KLR650 tease
» Normally we would get very excited about a new version of Kawasaki’s cheap and cheerful single-cylinder adventure bike, the KLR650. But alas it’s not coming to the UK because it hasn’t passed Euro5 regs. However, all is not lost because when it goes on sale in the USA next year, it will be so cheap that unofficial imports could make sense.
The American price will be $7000 which is currently around £5000. Even allowing for shipping, VAT, single vehicle approval (easy for a new bike) and duties, that could still mean you get one for under £7000. If you’re after a bulletproof (and exclusive) adventure bike, that’s tempting – the new KLR uses Kawasaki’s venerable 652cc single-cylinder, liquidcooled engine but it’s now got fuel injection to improve mpg. With its 23 litre tank, a 250-mile range should be a doddle. Low end and midrange power is up too, plus it gets ABS and chassis tweaks. In keeping with its apocalypse-surviving vibe, there’s no TFT screen, traction control, or modes – though you do get an LCD dash that replaces the old dials.