Kawasaki KLR650 Questions & Answers

Yes, absolutely. It is a dual purpose bike ... good both on and off road. You can use it as a daily commuter on the highway then go adventuring on the weekends! :)

Thank you, I just bought a 2011 KLR 650 a month ago and I’m still getting used to it.

I'm sorry but I'm not a mechanic and can't really offer a solution.
Is there oil in your coolant or coolant in your oil? ... if so and you've changed the head gasket then perhaps it's a cracked head.
I would suggest you try joining one or more of the many KLR owners Facebook groups around the World as members will probably be able to offer better advice than I can.
I hope you get it fixed. Good luck.

With any oil leak you need to degrease the entire area and run the engine until you find where the oil is coming from. Might take 10-15 minutes or sooner.

Slack dealer not giving you advice. Try contacting Kawasaki Australia. Surely the can provide an answer. As the KLR motor has been virtually untouched since it was introduced in the late 80's there shouldn't be any problems with any KLR 650 motor. But better to check with K A.

Old post, but try an Kawasaki ERN650 motor, parallel twin. Much more reliable, much more power and modern technology. They fit well, but mountings and fittings are different, so a bit of professional fitting is necessary.

The manual states every 600Km (400 miles). More frequently if riding in very dusty, gritty, sandy, muddy conditions.
This chain lubrication frequency is fairly typical of most chain-driven bikes.

thank you, I really needed an answer you helped me a lot thanks again. @AndyK

Hi Wynand
I am not familiar with the Kawasaki ZZR1400, best if you access an online forum for the ZZR1400 or contact the Kawasaki Company
Cheers
Greg

Hi Johnny,
Doohickey is an American term for the balancer lever which is a component of the chain driven balancer system in the left side of the engine. It is a small cast metal plate that is tensioned by an extension spring. It allows the balancer chain to be tensioned by means of a bolt through a slot in the lever which when loosened allows the spring to pull the lever which moves the lower balancer sprocket and tightens the chain.
Cheers
Greg

Of course it will, plenty of people carry pillions on them, I would advise to bump up the preload on the rear spring and up the rear shock valving probably 1 click, you may even have to up the oil viscosity
on the front fork as well to stop it diving in the corners

yea steve i weigh 84 kg and my wife 54 no drama's, I have since sold the KLR and bought a new Triumph tiger XCX 2015 model unbelieveable bike

Hi John
It's not going to hurt the bike, you are not near the red line. Yes another gear would be nice but I am enjoying the slower speed as I also own a ZX14 which you don't really need the two higher gears!!!
Cheers
Steve

Thanks for the reply Steve...im now in the process of getting a Staintune muffler and twinflow airfilter...already has a 145 jet in the carby and been derestricted...see how we go.

My guess is to check the fuel filter. also sediment can build in the carberator resevior. Might want to check those. I might be time for a carb rebuild too.

i agree. sounds like a fuel/carbie problem. easy to work on at least .

Actually, the red line is at 7,500 rpm. It's a low rev engine, a bit outdated, but very reliable. The tyres are softer, and wear out quicker, than those of a sports or tourer bike, but I would expect some more mileage. Your figure is a surprise to me. My wife's bike, a small NINJA 250R, ran almost 10,000 km so far with the tyres still in pretty good shape. Unfortunately, I didn't keep my KLR too long: I traded it on a VERSYS 1000, as my rides have been all on tarmac and I do long rides on my bike.

I bought my KLR in 2010 and I also got very low mileage from my tyres - particular the Dunlop Trailmax that came stock with the bike. I have since changed to Metzler Tourance. Overall a much more responsive tyre, good on both bitumen and gravel, and I get around 13-15,000 km per set, depending on how and where I've been riding.

the original tyres weren't the best for anything. front lasted 12000 km and rear 8000. currently have michelin pilot on rear and anakee on front and they work well. sounds odd but i don't have easy access to a big range of tyres at my location.