I put 38,000 miles on my 2008 KLR 650 and only sold it to make room for my 2022 KLR 650 Adventure. These motorcycles made me love riding again after being burned out and bored with road bikes. They will do it all and make you smile while you're doing it!

I'm 71 and still riding at least once a week. I bought my 2008 KLR650 a;most 16 years ago, Oct. 2007 for $4200. She's been reliable, she's actually never broken down on me. I changed the oil, filter at 500 then every 2k miles after that. adjust the valves, change the fork oil and grease the steer head bearing every 10k. miles. etc. I love the 6 gallon gas tank, gives me a 300 mile range. I rejetted my carb (.22 cent mod) and installed a Super Trapp exhaust back in '08. Rental high desert bars, Seat Concept seat. Heidenua K60 tires. She uses less than a 1/2 quart of oil every 1k miles or so. She's great on the trails, she's like a tractor in the mud, a handful in the sugar sand. My play ground is the Oceola NF

I honestly think the 1st gen looks the best of them all. And I like that it is the lightest.

Everyone says that KLRs are heavy, and they are compared to dual-sport and dirt bikes, but compared to street bikes they are light! I've ridden about 150k miles on sport-touring bikes, so any time I get on the kLR, it feels really light. Love it! Yeah, its ugly, but that's part of its charm... it's not pretending to be an Aprilia or Ducati, it's just a go-anywhere, do-anything motorcycle. Perfect for what it is!

The kind of review that I needed. Well done!

I loved your video. Thanks so much for sharing. Love that terrain you were cruising. Reminds of my home area

Love my gen2, will keep riding it till it turns to dust!.. thrash, mash, dash, lash, crash, & stash (wash doesn't rhyme!).. good stuff!

The big tank and heavy weight are only an issue until you hit the hiway, its all a trade off in the end, that being said Kawasaki really had a unique solution with the KLR. 😊

I've been looking for a dual sport for a long time, and i think i found it in the KLR650. I live in the desert, and i can pretty much ride year round. Would love to have something i can ride to work, and trek around on whenever the mood hits me. I'm definitely getting one come February. Thanks for the review!

This gets me suoer excited to pick up my new klr650 tonight !

I purchased my first KLR last March, a 2023 model, and I am absolutely loving it! I would love to have a Gen 1 as well, but trying to find one that doesn't have a zillion miles and the sh*t kicked out of it is not an easy task, at least out here in the west. My Gen 3 hides it's weight well, and with a set of IRC GP110's, it's like a tractor in sand.

This is an awesome video man. Just seeing you ride around in the woods on that thing is convincing enough, you've got an asian guy living in Australia sold on this bike.

I had a gen 2 and a WR250R and when the time came to thin the herd, I sold the WR250. Even though people absolutely rave about the WR, I much prefered the KLR for the day to day riding I was doing. Sadly I sold the KLR a year or two later, but I still miss it.

That was a fun video, nice riding! It's probably been close to 30 years since I've ridden a Gen 1 KLR 650. I have a 2018 Gen 2 with less than 100 miles on it torn apart in my garage. I started doing mods to it soon after I got it.

Great video man keep it up

A week ago i bought a new 24 klr l also own a 13 ultra limited wanted a bike that could take me where the harley couldn't. I love the klr takes me back to when I was young and why I fell on love with motorcycles I'm 66 and don't plan on quitting riding until they put me in the ground.

You're spot on. A 1st gen klr with knobbies is an adventure tractor.

Sounds like David Spade if he grew up in Georgia. Or here in NC. That's a nice looking klr too. They really take a beating. I really enjoyed the video. This is the exact riding I love the most

i used to own the gen 2. Alongside my GTR1400. I ride the KLR more, to work because of the type or road i have to travel. I owned it for a good 3 years before i sold it off (not before i sold the GTR). That was almost a decade ago. Recently I got the itch to ride again. I didn't recall anything memorable about riding on the GTR, or the 3 BMW RTs i had before that. They were just rides. Zooming on the highways and such. I only remember how versatile, go anywhere and FUN (capital , for a reason) the KLR was. So when the itch becomes unbearable now, i want that KLR fun and go any where versatility, minus the slow speed on highways (it can do 130 kmh and the front started to yaw). I remember test riding a bike that can give me all the KLR FUN, and can also piss GTR off when situation is right. Its the KTM 990 Adventure. It may be less (maybe) reliable than the KLR, but i need the highway speed for the purpose i intended. And the FUN is just obscene. Yes. KLR rocks. If it were not for the kind of travel i need to do now, i will still get the KLR.

Been looking at this for my first bike and I enjoy the video ima check out the others I like the no bias and informative views of a young guy who’s probably gonna be riding it the same way as iam

I'm currently hurdling over the logistics of getting one where I am - but seems like the perfect bike for my location.

I enjoyed your video. I especially enjoyed the footage of you riding. I believe in the use of protective clothing. Even though I have protective jacket and pants, I fell and landed on my back on a rock. The jacket had armour where I hit, but still broke two ribs. Because I am so old, now 70, I had to sleep in a chair for two months because I couldn't lie down. Keep making videos.

Good review. Thank you sir.

I honestly can't wait to get mine... I love the ugly factor gonna help not have my stuff stolen when I'm at work! 😂 but plus on my way home I'm not stuck taking the same road I can get lost in the woods and just enjoy life again

Good video bud

this dude is letting me make payments on a 2015 klr650 im hypeddd i go pick it up tomorrow

TÉNÉRÉ Teh-nuh-ray, named after a part of the Southern Sahara near Niger. Was part of the Paris-Dakar rally till they moved it to South America. Great bike, i test rode it and almost had the € 13.000 saved up, the health gods decided otherwise unfortunately. Not complaining, my 2000 XL650V i had to 'settle' for will give your 'new' bike a run for its money. I would also ride that KLR legend of a bike proudly and the one pro you forgot: no crying when drop it😂

Nice bike. First gen look sick imo with the blocky style. Might have to go that route...

Happy owner of a 2009 klr with 17K miles, but for even more simplicity and just as reliable, I'd gladly ride the Suzuki DR650.

I've been having my gen 3 for over a year now and the only problem I'm having now is deciding which one to ride, the klr or the fjr, two bikes on completely opposite ends of the spectrum and one is just as fun as the other one.its 65 degrees now so I'd better make up my mind.

Looks like a lot of fun!

Nice score on a clean Gen1! That's a real one.

Tomorrow go for my First bike , klr 650 1996 . I'm very happy ( i live in spain)

I have a 2009 since 2012 . I am the second owner . It has been blinged up but it still rides like the klr should. It is not just a show girl . Lol ! A klr show girl ! Lol ! It is the Goat ! NavyThomas8 was the first owner. It has been on KZfaq all it's life .

Great video bud👍🏾I’m a KLR gen 3 owner and a gen 1 was my first bike. Sold my Africa Twin in 2020 and couldn’t deny myself anymore…Like a Glove! Stay up bro👍🏾

Love this video, very well done and informative. Been thinking seriously about getting a good used KLR650. Good job!

Long live the gen 1 KLR!

That's a killer Gen 1 KLR

excellent!

I have an 06…. I think the gen 1 is best

I really love your jeans and brown boots where did u get them? Sry for random comment

The KLR is the best bang for your buck for a dual sport bike. And there is so much available for them aftermarket.

Those coulours says its an 2003 unless the bodywork and tank were switched, which does happen you can change your colours by using the body work of other years...butt, based on color that's an 2003.

I enjoyed the video, What exhaust do you have on it? Thanks

I think the ugliness should be in the Pro category, but I also ride a Honda Helix so my opinion is biased towards the uglies.

She’s beautiful

I own multiple KLRs

I’m looking to get this same klr it’s a 2003 with 40k miles on it . The owner claims to have kept up with it throughout its lifetime but is saying the bike is starting to use oil , should I buy ? The bike is only 2,500 and it’s kitted out

Fun Video! We couldn't agree more, we love our Gen 1's. Oh and we're helping in the looks department. Check it out.

Try DRZ400, similar but lighter

my dad got tenere 750 91' the older ones look better in my opinioon

I have a question how much is worth a 1998 klr650 with 17k

Ever ridden a dr650 and what’s your thoughts

Mine is not ugly

Huge gas tank on a motorcycle is a plus.

the KLR may be known for a lot of things but being fast is not one of them. Sure it will get there and yes it's reliable but fast, no. People don't get a KLR for speed they get it cause it's the multi- tool of motorcycles.

Gen 1 KLR's are a great bike, I have a 2007, I love the big gas tank especially when you're out in the boonies and gas is far away. I take this bike most the time over my DR650 especially if there is a lot of highway mile to get there. Like you said it is a comfortable bike.

Are you sure that's a 2006? I bought mine new in Canada, same color, and it's a 2003.

It's hard to relate to someone who won't show their face.

Dude..? 25 years ago the KLR made some sense but in todays world there are other good bikes in the 450lb class that simply put the KLR to shame. If you are looking for old school reliable single thumper then the DR650 does everything the KLR does but weights 100lbs less. Fully loaded with every bit of camping gear the DR weighs less than the KLR weighs empty.. If your going to ride a 450lb bike, then ride a new T7, 800DE, Transalp 750, Tuareg 660 with twice the hp, better handling and modern convenience. I’m not saying the KLR is not a good old bike but except for price, it doesn’t have anything over a newer bike..

Buy the hydraulic clutch for it

How can you not like having 6 gallons of fuel to play with???

1. Can't afford anything more. 2. Don't want to go fast. 3. Don't want to get layed.

you've owned 500 other bikes?

Is it just me or does this guy sound just like Joe Dirt ?

10 reasons to get the dr650 instead Hahaha

Your like the Steve Erwin of motorcycles . Wha we hav heya is the KLR 650 in it natural habitat. Oih , look it’s angry!

A t7 would eat a klr's lunch.

It’s ugly, and heavy, not my preferred wheelie bike.. but my buddy has one I can get for next to nothing so if anything I will try to sell it!

How many miles on your KLR?? Mine has 30k and it's a total piece of shit.. Might be good of the showroom floor but down the road. It's a total piece of shit.. The worst motorcycle I have ever owned!!!!

KLR is one the best looking motorcycles on the market. I would hate to see your girlfriend or wife or boyfriend looks like.