Hell hath frozen over....

[Rydr]

I'm buying one as soon as they are available.

[William]

I like everything about it except for one thing: It has less suspension travel. Some people will want to go off road, and more suspension travel would be needed.

I had a KLR250, which had the same suspension travel as the old KLR650, and it usually wasn't enough when the going got rough. The KLR650 is heavier, so it would need more than the KLR250, not less.

[Rydr]

I like everything about it except for one thing: It has less suspension travel. Some people will want to go off road, and more suspension travel would be needed.

I had a KLR250, which had the same suspension travel as the old KLR650, and it usually wasn't enough when the going got rough. The KLR650 is heavier, so it would need more than the KLR250, not less.

First of all if you read the specs the suspension is shorter but also stiffer to make it a more useful ride on the pavement. The 2008 KLR650 has been upgraded to make it a better Adventure Touring motorcycle. It's not designed to be a full off-road dirt bike. Most people that own a KLR650 use it mostly on the pavement and gravel/dirt roads and only once in a while for fully off road. I've owned a number of dual purpose bikes and a few dirt bikes. When I wanted a dirt bike I bought a single purpose machine with adequate suspension, power and handling for the dirt track and trail. For a dual purpose bike I bought a machine that was decent on pavement, back roads gravel and dirt, and could handle the odd fully off road when ridden with care. Kawasaki by upgrading the 2008 KLR650 has made it a much better dual purpose bike especially for Adventure Touring. I will be purchasing one as soon as they become available.

[William]

First of all if you read the specs the suspension is shorter but also stiffer to make it a more useful ride on the pavement. The 2008 KLR650 has been upgraded to make it a better Adventure Touring motorcycle. It's not designed to be a full off-road dirt bike. Most people that own a KLR650 use it mostly on the pavement and gravel/dirt roads and only once in a while for fully off road. I've owned a number of dual purpose bikes and a few dirt bikes. When I wanted a dirt bike I bought a single purpose machine with adequate suspension, power and handling for the dirt track and trail. For a dual purpose bike I bought a machine that was decent on pavement, back roads gravel and dirt, and could handle the odd fully off road when ridden with care. Kawasaki by upgrading the 2008 KLR650 has made it a much better dual purpose bike especially for Adventure Touring. I will be purchasing one as soon as they become available.

Yes, I read the specs. How else would I know that it had less suspension travel?

And I know it isn't meant to be a full off road dirt bike.

Here's a quote from motorcycleusa.com:

"Kawi didn't offer a weight figure, but the bike certainly looks heavy. Claims from the manufacturer say the bike retains its dirt capabilities but with a larger luggage rack new bodywork and diminished suspension travel, I'll have to see it to believe it."

If it has less suspension travel (and if it weighs more as well), then it won't do as well off road overall, and Kawasaki shouldn't be claiming that it does.

There's no way that I can be convinced that Kawasaki had to reduce suspension travel in order to make it handle better on the street. They could have kept travel the same or increased travel, and still made it handle better on the street.

I do agree that it will be a great machine, but when you take a dual purpose motorcycle and make it less off-road worthy, you make it more of a single purpose machine. Yes, some of us do actually take our dual purpose machines off road. I took my KLR250 in places that most dual purpose riders tend to avoid.

I think Kawasaki did a good thing when they replaced the KLR250 with the KLX250S. They added about 2 inches of suspension travel (and I'm sure it handles as well as the KLR250 on the street with that extra 2 inches), along with electric start and upgraded the engine for more power and 1000 RPM more redline. The only downside I can see with the KLX250S is the 1 gallon reduction in fuel capacity.

I think that they could have also increased suspension travel on the KLR650 as well.

[Rydr]

First of all if you read the specs the suspension is shorter but also stiffer to make it a more useful ride on the pavement. The 2008 KLR650 has been upgraded to make it a better Adventure Touring motorcycle. It's not designed to be a full off-road dirt bike. Most people that own a KLR650 use it mostly on the pavement and gravel/dirt roads and only once in a while for fully off road. I've owned a number of dual purpose bikes and a few dirt bikes. When I wanted a dirt bike I bought a single purpose machine with adequate suspension, power and handling for the dirt track and trail. For a dual purpose bike I bought a machine that was decent on pavement, back roads gravel and dirt, and could handle the odd fully off road when ridden with care. Kawasaki by upgrading the 2008 KLR650 has made it a much better dual purpose bike especially for Adventure Touring. I will be purchasing one as soon as they become available.

Yes, I read the specs. How else would I know that it had less suspension travel?

And I know it isn't meant to be a full off road dirt bike.

Here's a quote from motorcycleusa.com:

"Kawi didn't offer a weight figure, but the bike certainly looks heavy. Claims from the manufacturer say the bike retains its dirt capabilities but with a larger luggage rack new bodywork and diminished suspension travel, I'll have to see it to believe it."

If it has less suspension travel (and if it weighs more as well), then it won't do as well off road overall, and Kawasaki shouldn't be claiming that it does.

There's no way that I can be convinced that Kawasaki had to reduce suspension travel in order to make it handle better on the street. They could have kept travel the same or increased travel, and still made it handle better on the street.

I do agree that it will be a great machine, but when you take a dual purpose motorcycle and make it less off-road worthy, you make it more of a single purpose machine. Yes, some of us do actually take our dual purpose machines off road. I took my KLR250 in places that most dual purpose riders tend to avoid.

I think Kawasaki did a good thing when they replaced the KLR250 with the KLX250S. They added about 2 inches of suspension travel (and I'm sure it handles as well as the KLR250 on the street with that extra 2 inches), along with electric start and upgraded the engine for more power and 1000 RPM more redline. The only downside I can see with the KLX250S is the 1 gallon reduction in fuel capacity.

I think that they could have also increased suspension travel on the KLR650 as well.

Well now we know where you got your info and thought line. I read the same story. I just put no stock in it. Anyone can pull up stories from a web site to back what they say.

And from motorcycledaily.com;

Tougher, faster, more comfortable and better-performing than ever

The new KLR650 is well suited to life on the highways, deserts, mountains or even the challenging terrain of today’s urban jungle. For 21 years, the Kawasaki KLR650 has been the smart choice for riders seeking reliable on and off-road performance. Now, the 2008 KLR650 features thorough updates aimed at making it a better tour-ready dual-purpose bike than ever before.

Featuring new suspension and brakes, the KLR650 is a fun, functional commuter during the week and an adept dirt road blaster on weekends. The new 41mm front forks now have less static sag for a taut, smooth ride on pavement. Front suspension travel is reduced from 9.1 in. to 7.9 in. A redesigned UNI-TRAK® linkage reduces sag and compliments the new front suspension by reducing rear wheel travel from 8.1 in. to 7.3 in. The 2008 KLR650 features enhanced stopping power, thanks to a new 280mm petal-style front brake rotor that’s similar to ones used on Kawasaki’s Ninja® sportbikes. Rear braking performance is also improved, thanks to a new rear brake calliper. These new suspension and brake upgrades boost the KLR650’s on-road performance, without diminishing its versatile off-road capabilities.

- Yes Motorcycle daily took a cart blanche reprint from Kawasaki and it may be biased but at least the factory test riders have ridden the 2008 KLR650 and know a hell of a lot more about the bike than JC Hilderbrand from motorcycleusa.com.

Everyone has opinions, and suppositions most based on hearsay and that's all it is until you actually ride the machine. Those people on the MC net sites that write derogatory statements about a motorcycle when they haven't even sat that particular bike are entitled to their opinion and supposition but I put no faith in them or their statements. They just show how very ignorant they are.

[William]

Well now we know where you got your info and thought line. I read the same story. I just put no stock in it. Anyone can pull up stories from a web site to back what they say.

And from motorcycledaily.com;

Tougher, faster, more comfortable and better-performing than ever

The new KLR650 is well suited to life on the highways, deserts, mountains or even the challenging terrain of today’s urban jungle. For 21 years, the Kawasaki KLR650 has been the smart choice for riders seeking reliable on and off-road performance. Now, the 2008 KLR650 features thorough updates aimed at making it a better tour-ready dual-purpose bike than ever before.

Featuring new suspension and brakes, the KLR650 is a fun, functional commuter during the week and an adept dirt road blaster on weekends. The new 41mm front forks now have less static sag for a taut, smooth ride on pavement. Front suspension travel is reduced from 9.1 in. to 7.9 in. A redesigned UNI-TRAK® linkage reduces sag and compliments the new front suspension by reducing rear wheel travel from 8.1 in. to 7.3 in. The 2008 KLR650 features enhanced stopping power, thanks to a new 280mm petal-style front brake rotor that’s similar to ones used on Kawasaki’s Ninja® sportbikes. Rear braking performance is also improved, thanks to a new rear brake calliper. These new suspension and brake upgrades boost the KLR650’s on-road performance, without diminishing its versatile off-road capabilities.

- Yes Motorcycle daily took a cart blanche reprint from Kawasaki and it may be biased but at least the factory test riders have ridden the 2008 KLR650 and know a hell of a lot more about the bike than JC Hilderbrand from motorcycleusa.com.

Everyone has opinions, and suppositions most based on hearsay and that's all it is until you actually ride the machine. Those people on the MC net sites that write derogatory statements about a motorcycle when they haven't even sat that particular bike are entitled to their opinion and supposition but I put no faith in them or their statements. They just show how very ignorant they are.

No, that's not where I got my information and thought line. I had already read the specs and Kawasaki's press release before I happened to come across that website I quoted.

And of course anything a manufacturer prints will be biased, regardless of how many factory test riders rode it. The manufacturer's press release will always make the bike seem like it had no weak points. So go ahead, believe the manufacturer if you want to.

The guy I quoted at least wasn't influenced by the manufacturer.

And, did you notice the error about how much suspension travel the old KLR650 had, that your quoted text stated? The old KLR650 (and the KLR250 as well) had 9.1 inches front and rear, not 8.1 in the rear as your quoted text says.

Anyway, that's right, you never truly know how well a bike will do until you actually ride it. All you can do is go by what's printed, and this includes the specs. I'm not really using information that's any different than the information you are using.

When I bought my KLR250, the specs, including the suspension travel, is one reason I chose it over a Super Sherpa 250. And the KLR fit me better than a Suzuki DRZ 400, and was lighter as well (or else I would have bought the DRZ). So the specs were very influential in my decision to buy it, along with other factors.

And the specs show less suspension travel for the new KLR650. Unless you are going to do all of your off road riding on smooth ground, it will most likely do worse off road overall than the old one.

Hell, even my ST1300 can go off road on smooth ground, as long as it's not soft ground.

[Rydr]

Well now we know where you got your info and thought line. I read the same story. I just put no stock in it. Anyone can pull up stories from a web site to back what they say.


Everyone has opinions, and suppositions most based on hearsay and that's all it is until you actually ride the machine. Those people on the MC net sites that write derogatory statements about a motorcycle when they haven't even sat that particular bike are entitled to their opinion and supposition but I put no faith in them or their statements. They just show how very ignorant they are.

No, that's not where I got my information and thought line. I had already read the specs and Kawasaki's press release before I happened to come across that website I quoted.

And of course anything a manufacturer prints will be biased, regardless of how many factory test riders rode it. The manufacturer's press release will always make the bike seem like it had no weak points. So go ahead, believe the manufacturer if you want to.

The guy I quoted at least wasn't influenced by the manufacturer.

And, did you notice the error about how much suspension travel the old KLR650 had, that your quoted text stated? The old KLR650 (and the KLR250 as well) had 9.1 inches front and rear, not 8.1 in the rear as your quoted text says.

Anyway, that's right, you never truly know how well a bike will do until you actually ride it. All you can do is go by what's printed, and this includes the specs. I'm not really using information that's any different than the information you are using.

When I bought my KLR250, the specs, including the suspension travel, is one reason I chose it over a Super Sherpa 250. And the KLR fit me better than a Suzuki DRZ 400, and was lighter as well (or else I would have bought the DRZ). So the specs were very influential in my decision to buy it, along with other factors.

And the specs show less suspension travel for the new KLR650. Unless you are going to do all of your off road riding on smooth ground, it will most likely do worse off road overall than the old one.

Hell, even my ST1300 can go off road on smooth ground, as long as it's not soft ground.

Well then since you've read the spec you should know Kawasaki stated that with the stiffer suspension there is less sag with a rider on the bike so the ground clearance remains the same.

The difference is I'm not knocking a bike I haven't ridden.

Someone has their feathers ruffled. Well I've had my laugh for the day and this is now getting very boring. Bye bye. Rydr

[William]

Well then since you've read the spec you should know Kawasaki stated that with the stiffer suspension there is less sag with a rider on the bike so the ground clearance remains the same.

The difference is I'm not knocking a bike I haven't ridden.

Someone has their feathers ruffled. Well I've had my laugh for the day and this is now getting very boring. Bye bye. Rydr

No, my feathers aren't ruffled. That's not the case at all.

And I'm not really "knocking a bike I haven't ridden", I'm just pointing out the decrease in suspension travel, and the effect on the bikes handling on rough ground it can have.

After all, what's so different about me pointing out something (printed on the manufacturer's spec sheet) that isn't good about a bike I haven't ridden, and you saying something good about a bike that you haven't ridden either?

The amount of sag, and the ground clearance a bike has as a result, are important. But, sag and ground clearance aren't the same as suspension travel.

Take 2 bikes, one with more suspension travel than the other (but otherwise identical, including the amount of sag and ground clearance) on a rough off road trail with whoops and jumps and such, and compare them back to back. Then see if you can honestly say that the one with less suspension travel does as well as the other one.

A true Dual Purpose motorcycle should do good off road. The less that it can do off road, the more "single purpose" it is. And it's very possible that the new KLR650 will not do as well off road.

[Rydr]

Well then since you've read the spec you should know Kawasaki stated that with the stiffer suspension there is less sag with a rider on the bike so the ground clearance remains the same.

The difference is I'm not knocking a bike I haven't ridden.

William wrote:

No, my feathers aren't ruffled. That's not the case at all.

And I'm not really "knocking a bike I haven't ridden", I'm just pointing out the decrease in suspension travel, and the effect on the bikes handling on rough ground it can have.

After all, what's so different about me pointing out something (printed on the manufacturer's spec sheet) that isn't good about a bike I haven't ridden, and you saying something good about a bike that you haven't ridden either?

The amount of sag, and the ground clearance a bike has as a result, are important. But, sag and ground clearance aren't the same as suspension travel.

Take 2 bikes, one with more suspension travel than the other (but otherwise identical, including the amount of sag and ground clearance) on a rough off road trail with whoops and jumps and such, and compare them back to back. Then see if you can honestly say that the one with less suspension travel does as well as the other one.

A true Dual Purpose motorcycle should do good off road. The less that it can do off road, the more "single purpose" it is. And it's very possible that the new KLR650 will not do as well off road.

William you just don't get it yet, you're beating a dead horse. I'm talking about the 2008 KLR650 not some other bike, not a KLR250 or 250S or some hypothetical bikes with different suspension travel. All I said was I'm going to buy a 2008 KLR650 when they become available in 2007. I didn't say it's better off road than it's predecessor or even that it's just as good (Kawasaki did). I feel that what Kawasaki has done to the 2008 KLR650 will suit my needs very well and I'm going to buy one and outfit it for the type of trips I use to take on my BMW F650GS. I'll ride it and if it works well for me I'll keep it and if doesn't work I'll sell it. At least I'll ride the KLR650 in a variety of conditions and terrain and then make my comments on it's strengths and weaknesses based on fact and not assumptions.

Dual purpose bikes cover a broad range of motorcycle makes, models and styles. Some have more suspension travel than others, some weigh more, some are liquid cooled, some have windshields and fairings. Some come with luggage for Adventure Touring that includes pavement, dirt roads and off road. Guess what? They are all dual purpose motorcycles and are sold as such. IE: NOT SINGLE PURPOSE. Your comments that so closely mirror the artical you read by JC Hilderbrand from motorcycleusa.com. about the 2008 KLR650 suspension and it now being more single purpose paints a very narrow view of what a dual purpose motorcycle is. There is so much more to suspension than just one parameter such as travel. Dampening, spring rate, progressive springs, rebound rate, component features, fork oil, etc. all play a large part as to how well a particular suspension works. Basing an opinion on just one parameter such as suspension travel, especially when you don't have the facts, again shows a narrow point of view.

So William keep beating that dead horse and hang onto your opinions, theories and suppositions that aren't based on fact so that when I read your posts on this thread about the 2008 KLR650 I can just laugh that much more. MERRY CHRISTMAS

[2wheel]

Ok, so why don't we all just take a breath and wait until someone actually rides the damn thing!