The Kawasaki KLR 650 is an absolute titan of the dual-sport segment, and there’s good reason for this. The Japanese manufacturer has been slowly and continuously refining the Kawasaki adventure bike since way back in 1984 when it first debuted. In the first three years of its production, it was the KLR 600 that did the job, with the KLR 650 only debuting in 1987.

Fast-forward to 2022, and the KLR range saw its biggest overhaul to date. With it, Kawasaki really tapped into what customers expected from a dual-sport motorcycle of the KLR’s caliber. And for this year, Kawasaki added another ace up its sleeve with the KLR 650 S model. This brings the total variant count to three: the KLR 650 (available with ABS and without), KLR 650 S (also available with ABS and without), and the KLR 650 Traveler ABS.

But what exactly are the changes to the KLR? How does it impact its ride, power, handling, mileage, and everything in between? This article will give you all the answers you need.

What Did Kawasaki Do To The KLR 650 Design?

Right off the bat, it should be noted that Kawasaki wants the KLR to be looked at as a motorcycle you can use on the road as much as you can off it. But one look at it will tell you that it’s a dual-sport motorcycle that clearly prioritizes the rough stuff.

To that effect, you’ll notice that the KLR is equipped with long-stroke suspension with enough protection for the inner fork tubes, bushings, and seals. The LED headlight is also new, while the dual-position windscreen is a boon for higher speeds. A multi-function digital display works its way into the equipment list, but a point to note is that it’s quite a small LCD display devoid of any color.

The crucial bit is the seat height. The stock KLR 650, 650 ABS and the Traveler ABS all come with a 34.3-inch seat height. The new-for-2023 650 S variant, however, lowers that to 32.1 inches. Needless to say, this will be a lot easier to handle for shorter riders. In addition to this, the Traveler also comes with new seat padding for added comfort, and it also comes with a topcase as standard. What's more, the KLR 650 has a stronger and more rigid chassis, giving it extra comfort and reliability.

Is The KLR’s Performance Enough?

As part of the update in 2022, the KLR 650 received a new fuel-injected engine. This ensures easier starting, an improved ability to tackle different elevations, and better mileage. The 6.5 gallon fuel tank ensures that you can get more than 300 miles to a tankful.

Its 4-stroke single-cylinder 652cc engine makes 40 horsepower and 39.1 lb-ft of torque. And while the peak torque is made at a low 4,500 rpm, there’s more than enough grunt from as little as 2,000 rpm, making it very useful while offroading. Additionally, the 2023 KLR 650 also gets a revised internal transmission and clutch, and a change in its cam profile to get more mid-range power. Also, the rear brake rotor has been made thicker, while the front brake rotor has been made larger.

The KLR doesn’t get any electronic ride-control features, and the power is put down via a 5-speed transmission with a chain-type final drive. The KLR 650’s top speed is close to 90 mph.

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Impressive Chassis Leads To Great Ride And Handling

High tensile-strength steel tubing on the KLR 650 makes up the semi-double-cradle frame as well as the integrated subframe structure for the strength and resiliency that are necessities for off-road riding.

What also helps is that, as part of the update, the bike’s ergonomics were also updated with tuned hand and foot control positions with rubber dampening.

There are 41 mm forks with 7.9 inches of travel at the front, but it misses out on adjustability. At the back, there’s a single shock with adjustable rebound damping and a preload adjuster, along with a good eight inches of travel.

As for the wheels, they’re spoked, which is always a good thing to have for rough terrain. The front is a 90/90-21 setup, while the rear gets a 130/80-17 setup. The curb weight comes in at 456.2 lbs, while stopping power is taken care of with a single 300 mm disc up front and a single-piston 240 mm disc at the back. Spec the ABS model, and you get stock ABS protection front and rear. All of this combined gives the KLR 650 the ability to be one of the best beginner adventure bikes.

Is The KLR 650 Expensive?

The 2023 Kawasaki KLR 650’s prices start at $7,899. Spec it with ABS and it goes up to $8,199. The Traveler ABS costs a bit more at $7,599. The KLR 650 S costs exactly as much as the base 650, though.

This pricing has allowed the Kawasaki KLR 650 to be the same affordable, easy-to-ride motorcycle as before. At the same time, it's much more modern and reliable than before.

What About The Warranty?

According to Kawasaki, every model of the KLR 650 comes with a 12-month warranty as standard. Additionally, you can also opt for the Kawasaki Protection Plus program. This enables you to extend the warranty by up to four years.

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The KLR 650s Established Rivals

The Kawasaki KLR 650 faces quite a bit of competition in the 650cc segment, but its biggest rival is the formidable Yamaha Tenere 700. Where it bests the KLR 650 is suspension travel: it gets 8.3 inches of travel up front and 7.9 inches at the back. Its 689cc engine also produces more power (74 horsepower and 50 lb-ft of torque). That said, it does cost more at $10,499.

The KLR’s other rival is the Honda XR650L. Compared to the KLR 650, though, it’s not as well-equipped. It doesn’t even have a windshield. It makes the same amount of horsepower, but the torque output is slightly more at 47.2 lb-ft. As for the cost, its sticker price is more or less on par with what Kawasaki charges for the KLR at $6,999.