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How long will a KLR650 last? How long will a KLR650 last?
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 14 Mar 2003
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How long will a KLR650 last?
Hello all. I've recently put a lot of thought into witch bike to buy now that I've sold my old street bike. I know I want a dual sport, and I love Beemers, but unless you get a r80gs or an F650, you buy a fair share of expensive problems, along with these bikes positives. Then I found the KLR 650. Everyone agree's this is a good all arround adventure tourer, with a great price. But I wonder, is it really as great of a deal as it appears? an F650 costs arround 9000 us, and a klr is 5000. But I've heard that while the Beemer can probobly manage 100k, the KLR might be on it's last legg with as little as 30,000 miles on it. So my question is, what exactly dies first on the KLR? What ever I chose will be highly modified, so I don't like the idea that I might be buying a new bike, and swapping all my add ons every 3 years or so. Basically, if the KLR's engine goes, will the rest of the bike hold up to another 30 to 50K that I'd get with a new engine? Or is the whole bike coming appart by the time the engine goes? And how rebuildable is the klr's engine? Thankyou in advance to all those who help me out here.

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Old 14 Mar 2003
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Can't help wondering if it was a BMW dealer who told you that!! Although I must admit I never came across the KLR, I would be utterly amazed if a modern Japanese engine gave up the ghost after 30k - and Kawasaki engines have an excellent reputation. If you adhere to ( or halve ) service intervals, warm the bike up gently before gassing it, ( start it and ride immediately on small, gentle throttle openings - don't let it idle to " warm " up ) I'd expect 70-100k easily.
The cam chain and especially the tensioner need regular attention, they can wear out quickly if ignored. Again, this goes for all bikes.
Serious off road usage will take its toll on the rolling stock, but so it will the BMW. Neither of these bikes are intended for serious off roading. The money you save on purchasing the KLR could extend your trip by many months, get you a top crash helmet etc.
Up to you of course, but I really wouldn't believe that BMWs are worth the extra money. Both are good, solid bikes.
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Old 16 Mar 2003
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Thanks for your input. But I didn't get those rumors from a dealer, I picked them up off this forum. I'm actually hoping to find out that it's not true, because I don't look forward to buying a new shaft for the beemer every twenty to thirty, I'd also preffer 50-60 mpg, to the beemers high 30's to low 40's. But thankyou for your tips. Does anyone who's owned a klr have anything to say about this?
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Old 16 Mar 2003
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Oh, and I know the F650 doesn't have a shaft, I've just been thinking if I got a beemer I'd probobly go with an older r100gs.
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Old 16 Mar 2003
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If you check the archives, you will find the top two mileage KLR riders are Lew Waterman and Mariola. Both have had major engine problems, but both were not the fault of the bike. Mariola's bike lost the (I believe) oil plug and ran out of oil. Lew had some substandard work from a questionable mechanic, leading to his problems.

I just returned from Guatemala, a 3000 mile winter trip on my KLR. It had 4600 miles when I started the trip, it now has 7600 miles. It performed flawlessly. I added less than half a quart of oil on the way down and none on the way back. I didn't even need to adjust the chain. I think it has now become "broken in".

For traveling one up, I don't think you can do better than the KLR.
John
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Old 18 Mar 2003
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Thanks John. I'm pretty well convinced that the KLR will beat out the r100gs. After reading some posts from BMW users, I've learned that they seem to have more weak links than the KLR, and cost more to prepare. Not only that but there's that gas mileage factor. I'd still like to hear from some people who've driven there KLR's into the ground though. I hope their not too busy fixing to reply.

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Old 18 Mar 2003
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I rebuilt the engine on my KLR when it had ~40k miles on it. Oil consumption was getting ridiculous, and when the mechanic drove it into his shop, he joked that I was trying to gas him.

I got the bike with about 10k miles on it, and was troubled from the start about the oil consumption. About 1/2 liter every 1500 miles or so. Some people said 'That's a KLR fo you'.

Since then, though, a lengthy thread on "DSN_klr650 youknowwhereAT yahoogroups.com" mailing list (an excellent KLR resource) discussed breaking in the engine vis a vis engine life and oil consumption.

So I reckon that if my KLR had been carefully broken in, and better looked after by me, I'd have probably got in a lot more miles before the rebuild.

Now the engine has been rebuilt, it'll probably keep going on and on with regular parts/maintenance though it looks pretty ropey and resale value is probably zero.

Buy one!!

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[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 19 March 2003).]
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  #8  
Old 19 Mar 2003
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Thank you!! This is the kind of information I'm looking for. So now I know people do rebuild the engines in these thing. If you don't mind me asking, about how much did it cost? And I'd be totally satisfied if I could hear from someone who'd rebuilt an engine, and then doubled the bikes mileage with it. Thankyou to everyone



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Old 19 Mar 2003
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Weee..ll. I could have had the work done in Argentina for about 350$. But I had it done in London for about $1000. London's expensive.....
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  #10  
Old 20 Mar 2003
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I see. thanks again
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  #11  
Old 10 Jun 2003
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i bought a second hand '89 in '90 9500km, four years of hard all weather (including snow and it was stolen once and rode hard) i, 105kg, top speed 175km/h easily cruise 130km/h 375km/tank 70,000km into the shed, slept for seven years, two years back pulled it out quick tune-up, 90km/h 55mpg, expect a bit more then 525km before going into reserve, 21,000km in five weeks, never touched the engine ever in her life... just keeps on going, and so there she sleeps, waiting for her next big adventure.
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