nklr: looking for riding amigos for baja and/or copper canyon

[Mark St.Hilaire, Sr]

> So what would be the first things you would do to the > bike to ensure safety and reliability?

I guess there are different answers to this depending on how you use the bike, and how aggressively you ride it. I've done a bunch of things to mine - ( http://klr6500.tripod.com/mymaintrec.htm ) - but the ones which *I* would say SHOULD be done are: - Go through the bike's fasteners with Loctite, make sure to check everything! When I first got my bike home, I found that the front axle nut was just barely more than finger tight, and had no cotter pin! - Subframe bolts - Stainless front brake line - Better brake pads ( I used Galfer green in front and black in back, and noticed a big difference. Over 4000 miles on them and they're still serviceable.) - Doohickey (balancer) from Jake at Sagebrush Machine Shop: http://sagebrushmachine.netfirms.com/doohickey.html for the balancer http://sagebrushmachine.netfirms.com/balspring.html for better springs - To eliminate future hassles, a replacement fastener. Kawasaki uses compressed oatmeal for their bolts and screws, and you WILL run into trouble. (Expect it first from the front brake resevoir cover screws) Pretty much everything else is just "stuff." I like a brighter headlight, louder horns, a better bash plate, etc., etc., but none of that is really "must do." Except for maybe the bash plate for off-roading. There's a lot you CAN do, but not really a lot you SHOULD do... Mark Glitter is coined to meet the moment's rage; Genuine lives on from age to age. - Goethe's "Faust" KLR650 Motorcycle Pages: http://klr6500.tripod.com/ HomePage: http://home.adelphia.net/~msaint/index.html My Adelphia Email can be "iffy." If you don't get a response, please try: KLR6500@...

[RM]

On Fri, 11 Oct 2002, Adrian Scott Abshire wrote:

>So what would be the first things you would do to the bike to ensure >safety and reliability?

Check fastener tightness and dealer prep. Do an oil change if you haven't already. Are the fork tubes still in the shipping position? The KLR chain is pretty easy to overtighten - what looks like reasonable slack will become as tight as a guitar string when the rear suspension is compressed. Consider blade-type fuses or a 15A main and headlight fuse.

[Lawrence Risley]

----- Original Message ----- On Fri, 11 Oct 2002, Adrian Scott Abshire wrote: >>So what would be the first things you would do to the bike to ensure >>safety and reliability? >Check fastener tightness and dealer prep. Do an oil change if you haven't >already. Are the fork tubes still in the shipping position? The KLR >chain is pretty easy to overtighten - what looks like reasonable slack >will become as tight as a guitar string when the rear suspension is >compressed. Consider blade-type fuses or a 15A main and headlight fuse. Get the manuals, beware the advice on adjusting the balancer chain tension. Loosening that bolt "a few turns" is not a good idea. Learn how to adjust balancer chain mechanism the Eldon Carl way. Might run better if you adjust your idle mixture. Alohas, Larry [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Sean Noll]

Greetings all. I have finally decided to sell my beloved Serow and trade up to a KLR. It was a tough choice between the KLR and the DR - but I think I made the right choice. I have been calling several dealers trying to find the best OTD price - and a dealer in Chicago quoted me $4500 (without taxes). That seemed to be the best thing going. I have been checking out several sites trying to figure what the first "mando" mods will be. I am looking at these must haves - and thoughts or additions? Tries - need something that is really 50/50 - Kenda 270 look pretty decent. My Serow has MT21 which I LOVE. But they are squirrelly on the street. Hand guards. Thinking about some good aluminum protectors and adding the plastic roost guards. GPS mount. New skid plate (not sure on this one). Saw a nice one on Dual Start for around $70 - looks really nice. Trying to rig up a disc protector up front - any ideas? Lastly - some guy told me "YOU MUST HAVE" his words - ad radiator guard on the left side - what the deal with that? I am looking for any group heading down to Big Bend, Mexico or Baja later this summer. I cant wait to get my hands on this bike. I, however, have not prepared myself for my Serow to depart - it is like one of the family. BTW - I am in the process of moving to St. Louis - so any MO, IL, AR, KS or OK groups - please let me know of any ride you have this year. Cheers, Sean [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[TM1669@cs.com]

In a message dated 3/9/2003 12:39:23 PM Eastern Standard Time, sean.p.noll@... writes: >>

[dooden]

better watch "OTD" prices in Chicago... I and my wife called for "OTD" price when I bought mine down there, and we were both quoted the same price, but "they" dont include little fees like "Set- Up", "Title Fee" and a couple other things that got added when I showed up ready to wet myself and pick it up... It was a issue with me, but since they were the only dealer in the area that actually had on onhand I had to make the best of it. As for mods, just get the bike and ride it, add things as you see fit or the need might be there. Brake lines was the big issue when I got mine, but I find the brakes on my A15 fine, todays hot subject is a "doohickey" that fits in the engine case, takes about an hour or two to put in yourself. Hit the FAQ and read that a few times.. lots and lots of info there. Vroom Vroom... Go KLR Go !!! Dooden --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Sean Noll" wrote:

> Greetings all. > > I have finally decided to sell my beloved Serow and trade up to a

KLR. It was a tough choice between the KLR and the DR - but I think I made the right choice. I have been calling several dealers trying to find the best OTD price - and a dealer in Chicago quoted me $4500 (without taxes). That seemed to be the best thing going.

> > I have been checking out several sites trying to figure what the

first "mando" mods will be.

> > I am looking at these must haves - and thoughts or additions? > > Tries - need something that is really 50/50 - Kenda 270 look pretty

decent. My Serow has MT21 which I LOVE. But they are squirrelly on the street.

> > Hand guards. Thinking about some good aluminum protectors and

adding the plastic roost guards.

> > GPS mount. > > New skid plate (not sure on this one). Saw a nice one on Dual

Start for around $70 - looks really nice.

> > Trying to rig up a disc protector up front - any ideas? > > Lastly - some guy told me "YOU MUST HAVE" his words - ad radiator

guard on the left side - what the deal with that?

> > > > I am looking for any group heading down to Big Bend, Mexico or Baja

later this summer. I cant wait to get my hands on this bike. I, however, have not prepared myself for my Serow to depart - it is like one of the family. BTW - I am in the process of moving to St. Louis - so any MO, IL, AR, KS or OK groups - please let me know of any ride you have this year.

> > Cheers, > > Sean > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Glen Mills]

Just bought my new KLR for $4700 in Boston area ($100 was for dealer fees.) I went to 5 dealers to get down to this price. I also have to pay 5% sales tax on $4600 + whatever Mass. RMV wants for fees to get registered. I think $4500 out the door would be a great price anywhere if it's true. --- Dooden wrote:

> better watch "OTD" prices in Chicago... I and my > wife called > for "OTD" price when I bought mine down there, and > we were both > quoted the same price, but "they" dont include > little fees like "Set- > Up", "Title Fee" and a couple other things that got > added when I > showed up ready to wet myself and pick it up... > > It was a issue with me, but since they were the only > dealer in the > area that actually had on onhand I had to make the > best of it. > > As for mods, just get the bike and ride it, add > things as you see fit > or the need might be there. > > Brake lines was the big issue when I got mine, but I > find the brakes > on my A15 fine, todays hot subject is a "doohickey" > that fits in the > engine case, takes about an hour or two to put in > yourself. > > Hit the FAQ and read that a few times.. lots and > lots of info there. > > Vroom Vroom... Go KLR Go !!! > > Dooden > > > > > > --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Sean Noll" > > wrote: > > Greetings all. > > > > I have finally decided to sell my beloved Serow > and trade up to a > KLR. It was a tough choice between the KLR and the > DR - but I think > I made the right choice. I have been calling > several dealers trying > to find the best OTD price - and a dealer in Chicago > quoted me $4500 > (without taxes). That seemed to be the best thing > going. > > > > I have been checking out several sites trying to > figure what the > first "mando" mods will be. > > > > I am looking at these must haves - and thoughts or > additions? > > > > Tries - need something that is really 50/50 - > Kenda 270 look pretty > decent. My Serow has MT21 which I LOVE. But they > are squirrelly on > the street. > > > > Hand guards. Thinking about some good aluminum > protectors and > adding the plastic roost guards. > > > > GPS mount. > > > > New skid plate (not sure on this one). Saw a nice > one on Dual > Start for around $70 - looks really nice. > > > > Trying to rig up a disc protector up front - any > ideas? > > > > Lastly - some guy told me "YOU MUST HAVE" his > words - ad radiator > guard on the left side - what the deal with that? > > > > > > > > I am looking for any group heading down to Big > Bend, Mexico or Baja > later this summer. I cant wait to get my hands on > this bike. I, > however, have not prepared myself for my Serow to > depart - it is like > one of the family. BTW - I am in the process of > moving to St. Louis - > so any MO, IL, AR, KS or OK groups - please let me > know of any ride > you have this year. > > > > Cheers, > > > > Sean > > > > > > > > > > [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 > Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

--------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, and more [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[The Mule]

----- Original Message ----- From: > In a message dated 3/9/2003 12:39:23 PM Eastern Standard Time, > sean.p.noll@... writes: > > Lastly - some guy told me "YOU MUST HAVE" his words - ad radiator guard on > the left side - what the deal with that? > >> > 450.00 for a new radiator--- 40.00 for a radiator guard. .......not to mention about $350 more for a new fan assembly, which easily gets damaged right along with the radiator. It only takes one dump on the left side to do it (such as a soft kickstand plant or a knockover). Other "must-haves": replace the compressed oatmeal shift lever with a real one (someone else used that term for fasteners....love it!). You do NOT want to be miles from home and have to feather your clutch in one gear all the way back. After the rad guard and shift lever, you'd be wise to upgrade the subframe bolt system and doohickey by the time the warranty is up. Bash plate and aluminum bar protectors are good, too. Also, move the license plate up and defeat the sidestand and clutch safety switches...........aw KLeRgystan!, check out Krok's FAQ for the rest of the full monty. GPS mount is a personal decision. Make sure your system is vibration resistant.......especially the battery/power connections. Battery life has been known to be substantially foreshortenened otherwise. Front disc guard is a luxury to me, but I don't fly through a lot of rocky terrain. If you ride fast offroad in the Southwest, it may be prudent. Kenda K270s are liked by several riders for their price/performance. I'm not comfy with the thin sidewalls and somewhat squirrelly road character (though proly less so than the MT21 you mentioned you like). Metzeler Enduro 3 Saharas are my current faves, but they're pricey and maybe a bit more street oriented than you'd like. I have a Continental TKC-80 rear that I'm going to try next, it's a little more dirt oriented than the Metzeler and a little less expensive. Too bad Pirelli isn't making their MT70 anymore.....that WAS my favorite. My riding is mostly street and highway with cagers, frequently in the rain (on the way to dirt roads and trails). So control and braking in that environment takes precedent over having better traction in the slop I encounter offroad. I'd rather have to muscle my KLR around in the mud a little more than be KO'd on the road. The Mule

[Mark]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Sean Noll" wrote: ...

> > I am looking at these must haves - and thoughts or additions? > > Tries - need something that is really 50/50 - Kenda 270 look pretty

decent. My Serow has MT21 which I LOVE. But they are squirrelly on the street. Kenda K270s are a good compromise, not as good as the MT21s on the dirt, but not as squirley on the street either. Good dual sport tire. Should hold up for 4000-7000 depending on abuse and tire pressure. $75 delivered to your door from swmototires.com

> Hand guards. Thinking about some good aluminum protectors and

adding the plastic roost guards. Aluminum bark busters and the UFO plastic guard seems to be the best combo in terms of protecting the levers from impact and the hands from weather. Run you about $65-80, through Dennis Kirk or your fav dealer.

> GPS mount. > > New skid plate (not sure on this one). Saw a nice one on Dual

Start for around $70 - looks really nice.

>

Dual star or Fred at Arrowhead. Also, Happy-Trails can tailor the thing for you, extra protection with extensions for the waterpump or double thickness on the bottom.

> Trying to rig up a disc protector up front - any ideas? >

I've had good luck with the Acerbis DR350 guard. Bit of hack but very serviceable. There's a basic write up here... http://makeashorterlink.com/?N5F422863

> Lastly - some guy told me "YOU MUST HAVE" his words - ad radiator

guard on the left side - what the deal with that?

>

Deal is a few hundred to replace the radiator if you crush it by landing hard on the left side. Dual-Star or Happy-Trails have these and will set you back $60-80, but well worth it. Seems to happen not very often, but the cost and impact are substantial so plan accordingly. For MY on-off road riding preference, I done the following: 1. Stainless steel front brake hose. ($60) 2. Progressive fork springs and 15wt fork oil ($90) 3. Doohickey & spring replacement, ($60) 4. Aluminum skidplate. ($70) 5. Hand guards as above ($70) 6. Radiator guard ($60) 5. Rear brake master cyl guard ($15) 8. Galfer green pads ($70) 9. Kenda K270s after you wear out the stockers ($75) 10. Sub-frame mounting upgrade ($15) 11. Carb pilot jet adjustment, and drill out slide hole, and add carb vent T-hose. ($10) It's all here in the archives, or the FAQ or on Devon's and Mark's pages. Take your time and add the pieces if you see the need over a few months. Makes for busy weekend or night work as you tailor the beast to better suite your riding needs and style, and spreads out the payments. Doc Krokk's FAQ: http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html KLR-Mark's Howtos: http://klr6500.tripod.com/index.html Devon's Howto: http://www.devonjarvisphoto.com/posted/KLR650/doohickey/

> > >

...

> Cheers, > > Sean >

Welcome to the collective! Mark A9, A1

[thumper_250ga]

witch klr is best for a beginner? I got a good deal on a 04 250klr. and love it get 55+ mpg and will do about 70mph why are riders looking at me saying why not the 650. one reason dohicky. it prone to fail when it does you are in trouble,and out of about 750+ and your bike 3weeks at least.