2008 klr question?

[C COOPER]

To give my '01 KLR a little more electrical "room" I've replaced the tail and instrument cluster lights with LED's. Right now I can run Symtec grip heaters, GPS, and the 50 watt light kit Arrowhead is selling with no problems. I have a charge indicator mounted in the dash. The only time the light indicates low charge rate is at idle with everything on including headlight, brake and turn signal lights. One of the mod's I still have on my list is to replace the turn signal lights with LED's. I already have the electronic flasher. Not hard to buy bulbs and put them in, but I think I'd like to also add a dual filament bulb (1157 is the automotive bulb that comes to mind) and wire them in for marker lights. I had an HID headlight, which consumed a little less power, but went back to a Halogen bulb with the wiring and relay upgrades. The HID worked well, but there were too many pieces (ballast, igniter, etc) and I was a little concerned about having a lighting failure somewhere. I also try to avoid night riding, so it's not a real big issue. With the setup I've got now I can go back to stock very easily - KISS principle. Chuck

On 10/17/07, Jeff Saline wrote: > > On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:12:25 -0000 "trooperhoover" > > writes: > > I have a 2008 KLR and was wanting to add a GPS unit and extra lights > > > > maybe 50 watts. Would this be to much for the electrical system > > ??? > > I know I read that the o8 has an improved output!! > > > > Thanks for any assistance!!! > > > > Brent > <><><><><><><> > <><><><><><><> > > Brent, > > I have zero experience with the 2008 KLR650. But considering the > "upgraded" electrical system I'd guess you are well into the safe zone > with only a GPS and 50 watts of lights. > > On my 2003 KLR650 I can run my GPS, heated grips (about 19 watts each > side if I recall correctly) and a heated vest (about 40 watts) and not > have any issues. I think we figured out a few years ago depending on the > year the KLR650 has about 100 or a bit more watts of "extra" electricity > that's available. > > So my guess is you can easily do what you've asked about and shouldn't > have any issues from the charging system as long as you keep the rpms up > above 2,500 or so. > > Best, > > Jeff Saline > ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal > Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org > The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota > 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Lumir]

I have parked my 2008 KLR650 on a bit uneven surface with not enough lean towards the stand side. I was pulling something out of my rear bag standing behind the motorcycle and must have pushed it a bit too much to the right. All of sudden the bike started falling to the right and I just was not able to steady it fast enough. Unfortunately (or luckily?) there was that two feet high concrete curb there and the bike hit the top of the curb just where the front signal lamp is. The results: signal lamp shattered into pieces minor scratches on the upper cowl , mostly just the decal minor scratches on the side shroud, mostly just the decal the frame (just a piece of pipe) holding the upper cowl bent out of alignment (fixed that already) This is sad, but could have been worse if the plastic cracked. Other sad thing is that, as I was told at two Calgary dealerships, there are pretty much no spare parts available for the 2008 models in Canada. I looked up the signal lamp part number on the US Kawi site, they do not even have this info in Calgary. I was told that spare parts for 2008 KLR650 might start selling here as late as summer 2008. So I will have to rig-up something temporary for the lamp. In other words - Canadian 2008 owners, be careful with your bikes! And do not feel sorry for me my stupidity/mistake. Lumir