https://advrider.com/the-kawasaki-klr-is-dead-aim-expo/
Taken from that news site:
At an early morning conference Thursday, Kawasaki announced to its dealers that the venerable KLR has seen its final year of production. The news was broken to Kawasaki dealers prior to the opening the doors of the AIM Expo to the media.
I spoke to a Kawasaki representative who verified that the KLR has indeed been discontinued. Existing inventory will still be available, but production has been halted. The representative said that Kawasaki would continue parts support for the foreseeable future...
The KLR is dead
The KLR is dead
2015 Husky FE350S
2012 KTM 990
2012 KTM 990
Re: The KLR is dead
Thanks for sharing, Creekside! As it has been for so many, the KLR650 was my gateway drug.
I grew up riding motorcycles--had a 50cc and a couple old 100cc "enduros" on the farm, but had never seen or even heard of "off-road" riding. I had no idea that people rode motorcycles in the forest.
After a 5 year dry-spell without a motorcycle, I stumbled onto the Backroads Touring Kansas website, where I saw hundreds of pictures of folks riding KLR650s and the like on gravel roads exploring the countryside. Big city life had me missing the country. I was immediately hooked.
My 2003 KLR650 took me a lot of places. I miss her.
I imagine Kawasaki will have a replacement. Not everyone will be happy about the new bike, but my money says the have something to fill the gap, and announcing the death of the KLR650 is part of the media buzz to build suspense for the new models.
I grew up riding motorcycles--had a 50cc and a couple old 100cc "enduros" on the farm, but had never seen or even heard of "off-road" riding. I had no idea that people rode motorcycles in the forest.
After a 5 year dry-spell without a motorcycle, I stumbled onto the Backroads Touring Kansas website, where I saw hundreds of pictures of folks riding KLR650s and the like on gravel roads exploring the countryside. Big city life had me missing the country. I was immediately hooked.
My 2003 KLR650 took me a lot of places. I miss her.
I imagine Kawasaki will have a replacement. Not everyone will be happy about the new bike, but my money says the have something to fill the gap, and announcing the death of the KLR650 is part of the media buzz to build suspense for the new models.
Re: The KLR is dead
It is possible there will be a twin announced as a replacement. If it has the same weight at the current 650 but more power and possibly even a 6 speed they will have a worthy replacement. It would also be one that could be engineered to be Euro 4 & 5 compliant and hence meet our EPA requirements as well. The inexpensive small bore singles market is pretty crowded. The Royal Enfield Himalayan (441 c.c., 450 lbs, 24 hp) is only $2,800 new out the door with insurance and tags in India. Having just put about 1,400 miles on one I would say this is a market that Kawasaki probably would not wish to compete in. The Himalayan was comfortable, pretty vibration free, got really good gas mileage and pretty tough. They are all over in India and the shops didn't have any in for repair.
Stu
Stu
- stimmer6253472
- Posts: 255
- Joined: 22 Aug 2011 11:42
- Photo URL: http://
- Location: Belton, Mo
Re: The KLR is dead
something I read said it would be replaced with a new KLX 550.
2017 KTM 250 XCW (mine)
2009 KTM 300 XCW (was mine now my sons)
2007 KTM 990 Adventure mine (mine)
2007 BMW GS650X-Country (my wife's I bought from Birdman)
2003 KTM 300 EXC (my origional KTM now a backup bike, still as good as new)
2000 Kawasaki KLR 650 (was my dads but hoping my son will enjoy it as much as his dirt bike)
2003 KTM 50 mini adventure (sons - gone)
2007 CRF 100 (sons - gone)
2009 KTM 300 XCW (was mine now my sons)
2007 KTM 990 Adventure mine (mine)
2007 BMW GS650X-Country (my wife's I bought from Birdman)
2003 KTM 300 EXC (my origional KTM now a backup bike, still as good as new)
2000 Kawasaki KLR 650 (was my dads but hoping my son will enjoy it as much as his dirt bike)
2003 KTM 50 mini adventure (sons - gone)
2007 CRF 100 (sons - gone)
Re: The KLR is dead
Is the new 2019 Honda 450 L dual sport the direction that small displacement dual sport bikes will be heading, including perhaps a replacement for the 650 KLR? Reviewers are pretty happy with the new Honda.
Stu
Stu
- KC
- Posts: 413
- Joined: 30 Nov 2006 21:39
- Photo URL: http://www.picasaweb.google.com/wolf.kyle
- Location: Manhattan, KS
- asis
- Posts: 27
- Joined: 26 Nov 2016 09:17
- Photo URL: http://asis.phanfare.com/7188527
- Location: Emporia
Re: The KLR is dead
Thanks for sharing. Would love a 300# bike that could pull the front in 3rd.
2018 KLX 250-2005 KLR 650