3/19/23
Kawasaki’s KLR650 has most likely covered more adventure miles on this earth than any other ADV machine. Before the ride of parallel-twin-powered middleweight adventures, you would either choose a BMW or the KLR for your ’round-the-world, cross-continent, or cross-country travel partner. In production since 1987 (there was a KLR600 from 1984–86), the knowledge and accessories surrounding the KLR is massive. Over the years Kawasaki refined the KLR650 bit by bit, and in 2022, released the third generation of the plucky big single, finally giving it fuel injection.
For 2023, Kawasaki added a new variant to the KLR lineup: the KLR650 S. With a 2.2-inch-lower seat height, those in the cult of KLR with shorter inseams no longer have to modify their 650 or sweat every stop on uneven ground.
We put Cycle World Associate Editor Evan Allen on the KLR650 S to test its abilities with a lower suspension. At 5-foot-7 with a 28-inch inseam, he’s right in Kawasaki’s intended user range. Not only did he find it easier to reach the ground on the S model KLR650, he found it to be very sporty on the pavement. You can read his full report here.
Here at CW we love a good single; below Evan’s review are some tests on other cool singles from our archives. Enjoy.
As always, there’s more than we can fit into this email. Check out cycleworld.com for additional tests, reviews, and news.
Ride on,
Justin Dawes
Executive Editor
