Bud Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 https://adventuremotorcycle.com/news/kawasaki-klr-650-discontinued-2019 Link to comment
szurszewski Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Were you hoping to buy one of those as well? Link to comment
roadscholar Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 (edited) I'm thinking it may have run it's course after 33 years. Edited September 28, 2018 by roadscholar Link to comment
dirtrider Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 https://adventuremotorcycle.com/news/kawasaki-klr-650-discontinued-2019 That's too bad as the KLR 650 is a great bike if used for it's intended purpose. Personally, I never warmed up to the 2nd generation 650 KLR but have owned a number of 1st generation KLR's. At the low retail price & deep discounts to attract buyers I would imagine that not much money was made by anyone in the pipeline from factory to dealer so not much incentive to keep it in production. Or possibly it just won't meet the newer emission control mandates & being crudely carbureted it is not exactly a green machine (regardless of it's company colors). It's lack of a 6 speed trans, somewhat weak front forks, a few easily repairable but persistent flaws have somewhat limited it's appeal, but to some of us long-time KLR owners it would still be the go-to bike to ride to remote 3rd world countries, or to ride in parts of the world where no help is available for thousands of miles. (the gen 1 KLR 650 is one of the few modern bikes that will actually start & run with no battery in the bike) Once the few little shortcomings are updated the KLR is about as reliable as a paper clip. Link to comment
eddd Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 https://adventuremotorcycle.com/news/kawasaki-klr-650-discontinued-2019 That's too bad as the KLR 650 is a great bike if used for it's intended purpose. Personally, I never warmed up to the 2nd generation 650 KLR but have owned a number of 1st generation KLR's. At the low retail price & deep discounts to attract buyers I would imagine that not much money was made by anyone in the pipeline from factory to dealer so not much incentive to keep it in production. Or possibly it just won't meet the newer emission control mandates & being crudely carbureted it is not exactly a green machine (regardless of it's company colors). It's lack of a 6 speed trans, somewhat weak front forks, a few easily repairable but persistent flaws have somewhat limited it's appeal, but to some of us long-time KLR owners it would still be the go-to bike to ride to remote 3rd world countries, or to ride in parts of the world where no help is available for thousands of miles. (the gen 1 KLR 650 is one of the few modern bikes that will actually start & run with no battery in the bike) Once the few little shortcomings are updated the KLR is about as reliable as a paper clip. So Kawasaki kept producing and selling a bike for 33 years that didn't make them or the dealers that much money??? Link to comment
Bud Posted September 28, 2018 Author Share Posted September 28, 2018 Were you hoping to buy one of those as well? Link to comment
roadscholar Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Ode to the KLR, a most trustworthy steed. Link to comment
fatbob Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 Kawasaki will replace the KLR with an updated bike soon. The new bike will have EFI and other updates. Hell the Ural and Enfield even have EFI! Probably emissions compliance has caused the current situation. That's my speculation anyway. Link to comment
Emfour Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 I looked on Craigslist for a decent KLR. The prices on the 2007 and earlier went crazy. Is it the best real-world street bike ever? Link to comment
jaycassetta Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 I loved my 2015 KLR650. They are fun to ride, simple and dependable albeit antiquated. I only sold it because when I advised my wife that I was getting the R1200RT she said the KLR had to go, much to the chagrin of my 16-year-old son. I still miss it. Link to comment
Indy Dave Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 Bill - Those are excellent photos! Thanks for sharing! Florida sure has changed . . . Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now