My KLR 650

[derf]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs396.snc4/45945_421401517395_652142395_5364194_7662771_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs362.snc4/44564_421398242395_652142395_5364066_3795064_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs363.snc4/44632_421398282395_652142395_5364069_1879924_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs374.snc4/45683_421398307395_652142395_5364072_5200809_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs140.ash2/40327_421392232395_652142395_5363885_6878414_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs181.ash2/44386_421392137395_652142395_5363884_3554171_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs257.snc4/40209_421392112395_652142395_5363882_1974228_n.jpg

[ericr]

:dthumb: Looks good Derf!

[Particle Man]

I spy dirt on the tires that wasn't there when I saw the bike :lol:

Good on you, dude.

[derf]

Yeh just the construction area down the street, went up and down a few of the dirtpiles

[Dave]

Sexy. The bikes not bad either ;)

[Homeslice]

Holy air brake on those hard bags!

[smileyman]

Itsa Killer! Should be a ton o fun!

[CasterTroy]

Nice add....seat's kinda odd though

[derf]

Holy air brake on those hard bags!

Yeh, but they will only be on the bike for long trips, gonna get a tailbag for day to day errands

[derf]

Nice add....seat's kinda odd though

Corbin seat, supposed to be very comfortable for distance rides, its an odd color though but it fits my ass nicely

[Captain Morgan]

Now you need to join us on our Cali trip next year!!

[derf]

Now you need to join us on our Cali trip next year!!

naw, maybee in 2012, trying to do aweek in disney, a week in jamaica, plus the trans labrador in september with ebbs. There is only so much vacation i can muster in one year

[Gas Man]

Sweet dude. Didn't know they made them in half size. :D

[Adeptus_Minor]

Sweet dude. Didn't know they made them in half size. :D

I was going to say "So, where's your step stool?" redflip:lol:

[Dave]

Its actually an rc bike from toys r us that he took the plastic man off of

[derf]

Actually got it from kb toys not toys r us. And the guy is in a box in my garage

[Dave]

You found one that was still in business? Lucky

[derf]

Did my first decent ride on it today, Took it up to jersey to get it registered and inspected and return my comcast cable box. It was about 400 miles total and it kicked my ass.

1. 80 is too fast for a klr, 70 is a good speed
2. long highway trip I need a backrest or something to lean against
3. riding next to or passing trucks causes the bars to wander left and right
4. the brakes suck, really suck
5. 35hp is pretty darn slow compared to my cbr
6. the stock grips really suck, really, I wanted to cut my hands off at the end of the ride, I already bought some decent gel grips
7. The bike didnt do bad, but it could use some help to be more comfortable

[Trip]

Did my first decent ride on it today, Took it up to jersey to get it registered and inspected and return my comcast cable box. It was about 400 miles total and it kicked my ass.

1. 80 is too fast for a klr, 70 is a good speed
2. long highway trip I need a backrest or something to lean against
3. riding next to or passing trucks causes the bars to wander left and right
4. the brakes suck, really suck
5. 35hp is pretty darn slow compared to my cbr
6. the stock grips really suck, really, I wanted to cut my hands off at the end of the ride, I already bought some decent gel grips
7. The bike didnt do bad, but it could use some help to be more comfortable

Ha ha sounds like the drz

[Adeptus_Minor]

Did my first decent ride on it today, Took it up to jersey to get it registered and inspected and return my comcast cable box. It was about 400 miles total and it kicked my ass.

1. 80 is too fast for a klr, 70 is a good speed
2. long highway trip I need a backrest or something to lean against
3. riding next to or passing trucks causes the bars to wander left and right
4. the brakes suck, really suck
5. 35hp is pretty darn slow compared to my cbr
6. the stock grips really suck, really, I wanted to cut my hands off at the end of the ride, I already bought some decent gel grips
7. The bike didnt do bad, but it could use some help to be more comfortable

Ha ha sounds like the drz


So, to sum up, this is why people go the route of the Blue Koolaid? :wink:

[Trip]

So, to sum up, this is why people go the route of the Blue Koolaid? :wink:

Yep dual sports are better for strictly dirt lol.

[derf]

It really wasnt bad, my main complaint was the grips, at 100 miles my hands were numb, at 200 my hands felt like they were being stung with a thousand needles, at 300 miles it felt like an ugly girl was sticking a thousand needles in my hands. By the time I got back home I was contemplating gnawing my hands off. The grips that it came with were hard as plastic and had fairly large box shapes in them. I replaced them with a nice set of sport touring gel grips right after I got home. it was also missing one bar end so that didnt help either.

The only time I had to really use the brakes was when a cop shot from the right shoulder to the left shoulder without warning and everybody in front of me slammed on their brakes, I slowed down enough to not hit anyone but it was pretty close, and I know that with my cbr I could have easily made the stop.

And the wandering handlebard did suck. It felt like they just started to wander left and right by themselfs, and any inputs from em just made it worse. The only thing that did stop it was me pressing forward on both sides and it caused the front wheel to straighten right up and hold steady.

Oh yeh and it definately doesnt handle like a sport bike, not even close. but I did manage to shoot down a few dirt roads at 40mph which the cbr could never do.

[Mr Lefty]

Holy air brake on those hard bags!
it's a Mule not a Stallion


Did my first decent ride on it today, Took it up to jersey to get it registered and inspected and return my comcast cable box. It was about 400 miles total and it kicked my ass.

1. 80 is too fast for a klr, 70 is a good speed
2. long highway trip I need a backrest or something to lean against
3. riding next to or passing trucks causes the bars to wander left and right
4. the brakes suck, really suck
5. 35hp is pretty darn slow compared to my cbr
6. the stock grips really suck, really, I wanted to cut my hands off at the end of the ride, I already bought some decent gel grips
7. The bike didnt do bad, but it could use some help to be more comfortable

sounds exactly like the DRZ...
1. 70 is more than enough... just stick to back roads
2. when you pack... put your tent and sleeping bag behind you... http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs082.ash2/37431_400508549481_684869481_4229383_7102534_n.jpg
3. don't sit next to cars trucks... pass them
4. they'll always suck.. but ss lines and new pads help
5. yeah going from the RR to the DRZ was a huge wake up... but the DRZ puts a lot more smiles on my face
6. the DRZ's stock grips are horrid. the grip wraps I have though they don't work as heaters anymore (gonna fix that) they pad and insulate my hands. they also increase the grip diameter... awesome for long trips
6. they all do.


It really wasnt bad, my main complaint was the grips, at 100 miles my hands were numb, at 200 my hands felt like they were being stung with a thousand needles, at 300 miles it felt like an ugly girl was sticking a thousand needles in my hands. By the time I got back home I was contemplating gnawing my hands off. The grips that it came with were hard as plastic and had fairly large box shapes in them. I replaced them with a nice set of sport touring gel grips right after I got home. it was also missing one bar end so that didnt help either.

The only time I had to really use the brakes was when a cop shot from the right shoulder to the left shoulder without warning and everybody in front of me slammed on their brakes, I slowed down enough to not hit anyone but it was pretty close, and I know that with my cbr I could have easily made the stop.

And the wandering handlebard did suck. It felt like they just started to wander left and right by themselfs, and any inputs from em just made it worse. The only thing that did stop it was me pressing forward on both sides and it caused the front wheel to straighten right up and hold steady.

Oh yeh and it definately doesnt handle like a sport bike, not even close. but I did manage to shoot down a few dirt roads at 40mph which the cbr could never do.

keep the KLR in it's element and you'll be happy...out of it... you wont' be

[Trip]

sounds exactly like the DRZ...

I think this thread pretty soundly makes your decision to keep the DRZ instead of going KLR a good one. Seems like it suffers the same exact issues you have now. Definitely got to get a 800GS, Super Tenere, fugly kawasucki thing, or wee if you want a more highway friendly ride.

[Mr Lefty]

I think this thread pretty soundly makes your decision to keep the DRZ instead of going KLR a good one. Seems like it suffers the same exact issues you have now. Definitely got to get a 800GS, Super Tenere, fugly kawasucki thing, or wee if you want a more highway friendly ride.

I'd love to have a Tenere... I wouldn't buy the fugly kawasucki... that thing sucks... I'd love to have that motor in the KLR though.

the F800GS would be awesome but damn... $$$$$


to be honest, I love the DRZ... I just wish it had 6 gears and another 5-10hp.

[Adeptus_Minor]

to be honest, I love the DRZ... I just wish it had 6 gears and another 5-10hp.

Add another TWF sticker? :whistle:

[derf]

I'd love to have a Tenere... I wouldn't buy the fugly kawasucki... that thing sucks... I'd love to have that motor in the KLR though.

the F800GS would be awesome but damn... $$$$$


to be honest, I love the DRZ... I just wish it had 6 gears and another 5-10hp.

Yup I've been drooling over the honda africa twin, the tenere and pretty much th whole GS line of BMW's, however my wallet only allows for the klr

[Homeslice]

I thought it had the SV motor?

[Particle Man]

I thought it had the SV motor?

The KLR is a thumper.

[Trip]

I thought it had the SV motor?

The KLR is a thumper.

And a kawasucki, not suzuki.

The versys has the the 650r motor

[101lifts2]

The KLRs are going for cheap here. Was thinking about it as a commuter bike, but after reading this little thread I think not.

[derf]

The KLRs are going for cheap here. Was thinking about it as a commuter bike, but after reading this little thread I think not.

People love them as commuter bikes, I put this one on the highway and went for a long ride, not its intended purpose, although the new grips did make a world of difference

[Mr Lefty]

The KLRs are going for cheap here. Was thinking about it as a commuter bike, but after reading this little thread I think not.

try one... they're nice for commuting... my DRZ is awesome for commuting... but I don't get on the freeway. but can slice through traffic like nothing, get 55mpg easy... and can go all week on one 4 gal tank (20 miles one way to work)

the KLR's have a bigger tank 6 gal... but get about the same MPG... have more torque and about the same hp... but they weigh more.

[Mr Lefty]

Yup I've been drooling over the honda africa twin, the tenere and pretty much th whole GS line of BMW's, however my wallet only allows for the klr

yeah it sucks Honda quit making the Trans Alp. I've thought about buying a Tenere if I can ever get to USAFE (United States Air Forces Europe... the major command there)

[Trip]

yeah it sucks Honda quit making the Trans Alp. I've thought about buying a Tenere if I can ever get to USAFE (United States Air Forces Europe... the major command there)

The tenere is coming to the usa next year thats why I said it.

[Mr Lefty]

The tenere is coming to the usa next year thats why I said it.

no shit?! you shouldn't have told me that :drool:


wait... the tenere or the new SUPER tenere(the 1200cc one)

I want the 660 version

[Trip]

no shit?! you shouldn't have told me that :drool:


wait... the tenere or the new SUPER tenere(the 1200cc one)

I want the 660 version

super tenere, yeah you are still screwed, sorry

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelimagelib/651/11/1/0/image.aspx

[Mr Lefty]

yup... but 13g's isn't bad for a big adventure tourer

[derf]

same price as the f800? I'd take the BMW

[Particle Man]

same price as the f800? I'd take the BMW

Totally

[Trip]

same price as the f800? I'd take the BMW

Hell you can talk your way to a 12gs for 13.8, you can get a loaded lightly used one for that price.

[Particle Man]

Or a loaded 'Strom for well under that brand new...

[derf]

Or 3 new KLR's or 6 lightly used ones.

[derf]

I'm also more of a fan of the 800 than the 1200

[Captain Morgan]

The tenere is coming to the usa next year thats why I said it.

Woohoo!!

no shit?! you shouldn't have told me that :drool:


wait... the tenere or the new SUPER tenere(the 1200cc one)

I want the 660 version

super tenere, yeah you are still screwed, sorry

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelimagelib/651/11/1/0/image.aspx

Oh, damn, I'm with Ebbs.

same price as the f800? I'd take the BMW

ditto.

[Particle Man]

I'm also more of a fan of the 800 than the 1200

I like them both though I wish there was a 1200 with a chain-drive option...

[derf]

I like them both though I wish there was a 1200 with a chain-drive option...

I wish there was an 800 with a shaft drive option

[Mr Lefty]

from what I was finding the F800's were going for more like 14 new.

[Mr Lefty]

I dig this KLR
http://twinheadlighternie.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/My-KLR/4386842_9bA3A#257574134_DSkhN

[derf]

That tail light just screams "I am the short bus"

I spent the last 6 hours taking the bike apart and adding a 12v outlet. I would have been done 4 hours ago but I found some frayed/fraying wires so I went through the whole wire harness and found and patched and moved and protected any wire I could see that was rubbing. Just need to figure out how to mount the dashboard with the 12v outlet now. Tommorrow while the bike is apart I am going to bypass the kick stand and clutch kill switches, both have been known to fail eventually on every klr apparently. I'm not going to actually bypass it, just add a jumper in line with the wire that I can just plug together if it ever becomes a problem.

[Mr Lefty]

That tail light just screams "I am the short bus"

I spent the last 6 hours taking the bike apart and adding a 12v outlet. I would have been done 4 hours ago but I found some frayed/fraying wires so I went through the whole wire harness and found and patched and moved and protected any wire I could see that was rubbing. Just need to figure out how to mount the dashboard with the 12v outlet now. Tommorrow while the bike is apart I am going to bypass the kick stand and clutch kill switches, both have been known to fail eventually on every klr apparently. I'm not going to actually bypass it, just add a jumper in line with the wire that I can just plug together if it ever becomes a problem.

yeah the tail light could have been done much better IMO... but KLR's never have been much to look at. functionality is their point.

you might buy some of that plastic wire loom and protect the wires further :idk:

I haven't disco'd the clutch or kickstand cut out switches... but I have had a couple issues with the kickstand one when I stand, my heel forces the kick stand down a bit and on a decent bump my bike cuts out... so that'll be done this winter I think.

how big a stator do you have on the KLR? the DRZ's is only 200w... bike draws about 150 or so...

[derf]

you might buy some of that plastic wire loom and protect the wires further


Done, that shits everywhere


how big a stator do you have on the KLR? the DRZ's is only 200w... bike draws about 150 or so...

250w, the bike draws 170, I can get it down to 140 by switching the tail light and dashboard to LED's, getting rid of the lic plate bulb. There is also an aftermarket stator available that jumps the output up to 350w

[derf]

here is my creation over the last 2 days

the wires to the rear were fraying, along with the tube, reinforced and protected

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs624.snc4/58470_426652737395_652142395_5489313_4204545_n.jpg

wired up the fuse box on the right side, behind the overflow bottle, plenty of room under there, also use the horn mount for the relay.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs160.ash2/41358_426652917395_652142395_5489317_2829617_n.jpg

Homemade dash bolted to the guage cluster, I need more stuff up there

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs409.snc4/47266_426652887395_652142395_5489315_2130945_n.jpg

and with my audio pack

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs630.snc4/59080_426653027395_652142395_5489329_4783485_n.jpg

[Particle Man]

Nice work, man.

[Mr Lefty]

Done, that shits everywhere



250w, the bike draws 170, I can get it down to 140 by switching the tail light and dashboard to LED's, getting rid of the lic plate bulb. There is also an aftermarket stator available that jumps the output up to 350w

you can also swap in a HID light. that's why I put one in the DRZ... drop from 55/65 watts (low/high) to 35w for both. and the light output is much better (wish the cutoff wasn't so sloppy though... thinking of throwing a SV650 light on the front)


here is my creation over the last 2 days

the wires to the rear were fraying, along with the tube, reinforced and protected

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs624.snc4/58470_426652737395_652142395_5489313_4204545_n.jpg

wired up the fuse box on the right side, behind the overflow bottle, plenty of room under there, also use the horn mount for the relay.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs160.ash2/41358_426652917395_652142395_5489317_2829617_n.jpg

Homemade dash bolted to the guage cluster, I need more stuff up there

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs409.snc4/47266_426652887395_652142395_5489315_2130945_n.jpg

and with my audio pack

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs630.snc4/59080_426653027395_652142395_5489329_4783485_n.jpg

Looks good bro!

[derf]

you can also swap in a HID light. that's why I put one in the DRZ... drop from 55/65 watts (low/high) to 35w for both. and the light output is much better

Eventually, but I need to buy some other stuff first (gas tank, top box, lever guards, heated grips, longer shift lever, possibly a rear shock, new helmet, gonna get a textile suit, and less aggressive riding boots). HID's and LED tail light to save electricity are on my list, but they are not a priority. Before the HID's I also want to get the oversized brake rotor and caliper relocation kit.

I think the only thing I want to after the headlight is the 18" wheel conversion for the front, supposedly its a much better ride, both on and off road.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n272/delkron97/KLR%20pics/100_0870.jpg


And just for a laugh read the last post on this page
http://www.klr650.net/forums/showthread.php?t=39199&page=19
There are plenty of (skinny) "front" tires availavle for a 19" rim. I think most guys running the 18" on the front do so because the fatter rear tires fit on the rims.

This raises an interesting thought. I don't know if anybody is running directional tread but if so, directional tread is usually reversed from front to rear because you want acceleration grip on the rear and deceleration grip on the front. I first noticed this on my friends sport bike after he had new tires put on and I said 'your treads are reversed' then I looked for the direction arrows and saw that they were correct.

[Mr Lefty]

:lol: all of my tires have been directional tread... and they go the same direction as the rear... guess that's why my breaking sucks... or maybe it's my acceleration


I'll eventually change the headlight.. but it's down the list. as far as the bike is concerned... though I do want SS lines... I'm pretty much done, though I would like to eventually design my own rack for my luggage, but I wanna(need to) learn how to weld first.

I thought about a larger front rotor... but was warned against it as off roading it would get hit a lot more often :2cents:

[101lifts2]

I saw a 2009 KLR with 1500 miles for 3499 at one dealer here in CA.

[caveman]

Derf, I am not sure that you have enough two-wheeled vehicles in that garage of yours. I think you need at least three more.

[derf]

You know caveman there comes a time when it's just inconvinient to keep moving bikes around just to get them out of the garage that would make it not worth it.

[Mr Lefty]

You know caveman there comes a time when it's just inconvinient to keep moving bikes around just to get them out of the garage that would make it not worth it.

and when that time comes... buy a bigger garage :lol:

[Particle Man]

and when that time comes... buy a bigger garage :lol:

Exactly!

[derf]

and when that time comes... buy a bigger garage :lol:

This is the bigger garage, I moved up this summer from a 10x10 shed to a 1 car, all that shit was crammed into the 10x10.

[defector]

and when that time comes... buy a bigger garage :lol:

I wish.
I have a 3 car.
In between my shit and my kid's shit, it looks like a used bike lot. Pocketbikes to fullsize and everything in between.
I think we might be motorcycle hoarders. :lol

[Mr Lefty]

well ya'll got bigger than I do... I've got a parking spot... that my car and the DRZ share :lol:

it's like people don't believe in garages here. or covered parking for that matter. even most houses that are more than 5 years old have their garages converted to an extra room (or maybe they never were garages... just look like it :idk:)

[derf]

well ya'll got bigger than I do... I've got a parking spot... that my car and the DRZ share :lol:

it's like people don't believe in garages here. or covered parking for that matter. even most houses that are more than 5 years old have their garages converted to an extra room (or maybe they never were garages... just look like it :idk:)

Dont you guys get a ton of big hurricanes and tropical storms? Do you bring your bike in the house when they hit?

[Mr Lefty]

well that's what I don't understand... I'd think they'd want their cars/trucks/bikes in a garage when a storm hit... I mean in shit like Katrina, no a garage won't help... but in most others it'll protect that investment... instead they let them sit outside where they flood and get damage from flying objects or falling tree limbs.

we haven't had a bad storm since I've been here... but if we did I'd ride to work, cause I have to shelter with the airmen, and just park my bike in the building.

if I think the wind is gonna be bad enough to blow the bike over, I'll lay it down on the grass... better it skate around and scratch shit than slam over and break shit. :2cents:

[Krabill]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs624.snc4/58470_426652737395_652142395_5489313_4204545_n.jpg



Remove that airbox hole cover and pull the rubber snorkel out of it while you're there.