2023 Kawasaki KLR 650 1 Month Review

Gen 3 KLR 650 Crash Bars from T-Rex
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#motorcycle #kawasaki #klr650
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[@mar0364]

It's nice to hear someone very happy with their bike!

[@ScoutsOut]

Thank you! If you know what your buying it’s a great motorcycle

[@Turco949]

I think people are forgetting this is a SINGLE cylinder bike! So, for what it is, I think Kawasaki did a great job. Anyhow, good, candid review. I am thinking about trying this as my next bike after I relocate.

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea I agree even I do the same, I kept expecting more and knowing what engine it is and it really is good for what it is. Thanks for watching

[@RVAMotorsports]

I just rode 1,000 miles in 4 days through Smokey Mountain National Park, and rode 300 miles each way to get there (mostly interstate). Four trips down the tail of the dragon, maybe 300 miles of off road trails, rocks, mud, and even river crossings. The KLR didn't miss a beat! I agree, it can handle the interstate and is really comfortable, but speeds over 75 seem like I'm asking a lot from the motor. My next upgrade is going to be a 16 tooth front sprocket as I plan on taking MANY more trips on my 2022 Adventure model. Great video, nicely said.

[@ScoutsOut]

Sounds like a hell of a 4 day adventure and exactly what I need to go do! I think I'm going to do the 16 tooth upgrade as well. I've heard both 16 and 17 but I think 2 up might require a change in the rear. Let me know what you think when ya do it 🍻

[@RVAMotorsports]

@@ScoutsOut I sure will. I'm ordering it from Happy Trail here in the next couple of days. I may even put out a before and after comparison video for RPM drop at various speeds.

[@ScoutsOut]

Nice

[@seatime674]

​​@@ScoutsOut A few years back on my '17 I went up 1 tooth in the front and dropped 4-5 teeth in the back and it literally took a thousand off the RPMs on the freeway was like a 6th gear you'll totally love it

[@ChristopherT_]

update on the 16 tooth? ​@@RVAMotorsports

[@ckMTB]

Great video mate, that was very interesting and a super month in review. Thanks for sharing and have a nice Sunday. Ride on🤙

[@ScoutsOut]

thanks ck, ride safe

[@TrailTales]

Nice one Scout... Those new bags look great mate! Solid little wrap up of the first month... :D

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea man getting closer to some adventure rides

[@codefour5308]

Thank you for the honest no pressure reviews. Your reviews have definitely helped me decide that this will be my next bike!

[@ScoutsOut]

Glad they were helpful, I still ride this thing everyday and I have several other bikes lol

[@freddyg6940]

Would Changing out the Sprocket ⚙️ give it longer legs On the Freeway?

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea or you could go the other way and have more lower end power

[@Texan_American]

I have the same tusk tank bag. The best way to run that is to only unclip one strap when you fuel up and just slid the bag out of the way. Works good for me. For a while i would unbuckle both sides which was a pain until i realized i didn't need to. 20,000 miles on my 22 now which ive had for 8 months now.

[@ScoutsOut]

Nice dude i will have to try that out. 20k in 8 months!

[@moton8tion866]

I am beginning to see where this bike ranks compared to the others you own :). Good review man, stay safe.

[@ScoutsOut]

yea man, its been way to cold and uncomfortable to ride that long on a super sport right now lol. but its slowly warming up!

[@LevelUpSimRacing]

Just got one today brand new for $6000 out the door! Great vid thank you

[@ScoutsOut]

Heck ya! Good deal, congrats on the new bike!

[@rhugh02]

Nice 1 month review. Have 55 miles on my 2023 base model. waiting to install OEM socket kit then I can get busy on the engine guards, skid plate and all the other junk. Fun bike for sure. Cheers.

[@ScoutsOut]

Thank you! Congrats on the new bike.. cheers

[@michaelbyrnes4936]

Great review Scout , I have the exact same bike

[@ScoutsOut]

Thanks man, I'm enjoying the hell out of it

[@schelty9233]

Great review and I agree with the highway rpm. I'm trying to get a 17 tooth front from EagleMike and that hopefully should make it a bit more fuel efficient at speed.

[@ScoutsOut]

Thank you, I keep hearing 16 or 17 tooth is the way to go just not sure how it will affect off-road yet, let me k ow what you think if you do it

[@schelty9233]

@@ScoutsOut Sure thing, I'll let you know.

[@brazeagle]

Awesome video, congrats. I am thinking of getting a 2024 for some fun. I have a 2022 R1250 GS/A for long distance and love it. Thanks a lot for your video, really cool, and congratulations Cheers

[@ScoutsOut]

Thank you! The BMW’s are so nice! Cheers!

[@brazeagle]

You are the best, keep up with your videos. AWESOME.

[@ScoutsOut]

Thanks 🙏

[@Thepig-wm5hq]

If they give us 6th gear with 2 cylinders we could all kiss the affordability goodbye.

[@ScoutsOut]

I agree, we would have another 2k at least added to the bike. It's hard to argue, the bike is good enough as is, especially with the price point

[@paragodful]

The versys 650 is pretty much the extra cylinder with 6th gear and it’s still relatively cheap, but the performance between the two is negligible.

[@Thepig-wm5hq]

@@paragodful well there we go right there👍

[@seatime674]

​@@paragodful Extra cylinder and 6th gear verses KLR is negligible??. That's huge..

[@ElvinIsbell]

He should buy a Honda NC750x. 2 cylinders, and an automatic. He'll pay $3k more but he'll have no complaints.

[@houdini2wheels814]

This is my next bike !!!!!! Ur making me too excited !!!!

[@ScoutsOut]

Haha yea man, it’s tons of fun

[@gcprost]

I too have a 2023 KLR 650, but mine is the "S" model. I get what you mean about the gas cap. On my previous bike the Royal Enfield Himalayan, I was able to buy the gas cap ring and install the Givi quick release tank bag. I have the Tusk rack and the aluminum panniers so it is not such a big deal for me. The weather has prevented me from getting as much riding as I'd like. I'm in Calgary, Alberta Canada and it is April 21st 2024 and winter just won't let go.

[@ScoutsOut]

Dang, winter has hung in strong this year. Hopefully you get some riding in soon

[@vanessaford9966]

You had me at "do do" 😂😂😂 Great review. I've been waiting for the FI version of the KLR. I thought i would love the vstrom but i guess i didn't because i just sold it. Now I don't have a highway capable commuter bike and its driving me crazy!

[@ScoutsOut]

😂 I was going to cut do do lol, I'm glad they finally went efi as well. I've been commuting mine almost every day for the last few months, I love it but some may complain about the vibrations. I personally don't care and try and keep it under 80 and she runs just fine

[@vanessaford9966]

@Scouts Out can't be worse than 65mph on my XT250. I had a 97 DR650 for a while. I'm thinking it will be about the same as that. Which I'm fine with. The carb in that bike couldn't handle the elevation fluctuations around here. Stranded me a couple of times over 9k feet so I sold it.

[@ScoutsOut]

Oh man I bet, efi was such a huge upgrade. When I saw the klr 650 get efi I bought it and still love riding that thing daily to work

[@-stevenlang1967]

A16 tooth front sprocket really improves highway capability. Its not 6th gear but 85-90 mph is doable. And 75-80 all day is fine.

[@ScoutsOut]

Nice! That sounds perfect

[@flipfpv4539]

Great review I’m getting mine brand new in 2 weeks can’t wait Can I ask what did you set the pre-load on the rear suspension 😊

[@ScoutsOut]

Ohh nice, I haven't bumped it up yet it's still stock position but with all the crap I put in the bags I'm sure it needs to be cranked up a little

[@edwardmartin5825]

Get the magnet bags for your tank...work great for me. And why people think the 6 gear is going to fell better, motor is just fine....

[@ScoutsOut]

Nice, it is cool to just be able to grab and go. I’ll look into them thanks

[@jft7174]

Good job! I’m 6 weeks 900 miles and a dirt drop already 😢

[@ScoutsOut]

Thanks man, we'll at least you got the first drop out of the way... how was the damage

[@jft7174]

Cracked plastics. But I like the battle damage.

[@ScoutsOut]

Nice, I've got all the crash protection now so it should do ok when I finally drop it

[@jakemcnally4868]

Install a 16 tooth front sprocket. Bike (engine) will be a bit happier at speed. Great review. Cheers!

[@ScoutsOut]

Ok cool, I'll have to check that out thanks

[@seatime674]

1 tooth higher in the front drops the rpms almost 500, AND 5 smaller in the back is almost 1000 Rpms or another whole gear, I did that on my '07 KLR 650 it gives you that 6th gear you want😉

[@BillShartner]

Best thing about this video is the editing and gets right to it. Take notes KZbinrs.

[@ScoutsOut]

Thank you!

[@BillShartner]

@@ScoutsOut NorCal?

[@ScoutsOut]

No I’m in central

[@BillShartner]

@@ScoutsOut Recognize some of those foothills. Looks like the Sierras.

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea it’s awesome out here

[@hokogan]

On the topic of a 6th gear: both 4th and 5th gears are already overdriven. They *could* make a 6th gear that’s slightly taller than 5th and reshuffle the other ratios for balance, but that gets expensive real fast. Unfortunately it’s not as simple as just slapping another gear in there.

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea redesign of the trans would make the price of the bike much higher for sure, got to take the klr as it is and just enjoy it

[@1000750]

Maybe add a tooth to the countershaft cheap, chain length prob ok. My XR650R I added one to counter and took away 2 on the back and I could still ride tight stuff and dry lake beds at 100 mph in Vegas to Reno no problem. 🤙

[@ScoutsOut]

Nice dude, people keep telling me up 1 or 2 in the front might be work trying

[@1000750]

@@ScoutsOut each one on the front is like 2 1/2 to 3 teeth on the rear roughly, 2 on front is a lot and space an issue on some bikes with motor cases or chain length vs adjustability. I would go 1 front then if you have to remove 1 or 2 rear and your chain length might stay the same.

[@ScoutsOut]

Ok coo, thanks bro

[@nathancalhoun9200]

Put a set of Shinko 244’s on it and you won’t have to worry about tires for a long time.

[@ScoutsOut]

Nice, I’ve heard they are great tires!

[@lightninginmyhands4878]

Thank u. Whatre those bags and what was the install like?

[@ScoutsOut]

The side ones come with the adventure model I got this top one amzn.to/3XoTfZe

[@sferg2154]

I looked at the camera links you have. Do you have the little white one in the middle of your bars ? What kind is that one? Please and thank you

[@ScoutsOut]

Oh sorry about that, it’s this one www.insta360.com/sal/go_2?INRANDJ It’s a cool little cam

[@derrineckelmann3523]

6th gear needed yes ! Two cylinder’s no . I still love mine .

[@ScoutsOut]

yea the 6th gear would be enough but I hear ya, I still love the bike

[@tomg4592]

Good review. Please tell me what type (brand and model) of top box is that? I like the passenger pad. Please give details. thanks

[@ScoutsOut]

Thank you, i went with the smaller one fist and regretted it, so I bought this one Comie 48L top case, I haven't tested the fit yet buy at your own risk amzn.to/3XoTfZe

[@ScoutsOut]

If you want the smaller one it’s this one Comie 32L top case amzn.to/3K3lObS

[@DaveGeezer]

Can you tell me what tire pressure you are using? Manual says 21F 26R. I find that low. Well ok for dirt. But on paved roads it’s great but I find it gets squirrelly at low speed ?? Maybe it’s me. I’m going to try 27F and 30R. Thanks

[@ScoutsOut]

I was doing 28f 26r, 21f seems way low

[@DaveGeezer]

@@ScoutsOut thank you. I am trying 28 F to see if I notice a difference at low speed. Makes sense. Thanks again.

[@raybrookevisnorris346]

I have, 2024, it’s got everything you don’t have to go and spend another 1500 on your bike not a fast bike but if you want a fast bike, get a sports bike, it does what is has to and better than my triumph tiger,

[@ScoutsOut]

Nice, they really are great bikes you just gotta know what your buying and use it for what it is

[@angelsmalls7044]

Sadly they don't sell them over here in EU.

[@ScoutsOut]

That's weird EU usually has all the ADV style bikes

[@joelthomas4487]

Picking up a 22 abs model with 70 miles on it for $5300. Even has a couple upgrades included. Although there's this cool 08 with every pretty much every upgrade u could want for 3500. But, i think im going with the 22 klr. Any suggestions?

[@ScoutsOut]

EFI all the way! Only the 22/23 come with it and in my opinion that's worth the extra money. Let me k ow which one you get and what you think

[@eminiscalperpro9729]

@@ScoutsOut Got the 22, it's lave orange w/out ABS and it's great. I have no regrets and agree with your assessment. Such a great bike to just get out and chill on. Babying her at the moment and on the highway, 65-68 was really as fast as i wanted to go and no problems with how it handled it. The buzzing really didn't bother me and she is so fun on back roads and at my weight 140, the torque is plenty and the suspension does very well. Hope to have her for awhile

[@ScoutsOut]

Nice dude congrats on the new bike! I still ride mine daily, I love it!

[@WhiteManXRP]

2 complaints that needs to be addressed are... #1 The bike needs 6th gear #2 - for riding in the rain or wet roads it needs something to block the water that treads off the front tire... it throws water directly on your boots... im gona weld little sheilds off of my skid plate up high to block it..... so many times i get caught in rain, and the first thing to get wet are my boots....pissed me off so bad.... even wet roads when its stopped raining it flings the water directly on your boots to make a very unpleasant ride...its a constant spraying of your boots as the front tire spins while riding... anyone else notice this.... it was something i noticed on my first ride on wet roads

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea the 6th gear would be such a huge upgrade. I sadly rarely ever get rain here so i haven’t noticed that yet, but the shields welded one would be cool. Id like to see how you work that out.

[@2wheels.are.better.than4]

Nice video. I'm trying to decide between the Gen 3 KLR 650 and the Tenere 700. I know the T7 is a better bike, but is it $3,600 better?

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea man I'm in the same boat. I had the t7 for a week and it was so much better off road and so much more playful on back roads but really I commute my gen 3 and it destroys the t7 for that and it's still really good off road so for now it's KLR for me

[@2wheels.are.better.than4]

@@ScoutsOut how much better would you say the T7 is off road? How much more comfortable is the KLR on road for long distances? I know the T7 is slightly lighter on the spec sheet but feel is more important to me. Which bike feels lighter?

[@ScoutsOut]

I felt the t7 was considerably better off-road. As for comfort on road the KLR seating comfort is way better. After the week of riding the t7 on the freeway to get to work, I was over it. I have a 45 min 1 way commute and I was ready to get off the bike. As for the KLR I can comfortably ride it for hours

[@robperkins2674]

No

[@seatime674]

​​​​@@2wheels.are.better.than4 If your gonna spend $11-12k after tax and fees on a T7 only to ride it on the street don't do it, hard seat for starters and the straight-handle bar position gives people wrist problems sometimes, there are many more comfortable options, if your gonna be 50/50 dirt street then the T7 would be totally sweet. The T7 has 75hp and a twin cylinder CP2 motor, totally bullet proof and a fine motor, the KLR 650 has 1 cylinder and 40hp and the T7 is just a better bike.. I had 2 Klrs and loved them but the heavy thumper I grew tired of but price point the KLR hands down is the best. If Klr gets 2 pistons soon I'll be the first in line to get one😉

[@_BAD_MERC_]

I bought a 2004 KLR 650 brand spanking new with 1 mi on it. My biggest complaint was lack of a 6th gear. I never took it on the highway because I used it as a commuter and something to get away and trail ride with. I've been waiting to buy another KLR and to be as nice as I can be, it's an ugly motorcycle. The colors are horrible. Everything including the wheels is flat black so it's going to look dirty constantly. Make everything silver again and add some colors and they'll be a new one in my garage.

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea man the vibs on the freeway with no 6th gear are serious. If your on back roads 55 or so it’s plenty good enough

[@tomhiers9025]

Change your sprocket on the front

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea I heard 16 up front makes it a decent freeway bike

[@limakilo1331]

Great review. You actually covered meaningful topics, thank you. You’re obviously a bike guy, why no abs?

[@ScoutsOut]

Thanks man I really appreciate that. I wanted to be able to play more off-road with it and slide the rear on road for fun. I do believe abs is the safest way to go and I always buy bike with abs but not being able to shut it off for off-road takes away the fun imo

[@Tom-ne8yg]

Have you had the doohickey or the thermo bob upgrade?

[@ScoutsOut]

No, I'm not going to mess with any of that till warranty is up. Are you planning on doing them?

[@Tom-ne8yg]

@ScoutsOut more than likely but I gotta get a klr again. Had 2 other bikes but I've always liked how the klr rode and I'm looking to get one again

[@charleswidmore5458]

I really like the bike but that windshield is way too small. What is the sense of riding a cycle if you need to be in a full face helmet because the windshield only provides 40% of the protection you need?

[@ScoutsOut]

Interesting question, I guess the way I feel is full face helmet no matter what bike your riding. But I have hit the ground at 80mph face first 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@1970cutlassS]

The wind isn't generally the reason to wear a full face helmet.

[@charleswidmore5458]

@@1970cutlassS When I take a longer bike ride, anything over a couple hundred miles. I don't want wasps, bees, giant beetles, cicadas, rocks, sand, rain, bits of road debris, birds, hail, or anything else hitting me at 70 miles per hour. Those are the kinds of things a 'windshield' protects you from beyond the wind. I had a big beetle hit my left knee at around 45 miles per hour once. It flew in from the left side of the road, under the windscreen and hit right under the patella. My entire lower leg went numb and it was hard to even use the shifter for a minute. Had that hit an unprotected eye it would have gone right through to the brain. A face, or neck hit would have caused an accident certainly. My Friend had no screen but was wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses for a ride once. A rather angry wasp hit his chest and was pulled into and under the jacket. The wasp stung him about 25 times or more before he could pull over and remove the jacket. Had that wasp hit the lip of full face helmet and got caught in a full brain pan basket it could have easily caused an accident. I rode 1200 miles to daytona beach once. I rode through driving rain from the top of Georgia at Ridgeland until I almost was at Daytona. The windshield kept the rain from stinging my face and blinding me and allowed me to keep going when even cars were pulling to the side of the road. Also I ride a regular bike, not squid bike. TLDR: Windscreen no just be for stopin da wind mon - it be keepin da bad joo joo from blinding dat rider and/or causing dem accident den goin to da utter side and becomin da zombie mon.

[@1970cutlassS]

@@charleswidmore5458 OK, whatever floats your boat. What is a regular bike?

[@ScoutsOut]

😂

[@xnihilo64]

2500 in a month? Rockin! Seriously considering one for a stable mate for my V-Strom 1050XT. I've heard that the KLR (and DR) owners tend to neglect the others in the fleet. That been your experience any?

[@ScoutsOut]

yea man my commute got long. id say I've been seriously neglecting the rest of my bikes but they are all super sports and its been really cold. either way once it warms up I'm sure I will still mainly commute the KLR. I would think the V-Strom would be really comfortable to

[@vf5126]

Appreciate a US(A) review ..with speech I can understand.. Got 35K on my RE Himalayan and am highly considering a new KLR, but until/ unless Kawasaki makes that engine ‘ready for longevity’ - I’ll be keeping a eye on the new Himalayan. Helpful review, thanks ~

[@ScoutsOut]

Much appreciated! Glad the review was helpful, happy holidays

[@timlubbers2884]

What do you mean “ready for longevity”?

[@vf5126]

You know exactly what I mean..

[@timlubbers2884]

@@vf5126 no I don’t, I currently have 65,700 miles on my 2017 klr . I have a couple of friends with over 100,000 miles … what isn’t “ready for longevity”? (My $18,000.00 BMW R1200GS barely cleared 100,000 before it cratered) I am heading down to South America this coming year with my klr and look to see well over 100,000 before I get back . 🤷‍♂️

[@vf5126]

You can imagine what research comes up with regarding KLR’s (from seemingly reputable sources) regarding their internal weaknesses. Gotta say, though, the more I learn, the less concerned I am, in large part do to folks like yourself. Thanks, and safe journeys down South ~

[@zachvanhout6259]

what mirrors are those?

[@ScoutsOut]

They are cheap $30 specials from Amazon and I dont recommend them at all

[@timw8241]

What tire pressures do you run? I bumped mine up to like 32/34 for the street but I didn’t like how they felt. Ended up going back down to 25 front/29 rear and the bike feels a lot better to me on the road

[@ScoutsOut]

I've been doing 30f 32r

[@timw8241]

@@ScoutsOut i might try out like 28/30. I’m worried about premature tire wear with my pressures now but I noticed once I start airing up the front past 30 i get a bit of an uneasy steering feeling at slow speeds, just feels a bit squirrely under 10-15 mph for me

[@rcprod9631]

Never got driving with one hand. lol Is it just to look cool. 🙂

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea it’s to be a cool kid

[@thereal-ghost]

factory 6 speed and this thing would be the only bike anyone would need. It will never happen due kawasaki not having a clue what customers want / need so they just stick to the assumption that everyone rides their bikes in cities with roads that have a top speed of 45mph everywhere lol.

[@ScoutsOut]

So true man that would make the bike 👌🏼

[@robperkins2674]

I’d say leave it be I like the price so don’t change a thing

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea they is such a great thing about the bike, it's so affordable and such a great bike

[@onerider808]

Maybe your KLR is broken; my ‘23 Adventure rolls easily at 80-85...loaded...through the CO mountains.

[@ScoutsOut]

Maybe

[@ericbowers71]

You do have ABS

[@ScoutsOut]

No I didn't get it on this bike, but I do recommended it if your a newer rider or not going off road alot

[@yasseralsaidi1168]

3rd gear goes long mashing on 3rd

[@ScoutsOut]

Haha yea it does, 3rd has good power

[@Hatleyrocket]

What the hell is with those crash bars?

[@ScoutsOut]

Whatcha mean?

[@Hatleyrocket]

They look like they stick off the bike by 8 inches!

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea they out there alright

[@FrancoM7747]

Doesn't sound like it is suitable for western US freeways.

[@ScoutsOut]

Yea it’s a little slow for our 65-70 mph freeways but gearing can fix that

[@vinniemax8274]

$9500 bike with 40hp and 35mpg, something wrong

[@ScoutsOut]

👍🏼

[@stevenbrogna1100]

6800 bike

[@Retard_Ed]

@@stevenbrogna1100in California it’s 9200 out the door 😢 I know because I just got my 2023 last week but I’m very happy with it

[@ScoutsOut]

Well congrats on the new bike!

[@gorn9161]

() KLR You can bet your watch and warrant on it.

[@ScoutsOut]

👍🏼