1998 Kawasaki KLR-650 Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1998 Kawasaki KLR-650 recalls

No safety recalls on file for the 1998 Kawasaki KLR-650.

Most common 1998 Kawasaki KLR-650 problems

Problem areas named in the 6 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Engine And Engine Cooling	4
Power Train	1
Fuel System, Gasoline	1

What owners report

2005-06-24, Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CHAIN IDLER SHAFT ADJUSTER ON MY KLR HAS BROKEN.

2003-12-02, Fuel System, Gasoline
PROBLEMS WITH FUEL SYSTEM ON 1998 MODEL KAWASAKI MOTORCYCLE.*MR AT TIMES THE MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCED AN ERRATIC SURGE AND BUCK AS IF IT HAD NO FUEL. UPON OPENING THE FILLER CAP, THE CONSUMER NOTICED TANK HAD PLENTY OF FUEL IN BOTH SECTIONS OF THE MOTORCYCLE, HOWEVER IT APPEARED THE FUEL WAS NOT DRAWN INTO THE CARBURETOR WITHOUT LONG AND REPEATED CRANKING OF THE STARTER. *JB *NM

2003-09-05, Engine And Engine Cooling
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 OFF AND WAS LOOSE IN THE ENGINE CASE. THE DAMAGE TO THE DOOHICKEY WAS SIMILAR TO WHAT I HAVE SEEN IN OTHER KLR650 ENGINES AND APPEARED TO BE DUE TO THE STARTER GEAR (ENGINE PART #16085-1205 (GEAR, ONEWAY CLUTCH)) IMPACTING THE DOOHICKEY. FORTUNATELY, IN THIS CASE THE ENGINE DID NOT SEIZE, BUT SINCE THERE WAS AT LEAST ONE LOOSE HARDENED STEEL PIECE LOOSE IT COULD EASILY HAVE DONE SO AT ANY TIME.

2003-06-28, Engine And Engine Cooling
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 HIGHWAY SPEED, THE ENGINE WILL SEIZE, LOCKING THE BACK WHEEL WHICH WILL CERTAIN RESULT IN A NASTY ACCIDENT. KAWASAKI NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS. NON-TECHNICAL OWNERS MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THEIR ENGINE IS A TICKING TIME BOMB. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

2003-05-07, Engine And Engine Cooling
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, THE IDLER SHAFT WAS BROKEN. I HAD AN AFTER MARKET IDLER SHAFT THAT IS FORGED FROM ONE PIECE OF HIGH GRADE STEEL AND INSTALLED IT. THE ENGINE RUNS QUIETER NOW AND PRESUMABLY IS LESS PRONE TO FAILURE OF THIS TYPE. THE MANUFACTURER, KAWASAKI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, APPARENTLY HAS CHOSEN TO CUT COSTS BY USING A CHEAP TWO PIECE WELDED IDLER SHAFT OF RELATIVELY CHEAP STEEL (AFTER ONLY 10,000 MILES, MY 1998 K

1998 Kawasaki KLR-650 questions

Does the 1998 Kawasaki KLR-650 have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls on file for the 1998 Kawasaki KLR-650 at this time.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Kawasaki KLR-650?

Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine And Engine Cooling (4), Power Train (1), Fuel System, Gasoline (1).

How do I check if a recall on my 1998 Kawasaki KLR-650 has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.