From: ramz@beta.lanl.gov (Thomas Rick Ramsey)
Subject: KLX650 update
Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 16:02:47 GMT

I went to the Kawasaki dealer on Saturday and picked up a color
brochure and looked at some color pictures he took at the dealer
show.  So here's the final word until I see the beast in person.

Model         KLX650R                    KLX650
Type          Off-road                   Street legal
Engine        651cc, liquid cooled,      651cc, liquid cooled,
	      4-stroke single,           4-stroke single,
	      electrofusion cylinder,    electric cooling fan w/thermostat,
	      lightweight balancer       lightweight balancer
Bore x stroke 100 x 83 mm                100 x 83 mm
Valve system  DOHC 4 valves,             DOCH 4 valves,
	      dual stage cam chain,      dual stage cam chain,
	      direct valve actuation,    direct valve actuation,
	      20 degree included angle   20 degree included angle
Ignition      digital CDI                CDI
Carb          40mm semi-flat slide CVK   40mm semi-flat slide CVK
Starting      leg, automatic             electric w/maintenance-free battery
	      compression release        automatic compression release
Transmission  5 speed                    5 speed
Frame         hi-tensile steel perimeter hi-tensile steel perimeter
Rake/trail    28.5 deg/4.8 inches        28.5 deg/4.8 inches
Wheelbase     58.6 inches                59.4 inches
Forks         fat-top 43mm cartridge     fat-top 43mm cartridge
	      16-way compr. damping
Shock         bottom-link Uni-Trak,      bottom-link Uni-Trak
	      nitrogen charged,          nitrogen charged,
	      16-way compression and     adjustable preload
	      16-way rebound adjustment
Travel f/r    11.8/11 inches             11.2/10.2 inches
Front tire    80/100-21 51M              90/90-21 54S
Rear tire     110/100-18 64M             130/80-17 65S
Front brake   floating disc w/dual       semi-floating disc w/dual
	      piston caliper             piston caliper
Rear brake    disc w/single-piston cal.  disc w/single-piston caliper
Seat height   37.4 inches                35 inches
Fuel capacity 2.1 gallons                3.2 gallons
Weight        276 lbs dry                337 lbs dry
Plastic color lime green                 ebony
Frame/seat    purple                     turquoise (mint green maybe?)
Waranty       90-day limited             12-month/unlimited mileage
Price         $4500                      $4700

Pictures of the bikes show the following:

KLX650R off-road model - KDX-type headlight/number plate and handguards,
KDX type front and rear fenders, with a small light on the rear,
no tool bag, largish side number plates, exhaust pipe looks stainless
steel with a long muffler, KX-looking gas tank and radiator shrouds,
plastic lower guard on rear disk brake, loong seat.
The bike looks very uncluttered, and it's strange to see a KX-looking
tank/shroud over a skinny 4-stroke pipe; it enhances the clean look
and makes the bike appear slim.  The gas tank may get bigger in production.
I don't care much for the purple frame and seat, too garish.

KLX650 street model - rectangular street headlight w/small number plate,
mirrors, handguards, high front fender, high back fender with a medium
size tail-light and mud guard/license plate holder attached, no tool
bag but a small aluminum-looking rack is affixed behind the long seat,
rear-set off-road style side number plates, aluminum muffler, metal
gas tank with largish radiator shrouds, frame-mounted passenger pegs,
front and rear turn signals.
The bike looks much better than the old KLR, but it's not near as nice
looking as it's off-road sibling.  I don't care for black, either.
-- 
Rick Ramsey  ramz@lanl.gov  Los Alamos, NM  505/662-2447 evenings.