The new 2022 Kawasaki KLR650 is an awaited return of Team Green’s iconic, do-it-all dual sport following a two-year hiatus of production. It isn’t just reintroduced to the lineup, but boasts a number of significant changes that expand its adventuring capabilities while addressing the shortcomings of the previous-generation KLR.
So what’s new? The KLR650 and the KLR650 Adventure and Traveler submodels continue to be powered by the same 652cc DOHC single-cylinder as before, but utilizes electronic fuel injection for the first time. A new 40mm throttle body promotes smoother running and rids the KLR of the need to rejet the carburetor for varying riding conditions. Kawasaki also claims a boost in midrange power and torque characteristics as a result of revised cam profiles and the exhaust pipe diameter has been reduced for similar results. The transmission has also been reworked with several updates for better shift feel
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As part of the Cycle World testing protocol, we placed our 2022 Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure on our in-house Dynojet 250i dynamometer, recording horsepower and torque figures. The KLR produced a peak 34.61 hp at 5,910 rpm and 33.52 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. A combination of smooth, tractor-like power delivery from 2,000 rpm until its redline of 7,000 rpm, and a notably flat torque curve makes the KLR a docile adventure machine and offers flexibility in various riding scenarios.
