
The Kawasaki KLR 650 is a motorcycle with a saddle-style fuel tank that straddles the frame. The amount of fuel available on reserve depends on several factors, including riding style, speed, headwinds, and bike model. For example, one user reported getting 250 miles before switching to the reserve, while another user with a 2008 KLR 650 reported getting about 325 miles before switching to the reserve. Some users have also mentioned a secret second reserve that can be accessed by tipping the bike to its left side, allowing the remaining fuel to transfer to the petcock and carburetor. However, it is important to note that the amount of fuel in the reserve and the mileage it provides can vary, and the best way to determine the exact amount is to measure it individually.
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What You'll Learn
- The KLR 650's fuel capacity is 6.1 gallons, with 4.9 gallons before reserve
- The reserve capacity is 0.72 gallons, with a tilt-over extra reserve of 0.23 gallons
- Total reserve with tilt is 0.95 gallons, with 0.016 gallons unreachable
- Mileage varies, with some users reporting 325 miles before reserve, and others 160 miles
- Riding style, speed, and headwinds impact mileage and fuel consumption

The KLR 650's fuel capacity is 6.1 gallons, with 4.9 gallons before reserve
The KLR 650's fuel capacity is 6.1 gallons, with 4.9 gallons accessible before switching to the reserve fuel. This is based on several users' experiences with the KLR 650, although there are some variations in the reported numbers.
One user with a 2008 KLR 650 reported that their bike ran out of gas after 217 miles and took 4.75 gallons to fill it back up. Another user with a 2014 model experienced their bike running out of gas at 160 miles, which they thought was unusual.
The variation in mileage before refuelling is also influenced by riding style and conditions. Riding at high speeds, such as 70-80 mph, or facing headwinds will result in lower mpg figures. Additionally, individual riding styles can impact fuel efficiency, with some riders reporting mpg figures ranging from 35 to 65.
The KLR 650 is known to have a "super secret reserve" that can be accessed by leaning the bike way over to the left, allowing the remaining fuel to reach the petcock and carburetor. This is a unique feature that has been discussed extensively by KLR 650 owners.
It's important to note that the fuel capacity of 6.1 gallons may include some airspace in the tank, and the actual capacity could be slightly lower, around 5.6 gallons, as suggested by one user. Additionally, the amount of fuel accessible before the reserve may vary slightly depending on how the bike is positioned during filling.
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The reserve capacity is 0.72 gallons, with a tilt-over extra reserve of 0.23 gallons
The Kawasaki KLR 650 is a powerful bike with a fuel capacity of 6.1 gallons. However, the reserve capacity is 0.72 gallons, with a tilt-over extra reserve of 0.23 gallons. This means that, even when the bike indicates that it has run out of fuel, there is still a significant amount of fuel available.
The reserve capacity of 0.72 gallons is accessible without needing to tilt or shake the bike. This is an important feature as it provides a buffer to allow the rider to reach a gas station without being stranded. This amount of fuel can take the bike a considerable distance, depending on riding style and conditions. For example, one rider reported getting 20 miles out of their reserve, while another mentioned getting 5 miles, which can last around 30 minutes in traffic.
The additional tilt-over reserve of 0.23 gallons is a unique feature. To access this extra fuel, the bike needs to be tilted to the left, allowing the fuel to transfer to the petcock. This "secret 2nd reserve" is a handy backup for those longer stretches between gas stations.
The total reserve capacity, including the tilt-over reserve, is 0.95 gallons. This provides peace of mind for riders, especially when riding in remote areas or when the next gas station is over 100 miles away. It is worth noting that some riders have reported variations in the amount of fuel their KLRs consume, with factors such as riding speed, wind conditions, and bike modifications influencing mileage.
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Total reserve with tilt is 0.95 gallons, with 0.016 gallons unreachable
The Kawasaki KLR 650 is a powerful bike with a fuel capacity of 6.1 gallons, according to the manufacturer. However, some owners have measured the capacity using a 48 oz container, and their results indicate a capacity of 6.125 gallons. This discrepancy may be due to level reading errors or the allowance of airspace in the tank.
When it comes to the reserve fuel, the KLR 650 has a normal reserve of 0.72 gallons when the bike is kept level without any tilting or shaking. This reserve fuel can be accessed by flipping the fuel cock to the reserve position. However, when the bike is tilted, an extra 0.23 gallons of fuel can be accessed, bringing the total reserve with tilt to 0.95 gallons.
There is also a small amount of fuel that is considered unreachable, amounting to 0.016 gallons. This fuel is left in the tank even after tilting the bike and can only be accessed by removing the tank and turning it upside down.
It is worth noting that the mileage varies depending on riding style and conditions. Riding at high speeds, into headwinds, or with a heavy throttle hand will reduce the miles per gallon (MPG). Some owners have reported getting around 200 miles per tank, while others have mentioned getting up to 325 miles before switching to the reserve.
Additionally, some KLR 650 owners have mentioned a "secret reserve" or a "tilt-it-over-to-get-it-out reserve", which involves tilting the bike to the left to allow the fuel to flow to the petcock. This technique can help extract the extra fuel from the tank when needed.
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Mileage varies, with some users reporting 325 miles before reserve, and others 160 miles
The mileage of a KLR varies depending on the model and riding conditions. Some users have reported getting around 325 miles before needing to switch to the reserve, while others have reported getting only 160 miles. One user with a 2008 KLR 650 reported getting 325 miles before switching to the reserve, while another user with a 2014 KLR 650 reported their bike running out of gas at 160 miles. Another user with a 2008 KLR 650 reported getting 217 miles before running out of gas and having to switch to the reserve.
Different models of KLRs have different fuel tank capacities, which can affect the mileage. For example, the 2008 KLR 650 has a fuel tank capacity of 6.1 gallons, while the 2013 KLR 650 has a capacity of between 4.4 and 4.5 gallons. The riding conditions, such as speed and headwinds, can also affect the mileage. Riding at high speeds or into headwinds will result in lower mileage.
Some users have reported getting better mileage by leaning the bike to the left to allow the fuel to flow to the petcock or by removing the fuel cap vent to create positive pressure inside the tank. Additionally, there is a secret 2nd reserve that can be accessed by tipping the bike on its left side to transfer the small amount of fuel in the right rear of the tank.
The best way to determine the mileage of a KLR is to measure it by running the bike until it hits reserve, then riding until it runs dry and filling it up at a gas station. This will give the most accurate measurement of the mileage for a specific bike under specific riding conditions.
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Riding style, speed, and headwinds impact mileage and fuel consumption
The Kawasaki KLR650 is a motorcycle that has been in production since the 1980s. The 2022 model has a 6.1-gallon fuel tank, which is an upgrade from the previous models. The 2022 model also features fuel injection, which has improved the fuel efficiency of the motorcycle.
Riding style, speed, and headwinds all impact the mileage and fuel consumption of the KLR650. One user reported that they get about 330 miles from 6.1 gallons when riding at 55mph. Another user reported that they get 51 mpg when riding at or below 65mph, and their lowest mileage was 46 mpg after 100 miles at 75mph with a headwind.
The wind resistance caused by higher speeds and headwinds can significantly impact fuel consumption. One user reported that riding at 80mph into a headwind resulted in lower mpg figures. Additionally, the riding style can also impact fuel consumption. Aggressive riding, such as accelerating hard and breaking suddenly, can result in lower fuel efficiency.
The KLR650 has a reserve fuel feature that allows riders to access additional fuel in case they run out of gas. The amount of reserve fuel can vary depending on the bike, and it is recommended to measure it individually. Some users have reported getting anywhere from 15 to 25 miles on the reserve fuel.
The 2022 KLR650 has improved upon previous models in terms of fuel efficiency and reserve fuel usage. The new fuel pump positioned at the lowest point of the tank has reduced the "unusable" amount of fuel, so riders no longer need to tip the bike to coax the last bit of fuel out.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the model of KLR. For a 2008 KLR, it can take 4.9 to 5 gallons to fill it up when the reserve is hit. For a 2013 model, it is between 4.4 and 4.5 gallons.
This depends on the speed and style of riding. At 55mph, a KLR can go about 330 miles on 6.1 gallons. At lower speeds, a KLR can go about 5 miles on 1/10th of a gallon.
The total fuel capacity of a KLR is 6.1 gallons, of which 0.7 gallons is the reserve.
To fill the reserve, you need to lean the bike way over to the left side to allow the fuel to reach the petcock.











































