2014 Kawasaki KLR 650 details

2014 Kawasaki KLR 650

That the Kawasaki KLR 650 dual purpose motorcycle has remained firmly atop the sales charts in the dual-sport category for nearly a decade is no surprise. Designed from the very beginning to be rugged, fuel efficient and capable of carrying enough cargo to make a pack mule jealous, the KLR also provides effective wind protection for increased long-distance comfort, making it an unbeatable value for adventure-minded riders seeking to follow the horizon wherever it leads.

Kawasaki KLR 650 is Powered by a capable four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve, 651 cc engine which ample torque and horsepower to propel this globe-trotting explorer down almost any road or trail, and its healthy low-end grunt and linear throttle response maximize traction regardless of the terrain, so everything from exploring the outback to threading through rush-hour traffic can be handled with the same high level of proficiency.

According to Kawasaki the front fork springs are now 40-percent stiffer with rebound damping now 28-percent firmer. Out back the percentage growth is even higher with spring rate climbing 63-percent and rebound damping 83-percent firmer. These changes should result in improved ride and control over varied terrain as well as a higher load capacity. 

Kawasaki left the braking alone, outfitting the KLR with with a dual-piston caliper gripping a 280mm petal-style disc in the front, and a 240mm petal-style disc squeezed by a single-piston caliper in the rear.  And the 6.1 gallon fuel tank (a staple of the KLR) is here as well, providing ample fuel range over many of its competitors.

The KLR 650 is 90.4 inches long and 37.8 inches wide. The wheelbase measures in at 58.3 inches, longer than average in this segment. A seat height of 35 inches is 4.50 inches higher than the average motorcycle's, making it ideal only for taller riders.

MSRP for the 2014 Kawasaki KLR650 New Edition is $6,599 just a Ben Franklin more than the base model gets you better suspension, a better seat and more color options with revised graphics. The KLR has long been one of the best deals on two wheels, and the New Edition is even better. We’ll get a chance to ride the new KLR soon, and they should be arriving at dealerships any day now.