KAWASAKI KLV1000 (2004 - 2006) Review

rides superb but sort those brakes out !

Clutch basket issue and Stator can be a problem if the magnets unglue

This is the real let down of the bike (I have a 2005 bought in 2018 with 30+k, not brilliantly taken care of but with a massive service history and only paid peanuts for it and the guy delivered it from Cornwall ! so wasn't expecting much else as i was after a project for the winter) The bike suffers from typical "Suzuki" poor build quality and built to a price is very obvious. poor components/materials etc. and not built in mind for the home mechanic, as most service items are awkward to get to or involved undressing her ! But having said all that what a machine !! tons of power extremely comfortable and very capable both on and mild off road with correct tyres, just heavy as all are in this bracket of engine size. Having sorted all the common issues "clutch basket" stripped down sent to john in Yorkshire for fettling, what a guy. lumpy and low revs, get a "boosterplug" the guy is a genius who designed this. Completely replaced all brake and clutch lines "HEL", proper pads, "EBC proper discs, new "Renthal" chain and sprockets, "Heed" crash bars and aluminium engine guard, it came with full factory luggage, "Renthal" handlebars, "Roxshocks" antivibe risers, oxford heated grips, givi tankbag, voltmeter and 12v oulet, plus a trip to holiday to "Hagon" shocks for them to tailor it to me and fit bespoke shocks and springs etc. and a set of "Hawk" slip ons, total this bike owes me know is around £3k. and what a machine, I've put 25k on it since the rebuild and it has taken me through europe 3 times and into the sahara and around morocco with ease. for a budget bike and a winter project its awesome and am now taking it back to morocco with "Nick Sanders" in September 2020. It'll do everything that most of the £20k GS riders use there machines for and so much they cant as they dont want to get them scratched as they are on "rent" LOL, so buy cheap, ADDRESS THE ISSUES and enjoy yourselves. If you bin it fix it ! and you'll still be in credit.

thats buying topnotch parts and doing the work myself

ok but do the personal upgrades to suit you

I'm using it mainly in town but even though the bike is heavy with high weight position, it is very manoeuvrable, easy to filter. Brakes are ok.

There is quite a bit of vibration, but this is a V-twin so don't expect smooth engine. A lot of power and torque, accelerates like a space rocket. Lovely sound with correct end cans. TRE is recommended as it unlocks full torque at low rpm in lower gears. Before installing TRE I couldn't go lower than 3000 rpm without stalling engine on 3rd-4th gear. Now i can go as low as 2000 rpm in 3rd gear and 2500 rpm in 4th. Massive improvement - this is must have. Overall engine is problem-free and long-lasting.

Corrosion of the subframe is very common, corrosion of magneto cover as well.

Recommended items: Michelin Pilot Road 4 Trail tyres - great in the wet and superb in the dry. Mirrors from Kawasaki Z1000 Adjustable windscreen mount (only aftermarket - there is no OE adjustable mount) with this mount you can almost eradicate wind buffeting Mirror extenders TRE Modified clutch basket Main stand

Little bit soggy compared to my previous cbr600 but it's longer travel suspension so what can you expect. Braided lines and sintered pads help no end with the braking as well. Weaves a little at 100mph+ speeds but fork brace does help

Lumpy and 'chuggy' around the 2500 to 3500 rev range but PCIII helped cure most of that. Plenty of pull and torque when needed for overtakes and will still crack 130mph (on the autobahn)

Seems to be holding up well with no issues or problems

I get around 200miles of mixed commuting and pleasure riding before needing to fill it. On a run I think that'll rise to 240 and the 6th gear overdrive helps massively

Fuel gauge, temp, 2 trips and that's about it but what else do you need really? Fuel gauge is pretty accurate and will start flashing when you have 5ltr remaining which I think is a bit soon seeing as the tank is 22ltr

The ride quality is excellent, the brakes are not, but with some upgraded race pads, they are better. These bikes seem to have a flat spot, but a quick hook up to a Yoshi box fixes that, and they run lovely. I've ridden for 6hrs only stopping for fuel, and it was not that bad, the seating position for me is great.

The engine is lovely, both in grunt and sound, it runs out of power at 135mph, but still has another gear to play with. Some more power would always be nice, but it is adequate.

I disagree with the other review regarding the finish, mine has covered 28k and looks like new, the orange paint is perfect, to the point a friend of mine assumed I had put a private plate on it, as he could not believe it was an 11yr old bike.

I've a Givi top box, which works well when needed, the crash bars make the bike look much better IMO, as well as providing some insurance against a drop. I'd definitely get the brakes upgraded, and an after market exhaust to allow that glorious V twin to growl, (mine is the MTC one).

good elevated position, my first big sit up bike.i have rode 6hrs straight and was still able to walk afterwards compared to some of the sport bikes in the past. used to race mx in my younger days took this quicker than i expected

pulls well even when loaded up, suffers from the heavy suzuki clutch and noisy gearbox, and can feel lumpy when cold. have thought of sourcing a tl engine for a bit more go, but don't think it would be easy handled or ridden with the extra power. have borrowed a pals fitted with a power commander which seems to sort out some of the engine flat spots

standard poor paint finish frame and tank which suzuki is known for. confuses most part departments when looking for spares (its sometimes easier to say its a vstrom, for levers etc)

serviced in house, surprising good, value, has scotoiler fitting so chain life pretty good although messy sometimes, tyres also seem to last well (maybe am just getting old) a lot to be said for only having a twin. parts are easy available though sometimes call it a suzuki it will help you get them

basic but functional. mine's has the lights running full time although at night in the dark there is room for improvement, would look to have engine bars fitted to the next one, when fully loaded and fuel, is very heavy when stopped (new clutch lever). bike 200kg + luggage and rider.