From: Ron Steere
Subject: [DSN_klr650]
>>> I purchased my A14 aprx. 2 months ago and am very pleased with it.
The few things that I did not like look like can be fixed with a few mods
that I have seen discussed in the KLR group.
> 1. 14 tooth sprocket, so as to have a lower first gear.
Actually, ALL your gears will be lower. So in theory, your top end speed
will be clipped a little too.
> 2. airbox and jet mod, fixing any loss in top end and better performance.
For the most part, I think these mods do the most for the bottom end...
which is not a bad thing per say, just don't expect much of a difference in
the top end.
>>> Some things that I have not seen discussed.
> 3. Hand numbing vibration in handles, esp. throttle hand. Purchased and
installed some anti-vibration mounts for mirrors and plan on buying end
weights for bars. (will this help?)
It should. I'm not a fan of end-weights if they do not allow a good set of
aluminium lever/hand guards.
> 4. Lowering kit for improved handling.
Assuming your lower gear ratio quest is for gnarly trails riding, you might
want that ground clearance you will lose if you drop the bike. Do you not
think the handling of the KLR is alright as is? Lowering the bike is good
for the inseam-challenged, but otherwise I wouldn't do it.
> 5. Engine guard to go with lowering kit - if I decide I do not like
lowering kit then still need guard.
Guard is good. So says Grog when he tells me.
> 6. Center stand. Maybe. I was tooling around in a old overgrown gravel
pit with a buddy on a F650. He led the way down a steep leaf covered trail
going downhill, I stopped to see if he could make it back up, but it did not
look like it. So I started down so we could find another way back. He made
another attempt, so I stopped while leaning downhill. He failed again and
started to roll back-came to a sudden stop. His center stand had deployed
preventing him from moving down and he had no traction to go up. I about fe
ll off my bike laughing while he went through major antics trying to dig it
out. I was unable to assist him because I would have had to lay my bike down
on the trail where I was at - aprx. 25 feet above him with his bike blocking
the trail below me. He finally succeeded, however this makes me wonder,
would I have the same problem?
Not necessarily. Your KLR has mnore clearance than his F650... unless you
put on that lowering kit. =^)
> 7. Is there some way to put return springs on the foot pegs?
Adapt a peg from a different bike.
>>>Misc.
> 8. Use BMW or diesel oil.
Ummm... riiiiiight...
> 9. Use blue thread lock on all threads. Is this true for plastic
bolts/nuts and exhaust bolts? I have lost two windshield bolts so far, but
not the nuts. Replaced with stainless steel bolt with enough thread
sticking through the nut that I could see if it started to loosen.
Blue loctite on everything except plastic.
>>> I have been in the group for about two weeks now, so some of the above
may have been thoroughly discussed before. Any pro's and con's for the
above appreciated. (I could not resist #8, no advice necessary, now know
more about oil than I ever wanted to know.) I have about 1800 miles on my
bike so far, rear tire starting to show replaceable wear. I am mostly new
to bikes, have not had one since 19 years old and it was a CT90.
Ron S. A14
Welcome aboard Ron.
Cheers,
Arne