Dual-sport and adventure motorcycles effortlessly romp over tough terrain, but that go-anywhere nature comes at a price: high seat heights. To accommodate the inseam-challenged, Kawasaki introduces the new 2023 KLR 650 S. Sporting the same rugged attitude and budget-conscious features, the S variant lives up to KLR standards while accessing a whole new demographic.
Team Green doesn’t throw out the baby with the bathwater, though, with the liquid-cooled, DOHC, 652cc single still burbling in its semi-double-cradle frame. However, Kawi suspends that lot with a 41-millimeter fork and Uni-Trak rear suspension (with linkage) that benefit from modified valving and setup. The result is 6.7 inches of travel fore and seven inches of rear wheel travel. Most importantly, the new configuration and low-profile saddle result in a 32.1-inch seat height, two inches lower than the standard KLR.
