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2008 Kawasaki KLR650 problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 is lights, typically around 2,000 miles. It has 19.3 times the complaints of a typical KLR650 model year.

Year to avoid19.3x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
116
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
1
Worst area
Lights

The worst 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Recalls 1

Structure: motorcycle: kickstand/center standReported June 7, 2007 · 5 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain motorcycles, the spring retaining pin on the frame may not have been completely welded in place and could fall out, allowing the sidestand to drop into the "parking" position.
Risk
If this occurred while the vehicle was in motion, a crash could occur.
Remedy
Kawasaki will repurchase these motorcycles. The recall began on june 1, 2007. All dealers/owners have been notified.

Recall number 07V244000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2008 Kawasaki KLR650

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 1

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 20, 2018 · Lights · 21,000 miles · IL

Turned in complaint on a few days ago. Received this tracking number 11063172. What's my next step? The complaint was turn signals falling off.

Filed Jan 16, 2018 · Lights · 21,000 miles · IL

Turn signals fell off. Hanging on by electric wiring

Filed Jan 7, 2018 · Lights · 21,000 miles · IL

Exterior turn signals dryrot,therefore turn signal indicators falling off and hanging on by wire. One in front and one in back. The one in back fell on to muffler melting plastic.

Filed Sep 7, 2012 · Lights · 4,200 miles · CO

Turn signals have a rubber mount that falls off.

Filed Jun 18, 2012 · Engine · 6,022 miles · IL

The engine burns oil excessively at highway speeds (60 to 70 MPH). An engine lockup due to lack of lubricant is a very real concern due to the oil consumption rate.

Filed Jun 15, 2012 · Lights · 4,900 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kawasaki klr 650 motorcycle. The contact stated that the turn signals rubber deteriorated and fell off the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 4,900.

Filed Nov 3, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 17,000 miles · AK

The starter idler gear shaft hole/sleeve is bore/milled to deep on the outside casing. The shaft moves to the casing side and loses contact with the inside bushing/sleeve, wich forms a gap at the main housing side. There is now enough space for the spacer washer to fall into the bottom-end and cause huge/catastrophic failure.

Filed Aug 13, 2010 · Engine · 5,400 miles · CO

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 kawasaki klr650. While traveling 65 MPH the contact noticed that the vehicle had suddenly shut off without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced due to oil leaks. The vehicle was not repaired and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 5400.

Filed Jun 6, 2010 · Engine · 16,300 miles · IL

2008 kawasaki klr 650 starter gear cover is improperly bored allowing support shaft to become unsupported on one end. This could cause thrust washers to drop into the rotating flywheel at speed, locking the motor and causing loss of control. Older and newer models both have a ridge in the outer engine cover that prevents the idler gear shaft from drifting out too far and loosing support in the inner engine cover. This was clearly a machining error. I inserted a small spacer in the hole to prevent the shaft from moving.

Filed Jun 5, 2010 · Engine · GA

The safety issue is on a 2008 kawasaki klr-650. The started gear is grinding when I try to crank the bike. The dealer will not fix the issue. The cause of the failure is a deep bore on the side cover that holds the gear. It is a mfg issue. My concern is when the gear lock up? There is a good chance it could lock up as I'm riding down the rode.

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Questions about the 2008 Kawasaki KLR650

Is the 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 reliable?

Owners have filed 116 complaints about the 2008 Kawasaki KLR650, 19.3 times a typical KLR650 model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Kawasaki KLR650?

Lights, with 85 complaints, typically around 2,000 miles. Next is engine (13).

How many recalls does the 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 have?

1 recall, covering structure.

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