Back in December, Kawasaki announced their upgraded KLR650 New Edition model. Here are some more details on that bike.
According to their website, the machine is all-new, but most of the bike is still the same 2008-up model. It still has the same motor, and no EFI. The major upgrade is to the suspension; the front suspension has been beefed up, with more dampening, and the rear shock got the same treatment. There’s also a stiffer spring in the rear shock.
Also, the New Edition’s seat is narrower at the front and wider at the rear, which should make it easier to ride the bike on and off the pavement. It’s available in black/green, or black.
MSRP for the New Edition is $6,999 in Canada, a $100 increase over the standard KLR’s price last year. In the US, the New Edition and standard models will run side-by-side, but in Canada, the standard bike isn’t available this year. Leftover 2012 and 2013 models have been discounted to a $6,399 MSRP on the Kawasaki website.
For Pete’s sake Kawi, just put the 650 Versys engine in that chassis already, and we can handle the suspension.
Yes, please. Please please please. I keep looking at my son’s Versys sitting next to my KLR and i’m soon gonna get the measuring tape out to see if will shoehorn. I like the idea of a 60+ hp KLR
I wouldn’t exactly call that an all new bike, but it’s a start.
The term is damping, i.e., energy absorption. Dampening is something that happens when water or some fluid is sprayed on something. However put, anything done to the old KLR fork design is likely to help.