Kawasaki has announced that the KLR650 will be returning to the lineup as a 2022 release – we are assuming as prices have been provided the bike will be a very early release. The return doesn’t come as a big surprise as it was a eyebrow raiser when Kawasaki pulled the KLR from North America in 2018 just as other manufacturers were pushing further into the adventure touring segment. The venerable Kawasaki KLR650 was the lone standard bearer in the segment for riders wanting the ability but not the often high price tags of other ADV machinery. There were trade-offs. The bargain price was due to the relatively primitive but very durable technology found in the bike along with the infrequent model updates.
So what has happened to the KLR650 during the hiatus? The most obvious is the arrival of two different options – the standard KLR650 and the beefed up, bag-toting, crash guard-wearing, light-afixed Adventure model. Powering both bikes is a revised version of the venerable 652cc, liquid cooled single but now equipped with fuel infection to sip fuel more efficiently from the 23 litre fuel tank. Kawasaki claims the new 2022 KLR650 has improved ergonomics and comfort due to a revised frame. There is also a taller two position windshield, LED headlights, increased generator capacity for additionaleletrical accessories and a larger rear carrier. The Adventure models also gets fog lamps, frame sliders, side cases, USB outlets and standard ABS. In regard to a suite of electronic rider aids, don’t be looking any further than the aforementioned ABS.
The standard 2022 KLR650 with optional ABS is $7779 CDN and the Adventure edition is $9999 CDN.
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