4. Kawasaki KLR650 “KLRsys”

Everyone knows that the KLR is a capable Adventure Bike. The KLR650 was introduced in 1987 and has remained unchanged, except for some minor styling updates, for 27 years. The bike is so good, it recently won an award for best Adventure Bike from Cycle World Magazine. It’s clearly an excellent bike right off the showroom floor, but many owners still find areas they’d like to improve on. Two common complaints are the soft suspension and lack of power. The KLR motor puts out a mere 37 hp which makes achieving 100 mph only possible with a downhill and tailwind.

An Adventure Rider from Texas has a solution to the lack of power that he calls the “KLRsys.” At first glance you can’t tell there is anything different about this KLR, but if you look closely you will notice that it’s powered by a fuel-injected Kawasaki Versys motor and 6-speed transmission. The twin cylinder 650cc Versys motor nearly doubles the horsepower of the KLR, making 100 mph achievable without breaking a sweat.

Besides the motor swap, the KLRsys also received a stiffer suspension, powder coated panniers, heavy duty skid plate, touring windscreen, top box, and Power Commander fuel injection tuner. (photo courtesy Smugmug/KLRsys I)

Saying “Fast KLR” is no longer an Oxymoron when you have around 60 hp on tap. (photo courtesy Smugmug/KLRsys I)

You can find out more details about this bike build on the ADVRider Forum.