Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion but I also stand by
opinion that upgrading my KLR650 front rotor with a MAP kit was the
best modifications I've made. Granted that we all should ride safely
within ours & our bike's limitations but I for one like having as
much safety factor as possible for the unforeseen hazard such as
something or someone darting into the road. We all also make
mistakes occasionally; which is why I really appreciate having as
much stopping ability as possible. This why I invested in upgrading
my bike's stopping potential so I can hopefully get safely out of a
bad situation & learn how to avoid it in the future.
The KLR650 front brake is fine off the pavement where your tire has
limited traction. However, on the street with a street oriented DS
tire, the standard front brake is overwhelmed. Increasing the front
rotor diameter is the only way to really bring the braking force up
to what a good street DS tire can handle on pavement.
--- In
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "James L. Miller Jr."
wrote:
> I must have the exception to the rule. I can't stand it on the
front
> wheel, but I can lock up every tire I've ever had on this bike, and
> that's normally with just 2 fingers. Kenda Challengers, stock
> Dunlop, and even the K270's. I can put them all to howling if I
> want.
> I've got no problem with people buying and selling these,
that's
> not the problem. It's people outriding their abilities, and
blaming
> a relatively good system for their own failures. Save your money.
> Put it to good use, like a safety course or 2, some "correct"
riding
> gear, an AMA or Blue Ribbon Coalition donation/membership.
> Yeah, the existing brake setup is a bit small for a skinny 21"
> tire, with a contact patch the side of a postage stamp. But put
the
> same thing on a 16" or a wider street and you'll be scraping
yourself
> off the front fender. The RD350 Yamaha's owners found that out with
> their measly little front disk. It's the same reason that you use
a
> cheater bar for rusted nuts. That tiny little brake on the big
wheel
> is like trying to bust the countershaft sprocket nut off with a
1/4"
> ratchet. A 16" rim would be like a 1/2 or 3/4" ratchet on the same
> nut.
> But my nagging question is: how is that new rotor going to get
you
> out of that "I need more braking power now cause I've outridden my
> skill level or road conditions" mess you've already found yourself
in
> before? If you can't ride within the limits of the bike, it's time
> for something else, say a small scooter, until you learn to ride
> within those limits.
> Just how is that new supergrippystoponadime rotor going to give
> you added stopping power when you're in the muck, mud, slime, sand,
> gravel, dirt? I've got the scars to prove that the front will let
> you know who's boss on any of those. I'll settle for my
> supersloppycan'tstopworthafuckstockone that still locks it up on
the
> dirt or pavement if I want. More control.
> But I like benefit for cost. I couldn't justify the cost of a
> new hunnerddollar plastic gas tank just for 50 more miles of range,
> how could I justify another $300 for something that will do what I
> already have.
> Maybe it's the "cool" factor, but Pookie definately ain't cool!
I
> grew out of being cool a long time ago, that's why I bought a KLR.
> Someone gives me one free, sorry, no thanks. Cost/benefit ratio
> just ain't there. I'll just wait for the glut of them that's sure
to
> show up on Ebay, along with the rest of the "front-ended, I just
> couldn't stop in time" bikes. Makes the parts prices go lower.
> I've been riding one motorized 2 wheeled thing or another since
I
> was 5. I'm now 38. Riding outside conditions and you're abilities
> will outweigh all benefits of ALL installed devices.
> I'm finished ranting. I'll let you guys spend your money.
>
> millerized
>
> Flame if you want, I stand by my opinions. And they are that-
> opinions based on my years riding. Just because opinions are like
> assholes (everyone has one, some stink, some are louder than
others,
> etc.) however doesn't make them any less valuable. The lesson you
> learn from the old guy just might save your life someday. They have
> for me.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "rsanders30117"
> wrote:
> >
> > Over sized front rotor beats all other KLR650 brake
modifications.
> > After almost rear ending a truck, I installed a M.A.P. over size
> > rotor & the amount of improvement is amazing! Later I installed
> > stainless braided brake line but couldn't really detect much
> > improvement (I love to tinker). I guess the over sized rotor was
> > such an improvement that braided brake lines couldn't do much
more.
> >
> > If you are going the ride your KLR650 on the street, you really
> > should install this upgrade.
> >
> > The only concern I have is that the larger front rotor appears
more
> > vulnerable. Having said that however, I've been off paved roads
> many
> > times & thankfully no problems yet but I would install a
protective
> > cover if I could find one that big.
> >
> >
> > --- In
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "weave7112003"
>
> > wrote:
> > > Would like a report from those that have oversize rotor in
> > > use.Brakes are a great thing to upgrade if it really performs.
> > > Thanks
jim