack at all.

Kawasaki updated the KLR 650 for 2008 and the new generation model is overall more refined and offering different power and torque figures (37bhp at 6,200rpm and 45.3 Nm of torque at 4,950rpm). The bike’s exterior appearance was totally renewed by a new half fairing, headlight and windscreen. This makes it more adequate for street riding and, as we mentioned, it helps hide that very low MSRP.

Competition

2009 Honda XR650L

Given the fact that the 2009 Honda XR650L doesn’t look as good as the Kawi does and yet starts at $6,499, we can only start thinking better and better about the KLR. But not for long as XR’s 644cc, air-cooled, dry-sump, single-cylinder, four-stroke, SOHC; four-valve engine featuring Honda’s Radial Four-Valve Combustion Chamber makes a top off-road performer out of it while handling isn’t bad at all either. Also, with a ground clearance of 13 inches it’s clear where the XR650L will shine while the ability to go on the streets remains just that.

2009 Suzuki DR650SE

The 2009 Suzuki DR650SE is a great overall motorcycle starting at precisely $5,699. Adequate both for beginner and experienced riders, this thing will perform equally satisfying on and off the road while being powered by a 644cc, four-stroke, air-cooled, OHC engine. Like both the above mentioned bikes, the Suzi is carbureted features an electric starter, but doesn’t add nothing special on the scene, does it?

Those in search of a street bike offering the ability to get off the road from time to time are also offered the Suzuki V-Strom 650/ABS. Although not a dual-sport model, just a versatile one, the V-Strom is worth mentioning just for those who don’t plan of spreading too much dust.

2009 BMW F 650 GS

The 2009 BMW F 650 GS is also not quite THE difficult terrain performer as it has turned into a rather comfortable street corner carving motorcycle capable of leaving the tarmac behind in favor of bumpier terrain. Yet, those two cylinders add on to the price which starts at $8,995. German quality build also counts.

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Exterior

2009 Kawasaki KLR 650

Among the Japanese crowd, this middleweight dual-sport Kawasaki is pretty much the most attractive as ever since the 2008 revamp, the bike features a generous fairing and a sufficiently high windscreen to offer the proper wind protection that day-long riding requires. Don’t get me wrong, it could have been more discrete and refined, but that’s something that we’re expecting from future model years.

Like on a proper dual-sport model, the front wheel is much bigger than the rear one (21 inches compared to 17 inches) and this gives the imposing overall appearance and that always ready for action look. Also, the mirrors are mounted on the tall handlebars and the hand guards come as standard equipment. There’s a serious skidplate in case that the 8.3 inches ground clearance doesn’t allow for easy passing over all obstacles.

For a bike in this class, the seat is foamy and even spacious we could say even though it isn’t perfect for touring. At the back, there’s always useful luggage rack so the bike is also practical. Saddlebags can also be mounted for extra carrying capacity.

The colors available for the 2009 model year – Ebony, Sunbeam Red and Oriental Blue – are supposed to give the KLR a livelier note and the last two even manage doing that.

Test Ride

2009 Kawasaki KLR 650

The Kawasaki KLR 650 is the kind of bike that people buy for being comfortable, reliable and for offering the ability to be ridden off the road even though it will most likely be used on long trips that imply much less adventure that the bike is actually capable of providing. Everything from the engine and transmission to the suspensions and brakes are tuned to perform equally well on various terrains and surfaces, offering a diversified ride that is highly enjoyable rather than calm and pretty much boring.

First thing first, the upright riding position allows the rider to stay on the bike for as much as the 250-300 miles that the bike needs to empty that decently sized fuel tank. If ridden on the freeway, the KLR shows how effective a large fairing and a tall windscreen can be while the mirrors, which are mounted on the handlebars, offer great rearwards visibility each time you change lanes in an attempt to squeeze in between traffic participants.

That single-cylinder engine provides a great get up and go kind of power and remains consistent in delivering it all across the powerband. That’s great for a bike claimed to be partly a commuter, but also for off-road exploiting where it proved ideal in making the bike capable of jumping over logs, pass through rivers and even climb steep hills in second gear. The ground clearance is decent and the soft suspensions ensure not only a smooth street ride, but manage with rocks and the rough terrain in the way that you expect from a veritable off-road motorcycle.

2009 Kawasaki KLR 650

One of the great advantages that the KLR 650 has over his competitors is the fact that it handles as good on the streets as it does off them, providing a smooth pass for the rider and enhancing its versatile character. This is not an aggressive bike. In fact, it can be a conscious beginner’s adequate choice, one that will prove effective, practical, but mostly enjoyable even after traveling tens of thousands of miles on it. The minimum condition is to flatfoot the ground from the 35 inches high seat and from there on it’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Price

This Kawasaki comes with a $5,599 price tag, exactly like in the case of the 2009 Suzuki DR650SE and, from what we’ve come to find, the bike is worth that and more.

Accessories will increase the price, but these make all the difference at the long haul. 

Conclusion

2009 Kawasaki KLR 650

Fair enough, Kawi could have offered a lower seating position and much better styling and the KLR 650 would have turned out an even greater success, but if it meets the demands of riders who exploit it on all kinds of terrains it can meet our demands as well. Still, we’re expecting minor modifications on future model years.

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SPECIFICATIONS

2009 Kawasaki KLR 650

Engine and Transmission

Engine: Four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve single
Displacement: 651cc
Bore x stroke: 100.0 x 83.0mm
Compression ratio: 9.8:1
Cooling: Liquid
Carburetion: Keihin CVK40
Ignition: Fully transistorized
Transmission: Five-speed
Final drive: Chain

Chassis and Dimensions

Frame: Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel
Rake / trail: 28 degrees / 4.4 in.
Front suspension / wheel travel: 41mm telescopic fork / 7.9 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel: UNI-TRAK® single-shock system with 5-way preload and stepless rebound damping / 7.3 in.
Front tire: 90/90x21
Rear tire: 130/80x17
Front brake / rear brake: Single 280mm petal-type disc, two-piston caliper / single 240mm disc, single-piston caliper
Overall length: 90.4 in.
Overall width: 37.8 in.
Overall height: 53.1 in.
Ground clearance: 8.3 in.
Seat height: 35.0 in.
Curb weight: 432 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 6.1 gal.
Wheelbase: 58.3 in.

Features

2009 Kawasaki KLR 650

Long Distance Minded 651cc Four-stroke Single

Four-valve Cylinder Head

Liquid Cooling

Fully Transistorized Ignition

Electric Starter

Handlebar-mounted Choke

Five-speed Transmission

Capable Suspension

Strong Wheels

Chassis

Engine Guard

Front and Rear Disc Brakes

Lighting

Large 6.1-gallon Fuel Tank

Additional Comfort and Touring Features