dragging noise on start up

[bsetliff]

Just curious, with all the talk of the doohickey problems, what am i too expect out of my KLR? I just picked up a '99 model with 1300 miles, and the goal is to do some long distance adventure touring. During my research, I found that this seemed like THE bike to have for on/off road touring, unless I had tons o' money to spend on a Bimmer. Well? Some of you high-mileage guys care to comment? If I maintian it properly, is this thing going to provide miles and miles of enjoyment. I think it will, but some of the more rescent posts have me wondering. Thanks guys and gals!

[Tengai650]

>At 1:18 PM +0000 12/12/01, bsetliff wrote: >Some of you high-mileage guys care to comment? If I maintian it >properly, is this thing going to provide miles and miles of >enjoyment. I think it will, but some of the more rescent posts have >me wondering.

All of my KLRs are well maintained (but I abuse the shit out of my '88) and are getting up there in miles. I'm not worried, but I have been advocating balancer system inspection and the "manual inspection and adjusting method" and will admit that there is a design weakness in this area. However, I've also tossed around the idea of removing the balancer systsem a la KLX. Mark B2 (35K miles) A2 (50K miles) A3 (23K miles)

[Devon Jarvis]

Is there a big difference in the balance factor (piston weight vs crank counterweight) between the KLX and the KLR? Compared to my SR500s, the KLR hardly vibrates at all. I could live with more, depending on how easy it is to remove (or re-install) the balancer system. Devon A15 Tengai650 wrote:

> snip > However, I've also tossed around the idea of removing the balancer > systsem a la KLX. > Mark > B2 (35K miles) > A2 (50K miles) > A3 (23K miles) >

[hens_p]

I would ride the bike as hard as you want, but be aware of the issue. If you hear rattles in the left case, don't ignore it, etc. The KLR did not get the reputation on having a bullet proof engine design (per Cycle World, Rider, Motorcyclist) by shelling out motors every few thousand miles. Pat / Austin only 7,000 miles '01

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "bsetliff" wrote: > Just curious, with all the talk of the doohickey problems, what am i > too expect out of my KLR? I just picked up a '99 model with 1300 > miles, and the goal is to do some long distance adventure touring. > During my research, I found that this seemed like THE bike to have > for on/off road touring, unless I had tons o' money to spend on a > Bimmer. Well? > > Some of you high-mileage guys care to comment? If I maintian it > properly, is this thing going to provide miles and miles of > enjoyment. I think it will, but some of the more rescent posts have > me wondering. > > Thanks guys and gals!

[The Mule]

Just to put out there............. My A14 was bought new in August of '99. I've put over 20,000 miles on The Mule since. Haven't had any problems with balancer systems or any other doohickeys so far. When I get over 30,000, I'll be looking to replace the cam and balancer chains. At 60,000, maybe a more complete engine rebuild will be in the offing. Steve Miller A14 "The Mule"

----- Original Message ----- From: "bsetliff" To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2001 8:18 AM Subject: [DSN_klr650] Hey, some of you guys are scaring the newbies! > Just curious, with all the talk of the doohickey problems, what am i > too expect out of my KLR? I just picked up a '99 model with 1300 > miles, and the goal is to do some long distance adventure touring. > During my research, I found that this seemed like THE bike to have > for on/off road touring, unless I had tons o' money to spend on a > Bimmer. Well? > > Some of you high-mileage guys care to comment? If I maintian it > properly, is this thing going to provide miles and miles of > enjoyment. I think it will, but some of the more rescent posts have > me wondering. > > Thanks guys and gals! > > > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > 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 > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

[Brent Bacon]

I second that question. I don't post much because, Well because, I don't have much to say. But the later messages seem to indicate I may have been wrong for getting a KLR(2000 new in July, I guess that's A15). Oh yeah, add to "THE LIST" of improvements, mirror defrosters, after this morning in central PA. brent bacon A15(Iguess)

----- Original Message ----- From: bsetliff To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2001 8:18 AM Subject: [DSN_klr650] Hey, some of you guys are scaring the newbies! > Just curious, with all the talk of the doohickey problems, what am i > too expect out of my KLR? I just picked up a '99 model with 1300 > miles, and the goal is to do some long distance adventure touring. > During my research, I found that this seemed like THE bike to have > for on/off road touring, unless I had tons o' money to spend on a > Bimmer. Well? > > Some of you high-mileage guys care to comment? If I maintian it > properly, is this thing going to provide miles and miles of > enjoyment. I think it will, but some of the more rescent posts have > me wondering. > > Thanks guys and gals! > > > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > 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 > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

[jayed36]

Every model of bike has its weaknesses. The KLR has proven over and over to be a reliable bike. We are just fortunate enough to know about the KLR's "issues" due to this list and the sharing of knowledge here. You know what to look for, what to listen for and what to check. Can't say I have ever seen a KLR sitting alongside the road, broken down. Harley's on the other hand... Jeff San Bruno A15

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Brent Bacon" wrote: > I second that question. I don't post much because, Well because, I don't > have much to say. But the later messages seem to indicate I may have been > wrong for getting a KLR(2000 new in July, I guess that's A15). Oh yeah, > add to "THE LIST" of improvements, mirror defrosters, after this morning in > central PA. > brent bacon > A15(Iguess)

[Russell Scott]

Keep the oil changed and ride. Just because Stu and RM only know closed or wide open throttle positions (the real reason their balancers failed), doesn't mean you have to ride that way. Just roll the throttle on. Puts a lot less stress on the motor and it will last alot longer. Get an XR if you want to wail around like a two stroke. But I'll tell you now, you can blow out a main bearing hot rodding an XR around on the street. The stress from the massive torque and minimal wheel spin has done it to a few XR riders on that list. Its a trade-off, weight versus reliability, not an easy thing to engineer. Russell -----Original Message----- From: jayed36 [SMTP:jayed36@...] Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2001 3:16 PM To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_klr650] Re: Hey, some of you guys are scaring the newbies! Every model of bike has its weaknesses. The KLR has proven over and over to be a reliable bike. We are just fortunate enough to know about the KLR's "issues" due to this list and the sharing of knowledge here. You know what to look for, what to listen for and what to check. Can't say I have ever seen a KLR sitting alongside the road, broken down. Harley's on the other hand... Jeff San Bruno A15

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Brent Bacon" wrote: > I second that question. I don't post much because, Well because, I don't > have much to say. But the later messages seem to indicate I may have been > wrong for getting a KLR(2000 new in July, I guess that's A15). Oh yeah, > add to "THE LIST" of improvements, mirror defrosters, after this morning in > central PA. > brent bacon > A15(Iguess) Checkout Dual Sport News at http://www.dualsportnews.com Be part of the Adventure! 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 Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[s2mumford]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Russell Scott wrote:

> Keep the oil changed and ride. Just because Stu and RM only know

closed or

> wide open throttle positions (the real reason their balancers

failed),

> doesn't mean you have to ride that way.

SNIP Now hold on there Grandpa! I ride like an idiot sometimes, true, but RM is a conservative rider. I think Moses may have something there, though. I had just tuned my bike up, dialed in the suspension, tightened all the frame bolts, replaced the subframe bolts, etc. etc., and cleaned my bike up in preparation for LA-B-V and I'm sure I broke the doohickey on my Weds. morning test ride. I rode down some dirt roads behind my house at about double the speed I usually do, and a lot of WFO action, of course I crashed, and I wonder if that broke the doodad, or maybe just the WFO throttle action. Either way, I accept responsibility for the damage and Weds. is definitely when it let go... Hey Russell, is it true your Social Security number is 3? CA Stu

[RM]

On Wed, 12 Dec 2001, Russell Scott wrote:

>Keep the oil changed and ride. Just because Stu and RM only know closed >or wide open throttle positions (the real reason their balancers >failed),

Are you saying that the throttle tube is an analog engine control, and not a binary one?