MOTORCYCLE Type
Make and model
Year
2009 Kawasaki KLR650 Motorcycle reviews
Reliability
4.9
Overall quality
4.8
Performance
4.5
Comfort
4.1
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16 ratings and reviews
Voted most helpful review
Steven Pierce
San Diego, California
Reviewed on April 24, 2012
Motorcycle reviewed 2009 Kawasaki KLR650
5.0
Now at 11,500 miles and love my KLR. Bar end weights are the best biggest improvement on the old model. At ~7k miles it left me stranded. The fix for no spark was to tighten the sparkplug cap onto the lead wire a 1/4 turn. Earlier at 500 miles the vacuum on the fuel cock came off and I learned that less...
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Now at 11,500 miles and love my KLR. Bar end weights are the best biggest improvement on the old model. At ~7k miles it left me stranded. The fix for no spark was to tighten the sparkplug cap onto the lead wire a 1/4 turn. Earlier at 500 miles the vacuum on the fuel cock came off and I learned that lesson. It uses more oil when I am consistently running 75-80 on the freeway. It's a great bike for the money. Never off road, but I know it will do great on fire roads.
Reliability
4.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Voted most helpful review
Trouble
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Reviewed on August 23, 2011
Motorcycle reviewed 2009 Kawasaki KLR650
4.0
I've owned the KLR for about a month now, and so far it's been a positive experience. Being tall and well built I've had trouble finding a motorcycle to fit me; sport bikes I cannot sit on, and cruisers do not appeal to me. I want a simple machine that is not big and cumbersome nor one that is over-powered....
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I've owned the KLR for about a month now, and so far it's been a positive experience. Being tall and well built I've had trouble finding a motorcycle to fit me; sport bikes I cannot sit on, and cruisers do not appeal to me. I want a simple machine that is not big and cumbersome nor one that is over-powered. To me the KLR feels like sitting tall on a mountain bike, albeit a heavy one. The riding position is very natural and well suited for the longer-legged (32" inseam here). Any negatives are, I'm sure, mostly due to my inexperience. The suspension is quite soft and the nose will dive when braking. Also at higher speeds (80 kph.+) a stiff crosswind will make it dance about nervously. For me there is more than enough power. First gear gets you off the line. If you are in a hurry you can roll on plenty of throttle in second and jump right up into fourth and be at 60 kph. Throttle response is predictable and in no way twitchy or sensitive. Brakes are good, plus I do a lot of engine braking. I do not notice a whole lot of vibration - the mirrors remain useable at all speeds. It's a thumper, though, so there is always some. All in all if you're tall and want a bike that will serve you as a trainer and beyond, depending on your desires, the KLR is hard to beat. Go and test ride one
Reliability
5.0
Quality
4.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Voted most helpful review
Motoman
Atlanta, Georgia
Reviewed on September 4, 2010
Motorcycle reviewed 2009 Kawasaki KLR650
4.0
I always loved the KLR since it was introduced about 25 years ago. When the '08 model came out (which is the same as '09) I'll order one. However when I went into the store, I saw the previous model, a leftover '06. No fancy plastic and the ride height was much better suited for off-roading (mostly what I ...
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I always loved the KLR since it was introduced about 25 years ago. When the '08 model came out (which is the same as '09) I'll order one. However when I went into the store, I saw the previous model, a leftover '06. No fancy plastic and the ride height was much better suited for off-roading (mostly what I used the bike for!) so I decided to buy that instead of the new one. I did not regret it! This bike does everything well and I also got a nice discount! The only thing is it needs better brakes which I will fix when the time cones for replacement rotors and pads.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
3.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Voted most helpful review
Jeff
Paris, Missouri
Reviewed on September 2, 2010
Motorcycle reviewed 2009 Kawasaki KLR650
5.0
I got this in May, after not being on a bike in 25 years. I have in four months put almost 5000 miles on it. It handles interstate, backroads, gravel without a hitch. I rode 1500 miles in one weekend from Missouri to NW Wisconsin and back, no trouble at all. I really loved the trip and the bike....
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I got this in May, after not being on a bike in 25 years. I have in four months put almost 5000 miles on it. It handles interstate, backroads, gravel without a hitch. I rode 1500 miles in one weekend from Missouri to NW Wisconsin and back, no trouble at all. I really loved the trip and the bike.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
3.0
Voted most helpful review
Steven Pierce
San Diego, California
Reviewed on July 29, 2010
Motorcycle reviewed 2009 Kawasaki KLR650
5.0
It's fully broken in and running really well after meticulously following the break-in rpms. 46 mpg is typical for my riding style. I did extra oil changes at 250, 600 (service) and 1150. I will follow the schedule now. The rear tire is wearing fast. I'm now running 30+ pounds of pressure to help on ro...
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It's fully broken in and running really well after meticulously following the break-in rpms. 46 mpg is typical for my riding style. I did extra oil changes at 250, 600 (service) and 1150. I will follow the schedule now. The rear tire is wearing fast. I'm now running 30+ pounds of pressure to help on road wear - also it helps the front end feel better when braking. So far 98% road riding and will air down off road - with nerf bars now ready to try more. I adjusted the shock to 4th position as I am heavy and occasionally take on a rider. I will back down to 3, but like the adjust-ability. I'm looking into a bigger wind screen for 55+mph riding and long term a more contoured seat, though the seat to me is cushioned well...just a shape thing.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Voted most helpful review
Butch Bogdin
Craig, Colorado
Reviewed on July 13, 2010
Motorcycle reviewed 2009 Kawasaki KLR650
5.0
I am already looking into upgrading the seat and adding after market accessories. It was great dealing with the dealer here....
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I am already looking into upgrading the seat and adding after market accessories. It was great dealing with the dealer here.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
2.0
Voted most helpful review
Keith Reisma
Bryant, Arkansas
Reviewed on June 27, 2010
Motorcycle reviewed 2009 Kawasaki KLR650
5.0
I was torn between getting a street bike and a dual sport. I purchased a new 2009 KLR and am glad I did. We have a lot of logging roads in Southern Arkansas that you wouldn't dare take a street bike on. This bike gives me the freedom to hit the dirt when I want to. I use it as a commuter and the gas milea...
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I was torn between getting a street bike and a dual sport. I purchased a new 2009 KLR and am glad I did. We have a lot of logging roads in Southern Arkansas that you wouldn't dare take a street bike on. This bike gives me the freedom to hit the dirt when I want to. I use it as a commuter and the gas mileage is excellent. I am looking at upgrading to a higher windshield because the stock one hits me right in the kisser. Love my KLR.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Voted most helpful review
Bobby
Centennial, Colorado
Reviewed on January 23, 2010
Motorcycle reviewed 2009 Kawasaki KLR650
5.0
The KLR is great, I really don't have any problems with the bike at all. It seems just as much at home plugging down logging roads as it does going down the highway at 65 mph while getting 55 mpg. I love my bike and look forward to many more years with it....
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The KLR is great, I really don't have any problems with the bike at all. It seems just as much at home plugging down logging roads as it does going down the highway at 65 mph while getting 55 mpg. I love my bike and look forward to many more years with it.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Voted most helpful review
s talley
reno, Nevada
Reviewed on October 4, 2009
Motorcycle reviewed 2009 Kawasaki KLR650
5.0
Have had my KLR for about one month now. Have nothing bad to say about it. Low cost and low maintanence cost compared to by previous bike. (BMW) Sit up high, see the world- be seen by the world. Slide back on the seat when the butt starts to hurt. Forget about switching to reserve, 6 gallon tank and 50+ m...
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Have had my KLR for about one month now. Have nothing bad to say about it. Low cost and low maintanence cost compared to by previous bike. (BMW) Sit up high, see the world- be seen by the world. Slide back on the seat when the butt starts to hurt. Forget about switching to reserve, 6 gallon tank and 50+ mpg means you will give up before it does. Not a lot of wind protection, but if you want to stayout of the wind..buy a car. A GREAT bike for the money. Heck, buy two of em- they're cheap.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Voted most helpful review
John C KELLY
Toronto, Ontario
Reviewed on August 8, 2009
Motorcycle reviewed 2009 Kawasaki KLR650
5.0
2nd motorcycle I have ever owned. This machine is an excellent ride, you get a sore butt after 600 KM, but nothing a more longer journey seat can fix. I have the KLR 2009 in black, and I can tell you, you really appreciate this cycle. I was tossing between this cycle and a cruser type, but because I enjo...
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2nd motorcycle I have ever owned. This machine is an excellent ride, you get a sore butt after 600 KM, but nothing a more longer journey seat can fix. I have the KLR 2009 in black, and I can tell you, you really appreciate this cycle. I was tossing between this cycle and a cruser type, but because I enjoy the Ontario North, I came to know that I needed a bike that can handle the off road. This is an allrounded bike, it does what most other cycles cannot do and the cost of this bike makes it # 1. I am very proud to own this machine.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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