Wilsons Sandbox

Posted: **Thu Apr 19, 2001 1:50 pm**

hey all: have any of you noticed a slight steering instability up around 75-80? well, i have on my 2001- and although it's most noticable in traffic, particularly behind trucks, i'm not convinced that it's entirely due to wake turbulence. on other bikes, i've definitely experienced a little buffeting at the hands of 18-wheelers, but it never affected the solidity of my steering feel. so, i wanted to check with some other KLR owners to see if this is common, or if maybe that i should start worrying about my wheel balance, etc... your input is much appreciated....thanks! -rob atomic seattle hard trance/goa live PA http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/157/rob_atomic.html

Posted: **Thu Apr 19, 2001 2:06 pm**

riding alone, my bike is pretty wiggly at that speed. with a passenger, or with gear, it settles down quite a bit. i assume that the extra load on rear end reduces the steering angle. some folks have advocated extending the fork tubes so they can be raised up a bit more. i just drive 65 or so. keep in mind that the klr has pretty light steering at low-medium speeds, so it only makes sense that it would be twitchy at higher speeds. likewise, big, fast bikes (like the falco and sprint rs i demo'd) have MUCH heavier steering at low speeds. i was actually pretty annoyed by it below 25 mph or so. i bet that's why they're rock solid at 90. mw

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "rob atomic" wrote: > hey all: > > have any of you noticed a slight steering instability up around 75- 80? > > well, i have on my 2001- and although it's most noticable in traffic, > particularly behind trucks, i'm not convinced that it's entirely due to wake > turbulence. on other bikes, i've definitely experienced a little buffeting > at the hands of 18-wheelers, but it never affected the solidity of my > steering feel. > > so, i wanted to check with some other KLR owners to see if this is common, > or if maybe that i should start worrying about my wheel balance, etc... > > your input is much appreciated....thanks! > > -rob atomic > seattle hard trance/goa live PA > http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/157/rob_atomic.html MP3's here! > > "In your own mind, you can create anything, do anything, be anything. That's > a god-like power you posess within your own realm of imagination....use it > to create an inner landscape of beauty and peace, and give yourself what you > truly desire. From there it's only a matter of time until it starts > manifesting in your life."

Posted: **Thu Apr 19, 2001 2:48 pm**

have any of you noticed a slight steering instability up around 75-80? well, i have on my 2001- and although it's most noticable in traffic, particularly behind trucks, i'm not convinced that it's entirely due to wake turbulence. on other bikes, i've definitely experienced a little buffeting at the hands of 18-wheelers, but it never affected the solidity of my steering feel. so, i wanted to check with some other KLR owners to see if this is common, or if maybe that i should start worrying about my wheel balance, etc... your input is much appreciated....thanks! -rob atomic seattle hard trance/goa live PA http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/157/rob_atomic.html www.happy-trail.com . Usual disclaimer... Kurt

Posted: **Thu Apr 19, 2001 3:33 pm**

I have a Y2K model with 2000kms on it. It still has the stock tires on it. I would imagine tires have a lot to do with it. Maybe some avon gripsters would settle things down a bit ? If not the a lower fender could work ?

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Kurt Simpson" wrote: > have any of you noticed a slight steering instability up around 75- 80? > > well, i have on my 2001- and although it's most noticable in traffic, > particularly behind trucks, i'm not convinced that it's entirely due to wake > turbulence. on other bikes, i've definitely experienced a little buffeting > at the hands of 18-wheelers, but it never affected the solidity of my > steering feel. > > so, i wanted to check with some other KLR owners to see if this is common, > or if maybe that i should start worrying about my wheel balance, etc... > > your input is much appreciated....thanks! > > -rob atomic > seattle hard trance/goa live PA > http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/157/rob_atomic.html MP3's here! > > ____________ > > Rob, this is a very common characteristic of the KLR...my take is > this...increase the tire pressure to at least 32 psi front and rear. The > factory recommended amounts are compromises. When I go off-road...I drop > this down to 18 or so (without rimlocks). I found it helped a great deal. > People are also speaking very highly of Tim Bernard's fork brace at > www.happy-trail.com . Usual disclaimer... > > Kurt

Posted: **Thu Apr 19, 2001 3:51 pm**

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "rob atomic" wrote:

>have any of you noticed a slight steering instability up around 75- >80?

My stock KLR with the K750's was pretty solid at 90mph last weekend. It's been my experience that instability at higher speeds with my bike is almost always from turbulence (man-made or wind). The whole air-the-tires-up thing doesn't seem to affect my high-speed stability that much. What it DOES affect is the tires "tramlining" on cracks and grooves in the pavement. At lower pressures, the tires try to follow every little variation in the road surface. Maybe this is what people are feeling. Also, the tramlining gets much worse when the rear tire is worn out (don't know about the front). My rear K750 is totally shot and it's trying really hard to follow the ruts on dirt roads even. RM

Posted: **Thu Apr 19, 2001 4:50 pm**

I've got about twenty miles of rain-grooved highway to ride every morning - so I definitely noticed the wiggle you describe, as Kurt Simpson wrote, the fork brace from happy trails (plus a little more air) has helped A LOT!.

----- Original Message ----- From: "rob atomic" To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2001 12:50 PM Subject: [DSN_klr650] steering instability at 75-80mph? > hey all: > > have any of you noticed a slight steering instability up around 75-80? > > well, i have on my 2001- and although it's most noticable in traffic, > particularly behind trucks, i'm not convinced that it's entirely due to wake > turbulence. on other bikes, i've definitely experienced a little buffeting > at the hands of 18-wheelers, but it never affected the solidity of my > steering feel. > > so, i wanted to check with some other KLR owners to see if this is common, > or if maybe that i should start worrying about my wheel balance, etc... > > your input is much appreciated....thanks! > > -rob atomic > seattle hard trance/goa live PA > http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/157/rob_atomic.html MP3's here! > > "In your own mind, you can create anything, do anything, be anything. That's > a god-like power you posess within your own realm of imagination....use it > to create an inner landscape of beauty and peace, and give yourself what you > truly desire. From there it's only a matter of time until it starts > manifesting in your life." > > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Support Dual Sport News by subscribing at: > http://www.dualsportnews.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

Posted: **Thu Apr 19, 2001 6:02 pm**

Hey Rob ,I think the problem here is the large front wheel,tend to be a bit skittish at that speed ,although once I get me klr600 past 125mph things seem to steady out. Gotta love the name,up with Billy Idol! By the way I only tell lies when under the influence[HIC] All the best Gary

----- Original Message ----- From: "rob atomic" To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2001 7:50 PM Subject: [DSN_klr650] steering instability at 75-80mph? > hey all: > > have any of you noticed a slight steering instability up around 75-80? > > well, i have on my 2001- and although it's most noticable in traffic, > particularly behind trucks, i'm not convinced that it's entirely due to wake > turbulence. on other bikes, i've definitely experienced a little buffeting > at the hands of 18-wheelers, but it never affected the solidity of my > steering feel. > > so, i wanted to check with some other KLR owners to see if this is common, > or if maybe that i should start worrying about my wheel balance, etc... > > your input is much appreciated....thanks! > > -rob atomic > seattle hard trance/goa live PA > http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/157/rob_atomic.html MP3's here! > > "In your own mind, you can create anything, do anything, be anything. That's > a god-like power you posess within your own realm of imagination....use it > to create an inner landscape of beauty and peace, and give yourself what you > truly desire. From there it's only a matter of time until it starts > manifesting in your life." > > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Support Dual Sport News by subscribing at: > http://www.dualsportnews.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

Posted: **Thu Apr 19, 2001 9:06 pm**

Yes those will help.......When I first got my klr the fork tubes were flush with the top of the triple tree, and I had two big scares at 80+ on grooved interstate........my belief is that.... at that particular rake and trail the klr is unstable at 80+. Any variation of the triple tree height will likely avert that apparently quircky set up point in the geometry of the machine. Since lowering the triple tree compromises ground clearance, and puts more weight on the front end(bad in sand)....I adjusted the other way............using a smaller OD rear tire, and aquiring a pair of rare fork extender caps that Eldens responsible for. In effect the rake has been kicked out, slowing the turn rate........ and for me- taking it to its optimal situation for all conditions. Perfect to Slide. Dan Barney wrote:

> I've got about twenty miles of rain-grooved highway to ride every morning - > so I definitely noticed the wiggle you describe, as Kurt Simpson wrote, the > fork brace from happy trails (plus a little more air) has helped A LOT!. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "rob atomic" > To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2001 12:50 PM > Subject: [DSN_klr650] steering instability at 75-80mph? > > > hey all: > > > > have any of you noticed a slight steering instability up around 75-80? > > > > well, i have on my 2001- and although it's most noticable in traffic, > > particularly behind trucks, i'm not convinced that it's entirely due to > wake > > turbulence. on other bikes, i've definitely experienced a little buffeting > > at the hands of 18-wheelers, but it never affected the solidity of my > > steering feel. > > > > so, i wanted to check with some other KLR owners to see if this is common, > > or if maybe that i should start worrying about my wheel balance, etc... > > > > your input is much appreciated....thanks! > > > > -rob atomic > > seattle hard trance/goa live PA > > http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/157/rob_atomic.html > MP3's here! > > > > "In your own mind, you can create anything, do anything, be anything. > That's > > a god-like power you posess within your own realm of imagination....use it > > to create an inner landscape of beauty and peace, and give yourself what > you > > truly desire. From there it's only a matter of time until it starts > > manifesting in your life." > > > > > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > > > Support Dual Sport News by subscribing at: > > http://www.dualsportnews.com > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Support Dual Sport News by subscribing at: > http://www.dualsportnews.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Posted: **Thu Apr 19, 2001 10:33 pm**

Rob, Are the tops of both fork tubes nearly flush with the top steering stem? Many dealers don't perform proper setup on new KLRs. The fork tubes are raised 3 - 4" to allow for a smaller shipping crate. Several owners have reported that this is how they received their new KLRs. Excess play in the steering stem bearings could contribute to your instability (KLR, not you). I don't deal with rider instability issues, otherwise I'd have to resign from this list. [G] I find 21/25 psi (f/r) works fine on my A9 for general road riding & add 2 more psi for extended highway riding. With a full load (200 lbs of gear), I increase the psi to 26/36 on my AM-24 Gripsters. Wheel balance & alignment can cause instability or speed wobbles. Have you tried changing your seating position forward or back? An improperly adjusted chain could be at fault. Loose rear sub-frame bolts (all 4) should be checked for tightness. My stock KLR is rock solid & has no handling problems. You may want to have your KLR checked out under warranty if you can't eliminate the problem by varying tire pressure or if none of the list's suggestions help. Professor A9 Federal Way, WA. [USA] +++++++++++ Rob wrote:

> have any of you noticed a slight steering instability up around 75-80? > well, i have on my 2001- and although it's most noticeable in traffic, > particularly behind trucks, i'm not convinced that it's entirely due

to

> wake turbulence. on other bikes, i've definitely experienced a little > buffeting at the hands of 18-wheelers, but it never affected the > solidity of my steering feel. > > so, i wanted to check with some other KLR owners to see if this is > common, or if maybe that i should start worrying about my wheel > balance, etc... > > your input is much appreciated....thanks! > > -rob atomic

Posted: **Thu Apr 19, 2001 10:44 pm**

If you don't ride serious dirt, get rid of that sail called a front fender. Fred has the low units. It made a huge difference on my bike. Also helps tremendously in crosswinds that we have a lot of here in New Mexico in the spring.

Wilsons Sandbox

sidi on road boots f/s

steering instability at 75-80mph?

steering instability at 75-80mph?

steering instability at 75-80mph?

steering instability at 75-80mph?

steering instability at 75-80mph?

steering instability at 75-80mph?

steering instability at 75-80mph?

steering instability at 75-80mph?

steering instability at 75-80mph?

steering instability at 75-80mph?