The biggest “ crime ” Kawasaki has performed on the new KLR650 are its footpegs . Okay , out on the road , they are actually good and do their job of not transferring vibrations to the rider , but off the seal , they are far from great . All that rubber translates to little confidence standing up and I often felt like my feet were sliding off the pegs . If I owned the 2022 KLR , a set of cleated footpegs would be where I would spend my first dollars farkling up the bike . Despite the footpegs and its general girth , the KLR surprised me when I found myself on what turned out to be a walking track in the forest behind Onemana . Even with its non-switchable ABS , the KLR happily navigated through the tight track with the confidence I wish I could say I had when first turning onto the downhill track .
The ABS did activate a couple of times on me , but I was surprised at how much room it gave you before it intervened . Keeping the idea of progressive braking in mind seemed to help to prevent it from activating , too . I do suspect , however , that if more advanced adventure riding is in your plans you ’ d want to pull the fuse to the ABS to ensure in tight technical riding it doesn ’ t cause you any unwanted grief .. Possibly the worst , or best , depending on your viewpoint , that could be said about the basemodel KLR650 in its gleaming orange paint , came when I first parked it up at the family homestead . “ What ’ s that KTM you ’ re riding today , Mat ? It looks good !”
KIWI RIDER 107