Kawasaki KLX 700 Could Join the Adventure Game. Would You Buy It?

Kawasaki KLX 700 could join the adventure game. Would you buy it? 1

What about a 21-inch Kawasaki KLX 700 adventure middleweight?

Kawasaki is rumoured to be working on a 700cc adventure bike to fight against the Tenere 700. It could be named KLX, and, unlike the original, the engine might be a parallel twin instead of a single-cylinder. The bike should be a replacement for the KLR model according to OmniMoto and will use the name KLX which we saw in the early ’90s.

The Kawasaki KLX 700 could be fitted with a 649cc twin-cylinder engine from the Versys platform, maybe retuned for more low-end torque to suit the adventure-class standard and not a single-cylinder powerplant that the last KLX 650 model used. The Kawasaki Versys 650 has an engine making 69 hp while the Yamaha Tenere 700 is putting out 72 hp. So, the KLX 700 should feature an engine power of 70 hp. Now, it depends if the Japanese brand detunes the engine for more low-end torque designed for offroad use.
 copertina klx700

What about the weight? The Versys 650 has a curb mass of 217 kg and a fuel tank of 21 litres, and the Yamaha Tenere 700 wet weight is 204 kg and the fuel tank is 16 litres. The question remains on how the frame and engine will be built. For example, the Kawasaki Versys 650  has a tubular diamond, high-tensile steel frame and the engine is not a stressed member of the frame. So, for offroad use, the KLX 700 should be fitted with an engine that is a stressed member of the frame which should lower the wet weight to 207 kg making the motorcycle competitive with the rivals. The fuel tank should have 20 litres and this could mean the mileage exceeds 300 km. Other features might include a 21-inch front wheel.

On the US market, Kawasaki has the KLR 650 model which is not available in Europe due to pollution standards regulations. The KLX 700 might be the European model for the 650cc bike.

The competition on the middleweight adventure segment for the Kawasaki KLX 700, if they launch it, is the Yamaha Tenere 700, Suzuki V-Strom 650. On the more expensive side, it could be the KTM 790 Adventure and BMW F 850 GS. 

We just have to wait and see if Kawasaki will launch the KLX 700 as a 2021 model.

Source: OmniMoto

15 thoughts on “Kawasaki KLX 700 Could Join the Adventure Game. Would You Buy It?

  1. I really dont hope they put a twin cylinder engine on that bike that would kinda ruin it for a off road/ adventure bike in my opinion its just not the same as a single cylinder cruisin at low rpm 🙂

  2. Would rather have a high tech single, but would not rule out the twin! The key is low weight for all the aged boomers.

  3. Would happily buy it, if it’s either cheaper or lighter than Tenere 700. Tenere is fun and stuff, but for me it’s just a bike that crushed my hopes of next gen adventute bike. Compared to my XT660R it’s of course more powerfull, has ABS and eldctronic aids, but it also weights 26kg (57 pounds) more. I would accept a 10kg increass but not that much. In Europe currently only SWM superdual has the decent weight, but power and comfort wise it’s not that big of an upgrade. So I’m waiting for other options.

  4. There can’t really be a big single thumper due to present
    emissions laws. The old KLR was way too heavy, underpowered
    and no longer relevant .

    If they reconfigured the 650 twin for better lower/mid range a
    added a 5 gallon fuel tank and reduced the overall weight by 50
    pounds- I’d buy one!!!

  5. I’m riding a KLR650 A from 1991 without any issues and now it have 45500 mls at the counter. From my point of view should be a perfect successor for the KLR650 a lightweight bike with 50 / 50 onroad / offroad skills. Maybe a single cylinder to save pounds or a light V2 like in the very rare Aprilia RXV 500 but with much more reliabiltiy as the Aprilia. A fuel tank good for 120 + mls, 21″ front wheel and a not too big windscreen for some long distance rides. Maybe the Kawa-Guys have a look at the actual Dakar Rallye bikes. This design with a larger engine and little bit more Allday-Features like a better seat, passenger footrests and so on.

  6. For SURE. I will go for the new 700.
    I am KLR lover and user since the 90s and I havent buy another brand because I
    knew KAWASAKI will go with a repower KLR with the Versys engine. That as my dream.
    If you got more informtion about this nes ADVENTURE BIKE, let me know to buy mine as soon as posible

  7. Fit it with a 500-600cc engine to reduce weight down to around 400 lb curb. 60 hp is plenty adequate for street. Anything heavier limits where you can ride off road as well what you can lift up. Minimum 225 miles range or better. I’m in.

  8. All I am seeing is the inability of all the bike manufacturers to come to grips with emissions and make a smooth running bike without us having to go out and spend good dollars on something that we should be leaving the showroom with. That is why I so like the KLR because although not powerful throttle delivery is smooth. I personally think the Tenere 700 is a bust. Long weight for ugly bike. Too heavy to do anything but stay on the street. So why is that to be the goal of other manufacturers?

  9. I remember riding back to Canada from Florida thinking my KLR650 could have been a perfect ride if only it would have had 50more ccs and a second cylinder.

    I would love to see a KLX700. Of course the T700 is already here!

  10. My “adventure” bike (BS word for a motorcycle with tires that kind of suck on or off road or in both areas) is still heavier than I’d like at 400 pounds and it replaced my 500 pound adventure bike. Still I’ll keep it cause nothing else made can I adjust the valves in 20 minutes with a deck screw and wrench but I wouldn’t go heavier again I’d rather go under 350 pounds with a 300 or 400cc single.

  11. Why make a direct competitor to the Tenere 700? At $9999.00 I can almost guarantee that Yamaha is just breaking even on the bike. To think Kawasaki could produce a similar bike for $1000.00 less is absurd. The KLR 650 has its very own niche. Put high tech fuel injected single in there and improve the suspension up to 21st century standards.

  12. This. Or the pending release of the new Transalp which will tick the same boxes but probably do most things slightly better than the T7.

  13. I belief that Kawasaki should get both a KLX and a KLR700. The KLX could be a big Enduro with a lafge tank while the KLR could be the Adventure model with a fairing. This would be satisfying for two different customers and also for the one who gets both… and yes there is that kind… the stubborn refusal for Kawasaki to respond to the Trnere is absolutely redicilous… and all Japanese manufacturer have not responded to the request of a Big-Twin Enduro either. I have seen AI renderings of Big-Twin Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki models on the web and fans get quite understandably nuts. Almost forgotten is the time of the Big Bore Enduros and yet both Honda and Suzuki got their 80s model Big thumpers still on the catalogue, well at least in the US. Maybe it is time for a revival of Big Enduros as Big Twins and a new area of Big Enduros and branching away from the big fairing ADV bikes to the slim but mean road and off-road and pillion worthy Monster bikes… the new Big Red (yellow, green, and blue) Pigs….

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