Wilsons Sandbox

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "skc4seasons" wrote:

> > Need some advice on possibly increasing the HP on my 2009 KLR. I have read through some of the past posts but would like some more input and advice. Have read some information in a few places that people are geting 105 mph out of their bikes but top end on my stock KLR is around 85 on a flat stetch of road and a windless day. (Bike has not been modified at all except for a taller windshield)If I wanted to blast around at a 100+ I would have bought a sport bike, just looking to get a little more out of it when I am passing a vehicle on the highway with a headwind. I live in colorado at about 5000 Elev. Not sure that has much effect on performance. > > Thanks in advance for your input. > > p.s. Are their any readers/riders out their in the Pueblo Co. area? >

The elevation will have a marked effect on your top speed. I don't recall doing a top speed run in the environs of Pueblo, but my KLR does seem a bit soft at that elevation, so 85 is probably what you should expect. Not very many are getting 105 out of their KLRs absent a tail wind. Carb and pipe mods will do little if anything for your top speed. There is a 685 kit from Schnitz racing that may help. Dunno about KLRists in particular, but there are plenty of dual sport and off-road riders in Pueblo, which used to be a winter motorcycling destination for me. I always liked riding PMI and going down to Picketwire.

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> 1. More Umph > Posted by: "skc4seasons" skc4seasons@... skc4seasons > Date: Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:29 pm ((PST)) > > Need some advice on possibly increasing the HP on my 2009 KLR. I have read > through some of the past posts but would like some more input and advice. > Have read some information in a few places that people are geting 105 mph > out of their bikes but top end on my stock KLR is around 85 on a flat > stetch of road and a windless day. >I live in > colorado at about 5000 Elev. Not sure that has much effect on performance.

That's a pretty big drop in top end, and unless there's something else up with the bike, it's the altitude. Presuming that the new KLRs are similar to the old ones, there's a note in the shop manual about rejetting for altitude. This would lean the mixture back out a bit. Unfortunately, even with changes, lower density air just means lower available power. Have you had the opportunity to ride the bike at an altitude closer to sea level? Chris -- J. Christopher Krok, Ph.D. Big Cee Engineering KLR650 Accessories and home of the FAQ

KLRs with umph? There is a piston and engine kit; but your best bet is to buy a KTM. KLRs are not meant for umph on top, but they have grunt on the bottom. I would leave it alone, personally. No amount of fiddling will make a significant difference, other than a complete new hi-perf piston, cam, etc. Just my $.02 Andrew _____ From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of J. Christopher Krok Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 8:35 AM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: More Umph __________________________________________________________

> 1. More Umph > Posted by: "skc4seasons" skc4seasons@

yahoo.com skc4seasons

> Date: Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:29 pm ((PST)) > > Need some advice on possibly increasing the HP on my 2009 KLR. I have read > through some of the past posts but would like some more input and advice. > Have read some information in a few places that people are geting 105 mph > out of their bikes but top end on my stock KLR is around 85 on a flat > stetch of road and a windless day. >I live in > colorado at about 5000 Elev. Not sure that has much effect on performance.

That's a pretty big drop in top end, and unless there's something else up with the bike, it's the altitude. Presuming that the new KLRs are similar to the old ones, there's a note in the shop manual about rejetting for altitude. This would lean the mixture back out a bit. Unfortunately, even with changes, lower density air just means lower available power. Have you had the opportunity to ride the bike at an altitude closer to sea level? Chris -- J. Christopher Krok, Ph.D. Big Cee Engineering KLR650 Accessories and home of the FAQ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I get 105 top speed on my '09 but with the KLR's geometry and tires it is a sphincter-tightening experience. A few caveats, though: I live in Los Angeles, at sea level. I have done the tweetyectomy Shimmed the needle Drilled the slide Added the PCV valve Removed the snorkel. Being carbureted, altitude will make a lot of difference. Since you are "high" I would do intake and exhaust mods for freer flow and leave the carb alone. Generally you need to lean up as you go higher, so the carb mods will be counter productive, unless you go down a couple of jet sizes on the main. I might also play around with a 14t sprocket for more grunt. - Jeff Khoury

On Nov 14, 2009, at 5:53 AM, "Jud" wrote: > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "skc4seasons" > wrote: > > > > Need some advice on possibly increasing the HP on my 2009 KLR. I > have read through some of the past posts but would like some more > input and advice. Have read some information in a few places that > people are geting 105 mph out of their bikes but top end on my stock > KLR is around 85 on a flat stetch of road and a windless day. (Bike > has not been modified at all except for a taller windshield)If I > wanted to blast around at a 100+ I would have bought a sport bike, > just looking to get a little more out of it when I am passing a > vehicle on the highway with a headwind. I live in colorado at about > 5000 Elev. Not sure that has much effect on performance. > > > > Thanks in advance for your input. > > > > p.s. Are their any readers/riders out their in the Pueblo Co. area? > > > > The elevation will have a marked effect on your top speed. I don't > recall doing a top speed run in the environs of Pueblo, but my KLR > does seem a bit soft at that elevation, so 85 is probably what you > should expect. > > Not very many are getting 105 out of their KLRs absent a tail wind. > Carb and pipe mods will do little if anything for your top speed. > There is a 685 kit from Schnitz racing that may help. > > Dunno about KLRists in particular, but there are plenty of dual > sport and off-road riders in Pueblo, which used to be a winter > motorcycling destination for me. I always liked riding PMI and going > down to Picketwire. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "mishlovelaw" wrote:

> > KLRs with umph? There is a piston and engine kit; but your best bet is to > buy a KTM. KLRs are not meant for umph on top, but they have grunt on the > bottom. I would leave it alone, personally. No amount of fiddling will > make a significant difference, other than a complete new hi-perf piston, > cam, etc. > Just my $.02 > Andrew

Andrew-and others, Ah, the perennial search for KLR HP. Grunt is does have! and the immediate more-grunt is only $20/20 minutes if you equip the bike with a 14/43 sprocket combination; this will give you the passing gear you are looking for--at a increase of about 400ish RPM for the same speed. even more grunt if you go to 13/43 or 14/45. Three of us had the 13/43 sprocket combination for the 08 GDR and it was perfect for low speed motoring--but you sacrifice top end speed--which was not really an issue after we started the route S. Me motored in on a 15/43, switched to 13/43 before departing S. NOTE: Make sure you place the wide side of the 13T sprocket against the case for adequate chain clearance. KLR GRUNT-is that all there is? But it is more than just about grunt--it is durability; the one thing that KHI did do was engineer a bike that would last a long time if properly maintained and loved. 'Under powered' is relative--and perhaps it was deliberate. smile. Maybe it is 'perfectly powered' to last, and last, and last. cough. --as long as you go back and replace the dohickey, lube the swing arm assembly, and the steering head bearings. Engineered to last but short on a couple minor details that are easily corrected. Sometimes less HP is a better bargain for the budget adventure rider. What you trade for in HP is replaced with durability. If you are on a budget--durability trumps HP everyday. revmaaatin.

After three trips to the Copper Canyon with Jud, I think that the KLR had more than enough power. I completely agree with your comments. It is an Ideally designed dual sport... Now, if opnly it had a better front suspension! \LOL Andrew PS: I own 3 KTMs and I love my KLR. _____ From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Martin Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 10:17 AM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: More Umph --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com, "mishlovelaw" wrote:

> > KLRs with umph? There is a piston and engine kit; but your best bet is to > buy a KTM. KLRs are not meant for umph on top, but they have grunt on the > bottom. I would leave it alone, personally. No amount of fiddling will > make a significant difference, other than a complete new hi-perf piston, > cam, etc. > Just my $.02 > Andrew

Andrew-and others, Ah, the perennial search for KLR HP. Grunt is does have! and the immediate more-grunt is only $20/20 minutes if you equip the bike with a 14/43 sprocket combination; this will give you the passing gear you are looking for--at a increase of about 400ish RPM for the same speed. even more grunt if you go to 13/43 or 14/45. Three of us had the 13/43 sprocket combination for the 08 GDR and it was perfect for low speed motoring--but you sacrifice top end speed--which was not really an issue after we started the route S. Me motored in on a 15/43, switched to 13/43 before departing S. NOTE: Make sure you place the wide side of the 13T sprocket against the case for adequate chain clearance. KLR GRUNT-is that all there is? But it is more than just about grunt--it is durability; the one thing that KHI did do was engineer a bike that would last a long time if properly maintained and loved. 'Under powered' is relative--and perhaps it was deliberate. smile. Maybe it is 'perfectly powered' to last, and last, and last. cough. --as long as you go back and replace the dohickey, lube the swing arm assembly, and the steering head bearings. Engineered to last but short on a couple minor details that are easily corrected. Sometimes less HP is a better bargain for the budget adventure rider. What you trade for in HP is replaced with durability. If you are on a budget--durability trumps HP everyday. revmaaatin. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I am a big fan of the Buell Ulysses turn signals. I get them at the local Harley Davidson dealer, who keeps them in stock. They are only $14 each, a small fraction of what a Kawasaki,Honda or Suzuki dealer would change you for an OEM part. These turn signals are flexible and resilient so are highly resistant to crash damage, are highly visible and are DOT legal. You can see them here: http://johnbiccum.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/XR250L/5800474_atzUh#367108226_SyNtU crozetsam wrote:

> > > I recently discovered that the right rear turning signal on my '08 > KLM was broken and dangling. I haven't had any trauma that would > reasonably explain what could have happened. I called the dealer parts > dept, and was told it was a $65 item. The cheap plastic mounting collar > is all that is torn but of course you have to purchase the whole > turning light assembly. > This is the rectangular shaped clear lens type that apparently was > changed from a round red type sometime in 08. > Is ther a LED upgrade available,where,and how much? Is there a cheaper > after market option to OEM available? > Thanks > >