These photos are of my 1996 Kawasaki KLR 650 U.N. Tribute bike. It is a civilian bike and never saw any duty in military service, but bikes like this one were purchased for use by United Nations Peacekeepers in a few missions during the 90s. The U.N., the USA and some other nations purchased KLR 650s, as they were very simple, rugged and reliable machines.
When in Cambodia with the UN in 1993, the UN had a fleet of hundreds of Honda and Yamaha 125cc and 250cc on/off-road bikes which we used to negotiate the small trails which were often the only way to get to some of the small jungle villages far away from the cities. Bikes like these (and small boats) are of great use in jungles and rural communities in many 'Third World' countries.
Photosare:
1. My KLR and Ural and other bikes at the meeting point for a CVMG Montreal 'History Tour' ride this past summer.
2 and 3. The KLR at the 'Salon de la Moto' in Montreal just before the Covid-19 lockdown in late February 2020.
4. My 3 bikes at the same show. Left to right: my 71 BSA Lightning, my 57 TRW 500 and my 96 KLR 650.
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