pics posted from prudhoe trip

[steve_b1963]

Can anyone please advise? I'm looking at buying my first KLR but I'd like to know what is regarded as acceptable vibration. The model I took for a test ride was a 2004 C8 model with only 1000 miles on the clock. Despite being a lot of fun below 55mph, once above that speed the tank would vibrate so badly that it was not comfortable keeping my legs against the tank. I had the workshop check the engine mounting bolts, but they were fine. I couldnt think of anything else that might have this effect on a bike with such low mileage. I used to own an old Suzuki DR600 so I know that big singles do vibate somewhat, but despite it being a bit agricultural in comparison, it vibrated far less than the KLR. Is this vibration normal for the KLR or should I be worried ? Cheers Steve Bradford

[Mike Peplinski]

Vibration is such a relevant thing. What some consider acceptable others do not. Of course you should feel vibration in the tank but it should not be severe. I reached down one time and gingerly touched the engine while riding (fast). I was surprised at how little it was really vibrating. I don't mean a Lexus like smoothness but it wasn't buzzing like I thought. Now on the other hand I installed some very rigid hand protectors with aluminum hand guards. I'm amazed at how much vibration is felt on the guards. Maybe the best thing to do is to check another KLR to get a comparative feel. To answer your question, no the fuel tank does not vibrate excessively. Some, but not excessive and yes I frequently hug the tank with my knees.

>From: "steve_b1963" >To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com >Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Tank Vibration >Date: Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:51:19 -0000 > >Can anyone please advise? >I'm looking at buying my first KLR but I'd like to know what is >regarded as acceptable vibration. >The model I took for a test ride was a 2004 C8 model with only 1000 >miles on the clock. Despite being a lot of fun below 55mph, once above >that speed the tank would vibrate so badly that it was not comfortable >keeping my legs against the tank. I had the workshop check the engine >mounting bolts, but they were fine. I couldnt think of anything else >that might have this effect on a bike with such low mileage. >I used to own an old Suzuki DR600 so I know that big singles do vibate >somewhat, but despite it being a bit agricultural in comparison, it >vibrated far less than the KLR. Is this vibration normal for the KLR >or should I be worried ? > >Cheers > >Steve Bradford > > > >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/dsnklr650 >Yahoo! Groups Links > > >

_________________________________________________________________ Now you can see trouble before he arrives http://newlivehotmail.com/?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM_viral_protection_0507

[Arden Kysely]

Was the tank loose on it's mountings? There are two rubber pucks that isolate the tank from the frame, if one is missing the tank should be easy to move back and forth an it might vibrate more. If you want to test ride it again, have the shop do the balancer chain adjustment. With only 1000 miles on the bike, it shouldn't need doing, but you never know. KLR tanks do buzz, but not horribly. If it's unbearable, it's not normal. __Arden --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "steve_b1963" wrote:

> > Can anyone please advise? > I'm looking at buying my first KLR but I'd like to know what is > regarded as acceptable vibration. > The model I took for a test ride was a 2004 C8 model with only 1000 > miles on the clock. Despite being a lot of fun below 55mph, once

above

> that speed the tank would vibrate so badly that it was not

comfortable

> keeping my legs against the tank. I had the workshop check the

engine

> mounting bolts, but they were fine. I couldnt think of anything

else

> that might have this effect on a bike with such low mileage. > I used to own an old Suzuki DR600 so I know that big singles do

vibate

> somewhat, but despite it being a bit agricultural in comparison, it > vibrated far less than the KLR. Is this vibration normal for the

KLR

> or should I be worried ? > > Cheers > > Steve Bradford >

[John Biccum]

KLR vibration tends to increase when the balancer chain stretches in use. There is an adjustment to take up this chain slack but the mechanical circuit has been problematic; search for "KLR doohickey" and you will find all you need to know. This is not something that should stop you from buying the bike as the fix is easy to perform and inexpensive. The tank is mounted at the aft end by two bolts. At the fore end it is located by two rubber pads that look very much like miniature hockey pucks. When the bike is off and stationary, try to move the tank side-to-side by pressing on the front sides of the tank. If you can wiggle the tank by this method the "hockey pucks" have likely gone missing. Again, this should stop you from buying the bike as the parts are cheap and they are easy to install. Many KLR owners pull the tank and do not notice that these pucks have fallen off and rolled away. It's a frequent enough occurrence at tech days that I keep a spare or two in my spares box for just this contingency. ________________________________ From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of steve_b1963 Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 10:51 To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Tank Vibration Can anyone please advise? I'm looking at buying my first KLR but I'd like to know what is regarded as acceptable vibration. The model I took for a test ride was a 2004 C8 model with only 1000 miles on the clock. Despite being a lot of fun below 55mph, once above that speed the tank would vibrate so badly that it was not comfortable keeping my legs against the tank. I had the workshop check the engine mounting bolts, but they were fine. I couldnt think of anything else that might have this effect on a bike with such low mileage. I used to own an old Suzuki DR600 so I know that big singles do vibate somewhat, but despite it being a bit agricultural in comparison, it vibrated far less than the KLR. Is this vibration normal for the KLR or should I be worried ? Cheers Steve Bradford

[Mike Frey]

No, that doesn't sound normal. A KLR-650 vibrates less than a DR-600. Actually, the KLR is one of the *least* objectionable shakers in the big bore dual purpose bikes. Mike Peplinski gave good advice in his reply. Someone familiar with KLRs needs to look at it, or you need to ride another one and you'll be able to tell if there is a difference. The one you rode could already have a broken counterbalancer lever (doohickey). Some people find the normal vibration of the KLR objectionable. However, since you have previous experience with a DR, something doesn't sound right. steve_b1963 wrote:

> Can anyone please advise? > I'm looking at buying my first KLR but I'd like to know what is > regarded as acceptable vibration. > The model I took for a test ride was a 2004 C8 model with only 1000 > miles on the clock. Despite being a lot of fun below 55mph, once above > that speed the tank would vibrate so badly that it was not comfortable > keeping my legs against the tank. I had the workshop check the engine > mounting bolts, but they were fine. I couldnt think of anything else > that might have this effect on a bike with such low mileage. > I used to own an old Suzuki DR600 so I know that big singles do vibate > somewhat, but despite it being a bit agricultural in comparison, it > vibrated far less than the KLR. Is this vibration normal for the KLR > or should I be worried ? > > Cheers > > Steve Bradford > > > > 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/dsnklr650 > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > >

[Terry Hamrick]

John, Did you intend to state that this should not keep him from buying the bike?? albatross just wondering

On 8/2/07, John Biccum wrote: > > > KLR vibration tends to increase when the balancer chain stretches in use. > There is an adjustment to take up this chain slack but the mechanical > circuit has been problematic; search for "KLR doohickey" and you will find > all you need to know. This is not something that should stop you from > buying the bike as the fix is easy to perform and inexpensive. > > The tank is mounted at the aft end by two bolts. At the fore end it is > located by two rubber pads that look very much like miniature hockey > pucks. > When the bike is off and stationary, try to move the tank side-to-side by > pressing on the front sides of the tank. If you can wiggle the tank by > this > method the "hockey pucks" have likely gone missing. Again, this should > stop > you from buying the bike as the parts are cheap and they are easy to > install. Many KLR owners pull the tank and do not notice that these pucks > have fallen off and rolled away. It's a frequent enough occurrence at tech > days that I keep a spare or two in my spares box for just this > contingency. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Ronald Criswell]

I agree, mine at 46,000 miles doesn't bother me at all with vibration. I suspect it is a missing rubber hockey puc under the tank. Criswell

On Aug 2, 2007, at 2:33 PM, Mike Frey wrote: > No, that doesn't sound normal. A KLR-650 vibrates less than a DR-600. > Actually, the > KLR is one of the *least* objectionable shakers in the big bore dual > purpose bikes. > > Mike Peplinski gave good advice in his reply. Someone familiar with > KLRs > needs > to look at it, or you need to ride another one and you'll be able to > tell if there is > a difference. > > The one you rode could already have a broken counterbalancer lever > (doohickey). > > Some people find the normal vibration of the KLR objectionable. > However, > since you > have previous experience with a DR, something doesn't sound right. > > steve_b1963 wrote: > > Can anyone please advise? > > I'm looking at buying my first KLR but I'd like to know what is > > regarded as acceptable vibration. > > The model I took for a test ride was a 2004 C8 model with only 1000 > > miles on the clock. Despite being a lot of fun below 55mph, once > above > > that speed the tank would vibrate so badly that it was not > comfortable > > keeping my legs against the tank. I had the workshop check the > engine > > mounting bolts, but they were fine. I couldnt think of anything else > > that might have this effect on a bike with such low mileage. > > I used to own an old Suzuki DR600 so I know that big singles do > vibate > > somewhat, but despite it being a bit agricultural in comparison, it > > vibrated far less than the KLR. Is this vibration normal for the KLR > > or should I be worried ? > > > > Cheers > > > > Steve Bradford > > > > > > > > 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/dsnklr650 > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[kestrelfal]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "steve_b1963" wrote:

> > Can anyone please advise? > I'm looking at buying my first KLR but I'd like to know what is > regarded as acceptable vibration. > The model I took for a test ride was a 2004 C8 model with only 1000 > miles on the clock. Despite being a lot of fun below 55mph, once above > that speed the tank would vibrate so badly that it was not comfortable > keeping my legs against the tank. I had the workshop check the engine > mounting bolts, but they were fine. I couldnt think of anything else > that might have this effect on a bike with such low mileage. > I used to own an old Suzuki DR600 so I know that big singles do vibate > somewhat, but despite it being a bit agricultural in comparison, it > vibrated far less than the KLR. Is this vibration normal for the KLR > or should I be worried ? > > Cheers > > Steve Bradford >

More/less fuel = less/more tank vibration? Fred

[Gary]

Buy the KLR and replace the factory tank with an IMS 6.5 gallon plastic tank from Arrowhead Motorsports.While you are buying the tank..get one of those nifty little Acerbis locking gas caps to go with the IMS tank. I was shocked at how much vibration dissapeared from my 05 KLR when I replaced the metal factory tank with a plastic IMS tank.The IMS tank kills two or three birds with one stone. It reduces overall vibration transmitted to the rider and because the IMS tank doubles as the radiator shrouds ....your radiator and fan cage are less likely to be damaged if you dump the bike and you do not have to spend extra money on nerf bars or under the shroud protective bars.Also....if you want to do something to the rad or the wiring or the overflow tank...they are readily accesable without having to take off those pesky factory rad shrouds.Not to mention it holds more gas than the factory tank.I can easily ride 350 miles before I reach for reserve. Regards,Gary --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "steve_b1963" wrote:

> > Can anyone please advise? > I'm looking at buying my first KLR but I'd like to know what is > regarded as acceptable vibration. > The model I took for a test ride was a 2004 C8 model with only 1000 > miles on the clock. Despite being a lot of fun below 55mph, once

above

> that speed the tank would vibrate so badly that it was not

comfortable

> keeping my legs against the tank. I had the workshop check the

engine

> mounting bolts, but they were fine. I couldnt think of anything

else

> that might have this effect on a bike with such low mileage. > I used to own an old Suzuki DR600 so I know that big singles do

vibate

> somewhat, but despite it being a bit agricultural in comparison, it > vibrated far less than the KLR. Is this vibration normal for the

KLR

> or should I be worried ? > > Cheers > > Steve Bradford >

[Hedrek]

I took off my worthless front tank covers and my bike seems much quieter now?!?!?!? I still have a radiator/tank cover issue to solve, but I'm thinking these POS plastic covers are best left lost. Robert Hedrick Albuquerque, NM ____________________________________________________________________________________ Got a little couch potato? Check out fun summer activities for kids. http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=summer+activities+for+kids&cs=bz