I am in the usa and recently came across an ad for a kawasaki Tengai. It claimed this was the european version of a KLR 650. Can anyone tell me anything about this bike. is it indeed just a european klr 650? or is it something different?

Seth S

the tengai is a klr 650 with a load of plastic - big fairing, stuff like that. I dont know about it being a purely euro klr, but i dont think it is made anymore.

__________________
[i:]Happy Riding[/i:]
[b:]Ian aka \"Maniac\"[/b:]
[i:]93\' KLR650[/i:]

Hi there!
The note that it is European is absolute bullshit (as I've already seen it in Australia quite a few times ;-) ), but the KLR part is true - it is pretty much a KLR - just more plastics!
The frame, the engine, the exhaust, the tank and all that stuff is the same - the only difference I found is plastics and tank and the parts where it is bond to the frame.

Because of the "more" on plastics and the 23 litre tank it is a little more heavy, but even so excellent for offroad (not motocross though ;-) ).
I got one and can help with questions, when I get an email...

Have fun with it - it's a good bike - as any KLR - just better for long road distances

Greetings Mel...

Hi Everybody,
I just bought a 1990 KLR650 Tengai (model B).
The bike is in a satisfying condition, but needs some work (and definitely new paint, I don’t like the red/white combination). It has about 50.000 km. it is running, although it’s misfiring on low rotations, has some trouble to start in the cold, and until now accept for the tires, brake pads and battery, all other parts are original.
Anyhow, since I want to refresh it completely, so I can ride it withour problems for at least the next 2-3 years, can anyone that had some experience with this model tell me what the usual troubles are, and on what spots should I keep my eye on during the refreshment?
Thanks in advance !

Uh, oh! A thread truely risen from the dead!

The good news first: Due to the Tengai being a KLR 650 you'll be able to use almost everything that's available for the KL650A.

The bad news: Your Tengai shares a few flaws with the first series KL650A:

Things to look for:
Does your engine have a doohickey replacement? (Eagle Lever). If not, get one.
Condition of balancer chain. Timing chain should be fine after 50000km.
Whilst you're at the balancer chain mechanism check that your engine has solid balancer sprockets. If it still has the split rubber / spring dampened version get the later solid ones (second hand, cheap).
Your engine has the older gearbox / shafts / clutch combo. The only advantage is that you can retrofit the KL600's kickstarter (which is a waste of time, make sure your battery is fine).
Disadvantages of the old box: Fast wearing drive chain sprocket splines (6, later 12), gears more prone to wear due to less dogs, weaker clutch. If replacement of anything is pending get the whole lot second hand (also rather cheap as KLR's typically expire from piston / barrel wear or lack of oil ruining main shaft and head).

General KLR advice: Get left mirror & choke lever mount to bolt onto clutch armature. Also ATO fuse kit (Arrowhead).
Spend some time to set your valves correctly. KLR valves should always be set to max. spec. or even very slightly above max. spec. Reduces wear, prevents stating problems.
Remove the crappy tank vent valve from the filler cap.
Google KLR T-mod...
Google KLR...
as said, it's a KLR

Hi, I bought a Tengai new in 1990, 5000 miles later the output shaft slpines wore through. Apparently there was a dodgy batch made. It was fixed under warrenty by Kawasaki.
A few years later the output shaft oil seal popped, not a serious job on most bikes but on the Tengai there is an external lip stopping you removing the seal from the outside, which would mean a total engine strip down to pull out a £3 seal !! In the end I ground away the lip and pulled the seal out.

The plastics are rather breakable, KLR650 side panels fit and are more flexable. The windscreen had a really annoying buzzy rattle, so use silicon sealant or tape to stop the buzz. It also has a very brittle plastic 'sump guard', once again 'fit' the one from the KLR650 which is slightly stronger plastic or find a sheet of ally, bend and drill to fit if your doing any off road trips.
I also found that the fuel taps would sometimes stop flowing petrol in hot weather, this seemed to be caused by the vacume fuel switch from the carb, another thing to remove.
Also check the condition of the four main/subframe bolts, I had one snap and one seize ! Half a bolt stuck fast in the main frame was not the easiest of things to remove, perhaps fit larger bolts if you will be carrying heavy luggage.
Other than that it was a good long distance tourer. I did three Morocco trips and a Trans Sahara on the bike. Not as mechanicaly tough (indestructable) as my XT600/Tenere but does have a slightly more comfortable seat and a smoother (for a 650 single) engine.

__________________
rust & dust

Thanks for your tipps
Last 3 weeks I completely took apart the bike (accept the engine)
I refreshed all the plastics, put some thin neopren tape between them, refastened all the bolts, cleaned everything with 96% alchohol, sprayed all plastic with protective syllicone spray, checked the complete electrical instalation (also changed some suspissious cables), cleaned all electrical contact and sprayed them with cocntact spray...
The handlebars, the triangle beneath them, the caps on the exhaust were plastifyed with electroststic paint, and the exhaust was stripped to pure metal, and then repainted with termo-stabile paint.
I repaired all the cracks in the plastic, and by now the bike is prepared for painting.
Now I'm waiting for a friend of mine to make the stickers, and as soon as they are ready, I will repaint the plastics and the tank (with the original color).
The only thing that is missing from the bike is the rear left plastic (the battery cover), so if anyone has a suggestion where and how I can get one, it will be very appreciated .

Here is the bike now (before painting)





I didn't touch the engine, because the previous owner (also a friend of mine) has changed the timing chain and balancer, spring... etc... and also he works as a motorcycle repairman in his own shop and he was maintaining the bike, so I took his word for it.

Since the thread has been resurrected here is mine.

I agree with Mollydog that the Tengai is the best of the KLRs for travel - better suspension and brakes (if only slightly) than the standard with the same solid engine and frame. And much better looking as well.

Mine is a 1990 model and is mechanically stock and now with 240,000 km on the clock. After spending the first twenty years of its life commuting it's now spending it's retirement, like it's owner, traveling. We have done about 40 countries together and are currently just about to finish 25,000 KMs in South America two up with absolutely minimal problems and are now heading for Central America and then the USA.

Keep your fingers crossed that it stays reliable for me!

Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk

__________________
Martin

finally back on the road again


http://awayonmybike.blogspot.com/

40 countries bloody hell that's pretty good for a 28 yrs old bike!

Mine is a 1990 as well and I doubt it had done across two states in Australia by its previous owner. 33k on the clock so that's barely 1000km/year

Hope to change that as the funds an time permits!!

Another shot at different angle

Hey Martin,
You should get some sort of RTW award! One hell of a travel resume'! Impressive.

Big ups to Kawasaki too and their mighty but forgotten Tengai. Most have no idea such a bike ever existed ... good to see you out there flying the flag and proving that many bikes can be suitable for travel ... even well kept old nails like the Tengai.

I love the tidy set up on your Tengai ... I'm sure you could give us all tips on the "how to's" of RTW travel.

You should do a talk at some of the Horizon's rallies, I'm sure you'd have a lot of fans and could impart lots of useful information.

Cheers!

More pics of the mighty Tengai

Sweet looking bike! I too have got myself 92 Tengai and feel obligation to keep the thread alive. Where did you get those pannier racks? The standard racks for 87-07 does not fit due to different passenger peg mounts/location.