I didn’t expect a KLR650 to dominate the Australian Outback

What began as a bit of a laugh has become one of the most honest, hard-hitting adventures Adam Riemann has ever documented. In I Didn’t Expect a KLR650 to Dominate the Australian Outback, the “Desert Donkey”, Kawasaki’s KLR650, proves its worth as Adam and his longtime mate Jeff tackle the vast, relentless red centre of Australia.

From the sandy tracks of the Flinders Ranges to the brutal heat of the Oodnadatta Track and on to Finke, this ride is as much about rediscovering friendship as it is about testing machines. Jeff, a farmer from WA and an old racing buddy of Adam’s, joins the trip on a Tenere 700, his first real dive into the world of ADV. With concerns and questions early on, Jeff quickly finds his rhythm, rekindling a fire from decades ago and embracing the raw simplicity of life on two wheels.

While Jeff adjusts to sand riding and long haul days, Adam absolutely thrashes the KLR650, testing Kawasaki’s workhorse to its limits, and it keeps asking for more. Burnt oil? Not yet. Overheating? Not even close. This “diesel tractor” of a bike takes a flogging and still delivers, winning Adam over.

The real joy of this film is in the moments, meeting Motology Films fans in the dust, dodging kangaroos, crossing paths with Finke racers, and pulling up for chats with the Bob-and-Marge brigade. It’s Australia at its best – big country, big characters, and bikes that bond us through it all.

Watch this episode below and see how a budget bike, the Desert Donkey, became the legend of the ride. Continue the series here