In recent times, adventure bikes have exploded in popularity. All manufacturers are trying to add more technology to these bikes in an effort to keep up with the crowd or stand out. As a result, some of the most advanced motorcycles on the road today are ADVs. While modern technology certainly adds a level of convenience to a motorcycle, it is not always ideal to put it on an exploration vehicle that will be exposed to the elements.
Updated: 2026/07/15
This article has been updated with more information on bike dependability.
Strong simplicity can be more reliable
While there is a lot to be said about the latest technology that is making its way into the world of motorcycling, and how it can improve the riding experience, these features are not always desirable when exploring far-flung areas. These electronic features add failure points, and no matter how well sealed things may appear, once you submerge a modern TFT dash, it will fail. Sometimes, simplicity is actually a more desirable trait.
This is one reason why more and more buyers are attracted to more simplified dual-sport bikes. While both reliable and more capable off-road, a serious compromise has to be made in the form of long-range convenience. The bike in question offers to meet in the middle, giving us the rugged simplicity of dual-sport, and some of the long-distance comfort usually associated with ADVs.
The Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure ABS is a great all-rounder
MSRP: $8,199
The KLR650 has been in production since 1987, but with a refresh in 2022, we also get this adventure model. Although it is nothing more than an old dual game disguised as ADV, in terms of use, it is actually one of the best tools for exploration. Over the years, it has proven to be both reliable and highly durable, capable of handling whatever you throw at it. Equally capable of handling the workday commute and multi-day adventure riding, this really is one of those bikes that can do a little bit of everything.
Life Expectancy of a Diesel Truck
We’ve chosen the KLR650 here because it has cockroach-like reliability and a life expectancy comparable to a diesel truck. Maintain it, and it can last for years with just regular maintenance. Check out online forums, and you’ll find many high-mileage examples with 50k to 70k miles on the odometer. We also found a KLR650 with 172k miles.
That’s why people choose this vintage dual-sport ADV for trips around the world. Sure, the GS is more popular and luxurious, but when you want to try crossing the Darien Gap or crossing the desolate Mongolian plains, it’s the KLR650 that’s more dependable. It is also economical, it is cheap to fix and even a truck mechanic can work on it. This is the bike that Dr. Gregory W., a prolific author and motorcyclist, wrote in 2001 and 2002. Frazier on his global circumnavigation.
It is one of the few bikes trusted by various governments, with many police forces, armed forces and municipalities using it around the world. The US Marine Corps also commissioned this bike with some modifications to the engine, resulting in the KLR650 M1030M1. It had different pistons and other internal parts, designed by Hess Diversified Technology, so it could run on diesel instead of petrol. These are the reasons why the KLR650 can last so long and why people consider it to be one of the most reliable bikes ever made.
The KLR650 Adventure uses a big old thumper
Power: 40 hp
This huge single is the main reason the bike is so durable, and it’s also one of the main reasons you might think twice about buying the bike. For those who are used to how much a single-cylinder motorcycle vibrates, this isn’t a big problem, but if you’re coming from a multi-cylinder bike, the KLR650 will feel like a paint-shaker. The only problem throughout the production life of this engine was the idler shaft lever (it maintains tension on the counterbalance chain), known colloquially as the “doohickey”, which was prone to failure. Kawasaki finally fixed this problem with the 2022 update, and as long as you make the necessary adjustments laid out in the owner’s manual, there won’t be any problems.
These engines are low pressure, and have a low compression ratio of 9.8:1 by modern standards. Thus, they will run on poor quality fuel without any trouble, and keep running forever. Even with the “doohickey” problem, people continue to buy, sell, and repair older models because everyone knows how durable the rest of the machine is. With such a huge following, all of these bikes come with a built-in community that’s hard to put a dollar value on.
KLR650 Adventure really can go anywhere
KLR650 is not fast. This is a motorcycle that literally requires a commitment to slow life down. But, you can really go anywhere at that sedate pace. Like most modern ADVs, its seat height is a relatively low 34.3 inches, but that gives the bike a respectable 8.3 inches of ground clearance. While it’s not the best or worst in its class, it comes equipped with a decent-looking skid plate and sturdy frame sliders, so when you drop it or scrape the bottom, it won’t be too dramatic.
Unlike most modern adventure bikes, which are street bikes built to work off-road, this is a true off-road bike built to work on the road. However, extended stops on the highway are not for the faint of heart, as the vibrations and the buffeting of the wind will make it a less enjoyable experience. Although it comes with better wind protection than the average dual-sport, it’s still more at home on back roads, and, of course, completely at home off-road.
An all-inclusive adventure package
At this end of the market, KLR’s biggest attraction is how much it is valued at. However, this is an advanced, feature-rich motorcycle beyond any imagination, but it comes equipped with everything you need to get out and explore. You get nice side cases, factory-fitted fog lamps, hand guards (though a bit flimsy looking), and a DC socket so you can charge all the electronics you brought with you. It is ideal for those who want a bike that is ready to go anywhere without any upgrades or modifications.
Naturally, any bike so versatile will never be great at everything. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that it’s not particularly good in any case. Even though this is primarily an off-road bike, all the extra weight, even without stuffing those side cases, makes it quite heavy for dual-sport, with a wet weight of 487 pounds. Make no mistake, it’s still capable off-road; It really won’t be as good as the base model or any other dual-sport.
As mentioned earlier, sitting around for hours at highway speeds isn’t its forte, and realistically speaking, this is where you’ll spend most of your time on any adventure ride, unless you live on or near the BDR. Buying a donkey like this is a commitment to a certain level of discomfort, which isn’t a bad thing at all. At the end of the day, if you’re really looking for comfort, taking the path less traveled may not be for you.
Source: kawasaki
