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2014 Kawasaki KLR 650 special edition

Australia’s top-selling adventure bike, the Kawasaki KLR 650, has received a boost that makes Australia’s top-selling adventure bike even more attractive.

The Kawasaki KLR 650 now gets a new colour scheme, revised suspension and a more comfortable seat. Kawasaki Australia now has the bike in stock at $8099, which is only $100 more than previously.

The new colour scheme is very similar, but a little less fussy. The most important upgrades are to the suspension. Up front, the fork springs are 40% firmer with 27% firmer rebound damping to match, promising a more controlled ride. At the rear, the Uni-Trak linkage has a 63% stiffer spring rate and 83% firmer rebound damping for improved load-carrying.

Riders should welcome the new multi-contour seat with a dimpled seat cover. It is narrower and more-tapered at the front so shorter riders should be better able to reach the ground and manoeuvre at low speeds. Meanwhile, the pillion section is wider.

The dependable all-roads traveler is still powered by a 651cc, four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve single-cylinder engine with a five-speed gearbox.