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Many of you have heard about this, but the KLR650 that went basically unchanged for 20 years has finally been revamped. One article I read argued that not much had really changed other than fairings, but this article seems to think the changes are widespread and a big improvement.

I put a lot of miles on my 03 KLR650 during the short time I owned it. I like the changes on the new machine except I can't help but think how badly I would have damaged the new, fancy fairings in all the drops I had flogging that top-heavy beast through Arkansas' ATV trails. Still, at under $5,400, it's a real value.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/30april0 ... lr650.html

From what I've read they changed the Doo Hickey and it may or may not be better. I guess we'll find out.

I like it! I'm with you though, before I really rode one, I would need some kind of nerf bars. I've used mine quite a few times. When a KLR decides to fall over, there isn't much you can do.

This shows that Kawasaki really, really is not doing their homework.

I thought the weight was a typo...nope, they ADDED 50 POUNDS! Wow...she was no ballerina to begin with, but 50 pounds more would make picking that big girl up next to impossible in certain situations.

Now if they would have been on the ball...Kawasaki could have really played a smart hand by marketing this bike to the adventure crowd and this bike:

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=207

to the dual-sport crowd. But...looks as if the 450 will not come in street spec.

Hmmm,
337 lbs becomes 386 lbs. Doh!
Fork travel goes from 9.1 to 7.9" (yeah, they reduced the static sag ... but why not reduce the sag and keep the travel?)
Ground clearance appears to be much lower. Really low.
The fairing appears to be more fragile and expensive.

Seems the BMW engineers got into this project.

Yeah, I think a KLX450 with a Baja Designs kit is the ticket. To bad your talking almost eighty-five hundred to outfit it the way I'd want.

Ian

or you could get a sweetly set up DRZ that does almost as good in the dirt and without the high strung valves for less than half that

safiri wrote:Hmmm,
Seems the BMW engineers got into this project.

AMEN. Pray for Husqvarna !!!

tim wrote:or you could get a sweetly set up DRZ that does almost as good in the dirt and without the high strung valves for less than half that

Keep fishin', I might bite.

You know the wife's gone next week, perfect for making stupid decisions. I'll be sleeping alone anyway.

Ian

tim wrote:

safiri wrote:Hmmm,
Seems the BMW engineers got into this project.

AMEN. Pray for Husqvarna !!!

Damn those German engineers! I hope they don't touch the Husky's and just help them increase production.

So, Ian...when you gonna get your 2008 KLR650 anyway? I want to see it. You gonna let me ride it? I'll trade you a coveted ride on a DR350SE!

As soon as Kawi gets off their lazy butts and ships it.

Deal on the trade.

Man, I wish I would of had something smaller and four stroke today at my uncle in laws land. I forgot how much pipey two strokes suck in the slime down around Sedalia. But we had fun anyway.

Ian

how come you're not slinging tires and predicting the weather in Hastings?

tim wrote:how come you're not slinging tires and predicting the weather in Hastings?

Let it go, Tim...let it go.
So Tim, was the blue DRZ I passed twice around Smithville today yours? And if so, you'd better stop to say HI next time I try to wave you down! (See the Head2Holt thread. http://www.rideforum.net/viewtopic.php?t=196)

tim wrote:how come you're not slinging tires and predicting the weather in Hastings?

You didn't hear? You'll be dealing with a new face at the Bridgestone tent.

I was so broken up by the fact that my poor tire choice decision made you crash, that I chucked in the towel and up and quit.

Actually, I did quit, but your poor rain riding skills had nothing to do with it I'm focusing more on dirt this year. And, as you saw on the squid board, I am planning on competing in the last half of the Forward Motion HS season which means no time to slang tires. Although I will be running Bridgestones at the hare scrambles.

Ian

troy wrote:

tim wrote:how come you're not slinging tires and predicting the weather in Hastings?

Let it go, Tim...let it go.
So Tim, was the blue DRZ I passed twice around Smithville today yours? And if so, you'd better stop to say HI next time I try to wave you down! (See the Head2Holt thread. http://www.rideforum.net/viewtopic.php?t=196)

no it wasnt me - I was laying around all day today and then went to the bike show this afternoon on the spur of the moment on a blue bike, but not the DRZ I bet there's someone out there who thinks you a re some sort of 2 wheeled stalker

iyeager wrote:

tim wrote:how come you're not slinging tires and predicting the weather in Hastings?

You didn't hear? You'll be dealing with a new face at the Bridgestone tent.

I was so broken up by the fact that my poor tire choice decision made you crash, that I chucked in the towel and up and quit.

Actually, I did quit, but your poor rain riding skills had nothing to do with it I'm focusing more on dirt this year. And, as you saw on the squid board, I am planning on competing in the last half of the Forward Motion HS season which means no time to slang tires. Although I will be running Bridgestones at the hare scrambles.

Ian

that's too bad I was looking forward to continuing to harass you. I still want that podium hat BTW. Me and Stoner bear such a striking resemblence in it, dont you think?

as for the HS, good luck and god speed.. maybe I'll screw up the courage to submit to that torture this fall once the season is over. If you make it through with all your limbs intact, that will be a good sign.