It is always a hot topic of discussion around the Horizons Unlimited campfires and on the ADV Rider forums. Everyone has an opinion, and most of those opinions revolve around a circular badge (BMW) or an orange paint job (KTM).
Our reasons for choosing the KLRs as an adventure bike are really quite simple to summarise:
- They pack up amazingly small (vital when shipping is charged by volume)
- Parts are available in almost every corner of the world
- Parts are available at inexpensive prices
- Dealer support from Kawasaki is second-to-none for knowledge and service
- The bikes are mechanically simple and straightforward
- They require no 'special tools' to service and maintain
- A sufficient (but not extensive) range of accessories is available
- They can run on absolutely atrocious fuel quality (think filtered through flywire)
- The stock seat is comfortable for 500+ km days on dodgy roads or trails
- Handling is safe and predictable
- Tyres are common sizes that are readily available everywhere
- When they all over, they are light enough to pick up easily
- When they fall over, usually nothing breaks
- If something does break, it is rare for the bike not to be rideable
I often join the rest of the group at a bike rally drooling over the depth of the shiny paintwork on the latest offering from Germany, but on the road I am much more concerned about absolute reliability, and being able to get moving again quickly if I come unstuck.
For most of us, time is precious when we are travelling, and the last thing we want to be doing is sitting around waiting for a dealer on the other side of the world to try and work out how to get a temperamental or easily broken machine moving again.
The past four years have seen us cover more than 20 countries on the KLRs. They have been buried in sand, dirt and snow; have started first time in -15 and +40 degree temperatures; and have fallen over multiple times only to get back up with minimal damage.
They might not be the prettiest toy on the block, but they are damn near unstoppable.
