The Kawasaki KLR650 is a dual-purpose motorcycle intended for use on both paved and unpaved roads. The KLR650 is heavier than specialized off-road dirt bikes, but it can handle most conditions when ridden carefully by a skilled rider. Its 4-stroke DOHC dual-counter balanced, single-cylinder, water-cooled engine develops a claimed 44hp at the crank; typical measurements at the rear wheel are 35 horsepower. Typical fuel economy is 45 to 60 miles per U.S. gallon (3.9 to 4.7 L/100 km). It has a claimed 6.1 gallon (23 litre) fuel tank and a top speed of approximately 105 mph (160 km/h). The KLR is widely used as an inexpensive adventure/touring bike. The addition of luggage and personalized modifications (GPS, heated handgrips, larger windscreens) make it more functional on long trips.

It rides better than most modern motor-cycles as well. Kawasaki lists the same 35-inch seat height for both bikes, but subtracting a bit over an inch of travel from the beefier 41mm fork and just under an inch from the shock drops the firmed-up seat a half-inch on our tape measure. There’s an inch less ground clearance as well. The subsequently lower center of mass is part of what makes the latest KLR a much better streetbike.

• Engine      Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve single

• Displacement     651cc

• Bore x stroke     100mm x 83mm

• Compression ratio     9.8:1

• Carburetion     Keihin CVK40

• Transmission     Five-speed

• Final drive     O-ring chain

• Frame     Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel

• Rake     28 degrees

• Front suspension     41mm telescopic fork, 7.9 inches of travel

• Rear suspension     UNI-TRAK single-shock system with five-way preload and stepless rebound damping, 7.3 inches of travel

• Front tire     90/90-21

• Rear tire     130/80-17

• Front brake     280mm petal disc with hydraulic dual-piston caliper

• Rear brake     240mm petal disc with hydraulic dual-piston caliper

• Overall length     90.3 inches

• Overall width     37.8 inches

• Overall height     53.1 inches

• Seat height     35 inches

• Wheelbase     58.3 inches

• Ground clearance     8.3 inches

• Fuel capacity     6.1 gallons

• Dry weight     386 pounds

• MSRP     $5,349