Another new bike in the garage

[G-Rex]

Just now getting around to posting about it, but I finally picked up a KLR for the trip up to Prudhoe Bay next year. Flew down to Dallas and rode it the 200 miles home.

It's a 98. The doohickey has been done, Progressive rear shock, Sonic front springs, heated hand grips, top box, a few other small things..

I've already got a 6.6 gallon tank and Happy Trails Teton bags sitting in the garage for it. I'm probably going to need to upgrade the stator as well to support the heated gear I want. There are a few other upgrades I have in mind as well.

I've had several people ask me why I didn't get a BMW, Versys, flavor of the week, whatever..

One reason. I'm mechanically proficient obviously, and things WILL break on the Haul Road. The KLR is a basic design that has been around for 20 years, and I can fix anything with a few tools and parts. I'll be damned if I'll be stranded 200 miles north of Fairbanks due to a shaft drive that exploded or a sensor that flaked from vibration.

So there it is. I'll be dismantling this one to give it a once-over and lay my hands on every nut, bolt, and wire. It obviously won't get the powdercoat treatment LOL, but I will be painting fairings and making it one solid color.

[derf]

Yeh nice, you finally got a bike to put that tank that you beat me out on (bastard).

Also the IMS tank doesnt work with the crash cage, its one or the other, however there is a radiator and water pump guard that you can get (need to get) if you are running just the IMS tank for protection. I think you might actually have the radiator protector. I do have a few questions though

1. What tail bag is that?

2. Which heated hand grips do you have? Are they decent? How much power to they draw?

3. No fork boots? Fork brace?

4. How much did you finally pay for it?

[marko138]

I don't get the whole dual sport revolution going on around here, but do your thing, son. Have fun.

[derf]

I don't get the whole dual sport revolution going on around here, but do your thing, son. Have fun.

There is no revolution, some of us just wanted to do more on bikes than a sportbike would allow

[tommymac]

I don't get the whole dual sport revolution going on around here, but do your thing, son. Have fun.

I agree marko, not much dirt riding to be had in LI/NYC anyway. Will stick to the sport/touring thing for now.

[G-Rex]

Also the IMS tank doesnt work with the crash cage, its one or the other, however there is a radiator and water pump guard that you can get (need to get) if you are running just the IMS tank for protection. I think you might actually have the radiator protector. I do have a few questions though

1. What tail bag is that?

2. Which heated hand grips do you have? Are they decent? How much power to they draw?

3. No fork boots? Fork brace?

4. How much did you finally pay for it?

It does have the radiator protector already. The skid plate comes up enough to cover the water pump too, so I"m good there. I can't run the crash bars anyway with the IMS, so wasn't too worried about them.

1. It's a JC Whitney I think the guy said. It's not bad, but I want something larger, so I'll probably take this one off and sell it. Interested?

2. Not sure of the brand, but so far, even on hi, I can't feel them through my gloves, but maybe I have gotten impatient and not let them run long enough. I can feel them get plenty hot without gloves, so maybe it's just me. Unsure of the amperage draw, haven't taken a multimeter to the bike yet.

3. The previous owner said in his experience, the Seal Savers that are on it work better than fork boots. I'll be adding fork boots along with the Seal Savers though, for extra protection. I do intend to pick up a fork brace also.

4. I paid $1500 for it.


I don't get the whole dual sport revolution going on around here, but do your thing, son. Have fun.

Look up the Haul Road between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Then, you will understand. That road is 414 miles of GRAVEL each way, so to go to Prudhoe Bay, I'm looking at 830 miles of gravel. I *could* do it on the Busa, but it will be a ton easier on something more appropriate for the road. See "Ice Road Truckers" for reference, but in the summer. LOL

[marko138]

It does have the radiator protector already. The skid plate comes up enough to cover the water pump too, so I"m good there. I can't run the crash bars anyway with the IMS, so wasn't too worried about them.

1. It's a JC Whitney I think the guy said. It's not bad, but I want something larger, so I'll probably take this one off and sell it. Interested?

2. Not sure of the brand, but so far, even on hi, I can't feel them through my gloves, but maybe I have gotten impatient and not let them run long enough. I can feel them get plenty hot without gloves, so maybe it's just me. Unsure of the amperage draw, haven't taken a multimeter to the bike yet.

3. The previous owner said in his experience, the Seal Savers that are on it work better than fork boots. I'll be adding fork boots along with the Seal Savers though, for extra protection. I do intend to pick up a fork brace also.

4. I paid $1500 for it.




Look up the Haul Road between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Then, you will understand. That road is 414 miles of GRAVEL each way, so to go to Prudhoe Bay, I'm looking at 830 miles of gravel. I *could* do it on the Busa, but it will be a ton easier on something more appropriate for the road. See "Ice Road Truckers" for reference, but in the summer. LOL
I understand. I know they have their purpose. It's just not my thing. Seems like everyone on this board is buying one of these bikes lately.

[tommymac]

I understand. I know they have their purpose. It's just not my thing. Seems like everyone on this board is buying one of these bikes lately.

dont worry, I wont be :)

[Krabill]

Loves me some KLR.

It is in fact a JC Whitney top box. I had one just like it on mine.

The only thing I'll mention on your list of "to do" mods is the stator. I've heard people having nothing but problems with the big stator for these. IMO, it's better to make due with the little stock unit than to have a bigger one that doesn't work at all. Especially in the middle of nowhere. Of course that means no heated gear, but at least the bike will run.

I don't have those problems with my little WR now that I've upgraded from the KLR. The WR comes with a 350 watt alternator ;)

[marko138]

dont worry, I wont be :)
Me either.

[G-Rex]

Electosport makes the stators I've been looking at.

They used to make a 400w that was very problematic. They actually still had it listed on their website until a week or two ago when I emailed and asked for info on it. Then it was magically deleted from the site overnight and I was told they don't make it anymore. LOL

They also have a 280w, and from what I can find, that has been a pretty stable unit. That's the one I'm considering, but you're right, I'm always leery of *aftermarket* electrical stuff like that.

[Trip]

I understand. I know they have their purpose. It's just not my thing. Seems like everyone on this board is buying one of these bikes lately.

We are getting older and tired of riding uncomfortable sportbikes and found a way to be a hooligan without having to worry about speeding tickets. Off road riding is a blast.

[Krabill]

It's been a while since I swapped bikes, so I didn't know about the 280w version. All the problems I've heard about were with the 400w one.

[Krabill]

Re the dual sport thing: also, once you get the adventure bug and realize most of the roads on the planet aren't paved, the decision to buy a dual sport becomes a no brainer.

[derf]

It's been a while since I swapped bikes, so I didn't know about the 280w version. All the problems I've heard about were with the 400w one.

Yup been looking at the 280 one too, it is a pretty solid unit. Also didnt give up the cbr

[Adeptus_Minor]

It obviously won't get the powdercoat treatment LOL, but I will be painting fairings and making it one solid color.

Make it something hi-viz. :dthumb:

And congrats. I still think the BMW would have been better, but I totally see your reasoning for the KLR.
At that price, it could be your bike just for this trip and the occasional punishment ride.

[Krabill]

Speaking of which . . . you should come down to Clayton for this year's dual sport ride. October 14th-17th at Clayton State Park.

[ontwo]

dont worry, I wont be :)

Makes three of us

[Particle Man]

4. I paid $1500 for it.



Freakin' BONUS. Congrats!

[CrazyKell]

Congrats on the new bike.

It sounds like an awesome trip and this is just the machine for it.

Need a bigger garage yet?

[G-Rex]

Speaking of which . . . you should come down to Clayton for this year's dual sport ride. October 14th-17th at Clayton State Park.

The bike will be in pieces by then. LOL


Need a bigger garage yet?

Just about! It's gettin' a little crowded!

I don't know how y'all keep your license on the street! Curbs, ditches, lane splitting, these are things I see this bike being really good at. I had to restrain myself today quite a bit.

[Porkchop]

I don't get the whole dual sport revolution going on around here, but do your thing, son. Have fun.

I said the same thing until I rode that little Yamaha TW200 this weekend. Now I am a believer. The thing was a fucking riot. And I was even on pavement 95% of the time.

[Particle Man]

I don't get the whole dual sport revolution going on around here, but do your thing, son. Have fun.

I've been looking to get into that side of riding for a while.

At least between me and the trail there are (hopefully) no soccer moms in their Honda Odysseys on their cell phones doing their makeup in the mirror trying to kill me.

[101lifts2]

I understand the bike was pretty cheap, but wouldn't it make more sense to get say a DL650 Suzuki VStrom? I had one of those and it had great clearance, huge gas tank and a comfortable highway ride. Maybe a 85/15 street - dirt.

[anthonyk]

Someone will probably prove me wrong with fancy maths, but this trip sounds like more than 15% unpaved roads.

[derf]

Someone will probably prove me wrong with fancy maths, but this trip sounds like more than 15% unpaved roads.

Correct, that 16% gravel roads

[Krabill]

I don't know how y'all keep your license on the street! Curbs, ditches, lane splitting, these are things I see this bike being really good at. I had to restrain myself today quite a bit.

The secret is to go ride some actual dirt where you're allowed to act like an idiot. That will make curbs and stairs seem boring and a waste of time.

[azoomm]

The secret is to go ride some actual dirt where you're allowed to act like an idiot. That will make curbs and stairs seem boring and a waste of time.

This. That means, keep your eyes open when it comes to wide stretches of freeway, lest you find yourself dreaming about it.

Congratulations on the bike!!

[CasterTroy]

Great find man! :rockwoot:

Looks like a friggin blast

[Krabill]

They quit moving after a while.

I did mine . . .

1st - 600 miles (no adjustment, but tight)
2nd - 1,800 miles (adjusted)
3rd - 6,000 (adjusted)
4th - 12,000 (no adjustment)
5th - 18,000 (no adjustment)
6th - 24,000 (adjusted)

Every 6k is the recommended check.

And there is no difference in pre/post '08 . . . except the post '08's burn oil like a furnace.

[fnfalman]

Paint that mutha black!!!