Motorcycle specifications KawasakiKLR 650 Tengaï 1989

"Gifted student but little motivation for the subject". This is probably the type of comment that for a long time adorned the "Poum Poum" box in the young Kawasaki's notebook. For while Miss Kawasaki, like its Japanese peers, has always developed large trail bikes, its range has often left much to be desired, not in terms of quality, but rather in the number of models on offer.

at the end of the '80s, Kawasaki had only its KLR 650 and a little-known 250cc model to offer its customers. other Japanese brands offered a complete and varied range (rugged trail bikes, rally-oriented trail bikes, road trail bikes). Titillated by the Honda Transalp and Suzuki DR 750 S Big, the greens' riposte came in 1989 in the form of a road trail bike designed on the technical basis of the KLR 650: the Kawasaki KLR 650 TENGAÏ.

an easy solution, one might think! But the engine is modern and packed with quality. It would be a shame to do without it: 651cc, single-cylinder, 4-valve, double overhead camshaft, liquid-cooled. It develops 48 hp at 6,500 rpm and 5.6 mkg of torque at 5,000 rpm, quite happily. More than enough to take you on a journey, as its name suggests: Tengaï means "Great country beyond the horizon".

to transform its trail bike into a road trail, Kawasaki has chosen to reduce suspension travel. As a result, the seat height is reduced and the chassis is a little more precise. The fork crushes less under hard braking. The stability/agility balance of the original KLR is there, but still a little improved. Unfortunately, there's no improvement in braking. Mediocre on the KLR, still mediocre on the Tengaï.

from a standstill, the bike is rather attractive. The lines are original and very modern. The lines of some trails from the same era have, incidentally, aged much less well. It's a far cry from the questionable aesthetics of the KLR 650, with its rough-hewn tank scoops and crude fork head. What's more, Kawasaki has taken great care with the colors (White/Red, White/Blue, Black/Blue, Red/Red) and decoration of its trail bike.

the seat is comfortable for both rider and passenger, long enough for two, and padded enough to empty the fuel tank (24 liters, approx. 400 km range) in one go without too much pain. The fairing provides adequate protection for the rider, as long as you keep to legal speeds.

the Tengaï is up to any task, as long as you don't ask it to cross the country on the long ribbon of asphalt at prohibited speeds. The single-cylinder, like all its siblings, doesn't appreciate long stretches of high-speed freeway. With a top speed of just over 165 km/h, it was best to stick with a 130-140 to spare the piston.

although quite robust, the Tengaï required meticulous maintenance. The timing chain had to be checked every 5 to 7,000 kms, as it tended to slacken prematurely.

the Tengaï was soon replaced on the French market by the KLE 500, which arrived in 1991.

Tanthallas - Photos : Constucteur