Kawasaki beefed up its venerable, dual-sport KLR line with the addition of the new-for-2023 KLR 650 S model that joins the stock carryover 650 that saw updates in 2022. The big-bore thumper from the 2022 update delivers plenty of tractable power down low in the rev range. This is a trait that is very endearing to off-road riders in general, especially when operating at low revs as during the more technical work and other controlled, slow-speed maneuvers.

There's plenty of protection from the windscreen and fairing, thanks to the update last year, to say nothing about the stock hand guards that protect your hamburger shovels against rain, wind, and brush strikes. A new LED headlight, new bodywork, larger brakes, and increased carrying capacity from last year carry into 2023.

The KLR 650 replaced the previous KLR 600 model back in 1987 and continues to evolve through what is now the third generation to hit the streets. The addition of electronic fuel injection replaced the old Keihin constant-velocity carburetor to go with the reworked frame and suspension from the second generation. It's worth mentioning that the U.S. military uses a diesel version of the KLR 650 as a recon platform for its scouts.

RELATED: Kawasaki KLR650: From Humble Beginnings To Today's Leading Dual Sport Motorcycle

2023 Kawasaki KLR650

9.00 / 10
Key Features
  • Large Windscreen
  • Available ABS
  • Flat Power Curve
  • 26 Amp Generator
  • Long Travel Suspension
Specifications
  • Model: KLR650
  • Engine:: 652 cc Single Cylinder
  • Power Output: 40 HP
  • Torque: 39.1 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM
  • Transmission: 5-Speed manual
  • MSRP: $6,899
Pros
  • Accessible And Capable
  • Accessible And Capable
  • Excellent Protection For The Bracket
Cons
  • No Higher Electronics
  • Minimally-Adjustable Suspension
  • Power Is On The Low Side

2023 Kawasaki KLR650 Performance And Capability

Green 2023 Kawasaki KLR650 on a trail
Kawasaki
Candy Lime Green 2023 Kawasaki KLR650 on a trail through the woods

As part of the 2022 update, a new fuel-injected engine powers the KLR. The Kawasaki KLR 650 produces 40 horsepower and 39.1 pound-feet of torque. That doesn't tell the whole story though. The torque maxes out at 4,500 rpm, but with ample grunt available much lower in the range, and the horsepower delivery is quite linear and predictable above the 2,000 RPM mark.

Bore and stroke mic out at 100 mm by 83 mm respectively for a 652 cc displacement and mild, 9.8-to-1 compression ratio that shouldn't be fuel-finicky in the slightest. Induction control moved away from the soup can in favor of electronic injection some time ago, so it now falls to the 40 mm throttle body instead.

As there are no electronic ride-control features, the throttle input goes straight to the butterfly plate as it were, for a raw but honest ride both on-road and off. Dual over-head cams time the four-valve head. Power flows through a standard clutch and five-speed transmission with a chain-type final drive and a KLR650 top speed of 89-ish MPH.

Engine & Drivetrain

Engine

4-stroke, single cylinder, DOHC

Displacement

652 cc

Bore x Stroke

100 mm x 83 mm

Compression

9.8:1

Power

40 HP

Torque

39.1 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM

Fuel System

DFI w/ 40 mm Throttle Body

Final Drive

Sealed chain

Clutch

Wet multi-disc

Gearbox

5-speed manual

RELATED: Why The Kawasaki KLR 650 S Is The Ultimate Dual-Sport Motorcycle

Design

Green 2023 Kawasaki KLR650 S static profile shot
Kawasaki
Candy Lime Green 2023 Kawasaki KLR650 S static profile shot

It may be capable of paved-road riding, but let's be honest, it clearly prioritizes the off-road chops when you get all the way down to it. Long-stroke suspension rolls with generous bellow gaiters to protect the inner fork tubes, bushings, and seals from road grime and off-road grit. The high-mount mudguard leaves plenty of room for the ample suspension stroke. In the fairing proper, a new-in-2022 LED headlight rides recessed in the fairing, and up top, a large, vented, two-position windscreen punches a hole in the wind for the pilot.

A surprisingly small LCD and a battery of indicator lights handle all the instrumentation. I'm guessing that, without any higher electronics to manage, there was no need for a big color screen, but I think there is room to improve in this area. The multi-function digital display was part of the 2022 update.

Stock hand guards protect your hamburger shovels, and if you're into winter riding, they'll pair well with the accessory heated handgrips. The large, 6.1-gallon fuel tank contributes its camel's hump to the flyline and provides for long treks on almost any surface. It has a strong wane toward the rear where it meets a narrow waist to make it easy to reach the ground at stops.

The stock KLR 650 and 650 ABS as well as the Traveler ABS model ride with a 34.3-inch saddle height. However, the new-for-2023 “S” variant drops that right down to 32.1 inches, giving shorter riders a break. The Traveler also comes with new padding for comfort, plus the long, bench-like seat leaves lots of room for fore-and-aft, body-weight shifts during technical maneuvers. It also comes stock with a topcase for secure dry storage for longer trips, or perhaps just trips to the grocery store.

Kawasaki KLR650 Specs

Model

KLR650

KLR650 S

Length

89.8 in

88.8 in

Width

38.2 in

38.2 in

Height (screen high/low)

57.7 in/56.3 in

56.3 in/54.9 in

Seat Height

34.3 in

32.1 in

Wheelbase

60.6 in

59.6 in

Ground Clearance

8.3 in

7.3 in

Fuel Capacity

6.1 gal

6.1 gal

Curb Weight

456.2 lbs (ABS: 460.6 LB)

456.2 lbs (ABS: 460.6 LB)

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Chassis

Yellow 2023 Kawasaki KLR650 Traveler on a trail
Kawasaki
Pearl Solar Yellow 2023 Kawasaki KLR650 Traveler on a trail in the desert

High tensile-strength steel tubing on the KLR650 makes up the semi-double-cradle frame as well as the integrated subframe structure for the strength and resiliency demanded by rough-terrain riding. The yoke-style swingarm has a D-section shape for the rigidity it brings to the table.

Rwu, 41 mm forks float the front end on 7.9 inches of travel but with no adjustability of which to speak. Out back, the Uni-Trak system rocks a single shock with adjustable rebound damping along with the ubiquitous preload adjuster, and it turns out a solid eight inches of travel. This makes the KLR 650 platform capable in fairly rough terrain indeed.

Laced wheels, ever the favorite of the off-road rider, round out the rolling chassis. They come shod with some stealth knobbies in a 90/90-21 up front for its terrain-tackling capabilities, followed by a 130/80-17. Curb weight is 456.2 pounds, so the factory went with a single 300 mm disc and twin-pot caliper up front with a 240 mm disc and a single-piston anchor out back. If you opt for an ABS model, you get stock ABS protection at both ends.

Chassis & Suspension

Frame

Tubular, Semi-Double Cradle

Front Suspension/ Travel

41 mm Telescopic fork/ 7.9 in

Rear Suspension/ Travel

Uni-Trak®, single shock with adjustable rebound damping and adjustable spring preload/ 8.0 in

Rake

30° (KLR650 S: 29.5°)

Trail

4.8 in (KLR650 S: 4.6 in)

Front Tire

90/90-21

Rear Tire

130/80-17

Front Brake

300 mm disc with 2-piston calipers, ABS models w/ABS

Rear Brake

240 mm disc with single-piston caliper, ABS models w/ ABS

RELATED: Top 10 Dual Sport Aftermarket Upgrades

2023 Kawasaki KLR650 Price And Availability

The 2023 Kawasaki KLR 650 costs $6,899. With ABS, it jumps up to $7,199. If the Traveler is more your speed, you can get it with ABS for $7,599, but only in the Pearl Solar Yellow finish.

As for the “S” model, it's priced the same as the base model. It rolls in a choice between Candy Lime Green and Pearl Storm Gray while the base model comes in Pearl Solar Yellow, Pearl Storm Gray, and Candy Lime Green.

Pricing & Features

Warranty

12 months

Colors

└KLR650

Non-ABS: Pearl Solar Yellow, Candy Lime Green; ABS or non-ABS: Pearl Storm Gray,

└KLR650 S

Non-ABS: Candy Lime Green; ABS or Non-ABS: Pearl Storm Gray

└KLR650 Traveler

Pearl Solar Yellow

Price

└KLR650, KLR650 S

$6,899 (ABS: $7,199)

└KLR650 Traveler

$7,599 (ABS only)

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Competitors

Kawasaki is completely ringed about with domestic competition from the rest of The Big Four. I'll start with the Ténéré 700 from Yamaha. Its dual-sport chops see even more suspension travel than the Kawi with 8.3 inches up front and 7.9 inches out back. The 689 cc engine produces a claimed 74 ponies and 50 pounds o' grunt to shame the 40/39 from the KLR. You'll pay for it though, with a $10,499 sticker.

red 2021 honda XR650L
Honda
Side view of the 2021 Honda XR650L taking on some rough terrain.

The Red Riders have their XR650L, but it's rather Spartan in appointments and bodywork and doesn't even have a windscreen. At the checkout, the price is right at $6,999, and power is almost a wash at 40 horsepower, but the 47.2 pound-feet of torque is a little bit saucier than the KLR's 39-pound torque figure. That said, you get a lot more protection and bike for your buck with the KLR 650 platform.

He Said

“There's a certain je ne sais qua to the adventure-bike build. It just seems so much more put-together than the more dual-sport-centric models, almost like glorified dirt bikes, from the competition. The 89-mph top speed can put it on the interstate with ease if you are using it as a commuter platform. Oh, and you can pencil me in as a fan of that yellow paint over all that blackout down below.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “I was happy when Kawasaki brought the KLR650 back in 2022 after a hiatus and with updates that made it more than just a reliable commuter. By beefing up the offroad capabilities, the KLR650 is finally where it was always supposed to be as a proper dual-sport bike.”

“Updates such as off-road-tuned suspension, a bigger front brake, larger fuel tank, and a larger windscreen really move the KLR closer to an adventure bike and farther away from a commuter that can go offroad once in a while. This year with the introduction of the KLR650 S, we have improved ride comfort with a new saddle and lower seat height, though part of that lower seat height is at the expense of reduced ground clearance.”

FAQ

Q: How many miles can a KLR650 go on a tank of gas?

With an ample 6.1-gallon fuel tank, the KLR650 has the legs to be a proper adventure-style travel bike. The new fuel-injected engine enables a range of about 300 miles.

Q: How much does a KLR650 cost?

MSRP on the base model 2023 KLR650 and the new KLR650 S without ABS is $6,899. With ABS, they each cost $7,199. The KLR650 Traveler only comes with ABS and costs $7,599. MSRP on the 2023 KLR650 Adventure is $7,899 without ABS and $8,199 with ABS.

Q: How fast will a KLR650 go?

Top speed of the KLR650 is 89 MPH. The previous generation model managed zero-to-60 in 5.9 seconds, so the current model should do at least that well. Intended as a dual-sport off-roader, being fast is not the prime consideration.

Q: Is KLR650 a good long distance?

The large fuel tank, comfortable seating position, and adequately cushioned saddle make the KLR650 a good choice for distance riding. On the lines of a Mini-Me adventure bike, the KLR650 extends its touring prowess with the new "S" variant that has even more optimized urethane in the saddle for increased distance comfort.