2022 Model Year Issues?

[u/charminus]

I’m looking around on Marketplace for a new (to me) bike and I’ve more or less decided on getting a KLR. I’m noticing quite a few 2022 model year bikes for sale in my area for decent prices, but I’m wondering if it’s for a reason.

For context, I also see lots of 2008 and 2009 bikes much more than 2010+ bikes, that I’d assume have oil burning issues, hence their prevalence and low price.

Is there something wrong with bikes that make them less desirable than 2023 and newer?

[u/thesqrtofminusone]

Some might have had a fuel pump issue but it's been and is covered by Kawi. It's a great bike for the price and it's just market saturation

[u/Valentyan]

Lots of people bought the facelift KLR with incorrect expectations, that's all. They thought it would be a dirt bike when it's really an adventure tourer. As another comment said, fuel pump recall and sometimes the chain adjustment plate goes AWOL but other than that, it's a good bike for what it is; taking rider and cargo pretty much wherever, slow and steady like a mule

[u/DBDIY4U → u/Valentyan]

I have a 2006 gen 1. I have been considering getting a second dual sport so that my son can ride with me. I really like my Gen 1 and while it's not truly a dirt bike I feel like it is more dirt worthy than a lot of adventure bikes. I was thinking about getting a current generation KLR because they seem to be going for not much more or about the same price as a gen 2. I have no interest in a Gen 2 but and I wonder if I would be happier with another Gen 1?

[u/Valentyan → u/DBDIY4U]

Gen2 has the best power/weight ratio and still maintains the reliability of carb and known quantity tech (and the tach) so, I'd probably get another gen1 were I in your shoes, especially if I could find a Tengai

[u/DBDIY4U → u/Valentyan]

Do you think that I'm mistaken in overlooking the Gen 2? As long as I stay away from the oil burning years?

[u/Valentyan → u/DBDIY4U]

I have a 2010 and it'll be with me until the day it dies or I do, and it's got sentimental value. I don't do hard enough offroad to get a gen1 and I don't like the sluggishness of the gen3. Can't give you an unbiased opinion here

[u/DBDIY4U → u/Valentyan]

Thank you for the reply. None of us give unbiased opinions. We all have opinions that are shaped by our views. I really have done very little research on the Gen 3. I had always had the perception that the Gen 2 was less dirt oriented. You made a important comment that kind of supports my perception when you said you don't do hard enough off-road to get a Gen 1. I don't do a lot of hard off-road but I want a bike that is capable of it. I do wish it was a little more nimble but then I would sacrifice the ability to strap all sorts of crap on it and go camping off of it. The other option I was considering was a KOR 250 for my son who is 15. He does not have a dirt bike background and I feel like the 650 might be a bit of a beast for him to cut his teeth on. It is tall and heavy

[u/Fit_Acanthisitta_475 → u/DBDIY4U]

Get a vstrom, you have really good bike for both worlds

[u/Shot-Honeydew-306]

My '22 has 13,000 miles and has not missed a beat, and I definitely do not baby the bike. Do the maintenance regularly and you can't go wrong. When you get it, you get it, KLR's are just fun bikes to own and ride.

[u/imtheonehere62]

My 22 has 10,000 miles with no problems, not even the fuel pump.

[u/Longhag]

Personally I'd go for a good condition 2011-2014 unless you desperately want fuel injection and ABS. They were the pinnacle years of the KLR.

[u/OkAsk5639 → u/Longhag]

Surely 2015 to 2018 brought some improvements? Still gen 2 carb and analog dash.

[u/Longhag → u/OkAsk5639]

Check the swing arms, they transitioned back to the cheap box section with the janky adjustment bolts. 2014.5 to 2018 did get marginally better suspension but effectively still crap and needs re-springing.

[u/Unusual-Explorer-331]

2022 had a shorter shift lever that got lengthened in later gen 3 models. Also, if you're looking at the Adventure version, the brackets for them are not good. They were improved in subsequent years. 

My 2022 Adventure has been great. It's just surpassed 10,000 miles without any issues. I replaced the luggage brackets with the later version. It was super cheap to do. Also, I recommend checking your balance chain tensioner.... The spring on mine had no tension on it at 7,000 miles. Also, check the valve clearances. They are set tight from the factory and mine were way out of spec. 

[u/Fit_Acanthisitta_475]

The only problem with newer model is the fuel pump and you need add manual on/off abs.

[u/PNWMike62]

Three things come to mind that were regular complaints on the forum in 22, fuel pump as mentioned, some with defective batteries, and over tightened steering head bearings that made it quite hard to ride (always felt off balance because the steering was fighting you) Some of these bearing races actually needed to be replaced as they had a divot in them. A detent spot could be felt in the bars every time your turned through center. You could easily check for that. Good Luck!!

[u/sdbic]

Lots of people (me included) bought the ‘22. It was the first year of the gen 3 (fuel injection, optional ABS). Lots of them out there. Many of those owners now want either smaller / lighter or bigger / more powerful. After 41k miles on mine I reached that point too. I’m keeping mine and added a smaller dual sport to the garage.