Motorcycle specifications KawasakiKLR 650 1997 Kawa applies to mono

On-Off Road

Tell us what you think of this KLR 650 1997

presentation of the KLR 650 1997

does the KLX ring a bell? This excellent green bike brought fond memories to the Kawa trail department. The KLR is a more economical version, but no less interesting. But how does it measure up against the sector's dominant models, the Honda 650 FX and Yamaha 600 XTE? Mechanically more advanced, its modern single-cylinder engine is equipped with liquid cooling and a double overhead camshaft cylinder head driving 4 valves. The chassis - classic with its traditional fork, swingarm and single-cradle frame - doesn't disappoint. Suspension is effective, and the bike handles well on the road, though a little limited on TTs due to less suspension travel than the KLX. It's perfect for city riding. Easy and efficient, it makes the most of both its engine and its chassis. The low price (very) forgives a few vibrations and an unexciting design.

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Published on 10/12/20
by Greg

Key facts Kawasaki KLR 650 (1997) : What you need to know before you buy

Highlights

Price
Cool engine
Efficient part-cycle

Weak points

Aesthetics
Turning radius
Vibrations

Prices

	Basic version
France	5,335€

Bikers' reviews

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Model sold in 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Replace KLR 650 1996

KLR 650 1996

Replaced by

KLR 650 1998

Performance

Max speed : approximately 160 km/h (99.40 mph)
Average fuel consumption : 5.50 liters/100km (0.43 mpg)
Estimated range : 418 km (260 miles)
Calculated range until tank is empty, not verified.

Specifications Kawasaki KLR 650 1997

Chassis: Frame : simple steel cradle; Fuel capacity : 23 liters (6.08 US gallons); Seat height : 870 mm (34.25 in); Length : 2,205 mm (86.81 in); Width : 940 mm (37.01 in); Min height : 1,346 mm (52.99 in); Wheelbase : 1,490 mm (58.66 in); Dry weight : 168 kg (370 lb); Weight when fully loaded : 186 kg (410 lb)

Front axle: Telehydraulic fork Ø 38 mm, Wheel travel : 220 mm (8.66 in); Braking 1 disc Ø 280 mm (11.02 in), 2-piston caliper; Front tire : 90 / 90 - 21 → Order this type of tire; Pressure : 1.5 bar

Transmission: 5 stage gearbox; Secondary by chain

Rear axle: Mono-damper, Wheel travel : 200 mm (7.87 in); Braking 1 disc Ø 230 mm (9.06 in), single-piston caliper; Rear tire : 130 / 90 - 17 → Order this type of tire; Pressure : 1.5 bar

Motor: single-cylinder , 4 strokes; 1 Ø 40 mm carburettor; Cooling system : liquid; 2 ACT; 4 valves per cylinder; 651 cc; 42 ch (41.40 hp) to 7,000 rpm; 5 mkg to 5,000 rpm; Power-to-weight ratio : 4.06 kg/ch; Weight / torque ratio : 33.6 kg/mkg; Compression : 9.5 : 1

Practical information

Take care of your motorcycle! Find all the parts and maintenance products you need to keep your bike in top condition.

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Used

KLR 1995

1950€

Want to ride in total freedom? Discover our exceptional used motorcycles.

Competitors

Honda NX 650 Dominator 1997

Yamaha XT 600 1997

Find others On-Off Road of 1997

Compare the KLR 650 to its competitors

Fuel consumption

Kawasaki KLR 650 1997 : 5.50 liters/100km (0.43 mpg)

Honda NX 650 Dominator 1997 : 5.30 liters/100km (0.44 mpg)

Yamaha XT 600 1997 : 5.70 liters/100km (0.41 mpg)

Range

Kawasaki KLR 650 1997 : 418 km (260 miles)

Honda NX 650 Dominator 1997 : 302 km (188 miles)

Yamaha XT 600 1997 : 263 km (163 miles)

Torque

Kawasaki KLR 650 1997 : 5 mkg

Honda NX 650 Dominator 1997 : 6.2 mkg

Yamaha XT 600 1997 : 5.1 mkg

Power

Kawasaki KLR 650 1997 : 42 ch (41.40 hp)

Honda NX 650 Dominator 1997 : 46 ch (45.40 hp)

Yamaha XT 600 1997 : 45 ch (44.40 hp)

Power-to-Weight ratio

Kawasaki KLR 650 1997 : 4.06 kg/ch

Honda NX 650 Dominator 1997 : 3.35 kg/ch

Yamaha XT 600 1997 : 3.51 kg/ch

Torque-to-Weight ratio

Kawasaki KLR 650 1997 : 33.6 kg/mkg

Honda NX 650 Dominator 1997 : 24.52 kg/mkg

Yamaha XT 600 1997 : 30.59 kg/mkg

Speed

Kawasaki KLR 650 1997 : approximately 160 km/h (99.40 mph)

Honda NX 650 Dominator 1997 : approximately 160 km/h (99.40 mph)

Yamaha XT 600 1997 : approximately 165 km/h (102.50 mph)

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Bikers' reviews Leave a review - 14 reviews

Occitanie

Michmoto Model 1988

4 months ago I bought an '88 650 with 60,000km on it in a wreck.
I disassembled everything. At this km, I've changed vilo bearings, gearbox bearings, spinnaker seals, reassembled everything with new seals, rebuilt brakes, suspension, carburetor, in short, I've been everywhere. 3 things to watch out for: the chain tensioner on the 3 balancing weights (doohikey); the water pump sealing system, and the fragile rear buckle screws. I could see that it's well designed, built to last and travel. E-starter, essential for me today, very comfortable and vibration-free for a mono. Holds the 130 easily, and does quite well off-road. I've taken it on to ride and do TET, trail riding. Solid luggage rack, unlike the xlr and xt of the time; I'm only on my 1st km with this machine, and I like it already. It's a good compromise and a far cry from today's dual-sport bikes. In the end, you have a lot of fun with a basic machine with no electronics. I also have a Versys 1000, top road bike, but I use the klr more around my home, so easy with good sensations (the mono) 10/17/2024 15:25 Rating : 4/5 Respond to Michmoto

conso

HDV Model 1989

Very pleasant motorcycle to ride on a mix of dirt roads and highways.
potholes and holes are hardly noticeable.
fuel consumption between 7 and 8 liters. 02/25/2018 12:23 Rating : 4/5 Respond to HDV

pdany4 Model 2003

Hello everyone, I have the same 600 and I find the comfort after an hour is tiring, and after driving once on the highway at 160 downhill, 2 days later I broke the engine, that's already 3 times ..., problem of clogged oil strainer, so watch yours, just disassemble the clutch housing. There are also apparently oil consumption problems on these machines, which lead to cylinder piston or cylinder head tightening at camshaft level (personally, I've never had a problem with the shafts, but I've had 3 tightenings, because at the first one the oil strainer hadn't been removed, and on 2 other engines I've had at a good price, both of them had clogged oil strainers too. 06/11/2007 11:23 Rating : 5/5 Respond to pdany4

POPAUL

bjr les amis juste savoir comment démonter la crépine d'huile et ou se trouve t\'elle?650KLR MERCI 06/25/2013 13:59 Rating : 1/5 Participate in the conversation

pdany4

@POPAUL: the oil strainer is located in the right-hand crankcase (remember to buy a gasket kit)

a quick Google search using the keywords "KLR crépine\" yields the following results:
http://motoaventurequebec.xooit.com/t7140-Klr-650.htm

Best regards. 06/25/2013 21:11 Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation

super Dan Model 2003

i ride my KLR650 34km to work, and from the suburbs to downtown Montreal it's a joy, the traffic, the bridges, the banks of the St-Lawrence become little pleasures every day, well seated, good vision and reliability, super! a coup on the bike forget the ordinary look! 05/02/2006 15:31 Rating : 5/5 Respond to super Dan

Le Québéqu Model 2003

Watch out for the "doohickey" on the KLR!

My KLR is from 2003 with 5000Km, when I took the trouble to check, the tensioner spring was broken. Search the web for this address

http://www.klr650.marknet.us/doohickey.html

To do the job, you can calculate about 1.5 hours!

Bye cousins!
03/25/2006 14:58 Rating : 5/5 Respond to Le Québéqu

ChickChase Model 2003

i've had 2 klx650s, 1 klr650, and recently a new klx650
the KLR is a very good bike, economical and versatile, but compared to its big sister ( klx ), it struggles a bit. This applies to suspension, engine and general equipment
There are major timing problems on some KLR models, and the KLX has a very limited life expectancy. All because of incompetent engineers at kawa... it's really infuriating
these 2 bikes could be perfect! 03/09/2006 17:10 Rating : 5/5 Respond to ChickChase

yanlaf

Hello, I see that you've had several KLR, I have a 600 KLR-E fork in diameter 41 adapted to a machine, I have to change the spy seals but I don't have the technical review for the quantity of oil to put back in. Could you help me or someone else? Thanks in advance.
Have a nice evening. 06/09/2015 20:25 Rating : 2/5 Participate in the conversation

david Model 2003

salut dacord avec ce qui se dit sur la klr moi je vient d'chacheter ma 2 eme 20 ans plus tard et j'ai u une bonne douzaine de moto toutes sortes sur route et + sur tout terrain alors vive mon 1ere amour la 650klr!!!!! 01/23/2006 19:19 Rating : 5/5 Respond to david

serge Model 2003

klr de 1987.58000km.sans probleme.tres bien entretenue bien sûr.je reproche la hauteur de selle.moteur avec un couple dement.amusant dans le morvan.apel de phare a tous. 12/22/2005 18:12 Rating : 5/5 Respond to serge

seb pépère Model 2003

At last, a serious motorcycle. After a CB 500 that had a particular affinity with rust (7 warranty claims for this problem) and an SV650 that, when it wanted to start well in wet weather, almost cost me my license, I've discovered a very reliable, sturdy motorcycle that ages rather well.
I ride it to work every day, and it's never let me down. For bikers allergic to show-offs, this is the ideal toy for big kids. 12/06/2005 22:36 Rating : 5/5 Respond to seb pépère

sebklr Model 2003

To be honest, the KLR was a rational choice. I wanted a bike that would be economical and, above all, limit my natural taste for speed
Bought new for a ridiculously low price, I've never stopped congratulating myself on this purchase: it's incredibly reliable and economical to run, as well as being great fun to ride on the back roads of my region
I no longer regret my FJ1200, even if the design could have been better
04/08/2005 11:35 Rating : 5/5 Respond to sebklr

den's Model 2003

I bought an almost-new 2004 KLR, initially mainly for its price (that of a 125). It's an excellent all-round bike. Ideal in town: high enough, with original handguards and a good peach on the intermediates
Perfect on roads and tracks: I ride from Paris to Brussels, and through the Alps and the Midi on the departementales, without tiring and at 100-120 km/h. for cruising
Suitable for long trips: I'm planning to take her to Tunisia. It consumes 5L/100, the suspension is good. It's hyper-reliable and robust, and is the bike most used by the Americans for raids, as well as by the Marines and other armed forces
On the freeway, you quickly get tired of it, but the modern mechanics handle it well, and it's one of the few monos that doesn't vibrate (despite what I've read) and that can do 500 km of freeway at 140 (buy a bubble anyway, avoid windy days, and bring a few coffees) without excessive fatigue for the mechanics (and the rider)
It does, however, have a few shortcomings: the brakes are a bit tight, the forks aren't very rigid, and above all, the excessive weight makes serious crossing impossible. For that, there was the KLX, which weighs 25 kg less and has 5 HP more
04/04/2005 19:23 Rating : 5/5 Respond to den's

gwen Model 2003

Once you remove its ugly pot and replace it with another, it immediately looks different
Very practical for urban use 03/21/2005 14:48 Rating : 5/5 Respond to gwen

trackerjac Model 2003

Surprising machine! Very pleasant to use (except on freeways above 110 kms/h) in all circumstances, including on roads. You can travel a long way without any problem
It's a fun machine on small roads, practical and economical, with a particularly nice engine in the intermediate rev range. 01/15/2005 15:02 Rating : 5/5 Respond to trackerjac

papakawa Model 2003

As I've always had big cubes and consequently a lot of speeding fines, I opted for a becane that could be fun. 1 week in, I was wondering if I'd made the right choice. Now that I've had it for 6 months, I'm delighted with my purchase and wouldn't want another. I'm having a lot of fun on small roads, dirt tracks and even on the freeway. Its main qualities are fuel consumption (+ or - 4.5l/100), the large fuel tank gives me a range of 400km, 380km before the reserve when driving "in a hurry".Very high up, it allows me to see far ahead of the cars.it's happier at 4000rpm rather than at low revs.it knows how to take tight corners well.the only problem is the vibrations that cause a lot of bolts to lose. Long journeys on the freeway are painful, but on small roads it's a real pleasure.that's what I think of my 2003 klr 650 A17.see you soon on the road! ! 01/08/2005 11:48 Rating : 5/5 Respond to papakawa

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FAQ Your frequently asked questions about the KLR 650 1997

What is the power of the KLR 650 1997?: The KLR 650 1997 develops a power of 42 ch (41.40 hp)
What is the torque of the KLR 650 1997?: The maximum torque of the KLR 650 1997 is 5 mkg to 5,000 rpm.
What is the maximum speed of the KLR 650 1997?: The KLR 650 1997 is capable of reaching a top speed of approximately 160 km/h (99.40 mph) on the track.
What is the weight of the KLR 650 1997?: The KLR 650 1997 has a a dry weight of 168 kg (370 lb), a weight when fully loaded of 186 kg (410 lb).
What is the fuel consumption of the KLR 650 1997?: Average fuel consumption is estimated at 5.50 l/100km (0.43 mpg) according to the WMTC cycle.
QWhat is the seat height of the KLR 650 1997?: To ensure good accessibility, the KLR 650 1997 offers a minimum seat height of 870 mm (34.25 in).
What is the price of the KLR 650 1997?: The price of the KLR 650 1997 is 5,335€ in France. It is displayed at , in France.