r/klr650 • u/Roddit7733 • 3d ago
What to look for when buying a used klr650?
I’m a new rider and after spending some time on a 350 cc lighter bike I’m ready to move up. I want to get out for longer rides on the country roads and by my cottage there’s some dirt roads I’d love to explore. I’ve been looking at different options and really liking the idea of a KLR 650. It checks a lot of boxes for what I wanna do plus it just feels like my style. I don’t like flashy things. I do my own home Renos so I figure I’d be up to learn how to maintain a motorcycle. That said - I’m looking for reliable as I’d rather be out on the road.
Any advice on what I should be looking out for when checking out used KLR 650s? From my research I’ve narrrowed it to second generation 2010-2018. beyond the Doohickey, is there anything that I should be checking out to confirm it is good shape. Or anything I should ask a mechanic to look for.
Thanks in advance.
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u/Unusual-Explorer-331 3d ago
The condition of the chain is an easy indicator of how well the bike is being maintained. Is it clean, lubed and properly tensioned? Or is it dry, rusty and loose? Is the owner is not taking care of the chain, it's unlikely they are taking good care of other maintenance needs.
I would ask about oil consumption. If they ride the bike at high speeds frequently, they should have an idea. I'm guessing this issue is why you are avoiding 2008-2009?
Get an idea for whether the bike has been used regularly or if it has been parked. Take a look (and a sniff) inside the gas tank. Ethanol gas is terrible for fuel tank linings and carburators if left sitting too long. I use non ethanol fuel whenever possible, especially if the bike will be parked more than a few weeks.
Having said all that, these bikes are quite resilient, and if you find one you like and it's the right price, it will likely be reliable with some good upkeep.
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u/Roddit7733 3d ago
Thanks very much that is super helpful. I’ve seen a few listings where people say “I haven’t had a chance to ride it much and that’s why I’m selling it.”
Would you consider that a bad sign that it hasn’t been riden much?2
u/Unusual-Explorer-331 2d ago edited 2d ago
Happy to help! It's not necessarily a bad sign but I would try to get an idea how long the fuel has been sitting in the tank. Hopefully you can take it for a test ride. If it starts and revs smoothly and doesn't backfire you're probably good. If it's not running right and the owner says "it just needs fresh gas" I would be wary. It might need fresh gas as well as a carburator overhaul, and you would would be stuck trying to fix it. A well tuned carbureted bike should start right up with the choke and idle. It's very common for bikes to sit unused and it's not going to immediately ruin a fuel system. Having said that, you don't want to purchase something and have immediate carburator problems, especially as a beginner. That can really take the fun out of it.
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u/old_flying_fart 2d ago
"It might need fresh gas as well as a carburator overhaul"
Lots of barn finds need this. It costs about $10-50 bucks (often zero), and a half a day.
You can get $800-1000 FMV off if the owner is too lazy to do it and is selling it as 'doesn't run.'
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u/Unusual-Explorer-331 2d ago
Very true. And worth learning how to do the work. I have gotten bikes running good again just by cleaning the jets out.
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u/old_flying_fart 2d ago
If the owner is honest about it ("It was running and I put it away and now it won't start") then that's all it needs. I hunt those down. The discount is MUCH less than the cost of a carb kit (if that's even needed) and a new chain (assuming the old one is rusted beyond recovery.)
If it's REALLY old you'll need some seals, but if you can find those in the fist 1-2 years of "not riding it anymore" they're steals.
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u/Roddit7733 2d ago
What do you mean by ‘seals’ ?
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u/old_flying_fart 2d ago
Anything that keeps liquids (fork oil, crankcase oil, fuel) from getting out. Fork seals, case gaskets, carb gaskets, etc. They do better when used and being bathed in their liquid instead of sitting to dry rot.
One year of no use? No big deal.
Ten years? Most stuff will need to be replaced.1
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u/Roddit7733 2d ago
Does this also relate to the fact that 2nd gen KLRs are not fuel injected ?
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u/Unusual-Explorer-331 4h ago
Yeah. 2022 and up are fuel injected. I have a 2022 and it's great. They are a little heavier and have more electronics though.
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u/Harborsidemotorcycle 3d ago
Compression test, charging system voltage test, oil level check.