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1998 Kawasaki KLR650Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 1998 Kawasaki KLR650, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints60 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage12kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 24, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Kawasaki KLR650 has problems

6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling40
Fuel system, gasoline10
Power train10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1998 Kawasaki KLR650 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other KLR650 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the KLR650 median. How we score

'98'99'00'01'02'03'05'06'07'08'09'17'22'23'24
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What KLR650 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THIS INVOLVES ENGINE PART #13168-1436 (LEVER, IDLER SHAFT) (ALSO KNOWN AS THE "DOOHICKEY"), WHICH IS PART OF THE ENGINE'S BALANCER CHAIN TENSIONER SYSTEM. WHILE MAKING AN UNRELATED ADJUSTMENT TO THE ENGINE I REMOVED THE LEFT SIDE ENGINE COVER AND NOTICED THAT A PORTION OF THE DOOHICKEY HAD BROKEN…
Complaint 10037266 · Sep 5, 2003 · 13,000 miles
ON MY 1998 KAWASAKI KLR650 MOTORCYCLE, VIN [XXX], THE IDLER SHAFT LEVER (KAWASAKI PART NO: 13168-1436) BROKE, LEAVING NO TENSION ON THE BALANCER CHAIN INSIDE THE ENGINE. THIS IS AN ALL-TOO-COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE BIKES. FAILURE OF THE LEVER CAN RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE CHAIN. IF THE CHAIN FAILS AT…
Complaint 10023930 · Jun 28, 2003 · 21,000 miles
I HEARD ABOUT A FLAW OF THE ENGINE BALANCER SYSTEM OF THE KAWASAKI KLR650, I ASSUMED THAT MY ENGINE WAS OKAY, AS IT SEEMED TO BE RUNNING FINE, BUT THEN GAVE IN TO MY CURIOSITY, OPENED THE ENGINE CASES AND INSPECTED THE BALANCER MECHANISMS. SURE ENOUGH, JUST AS MANY OTHER KLR OWNERS HAD REPORTED,…
Complaint 10018383 · May 7, 2003 · 10,400 miles

Own a 1998 KLR650?

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