was 08klr purchase - how to get better gas milage

[Gary LaRue]

I'm coming up on 3K US miles on my '08 now. So far as I can tell, it's not used an ounce of oil, but I do see somesoot on the back fender. (?) By the way, I used the gentle approach to break in. I think my seat seam will give out because it's turning "inside out" in a couple of places. No seperation yet, but I expect there will be. No problems with turn signals, and I wiggled them pretty hard when I read about that issue. I think they will be OK barring a fall. I had to adjust the headlight down from where it was because I had people bliping their brights at me. - I had to replace the little rubber gadgets that slip through the hole in the windshield and hold the nut for the windshield screws. They are called a "nut well" and cost $8 US each. I went ahead and did it this time, but next time I'll rig up something different. I know the stealers... I mean dealers don't set the prices, but sheesh. I can't help but feel a negative reaction to something like that. I can't claim rape because I could have canceled the order, but still... Lash ----- Original Message ---- From: Mike Hilton To: james.douglas@...; Jeff Saline Cc: arden646@...; DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, June 5, 2008 8:40:07 AM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: 08KLR Purchase Jeff, I'm just in the break in stage on my 08 with 1200 miles. Those were put on in three weeks. Had my first service at 1000 and had not added any oil. Don't appear to be an issue on my 08... Hope it stays that way. Mike H. Recent Activity * 15 New Members * 4 New PhotosVisit Your Group Y! Sports for TV Game Day Companion Live fantasy league & game stats on TV. Yahoo! News Kevin Sites Get coverage of world crises. Featured Y! Groups and category pages. There is something for everyone. . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Ron and Brenda Moorhouse]

What do I need to know or do to get 59 miles per gallon. I get about 44, riding off road as much as possible; usually in a hurry to get to the off road areas about 60 miles from home. Ron Moorhouse Modesto, CA ----- Original Message ---- From: Jon Neet To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2008 9:14:47 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: 08KLR Purchase I'm another that actually uses my KLR as a street bike only, and finds it to be a very competent and comfortable ride.As a 54 year old rider of over 45 years and owner of about 22 different street legal motorcycles in that time, I think my opinion has some value. I don't think much of my KLR as a two-up motorcycle.My wife has been spoiled by some of my other motorcycles. As a solo machine I rate it highly.I have two other motorcycle;a 2007 Yamaha XT225 and a 2007 Royal Enfield 500 Bullet Classic (does this make me a crackpot??). My KLR is getting 59 miles per US gallon these days and I ride it every day-rain/shine/ cold etc here in western Wa. State.I work at an HD/Buell dealership, and though my KLR is an "off brand", I still get respect because I'm one of the few that rides every day. jon [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Arden Kysely]

Pump up your tires, back off the throttle, keep your air filter clean, and your elbows and knees in. 8~) KLR riders report 'normal' mileage numbers from low 40's to 60 or so. There are so many variables to consider you'd have to get two bikes and riders side-by-side to make sense of it. I consistently get 48-49 mpg in my normal commuting and city riding. On backcountry tours, I've seen 55 from slow plonking along dirt roads down to 40 when beating into the wind on the superslab. Just from the change in wind blast on the '08, I wouldn't be surprised if they did better than the legacy bikes overall. Being a little bit lower shouldn't hurt, either. __Arden --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Ron and Brenda Moorhouse wrote:

> > What do I need to know or do to get 59 miles per gallon. I get

about 44, riding off road as much as possible; usually in a hurry to get to the off road areas about 60 miles from home.

> Ron Moorhouse > Modesto, CA > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: Jon Neet > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2008 9:14:47 PM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: 08KLR Purchase > > > I'm another that actually uses my KLR as a street bike only, and

finds it to be a very competent and comfortable ride.As a 54 year old rider of over 45 years and owner of about 22 different street legal motorcycles in that time, I think my opinion has some value. I don't think much of my KLR as a two-up motorcycle.My wife has been spoiled by some of my other motorcycles. As a solo machine I rate it highly.I have two other motorcycle;a 2007 Yamaha XT225 and a 2007 Royal Enfield 500 Bullet Classic (does this make me a crackpot??). My KLR is getting 59 miles per US gallon these days and I ride it every day- rain/shine/ cold etc here in western Wa. State.I work at an HD/Buell dealership, and though my KLR is an "off brand", I still get respect because I'm one of the few that rides every day.

> > jon > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Jim Douglas]

Mike Hilton wrote:

> Jeff, I'm just in the break in stage on my 08 with 1200 miles. Those > were put on in three weeks. Had my first service at 1000 and had not > added any oil. Don't appear to be an issue on my 08... Hope it stays > that way. > Mike H. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > *From:* Jeff Saline > *To:* james.douglas@... > > *Cc:* arden646@... ; > DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > *Sent:* Wednesday, June 04, 2008 5:22 PM > *Subject:* Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: 08KLR Purchase > > On Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:07:06 -0500 Jim Douglas > > writes: > > Keep hearing about the burning oil issue, anyone here have it? I am > > trying > > to burn oil in mine to no avail, just kidding, my 08 has never had > > the > > problem, but also only has 4500 miles so far. Also, > > recently picked up oil at local Kawasaki dealer and asked the > > service > > manager if he had heard of it and it was a no, but also > indicated to > > me > > that KLR folks rarely if ever come back, only reason I pay extra > > for > > stuff there is I want to do my best to keep the local dealer local > > and > > the extra few dollars for everything is not hurting me, yet! > <><><><><><><><> > <><><><><><><><> > > Jim, > > I too have heard about the oil burning issue but haven't encountered a > rider with this problem yet. Two local riders with 08s both report > excellent performance with their bikes. I had a good talk with the > service manager at the local dealership two weeks ago. I asked him > some > pointed questions about 08 issues. He has not yet seen any of > them. All > the KLRs he's had go through the shop so far have been just fine. > - No oil burning. > - No temperature sender wire melted near the head. > - No sparkplug wire chafing. > - No broken turn signal mounts. (He did say he'd try to cover that > under > warranty if he encountered it after I told him of reports that > others had > them covered) > - No torn seat seams. > > Just no problems at all yet. > > This service manager is pretty sharp and my limited encounters > with him > have all been very positive. He's knowledgeable about the stuff he > services and mechanics in general. > > The sales guys have also told me they have trouble keeping a KLR > (new or > used) on the floor. > > I like your attitude about keeping the local dealer local. I do > the same > thing with the local BMW dealer in Sturgis. > > Best, > > Jeff Saline > ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal > Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org > The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota > 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT > __________________________________________________________ > Get the Best Credit Offers - Apply Now! > http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3m2HXqrwAkuctv9giNBXKXF57j8LQHOrBeqmvqu5iv4CQQzq/ > http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3m2HXqrwAkuctv9giNBXKXF57j8LQHOrBeqmvqu5iv4CQQzq/> > > >

I did get my seat replaced after about 300 miles it had a 4" rip along the seam on the riders left side towards the back of the seat, the dealer did know about this and it took a few weeks to get one, when it did come in they called and I stopped by, too bad for the service guy cause about a minute into the change process the sky's opened up and it rained hard for about the time it took to change it out!

[Jon Neet]

<> Wish I could tell you the secret. I don't flog it, but yet I do some freeway riding at 65-75 mph too.I had been using Rottela 5-40 oil, but I'm trying some Delo400 15W-40 for this oil change.My commute is a pretty easy 15 mile round trip on a backroad at 40-50 mph.But that should be offset somewhat by how short the ride is.My KLR has never touched in the 40s mpg range.Never worse than about 52. Jon [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Gary LaRue]

Christopher; Lots of good info, thanks. I was especially interested in the center bead tire aspect. One way to lessen the barn door effect is narrower handlebars, no? Narrower bars and no hand guards should make an appreciable difference, I would think. Lash ----- Original Message ---- From: Christopher Eckert To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, June 5, 2008 8:16:57 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] was 08KLR Purchase - how to get better gas milage Less barn door. You wont make a KLR aero dynamicaly clean but you can remove big energy drains. someone on the list already saidarms and legs in and they were very correct. Park it nose into the wind on a windy day and sit on it. Moves you legs and arms around and see how much you feel it pulling on you. Beyond those two things you arent going to get much aero dynamic help on a klr unless you plan to wrap a fairing around it Recent Activity * 13 New Members * 4 New PhotosVisit Your Group Health Zone Look your best! Groups to help you look & feel great. Yahoo! News Fashion News What's the word on fashion and style? Family Photos Learn how to best capture your family moments. . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]