was "first & second gear" now "oil inspection on a budget"

[Larry]

The vast majority of 08's consume the same amount of oil as previous models. Kawasaki obviously has/had some serious quality control issues and that is unfortunate for those who ended up with those bikes. What I found odd about the oil burning issue, is that replacing the rings and/or cylinder with stock parts rarely if ever had any affect on the problem. Larry. -- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "nakedwaterskier" wrote:

> > And the new for > 08 piston rings are no good which causes heavy oil consumption. > > > Jeffrey >

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "thewildmanrides650" wrote:

> > the 08 klr is the nimblest best handling and most reliable machine

i

> have ever owned. traded in my brand spankin new vstrom 650 and rode > away smiling. I did this after following my buddie on a 2500 mile

ride

> to mount washington. i was blown off the road twice on that vstrom

and

> it was'nt my ridin ability either.I have 6000 miles on mine and I

let

> my brother ride it on a 100 mile ride the next week he bought

one.you

> can say what you want about the 08 klr but nowbody is ever getting > mine by the way my buddie was riding a 08 klr. i also broke it in

at

> 80 mph any body that ownes one knows it is impossible not to do 80

on

> this bike.people look at it and say nice dirt bike and i laugh.Mean > Green or bust. >

So you like the KLR? No surprise there.... This past Saturday, I was at Vintage Bike Days in Lexington, Ohio http://www.amadirectlink.com/vmd/2008/ and at Vintage Bike Days they have something called "Demo-Rides". Oh, Yeah. I signed up to ride the new KLR650, the 1400 Connie, the KTM 950 Adventure and a HD Street Bob (it was 'next' back). The Kawasaki demo ride was 'escorted' by a lead rider and a 'sweeper' at the rear of the column. I rode the 08 KLR first. My position in the 'pack' was behind the lead ( a Versys), three Connies, and one position a head of a 2d Versys, trailed by a KLR 250. I smiled at my position. Behind a spirited sport bike and a head of the Versys. Should make for an interesting ride. We were instructed to stagger our positions, or single file and to 'obey' the stop signs, etc, which allowed for some spirited acceleration from each stop sign. Not knowing any of the riders that you ride with, discretion was the better part of valor, and keeping a close eye on the rider in front and rear of you--not knowing anything about their ability. The Connie driver I followed rode skillfully enough, and I kept position on them the entire time. The guy on the Versys---kept getting smaller and smaller in the mirror each time we left a stop sign. After the ride, I walked back to the Versys rider-- "How did you like the bike?" "WOW. THAT KLR WILL REALLY SCOOT!" and words like, "I want one of those!" and he hadn't even rode it. smile. If all you had rode the past 4 years/30K miles was a KLR, it should really scoot. I failed to mention to him about my recent KLR experience or that I had just finished riding the KLR 800 miles during the previous two days.... Just another humble KLR rider giving a full demonstration of what it takes to give a pig, wings. and I loved doing it. In the previous 20-30 post, there are some very positive things about the new KLR--and I found them all to be true. The only real distract er for me was the vulnerable plastic and the 'smallish' grips--which are easily replaced with gel grips. I also checked the chain tension before riding...yikes! was it tight compared to the list wisdom of touching the trailing edge of the chain slider with the chain slack while the bike is sitting on the side stand. I am sure the Kawi reps had it tensioned to spec. cough. If you are near where there are going to be demo rides, go early and sign up for a ride. What a blast. (Triumph, HD, KTM, Kawi, MotoGuzzi, Spider? 3-Wheelers, and some scooters were there for demo rides.) Even riding the heavy-pigs was enjoyable. Not for me to buy, but any motorcycle sold is good for motorcycling (usually). revmaaatin. 8 days of non-stop motorcycling riding and bench racing 1706 KLR miles in four riding-days--my butt hurts....

[Jake Wilson]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Jim Douglas wrote:

> > Jefferson Johnson wrote: > > > > Ouch! Up until now, I thought this was just a thread of "my bike

is better

> > than your bike". Every bike I have owned has had its own > > idiosyncrasies and > > it was just a matter of correcting or adapting to them. The

classic KLR's

> > are no exception. Actually, I normally buy used so the first

owner can

> > deal > > with correcting the known issues. > > > > However, when an owner of the bike in question posts such

scathing

> > remarks, > > I can't help but be curious. > > > > Details of you dependability issues? > > > > Thanks > > > > Jeff > > Houston, TX > > > > On Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 5:57 AM, > > wrote: > > > > > If the dependibility of my 08 is any example, I have to agree

100%. I

> > > have been stranded 7 times now due to breakdown. Did I mention

I had a

> > > blowout when the stock tube ripped on the seam? At freeway

speed?

> > > While the handling and braking are far superior, I do not trust

the

> > bike at > > > all. Wondering what I am going to do for my Arctic circle ride

next

> > year, > > > cant imagine taking this piece of crap? And I was stupid enough

to

> > buy every > > > upgrade money can buy..... > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > > > From: nakedwaterskier > > > > > > > > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com

40yahoogroups.com>

> > > > > Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 11:02:21 AM > > > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Sounds like the 08 is JUNK > > > > > > Turn signals just fall off. Shorts/opens are common. And the

new for

> > > 08 piston rings are no good which causes heavy oil consumption. > > > > > > I think I will stick with my 04 and the $200 front rotor

upgrade kit.

> > > > > > Jeffrey > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > Don't believe everything you read on the internet..........Do the > research and > you will find that the bike is quite reliable, I have had three,

now an

> 08 with > 5K miles, other than a small tear in the seat, which the dealer

replaced

> I have > had no issues, furthermore I had NOT SEEN anyone on this particular

group

> give details about oil consumption, not saying it does not happen

but I have

> asked numerous time during these KLR is a POS posts........ > Research adventure motorcycle riding and you won't find complaints

from

> folks who have gone all around the world on these things! >

~~~I've had a few problems with my 08' KLR but I would not hesitate to get on it at any time and ride it anywhere, after checking tire air pressure and motor oil level Longest ride so far on mine has been from north central Fla. to Birmingham AL last May to go see Barber's museum. Better than a 1000 miles round trip. At the 800 mile mark I had to add a little better than a pint of oil to bring it back up to where it should be but considering the amount of slab miles I rode at an indicated 80 + MPH, I wasn't complaining Okay, for those that are curious, I bought this bike new late last November, I've had 3 of the four turn signal stalks break (the rubber cracks) and these were warranted, along with the right fork seal that leaked. The trip meter would not re-set after about 3 K miles and this was warranted as well as the turn signal stalks and the fork seal If I had to bitch, and I'm not, before the tripmeter was replaced, the local dealer (under Kawi's advisement) removed the speedo and tried spritzing the trip meter switch gear with some penetrant to see if they could get it to move, it didn't so they went ahead and replaced the trip meter. When I got it back, you could (and still can) see where the tech sprayed some type of penetrant and it dripped on the speedo and tach face. it's oh so light but you can tell what happened. I didn't notice it until I got it home, rode it to B'ham. I was going to bring it to the service mgr's attention after my trip but lack of interest prevailed Probably what i should do but I'm not making any moves yet, after the slab trip back from B'ham, I should crank up the shock pre-load. This bike was delivered to me with the shock at the lowest setting. Even with my 250 lb rider weight it's not bad around town or off road for that matter but ride it at speed on the slab and the front end gets light and wags her head a bit over eighty indicated sometimes. What I did to couteract was to scoot forward and get some of my weight over the tank to load the front up, then she rode straight down the road w/o any head wag. the thing to do (IMO) would be to jack up the back to get more weight on the front so she would steer better at speed, asnd if I rode slab w/her regularly I would but I don't so I'm not, for the time being=:-) Did the tour de Appalachicola last jan with the KLR world guys (south of Tallahassee) This was the first time I rode off road in 30 years. The 08' KLR was a real pleasure, and I rode through some tough stuff with this bike. My first two bikes back in the mid seventies were enduros, 2t at that and rode them off road a lot so riding the KLR thumper was like riding a Cadillac compared to those old 2t's. Even w/stock gearing, there wasn't anything I couldn't power up or out of in first gear during tda3 and we rode in mud, up and out of rocks, the whole nine yards What I'd like to do is ride my KLR up to the TLH, ride it- then back but time is in short supply. Aw!, who am I kidding?, my wife wont let me go=:-) Jake Reddick Fla.

[Mike Hilton]

I' m still on the Plus side for the 08. I did replace the spring on my rear shock with a Top Gun spring. While I had it down I check the bearings on the tie rods and the shock connection, and all three needed grease. This is something I'd recommend to anyone. I've not had occasion to pull my swing arm and check those bearing but I might. Have a 4 year extended warranty that should cover most other problems. Mike H,.

----- Original Message ----- From: Ed Dobson To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008 3:52 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Sounds like the 08 is JUNK Sometimes we cause our own problems. Sometimes our ability to resolve problems is due to our own limitations. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Larry]

I checked the linkage and swingarm on mine and it had been greased. I cleaned that out and repacked it with Honda Moly60. The wiring harness can chaffe at the front of the gas tank and under the seat. A length of that split plastic wrap will fix that. I also replaced that wet acid battery with a Yuasa Maintainance free. Up under the rear fender on the left side is a large connector that is very exposed. I slipped a short length of bicycle inner tube over it to protect from direct spray. Pretty minor stuff to prevent future major stuff. Larry.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hilton" wrote: > > I' m still on the Plus side for the 08. I did replace the spring on my rear shock with a Top Gun spring. While I had it down I check the bearings on the tie rods and the shock connection, and all three needed grease. This is something I'd recommend to anyone. I've not had occasion to pull my swing arm and check those bearing but I might. Have a 4 year extended warranty that should cover most other problems. > Mike H,. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Ed Dobson > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008 3:52 PM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Sounds like the 08 is JUNK > > > Sometimes we cause our own problems. > Sometimes our ability to resolve problems > is due to our own limitations. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Bogdan Swider]

> i was blown off the road twice on that vstrom and

it was'nt my ridin ability either. OK....why were you blown off the road (twice) on the Wee Strom ? Are they susceptible to that ? Bogdan, who s curious cause he was considering a 650 Wee with ABS [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Harry Seifert]

Bogdan, I really curious about that statement as well. I bought my Big Strom after riding EagleMikes in during a rather hellacious period of Santa Ana winds up here in the SoCal mountains. Side winds and big as gusts would send my KLR all over the highway, Mike's DL tracked through the same winds on the same stretch of highway with barely a flutter. I also found that removing the barn door hand guards, replacing and lowering the front fender, adding a fork brace and putting an 18" front wheel helped a lot as well. After back to back rides with my streeter '99 and my almost stock '06 (EagleMike's fork brace installed), I found that the changes to the '99 mentioned really improved it's handling in strong side winds. Actually, in handling overall. And the 18" front end makes it go so much faster now, too ;>)! Buddy bseifert71@...

> [Original Message] > From: Bogdan Swider > To: Mike Hilton ; DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>;

thewildmanrides650

> Date: 8/3/2008 10:26:41 AM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Sounds like the 08 is JUNK > > > i was blown off the road twice on that vstrom and > it was'nt my ridin ability either. > > OK....why were you blown off the road (twice) on the Wee Strom ? Are they > susceptible to that ? > > Bogdan, who s curious cause he was considering a 650 Wee with ABS > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > ------------------------------------ > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650Yahoo! Groups Links > > >

[E.L. Green]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Bogdan Swider wrote:

> > > i was blown off the road twice on that vstrom and > it was'nt my ridin ability either. > > OK....why were you blown off the road (twice) on the Wee Strom ? Are

they

> susceptible to that ? > > Bogdan, who s curious cause he was considering a 650 Wee with ABS

Some folks say they get blown around on their V-Strom. I haven't seen it. I recently brought home an '08 650 Wee with ABS, and it's rock solid stable on the I-5 around Altamont Pass, which if you know has rocketing side gusts as you come up from I5 to the south. The bike just kinda majestically wobbled from side to side, at a slower rate than the KLR wobbles from side to side (probably because it's heavier, longer, and slightly lower) and there it was. Note that I have the Madstad windshield bracket (which allows more air behind the windshield to relieve buffeting) and a topbag (which adds more drag to the back, and apparently helps stabilize the bike). Also, the '07 and '07 650 Vstrom have a longer wheelbase than earlier models because they lengthened the swingarm to make room for the ABS box (which is between the rear shock and the back wheel), which probably helps stabilize the bike too. But I've had no (zero) problems with the bike being blown around with high winds with that setup. I can't say what it was like stock, because it took only the ride home to convince me that I needed the Madstad bracket and I think I rode it only three times stock, but (shrug)... _E

[thewildmanrides650]

Glad to see some are wondering about stability of a 07 vstrom with a givi windsheild and 52liter givi hard box on back.poor to hazardous is the answer.I was on the vstrom forum for some time and one gentlman said it best. when he bought his vtsrom the first thing he did was tear all the plastic off the bike, and mount dual buel headlights. this would fix the bike.not willing to do that to my 07 as the seat and handle bars were uncumfortable too compared to a klr.

[Larry]

Have you raised the fork tubes in the clamps 3/8"? It is a common fix on VStroms. Did it on my 1000 and the difference is night and day. Larry. -- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "thewildmanrides650" wrote:

> > Glad to see some are wondering about stability of a 07 vstrom with a > givi windsheild and 52liter givi hard box on back.poor to hazardous

is

> the answer.I was on the vstrom forum for some time and one gentlman > said it best. when he bought his vtsrom the first thing he did was > tear all the plastic off the bike, and mount dual buel headlights. > this would fix the bike.not willing to do that to my 07 as the seat > and handle bars were uncumfortable too compared to a klr. >