--- In
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "locker1325" wrote:
> Gentlemen,
>
> I have heard alot of talk on this discussion link about performance
> upgrades. What I am interested in finding out is the affect these
> mods have had on mileage. I would like to which mods you have done
> like the holes in the airbox,removal of baffle, rejets,turning out
> the idle screw,installing a custom exhaust like the big gun,
> installing a k&n or other aftermarket intake filter or any
> combination of these. I know that most people get around 50 mpg on
a
> bone stock KLR. I am interested in doing some of these mods on my
> bike but am not sure if I am willing to have my mileage drop to 35
or
> so mpg. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Later.
>
> chris
> 2004 KLR
The stock KLR's that I have been around don't impress me as far as
mpg goes. Most of them around here (Ca) are getting about 45mpg.
When I was riding across the country with Jake a couple of weeks ago,
his 02 (I think) bone stocker was getting much worse mpg than my
fully worked 94. We were riding the same exact miles, roads, speeds,
and I was consistantly putting in 1-1 1/2 gallons less fuel at each
fuel stop. I checked mpg for both of us at one stop and it was about
56 for me and 45 for him. Now he is bigger than me and he had his
pelican boxes out in the wind more than my load was, but we were only
doing 63 mph at best. That's not enough for an 11 mpg difference
imho.
I strongly believe that the main problem with KLR's getting lower mpg
after do this or that, or adding this or that, is that most folks
just don't do it right. You can't just add a pipe and forget about
it. You can't just go into the carb once, (without all the expensive
engine tuning tools and computers) do something to it once, and then
expect that you got it right the first time and there's nothing else
that you can do.
When I added the stuff to my bike, that was the EASY part. After
that I spent alot of time writing down the exact main jet, needle
clip position, fuel mix screw position, etc and then rode the bike
around for up to a week. I would check for surging, coughing,
sputtering, backfireing, stalling, hesitation, pinging, bad mpg while
on the throttle, off the throttle, cruising, in every gear, just
everything. That was alot of work. I would write down my findings,
then talk to friends, bike mechanics and think about what made the
most sense to change. Then I would change that one thing and try it
out again. I must have gone back into the carb at least a dozen
times or more. But in the end it was worth it, cause now I am very
happy with my results and bike performance.
I usually get around 50 mpg here in Ca with the oxygenated fuel that
I have to buy. It will go down to about 48 when I'm riding hard for
the whole tank, and it will go up to about 52 when I'm good. That's
with the 'L' cutout in the airbox, screen cut out of it, K&N air
filter, K&N jet kit with the slide drilled, fuel mix screw drilled
and reset, and a Laser Pro Duro (race version) exhaust.
When I went across the country and was buying better fuel, I was
getting anywhere from 46 mpg (strong dead on head wind) to 52 mpg
(nice tail wind). I was loaded with about 55 lbs of gear and was
moving pretty good most of the time averaging 75 mph (80 indicated).
When I got to Pa and got the bike unloaded I spent one Sunday
afternoon just riding around the state like when I'm at home. After
the trip meter showed 265 miles and I still had not switched to
reserve, I pulled over to fuel thinking that I was pretty low. It
only took a little over 4 gallons. I got 57.6 mpg. I was shocked!
I continued to get 55 to 58 mpg while I was there. Later on when I
was in Eagle Colorado, I had to baby my fried chain and sprockets
over to Fred's place in Moab Utah for new one's. I didn't go over 62
mph the whole way and when I fueled in Moab with 255 miles on the
trip meter the tank would only take 3.something gallons. What!! I
knew something had to be wrong. I looked the bike over, shook the
tank, sat the bike straight up............nope, I had just gotten
61.04 mpg with the bike LOADED, and I was up in elevation. Remember
that I have the bike jetted for sea level.
I sure wish I could get better gas in this state.
MrMoose
A8 (Barbie and Ken special)