2008 Klr 650
 

Have they arrived in NZ yet?
Can anyone compare the 2007 KLR with the new 2008 model having ridden both?
Who stocks them in Christchurch please?

Yes they are here now. The Christchurch agent, Norjo Motorcycles Welcome to Norjo Motorcycles, has one is stock now and tell me that the changes are most cosmetic to the earlier models. The price is NZ$9960, on the road. This is before any negotiation, so some small discount may be in the price. They say they have two '06 models second hand at present too.

Regards

Nigel in NZ

Cosmetic? There are quite a few changes, I had a close look at one today and hope to take a demo for a ride as soon as they have one available.

Main changes:

- Engine slightly more power/smoother
- New radiator supposedly more efficent better cooling
- Suspension less travel but forks now 41mm
- New D section swingarms
- thicker front and rear spokes wheels stiffer
- larger improved brakes
- generator output increased to 17amps

Seem a much improved bike to me first look, and all for just a couple hundred more then the original. I think it's a fantastic bike and after a couple more months saving hope to have one in my garage.

Kawasaki USA have a nice little promo on the bike on you tube.
YouTube - Dirt Bikes - 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 Dual Sport Motorcycle


Cheers,
Dave

08 klr
 

Two friends have bought them, one having ridden a '91 model to Alaska last year. I rode one a short distance before it had many miles on it. You notice the larger forks and better brakes right away. Less weavy than the weedy 38 mm ones on the older bikes. Brakes are better enough to catch you attention too.
As for the increased power so far thats not really been evident. Roll ons with the older bikes don't show conclusively superiority for either. This is still early in the bikes life so things may change after some break in miles. Now less than 1000.
The bikes look pretty good, more modern, but thats layered over the same frame. The bulky shrouds on the side of the tank just apear to me to be ground magnets. Also for no reason the side covers are bulked out.
The seat is a posative improvment. The headlight throws out much more and whiter light than the old girls.
It's a new reality for the Krude,Rude Lewde.

Yeah, well, the lady on the phone said that, and it seemed strange to me that Kawasaki would go to all the trouble of releasing a new model and not go through the bike. Was only passing it on, word for word. Me thinks next time someone rings up with an enquirery, they shouldn't let the office lady do the talking.

Regards

Nigel in NZ