In 2022, Kawasaki will bring back the famous KLR650 dual sport. The third-generation KLR650 debuted four years after Team Green retired the second-generation model in 2018, bringing modern aesthetics and fuel injection without losing the bike’s utilitarian essence.
Riders in the United States will be able to choose between three KLR650 trims in 2022. The original model caters to light packers, whilst the Traveler version includes a top case for additional carrying capacity. The Explorer model, on the other hand, adds panniers, crash protection, and auxiliary lights.
However, Australian customers do not have access to such a broad selection. Off-roading Australians can choose between the base model and the Adventure trim, but both come standard with ABS. According to Motorcycle’s super detective Dennis Chung, an update to Australia’s vehicle certifications on June 16, 2022, suggests that a new KLR650 model may arrive in 2023.
The new trim’s Marketing Designation is the KLR650S, according to the bureau. Cross-referencing with U.S. KLR model VIN numbers reveals that the KLR650S is not currently available in the United States. While this eliminates the Traveler edition, Kawasaki provides no additional hints for the S variation.
In contrast, S models are frequently designated as “Sport” trims in motorcycle nomenclature. We wish Team Green would challenge the dual-sport to a race with its own Versys 650 adventure touring bike, but a road-oriented KLR with a 19-inch (or dare we say 17-inch) front wheel would be fantastic anyway.
Instead, we look to the KLX lineup for direction. The Kawasaki KLX230 platform was introduced in 2020, but the KLX230S joined the competition in 2022. The KLX230S has a lower 32.7-inch seat height, making it ideal for shorter riders. As a result of the two-stage front suspension and Uni-Trak rear suspension, front suspension travel is reduced from 8.7 inches to 6.2 inches, while rear suspension travel is reduced from 8.8 inches to 6.7 inches.
The 2022 KLR650 presently has 7.9 inches of front travel and 7.3 inches of rear travel. Its 34.3-inch stand-over height may also be intimidating to inexperienced off-road riders and those with short inseams. A more accessible “short” form would undoubtedly extend the KLR base, but as with other speculative reports, we’ll have to wait for the manufacturer to confirm or deny our hypotheses in the coming months.
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What Are The 2022 Kawasaki KLR650 Specifications?
Here you can see the specifications of the 2022 Kawasaki KLR650.
| SPECIFICATIONS |
|---|
| FUEL TANK: 6.1-gallon |
| UPDATED 652cc, LIQUID-COOLED, SINGLE-CYLINDER ENGINE |
| NEW DISC BRAKES AND OPTIONAL ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) |
| NEW FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM |
| NEW ALL-DIGITAL MULTI-FUNCTION INSTRUMENTATION |
Final Words
The KLR®650 motorbike is made to fuel your desire to travel and discover new places. Its versatility means you can travel on or off the beaten path, and its dependability lets you give your full attention to the journey at hand. Decades after its introduction, this iconic motorcycle has already spawned innumerable anecdotes from riders all around the globe, and the desire to create fresh memories persists to this day.