> In a message dated 2004-04-21 6:58:45 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
> Mlewishome@... writes:
>> It's gonna take a major rework to get the KLR to pass the new
>> emmision standards.
> My understanding is if the bike passes today's California standards then
> it
> passes the new 2006 Federal emission standards.
I'll just point out that I've been hearing these "end of the KLR" rumors
for the past three years, and as we all can see, the KLR ain't dead yet.
Last time I heard these rumors, it was said that the KLX 650 would take
the KLR's place because Kawasaki wasn't sure the KLR could meet California
standards. As you can see, it didn't happen. Instead, the big KLX got
axed, and the KLR kept on.
As far as meeting emissions standards go, carburetors are doomed. The good
news is that for a thumper, throttle-body fuel injection requires no
engine mods and will fit in the same space as the carburetor, assuming
some place to stash the black box can be found. The bad news is that this
would have a ripple effect, requiring a new exhaust system (for the oxygen
sensor), electrical system (for the extra juice required), and probably
they would want to clean up some of the other mechanicals while they were
at it too (like the thingamabob). All adding up to $$. Kawasaki can't
sustain BMW-class prices -- they have a reputation for inexpensive
meat-and-potatos bikes with indifferent build quality. This is one reason
why KLR's are not imported into Britain anymore -- they cannot meet the
Euro pollution standards without fuel injection, and once Kawasaki does
that, they're competing with the BMW's and Aprilias and KTM's price-wise
while having nowhere near the reputation or machine to do so (let's face
it, the KLR is 1980's technology, soggy suspension, weak brakes, and all).
So emissions standards will probably doom the KLR in the future. Oh well,
maybe KTM will start importing their Adventure 640, or the BMW 650 will
come down in price, or Aprilia will get a reasonable U.S. dealer network,
or ... Hey, a guy can hope, eh?
----------
ericnospam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Anyway, someone mentioned the VW bug. Despite not being imported to the states since 1976, VW ceased production of this car at its Puebla, Mexico plant just *last year*. I'm as patriotic as the next guy, but let's not fall into the parochial trap of thinking that a bike or car falls off the face of the earth just because it's not sold new in the US of A.
Kawi shifted production of the KLR to a plant in Thailand in the 2001 (?) model year. That's a considerable investment to set up a production line, if they're just going to kill it off. It is possible they will stop selling them in the States at some point, but if the machine is still in production for other markets there should be lots of new parts available, not to mention the 17 years and counting worth of bikes that will still be hanging around in junkyards and the odd barn here and there.
Paul in DC
95 VFR - 96 KLR650 - www.wilsonline.org