'08 Kowalski KLR 650

[darrell]

While out at Carlisle, this was one of the bikes I decided I had to take for a test ride.

Kowalski refined the KLR this year and has taken it more to the street side of it's dual-purpose. I have never ridden a KLR before, so I have nothing to compare the '08 to, except an '05 ***** XR 650L, another dual-purpose bike. So here we go.

First impression: Cool. This is one really neat looking bike. The top front end says it wants to blast down the highways, while the lower end says take me off road. It had a dual-purpose look to it. The '08 KLR has a slightly reduced suspension travel from the earlier models, but Kowalski says there really is no difference, becasue the inital sag is no longer there. I dunno, it soaked up the little bumps I threw at it just fine.

Anyway. I was lumped into the sport bikes on my KLR demo run. Somehow, I knew I wasn't going to be able to test this bike's off-road prowess. Oh well.

The KLR's bars are layed out like any other's imports, with the signals controlled on the left handlebar. Also on the left handelbar is the choke. That's something these carbed bikes need I've been told

Seriously, though, my test model had not been taken out for quite some time, and needed the use of the choke for about 45 seconds to come up to operating temps. After dis-engaging the choke, the bike settled down into it's steady one-cylinder thump.

The KLR had no problems starting out, and shifted well through the gears, although the shifter had quite a long throw on it. I couldn't click up through the gears because my toe couldn't go as far as needed to click the bike into successive higher gears. I actually needed to lift my leg up to be able to achive the throw needed to get into a higher gear. The shifter was positioned correctly at it's neutral point, so I don't know what the deal is there. However this would be my only gripe with this bike.

There wasn't much wind protection, but what was there must have been enough, because I felt much more comfortable on this than the ***** XR. And wind protection was needed. I was with the sport bikes, remember?

The ride rarely fell below 70mph, and the KLR kept up fine, well except for acceleration. But the little 650 held it's own, and although not as quick as the XR, the KLR made it's way up the RPM range just fine.

While the group of sport bike riders left me behind in the straight-aways, I was right on their tail going through the twisties. Although this may have something to do with my riding style, the KLR felt firmly planted no matter how hard I pushed it.

I would have liked to take a little side trip down a dirt road or two, but I didn't have the chance this time. I would have liked to see the KLR's abilities when the road ends and the gravel begins.

All in all, this bike is just plain fun. If I lived in the city this would be my bike of choice for daily commuting. It's narrow profile, off-road inspired suspension, and easy manuverability make it very suitable to taxi dodging, and pothole busting around a big metropolis.

Also, around where I live, farmers tend to crops that are spread around the county. This would be an ideal irregation runner. A vehicle to take from farm to farm, switching what crops are being watered. At least that's what I'd use it for just to be able to ride during working hours

Fun bike, that can do it all. Not necessarily do it all the best, but do it all well.

EDIT: The handguards: cheesy. If you're gonna put something on a bike to protect the rider's hands, make it slightly substantal. These looked like just pieces of plastic bolted on as an afterthought. That is all.

[dwarthog]

Good review!

BUT, the burning question that was not answered, can 8-Ball's feet touch the ground?

[darrell]

There's less inital sag on the '08 models.


This does not bode well for Ocho Balls.

Great stuff again, Darrell... it's okay... I don't like this one anyway...

Don... bastage!!!

[P 0 P E Y E]

Great write up, Thanks.

I am thinking about a motard type bike as and additional play bike.

A bike I could stunt a bit. A wheelie here, a dry pavement powerslide there. A snow bike to ride the fresh powder.

Did the bike have a lot of low end power? would it need different sprockets to feel like a dirt bike?

I have ridden on/off bikes in the dirt and found they end up folding in half or bottoming out...I wonder if the KLR would be able to take off road abuse beyond a fire road?

I will need to test one real soon. I will also test the KTM.


Again, thanks for sparking my interest.

[darrell]

POPEYE,

Without even test riding one, I do believe any KTM will run circles off road around the KLR.

You'd need to re-gear the KLR to get the low end off road grunt that a regular dirt bike affords.

[Berserker]

Someday I wouldn't mind having an enduro. Not so much for off roading, but fields and logging roads.

Not sure about those guards, but the ones for sleds and ATVs, are just plastic clamps on, not alot to them.

[Thorns]

Good write up...Thanks Darrell

Thorns

[Jonas]

I had a 2004 Vespa DR650. Much like the KLR Darrell test rode. I rode it for a couple years. Wish I would have kept it. It was alot of fun.

It was defenitly a better road bike then a dirt bike. It would run 90 mph down the rode with no problem. Pretty quick too.

It weighed over 300 pounds, makes for a heavy dirtbike. The on/off rode tires were terrible for off road. Once there got a little mud in them, they were worthless. It was a thumper and would do some great wheelies. Ist gear was a little tall. New sprockets would have helped for off road. I dumped the thing a few times trail riding. I'm blaming it on the tires. I bought it new in 03, I think it was under 5K. Perfect for taking on dry dirt roads,trails and great on the highway. I'm watching craigslist for one at the right price.

[P 0 P E Y E]

Very cool.

What if we were neighbors?

My neighbors seem to not understand the lure of two wheels.

Especially seeing the bald headed neighbor use a skate board ramp to launch

[jasilva]

Popeye, look at these bikes http://www.husqvarnausa.com/ especially the TE610E it's a dual sport bike but it's actually an enduro bike with the lights added. If you want power and handling for about 2k less than the KTM these are great bikes.



Joe

[Jonas]

Originally Posted by P 0 P E Y E

Very cool.

What if we were neighbors?

My neighbors seem to not understand the lure of two wheels.

Especially seeing the bald headed neighbor use a skate board ramp to launch

My son and his buddy did the same thing. The ramp was made out of plastic, thats not a good thing

[darrell]

those Husqvarna do look nice. I wouldn't mind taking one of them for a little spin.

[P 0 P E Y E]

The ramp is heavy plywood and almost a quater pipe.

When xr-185 was running........I could shock the kids by launching.

The back tire would be about three feet of the ground.

When I landed, It would often case and sound evil