service manual confusion

[Leon Droby]

Well I finally got the -56 manual in; this is the one Kawasaki recommended for the 2000 KLR. The differences are as follows: The model application chart on the back cover has years 1987 (A1) through 1995 (A9) then jumps to 2000 (A14). The main part of the supplement appears to be the same as the old supplement beginning with section 1 - "General Information" and ending with section 15 - "Appendix". The new supplement adds a section 16 - "Supplement - 2000 Model". Section 16 - "Supplement - 2000 Model" includes the following: General Information, Fuel System (Specifications), Engine Top End (Exploded View), Engine Right Side / Left Side (Exploded View & Specifications), Engine Bottom End / Transmission (Exploded View), Final Drive (Exploded View & Specifications) and Electrical System (Specification & Wiring Diagram). The entire new section is 15 pages. Hope this helps, Leon Droby A14 When I purchased my 2000 KLR, the dealer agreed to include a service manual and supplement. When they came in, the manual was correct but the supplement was for a 1987 to 1995. Knowing there was a change in 1996, I figured he ordered the wrong manual. It is part number 99924-1080-55. When I asked him to double check, he said that was the part number for the year 2000. When I got home, I checked on line at kawasaki.com. They recommended part number 99924-1080-56. Another call to the dealer. When he put that part number in (99924-1080-56), he said it kept getting overwritten by the -55 number. We ended with him saying that he would order 99924-1080-56 and we'll see what comes in next week. Does anyone know what the correct part number is for the supplement that goes along with the 2000 KLR? Thanks, Leon Droby KLR650-A14

[Tom Vervaeke]

Gino: Well, I guess it's just a difference of opinion. Sometimes when I say cheap I don't mean $$$. I meant poorly made. The quality of materials and workmanship look shoddy. I recently tried to assist someone mounting a NEP on their bike (non KLR). I was amazed at how cheap the whole thing was. If NEP spent 25 cents making that thing I'd be surprised. The parts seemed crudely fashioned and the fit and finish were poor (I'm an engineer). The fit and finish and quality of materials and instructions on the Universal Vista Cruise were an order of magnitude better. The instructions still could have been a bit more clear but I finally got what they were saying. Although the universal vista cruise is more expensive, it fits so easily and works so easily I was very happy. Most of the "normal" cruise controls require careful fiddling with the diameter of the opening that goes over the bars; or careful fiddling with the adjustment on how much tension to apply. The universal works complete differently. It actually slips around the end of the throttle grip in a very firm way. So, it's a superior product. IMHO. I'm a real believer in MCN (Motorcycle Consumer News). It's a bike magazine that serves the motorcycle community and doesn't take any advertising. It's like the Consumer Reports for motorcycles. They rate all sorts of products. They rate most products with a fairly complicated methodology but for me it breaks down to this: features/usefullness/design/quality/engineering/fit ------------------------------------ $$$$$$ So, a product may not be the best overall product in terms of features, engineering, etc.. but it's then divided into the cost. So, a $30K bike may not win the prize despite the fact that it may be superior in all or almost all ways if a bike costing $9K comes real close. I like that. This to me is how a KLR is better for dual sporting than a KTM Adventurer. Yes, The Katoom is a better bike with better equipment but it almost 2X the KLR. In the world of throttle locks, I believe the more expensive Vista Cruise more than overcomes the higher cost with better build quality, ease of use, clarity of instructions, and ease of mounting. This is the same reason I'm a sucker for the stuff that Chris Krok designs and builds. His stuff is a good piece of solidly designed and engineered material at a reasonable price. I heard a rumor that Chris is actually building his own wind tunnel with the millions of $$$ he's raking in. Boy, I write too much. Best, Tom Vervaeke A13 ===== ========================================================= Tom Vervaeke, Colorado, USA |Email: tom_vervaeke@... '99 Kawasaki KLR-650, 5.0K |Ph: 719-495-2152 (home) '96 BMW R1100GS, Black 61.5K|Ph: 719-590-2133 (work) Colorado DualSporters Group |Ph: 719-650-4578 (cell/riding) Try: http://www.egroups.com/group/Colorado-Dualsporters ========================================================= __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere! http://mail.yahoo.com/