Setting up a Kawasaki KLR650

Crash bars are one of the first things we need to put on the bike for Adventure riding, you have just spent a large sum on the bike we want to look after it. We recommend SW-Motech or Mastech, both the same design, the Mastech pipe diameter is slightly smaller than SW-Motech. 

Bash Plates along with crash bars as we need to protect KLR’s uniquely designed engines, again SW-Motech or Aussie made B&B is the way to go. Bash plates also known as Skid Plates are fitted to the underside of the bike to protect it from rocks, debris and uneven roads from causing damage to your motor, transmission and water pump. All the important parts that can set you back thousands if damaged. Just make sure the bash plate you order will work with the crash bars that are on the bike!

Barkbusters are less common on the 650s but still look very nice. Barkbusters is a very well known brand that was first manufactured in Australia in 1984. For a Barkbusters set up, you first need to purchase the frame which is easy to install in minutes, then you select your guards, the options we provide are Storm, Carbon, VPS and Jet. The most popular guards are the VPS which comes with a wind deflector and has the option to add on skid plates and/or end weights to help with vibration. The VPS and Jet come in a variety of colour options to choose from, allowing real personalization to the bike. They help protect your hands from the elements while still allowing easy maneuvering of the gears and bars. They are a hard piece of kit to kill!

Something no rider wants, your riding on an awesome trail with your mates and all of a sudden a rock comes flying up and hits your headlight… now we have a massive crack or even hole in the headlight, the light could be damaged too and of course, we don’t want to ride with a cracked light as it could get so much worse. Mastech manufacture guards for the KLR650, our favourite wire guards making the KLR look very aggressive!

There are a couple of extra luxury parts that should be mentioned for your KLR, making for an easier adventure.

Centre stands are becoming more and more popular with the adventure bikes, being able to lift the bike straight up with ease instead of it leaning and possibly falling over if the ground is too soft, frankly I don’t trust those little stands to hold up the weight of KLR650’s. SW-Motech and Mastech manufacture stands with Mastech being the more affordable option for a lot of riders.

We need to carry all our luggage with frames, SW-Motech Barrett and Toys2Go are our 3 brands that are available for pannier racks, the choice is up to you. Barrett is manufactured in Australia and has Rotopax mounts built into them. SW-Motech is German made and can easily be taken off the bike quickly with their “quick lock” system but don’t fret we can still get an adapter to mount Rotopax. Toys2Go are manufactured in South Africa, and we are the exclusive Australian supplier, the racks are super tough and also have Rotopax mounts. All of these racks can support a range of soft saddlebags. 

Keeping the wind off your face is a concern for some riders, we offer 2 heights in screens for the KLR650, the most popular being the high rise. We also have a large variety of tints to choose from 3 standard (clear, light and dark) and some special order.

Master cylinder guard and case saver, just a couple of little extras for the tough rider! 2 options with the master cylinder guard you can choose between Mastech or B&B, with the case savers being manufactured by B&B. They are reasonably priced and would be well-worth getting!

While the KLR does have a reasonably sized 23L tank most riders need a bit more, Safari manufacture a long range 32L tank for the KLR650, some people have been able to get 600km out of this tank! Safari have designed their tanks to keep fuel at the lowest point to give you an even ride, and did we mention made and designed in Australia?!

*These images are not our own