klx vs klr again

[joew_bellsouth]

my KLR has started getting a lot of oil in the Air Filter from the crankcase breather tube. Any thoughts from you mechanics out there on what might cause this.

[Conall]

Do you ride pop wheelies a lot? Conall --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "joew_bellsouth" wrote:

> my KLR has started getting a lot of oil in the Air Filter from > the crankcase breather tube. Any thoughts from you mechanics out > there on what might cause this.

[The Mule]

Exactly:.....when I got Mule The First back from the Brooklyn precinct after the ghetto brats were nabbed, it was like La Brea inside the airbox. The rear fender was half gone from scraping pavement, so ya know how they were gettin their kicks. Steve The Mule A17

> Do you ride pop wheelies a lot? > > Conall > > --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "joew_bellsouth" > wrote: > > my KLR has started getting a lot of oil in the Air Filter from > > the crankcase breather tube. Any thoughts from you mechanics out > > there on what might cause this.

[JERRY]

So many people claim that the KLR is one of the Best Adventure Tour bikes, yet it seems from my readings that the bike is riddled with problems. As outlined on sites like http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html#knownissues. So, I have to ask, How many are having these problems? I do mean beyound the "T" valve for rainy times & the side stand switch. What problems are You having? Did you find the problems easy to fix? Were dealers willing to Help? Do you find the electrical switches cheap? Are these problems common or rare?

[Cloyce D. Spradling]

On Thu, Feb 17, 2005 at 07:40:33PM -0000, Jerry wrote: : So many people claim that the KLR is one of the Best Adventure Tour : bikes, yet it seems from my readings that the bike is riddled with : problems. It's just old enough to be well understood. : What problems are You having? Let's see... my oil screen had some crud on it, and my exhaust tweets. I had trouble with the clutch switch once; I removed it later that day. Oh, yeah, and after about 23,000 miles I decided that the rear shock had had it (no damping), so I got that rebuilt with a new spring and gold valves and everything. : Did you find the problems easy to fix? Yep. And I'm also talking about the problems that I didn't have here -- I've done the doohickey (not the spring yet), stainless steel brake lines, and relocated the license plate. None of that was necessary for the proper functioning of the bike, but it makes the rider feel better, and that makes the whole package better. Because of "fixes" performed by the DPO, I've re-done the wiring in the tail section. That was pretty easy, too. I don't know about the jetting problems -- if anything, mine seems too rich. I haven't yet taken the carb apart. I'll probably do that this weekend to check and see if the jets were changed. : Were dealers willing to Help? I don't know -- the guys at my local dealer (4 brands) don't even know who makes the KLR-650, so I don't trust them to do anything more than order parts for me sometimes. I give them the part numbers. : Do you find the electrical switches cheap? Never bought any. : Are these problems common or rare? I don't know... I've only had 1 KLR. I think the exhaust tweet is pretty common. And I don't know if I'd consider mine to have been well-kept before I got it. Basically, the first owner bought it new and put around 1,800 miles on it over the course of two years. I don't think he changed _anything_. Then the second owner bought it in NY state somewhere, rode it all over the country (14,000 miles worth) for 6 weeks, and then I bought it. The second owner was CHEAP. When a screw fell out, he replaced it with whatever he could get his hands on at the time. Machine screws were replaced by sheet metal screws; wires got hard spliced (the disconnects were thrown away). I think he probably changed the oil a time or two, and he definitely bought tires at least once (K270s). In spite of all that, it runs like a champ. For a bike that's "riddled with problems", it seems pretty good to me. -- Cloyce A13 in Austin

[anti-js]

on 2/17/05 11:40 AM, Jerry at johnsonjw2003@... wrote:

> What problems are You having?

Thor's Hammer! where do I start? Letz zee... Havin a real hard time keepin my weight in line. Tried that Cialas schtuff, and considering the magnitutde of the issues, figured I'd take a double dose - well I'm here to tell ya that after 8 hours it still hurt sometin awful. I wanna know who that guy in the mirror is! I ALWAYS turn the screwdriver/nutdriver/socketwrench 1/4 turn too much, and strip out whatever I'm doing - How do you stop that? Is there a Betty Ford Clinic for Over-Torquers?

> > Did you find the problems easy to fix?

I thought the Cialas would do the trick... But I guess not Ridin da bike seems a nice temporay fix, though

> > Were dealers willing to Help?

Stopped takin Drugs a long time ago...

> > Do you find the electrical switches cheap?

Well, I DO draw the line at the kinky shite - won't catch me, like that Republican Judge in Arkansas, with electrical toyz.

> > Are these problems common or rare? >

From the posts on this list, I'd say I'm in the middle of the bell curve. Js

[ryan]

The KLR is pretty much bulletproof. As far as problems, there are several things that can happen and this it makes sense to remove the potential problem ahead of time. Luckily, the 3 of the 4 changes are basically free and can be done yourself. Both the sidestand switch and clutch switch can be "fixed" for free yourself. Just jump the circuit and rip out all the other crap. Spend $2 on a T fitting and hose and the carb mod is taken care of. You can even do the dohicky your self for what, $50 -$75? And that's not guaranteed to break, but rather it can. And even if it does break, the bike will keep going for thousands of miles before total failure anyway. As far as dealers, I don't trust mine to do anything- hopefully you can find one that you do. Ryan KNEVLKLR A-18 Manhattan

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jerry" wrote: > > So many people claim that the KLR is one of the Best Adventure Tour > bikes, yet it seems from my readings that the bike is riddled with > problems. As outlined on sites like > http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html#knownissues. So, I have to ask, > How many are having these problems? I do mean beyound the "T" valve > for rainy times & the side stand switch. > > What problems are You having? > > Did you find the problems easy to fix? > > Were dealers willing to Help? > > Do you find the electrical switches cheap? > > Are these problems common or rare?

[TOGA]

Jerry, I have had my 2001 KLR for 16 months, and have not experienced any problems at all! Here in the Pacific N.W., the KLR seems to be the most ridden dual sport. Keep in mind, EVERY bike in existence has it's flaws, so it's not just a KLR issue -- someone just took the time to compile a list and post it. Dealers? There will always be good and not-so-good ones. TOGA

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jerry" wrote: > > So many people claim that the KLR is one of the Best Adventure Tour > bikes, yet it seems from my readings that the bike is riddled with > problems. As outlined on sites like > http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html#knownissues. So, I have to ask, > How many are having these problems? I do mean beyound the "T" valve > for rainy times & the side stand switch. > > What problems are You having? > > Did you find the problems easy to fix? > > Were dealers willing to Help? > > Do you find the electrical switches cheap? > > Are these problems common or rare?

[Keith Saltzer]

> Keep in mind, EVERY bike in existence has it's flaws, so it's not > just a KLR issue -- someone just took the time to compile a list

and

> post it.

Yea, what he said. When you read the FAQ, and this very thorough board, you will find MANY "problems" about the KLR that will be talked about or addressed. All bikes have problems, but this bike has been around so damn long, is ridden by so many people (and they actually ride them) and has been found to be such a great "do it all" motorcycle that won't break the bank, that a lot of them ended up here to talk about anything and everything that we can do to make them as close to perfect for each rider. The KLR rocks for being so cheap, so bulletproof, so versatile, and having such a high fun factor. You just have to ride one for a thousand miles or so to fully understand. Yes, what I'm saying is "It's a KLR thing". MrMoose A8 (Barbie and Ken special)

[pdstreeter@mmm.com]

1. Bike stalls in the rain/deep water crossings Never had a problem with this. But, I bought mine very used, so who knows what the PO did 2. Balancer chain tensioner prone to failure Well, not yet anyway, but the early models (mine's an '88) didn't have as much a problem. I'm changing out the "doohickey" this weekend anyway for peace of mind. 3. Starter circuit fails to work, or only works with in neutral with clutch out. Engine runs in neutral, but dies when I put it in gear. Well, by the time I got my bike, none of the safeties were left! 4. Weak front brakes They sure are! I've put on different pads and a stainless steel line, they're better but still not good enough for me. I'll probably have to spring for a $350 oversize front rotor. 5. Lean Jetting I haven't had a problem with it, but when I bought it it had a loud muffler on it, the PO may have rejetted. 6. Rear brake pedal bracket prone to fracture No problem yet, but I may replace it anyway just to make the bike more "bulletproof". 7. Headlight fuse tends to blow Not yet, but I carry spare fuses. Not having a "push to cancel" switch sucks. 8. What happened to my license plate? Yup, lost it. Even though it was in the "upper" position, the rear knobby ripped it off in Baja. It's now on the outer fender just below the taillight. 9. Dealer screwups I can't comment on this, mine was very used when I bought it. 10. Shift lever breakage Well, it didn't break, but it got loose on the shaft and wouldn't tighten up any more. I cut the slot wider with a cut-off wheel, and re-installed it. 11. Gas in the right side of the tank I haven't ever run out, but buddies have done the "tip it over to the left side" deal. 12. Weak subframe mounting No problem yet, but I keep the stock bolts tight. 13. Swingarm lubrication Well, I tried to remove my swingarm to lube it, and couldn't get the long bolt out. Rusted in I guess. It still moves easily, so I just left it alone. I did lube the linkages. 14. Rear hub bearing spacer Haven't lost mine. 15. Poor speedometer accuracy Yeah, 10% high seems about right. Paul Streeter