kawasaki advice

[spicy mchaggis]

Hello all, i've been looking around for a bike for a while, and came across one locally, a Kawasaki KLR 650 Tengai. It seems in alright condition, just a few scratches and scuffs.

if anybody has owned one of these, or if anyone knows what there like, reliability, reputation, classic 'bad traits' or genral advice about it, it would be a great help.

cheers, will

[barftone]

If it has had regular oil changes they are pretty reliable. Handle well if the rear shock is not knackered. The finish is pretty poor by Honda standards. Loads in the States so take a nose around ADV rider forum and see what you can find.

[spicy mchaggis]

Yeah, i quite like the look of the bike, so hopefully there shouldn't be too much wrong with it.
ill have a gander at adv, see what they've got to say, cheers.

[africajim]

I had a 1990 one a few years ago now, it was a couple of years old. I can't really fault the bike that much, well, apart from it's a Kawasaki!

Being a thumper single I found I was constantly paranoid about the bottom end of the engine, although they're more prone to running the top end!

I bought an @T to replace the Tengai and never looked back, smoother engine, more power and better build quality.

I suppose someone has to buy Kawasaki's, it just won't be me!

Just my opinion, before I get flamed!

[spicy mchaggis]

yeah, i would prefer a honda (the one in the pic is my dads) but im skint, and i wanna get something cheap. i only passed my test the other day, and im eager !!, wanna get as much riding in as i can, so when i leave school i can have a proper summer

the kawasaki should be alright, just needs a new speedo in mph, and a bit of a genral service and clean up.

maybe a AT for my gap year.

[The Pheasant]

africajim is right about the KLR's top end. I had a 600 bought new which was 100percent mechanically (but not electrically) reliable including a 2-up tour to Italy and plenty of trail riding. However, the wet sump is shallow and, if one of these bikes is wheelied, the oil can drain away from the pump pickup, leaving the cam bearings to run dry.
The other problem is with the chain-driven double balancer shafts, one of which drives the water pump. The tensioner sticks. If the chain gets slack the mechanism can break.
The 650 and Tengai - both have the same motor - came later but because they have essentially the same architecture as the 600 are prone to the same problems. There is lots of info on the Tengai and 650 lump here: http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html.
Provided your Tengai has neither major problem it should be good.

[spicy mchaggis]

cheers pheasant, that link is a great help