A New Toy (KLR650)

[10bikekid]

There she is before it gets to scratched
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/048_zpscea182db.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/048_zpscea182db.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 048_zpscea182db.jpg"/></a>

A wise man once asked me (about an hour ago) Why a KLR

After much consideration (about a second)

Reply

Short answer, I wanted a Brand new DRBIG and Suzuki don't make one

Check list

Good fuel range, 22L over 400km
Shelter from the wind, Good fairing (have modified to make even better with raising kit)
Reasonably light weight (175-185kg) reasonable after KTM at 220kg (DR big 5kg heavier)
New and cost effective
Good power deliver and smooth (only found that out after riding a friends)
Reliable

My impressions so far, I've owned a couple of bikes in my time and this one is a gooden

Any other KLR or freinds of KLR guys out there :corn:

[george formby]

Hmmm, the Batman edition.
I'm looking forward to your postings. Never thought I would own a big single again but as usual, life is a variable curve. I'm intrigued.
Keen to know how well suspended yer new toy is.
Have fun.
Oh, you must have a huge shed.

Wanted a new DR Big, mud guard fetish?

An ex colleague rode one though Africa, amazin stories. Sounded like a bullet proof (literally) bike, too.

[10bikekid]

Hmmm, the Batman edition.
I'm looking forward to your postings. Never thought I would own a big single again but as usual, life is a variable curve. I'm intrigued.
Keen to know how well suspended yer new toy is.
Have fun.
Oh, you must have a huge shed.

George its been a long day now so will consider a reply while counting sheep, did get to pick up some parts for the computer on her today and I might say not to bad a round town sled, and well behaved as only did one small wheelie from the lights :facepalm:

[Waipukbiker]

Certainly a nice looking beast. Kawasaki have just given them a make over with the Suspension and seat etc so pretty good value for money now. Be interested in seing how you feel about the seat and the suspension.

[dino3310]

so have you still got the BIG

[pete376403]

I really like my '08. It has some shortcomings, but all in all its pretty easy to live with. The plastic is both fragile and expensive, and no aftermarket alternatives.
You'll probably hear all sorts of dire stories about the doohickey, the factory one is ok but the spring is too long. The preferred replacement is made by Eagle Mike.
'08s were oil burners (insufficient ring tension) but that was resolved by the 2011 model. They can be bored out to 705 but the cylinder head then becomes the bottleneck.
Suzuki GSXR muffler works well and weighs less than half that of the standard muffler.

Welcome to the club.

[Woodman]

The farkle list for KLRs is veeeerryyyy loooong. Be careful out there.

[10bikekid]

so have you still got the BIG

Selling is Evil :devil2:, MR BIG is awaiting new steering head bearings and some other bits from Japan at the moment :rolleyes:

[10bikekid]

Hmmm, the Batman edition.
I'm looking forward to your postings. Never thought I would own a big single again but as usual, life is a variable curve. I'm intrigued.
Keen to know how well suspended yer new toy is.
Have fun.
Oh, you must have a huge shed.

Wanted a new DR Big, mud guard fetish?

An ex colleague rode one though Africa, amazin stories. Sounded like a bullet proof (literally) bike, too.


Certainly a nice looking beast. Kawasaki have just given them a make over with the Suspension and seat etc so pretty good value for money now. Be interested in seing how you feel about the seat and the suspension.

<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/033_zps085c2101.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/033_zps085c2101.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 033_zps085c2101.jpg"/></a>

Shed is like the Tardis (Actually 2x Tardis's) :shifty:

Suspension, and seat, bit of a revelation really, they Stiffened the front by about 40% and the rear by 60% (so they say) and having ridden a 2011 as well, boy can you tell the difference,

The New Edition (2014.5) is really something else, dare I say KTM ish in feel, (without the butt destroying seat)
I actually had to back the rear off from stock as for my 85kg's it was a tad stiff (am at full soft at the moment), The Fork dive is minimal for this type of bike and it means you can use just the front brake if your lazy on the road without doing a nose dive into the pavement.

Have tried it offroad at moderate speed and its about right for me, taking in all the hits but not bouncing you all around or chattering to much either on the small stuff, sounds to good to be true, maybe but as I said am well impressed

Seat is from a different planet than say a DR or a KTM, but I think I already implied that, you might even call it comfy, all we need is a TV set now <_<

PS, think the DRBig mudguard maybe better though :confused:

Will go find some dirtier pictures to post :shit: (and yes i did clean it as top picture were taken after this one
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/1819_zpsc2e33841.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/1819_zpsc2e33841.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1819_zpsc2e33841.jpg"/></a>

[10bikekid]

I really like my '08. It has some shortcomings, but all in all its pretty easy to live with. The plastic is both fragile and expensive, and no aftermarket alternatives.
You'll probably hear all sorts of dire stories about the doohickey, the factory one is ok but the spring is too long. The preferred replacement is made by Eagle Mike.
'08s were oil burners (insufficient ring tension) but that was resolved by the 2011 model. They can be bored out to 705 but the cylinder head then becomes the bottleneck.
Suzuki GSXR muffler works well and weighs less than half that of the standard muffler.

Welcome to the club.


The farkle list for KLRs is veeeerryyyy loooong. Be careful out there.

Thanks Pete, and yes I have been looking at big bore kits etc (just looking but did find this in the mail) and will look at pipes and a light battery for Christmas, plus some 605 Dunlops and some _ _ _ _ _ _ _, yep you'd be right woodman its as bad as owning a Harley
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/034_zps2c1b6c4b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/034_zps2c1b6c4b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 034_zps2c1b6c4b.jpg"/></a>

[pete376403]

It will be worth pulling the rear suspension linkage / rocker and swingarm out and putting some good waterproof grease in the bearings. The factory put a very light smear of grease on these parts. Water gets in and eventually the swingarm pivot bolt and the rocker pivot bolt get corroded to the extent they have to be beaten out with a big hammer. I did the ones in my bike at about 5000km and they were already showing signs of corrosion.

[dino3310]

Selling is Evil :devil2:, MR BIG is awaiting new steering head bearings and some other bits from Japan at the moment :rolleyes:

i could have scored you a set within 5 working days :shutup: , mind you its not like your waiting for a bike to ride:D

i suppose if i had seated them properly in the first place they still might have been all good:pinch:

nice donkey them KLRs :shutup: , im not into the gozo style but am fond of the older shape like woodmans or even the old 600 like shanes

[10bikekid]

It will be worth pulling the rear suspension linkage / rocker and swingarm out and putting some good waterproof grease in the bearings. The factory put a very light smear of grease on these parts. Water gets in and eventually the swingarm pivot bolt and the rocker pivot bolt get corroded to the extent they have to be beaten out with a big hammer. I did the ones in my bike at about 5000km and they were already showing signs of corrosion.

Ta, will bare that in mind

One thing I've not mentioned is the motor, sure its no KTM950 but in some ways that a relief as am starting to get to old for that kind of carry on now, goes well I"d say and would sit on 130kph all day if you wanted and you could even loose your license on it on the open road, so fast enough

We saw 140kph the other day on the beach and that's enough really

Am experimenting with screen heights at the moment, using the happy trail lifter (in that boX) plus and old Aprilia screen (have dropped it about 25mm after this shot)
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/037_zpsf336c85b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/037_zpsf336c85b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 037_zpsf336c85b.jpg"/></a>

[dino3310]

aint there a thingyma jig mod on the balance chain to do on these, been a long while since ive watched the ADV KLR thread so ive forgotten the names of such mods

[10bikekid]

i could have scored you a set within 5 working days :shutup: , mind you its not like your waiting for a bike to ride:D

i suppose if i had seated them properly in the first place they still might have been all good:pinch:

nice donkey them KLRs :shutup: , im not into the gozo style but am fond of the older shape like woodmans or even the old 600 like shanes

Its alright Dino, I'm not blaming you or Mark, it was the bloke who had it after you guys and before me :yes:

Am thinking of fitting a low KTM type guard and fork brace to hold it, so after that you can look at it and smile, I'm ok with it and more think of it as the angry bird look
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/025_zpseca316a8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/025_zpseca316a8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 025_zpseca316a8.jpg"/></a>

[george formby]

The more I look the more I like. DR 6fiddly never quite floated me boat for big trips.
You already answered me thoughts on comfort & performance but I have more. Sorry, the nearest new KlR is far, far away.

Is it a proper bash plate?
That vulnerable looking swing arm / dog bone pivot thing, robust?
Gross tonnage of muffler?
Radiator cowlings solidly braced?
Hero knobs......... Why?

Soz to be a pain the arse but like I said in my earlier post my riding is going back to the beginning. Just more scenery to hit & slower reflexes.

If your ever in me hood I will feed you BBQ & beer.

[10bikekid]

The more I look the more I like. DR 6fiddly never quite floated me boat for big trips.
You already answered me thoughts on comfort & performance but I have more. Sorry, the nearest new KlR is far, far away.

Is it a proper bash plate?
That vulnerable looking swing arm / dog bone pivot thing, robust?
Gross tonnage of muffler?
Radiator cowlings solidly braced?
Hero knobs......... Why?

Soz to be a pain the arse but like I said in my earlier post my riding is going back to the beginning. Just more scenery to hit & slower reflexes.

If your ever in me hood I will feed you BBQ & beer.

Will try to answer in a non biased manner (yer right) :no:

I'm the same with the DR naked, its just not me, am so used to knees out of the wind and front protection that I just cant bare to be naked. (for long)

I'm not planning to change the bash plate as I doubt I'll do any trials riding on it

Haven't seen any negative comments on the Forums regards the other things you mentioned either.

Coming off the KTM this thing is light, heavy muffler and all (by about 35kg) I was struggling offroad with that extra weight at times and I'm not getting any younger or stronger (may keep the KTM as a road and gravel bike only)

Radiator cowling brackets are repairable if you choose not to add bars (I don't plan to as don't want any extra weight) Only dropped my KTM 3x times and it was always very slow or just because the stand dug into the ground and over she went

Hero knobs, you need them to warn you not to run off the tires (Have hit them twice and when way over in slow corners which is fun)

For me its a bit of a full circle thing as well, some of my mates wanted me to cash up and buy a 1190, but what the heck, a 150hp wheelie monster is not my idea of growing old gracefully, I knew that I'd just take it on the beach stick it in sports mode, traction controls off and go for it, No thanks

Now I'm not saying you might not sometimes want more power on the road (keep a good road bike for that) but everything for the most seems to happen at the right pace for the brain and it can still row along if you want it too and passes car quite easily at or near the speed limit (will build to 130-140ks readily while passing)

To be honest I probably wouldn't have bought, except I had to test one for a learner friend of mine and was very impressed with its roadability, general smoothness, and usable power.

So ended up trying a Demo New Edition with a back to back comparison with a Husky Terra on a local loop I do and liked the KLR better, who would have thought

BBQ sounds good and will keep that in mind :sunny:

The KLR reminds me of the original XL500 except in truth its actually a far better overall bike than that, and why it wins virtually every ADV bike comparo its ever in, game over, money out, sold, :cool:
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/015_zps6d5e998f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/015_zps6d5e998f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 015_zps6d5e998f.jpg"/></a>

[george formby]

Most excellent reply. Cheers.
I wuz a bit tongue in cheek on a couple of my questions. The muffler looks like a gun from Starship Troopers & if your hitting the blobs anywhere outside a car park may the force be with you.
Seeing as I enjoy the road less traveled more, as in my yoof, you have put the cat amongst the pigeons.

[pete376403]

The more I look the more I like. DR 6fiddly never quite floated me boat for big trips.
You already answered me thoughts on comfort & performance but I have more. Sorry, the nearest new KlR is far, far away.

Is it a proper bash plate?
That vulnerable looking swing arm / dog bone pivot thing, robust?
Gross tonnage of muffler?
Radiator cowlings solidly braced?
Hero knobs......... Why?

Soz to be a pain the arse but like I said in my earlier post my riding is going back to the beginning. Just more scenery to hit & slower reflexes.

If your ever in me hood I will feed you BBQ & beer.

Its a proper plastic bash plate. The one on my 08 took some pretty good hits before it broke.
The suspension pivot is very robust. The engine oil drain plug is far more vulnerable and should be replaced with a low profile item.
Muffler weight 4.9 kgs - exactly the same as the standard battery.
Radiator cowlings break.
Hero knobs are quite easy to touch down, these things handle way better than many would credit.

[10bikekid]

Its a proper plastic bash plate. The one on my 08 took some pretty good hits before it broke.
The suspension pivot is very robust. The engine oil drain plug is far more vulnerable and should be replaced with a low profile item.
Muffler weight 4.9 kgs - exactly the same as the standard battery.
Radiator cowlings break.
Hero knobs are quite easy to touch down, these things handle way better than many would credit.

The Voice of experience. Muffler and battery would be were I'd look to remove aprox 6kg, but as its border line light for the 80% road work now, unsure if that's needed (I'm sure it will get done eventually though)

Hero Knobs, have removed them now as have hit them to many times already (when oversteering in tight corners), which brings me to road handling.
In some ways I'm a bit disappointed as it handles a little to well (super motard like) so you have to go faster to get a thrill, something I was trying to avoid (O well thems the breaks) :shifty:
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/018_zps506de895.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/018_zps506de895.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 018_zps506de895.jpg"/></a>

[Logmaker]

Its a proper plastic bash plate. The one on my 08 took some pretty good hits before it broke.
The suspension pivot is very robust. The engine oil drain plug is far more vulnerable and should be replaced with a low profile item.
Muffler weight 4.9 kgs - exactly the same as the standard battery.
Radiator cowlings break.
Hero knobs are quite easy to touch down, these things handle way better than many would credit.

Hi Pete ,Am going to be U Hutt tomoro for 2 days ,I would like to have a quick yarn with you as i am going to buy a new/ maybe 2nd hand KLR, is that at all possible. Cheers.

[pete376403]

Hi Pete ,Am going to be U Hutt tomoro for 2 days ,I would like to have a quick yarn with you as i am going to buy a new/ maybe 2nd hand KLR, is that at all possible. Cheers.
Yeah no worries.
0275 424 693

[10bikekid]

Hi Pete ,Am going to be U Hutt tomoro for 2 days ,I would like to have a quick yarn with you as i am going to buy a new/ maybe 2nd hand KLR, is that at all possible. Cheers.

Good move then you can join the FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/671760996255954/

Eventually if we get enough we can have a Nation Rally, had our first Auckland Regional on Tuesday (2x KLR's :eek:)

[george formby]

Good move then you can join the FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/671760996255954/

Eventually if we get enough we can have a Nation Rally, had our first Auckland Regional on Tuesday (2x KLR's :eek:)

Crikey. Before you know it they will be as popular as TDM's. We had two of them together once but that was years ago.:laugh:

The KLR is now officially on my real next bike list as opposed to the lotto win bike list.

[10bikekid]

Crikey. Before you know it they will be as popular as TDM's. We had two of them together once but that was years ago.:laugh:

The KLR is now officially on my real next bike list as opposed to the lotto win bike list.

I like to think big and am aiming for 3 at the next Ride :shit: (will let other bikes join in but they have to go at the back and at a distance:laugh:) BTW IMHO TDM is a great bike just never got around to buying one <_<

As I mentioned before, KTM 1190 was my please all your friends lotto bike, but am glad I have seen sense :cool:

[george formby]

I love the TDM to bits. Very hard bike for me to replace. It happily & easily does things that would give the designers a heart attack but I'm beginning to hanker after something which will go over hills rather than flatten them. Hence my interest.

[10bikekid]

Believe me, I know what you mean,

Wonder what commission I'm going to get for selling all these KLR's :eek:

[george formby]

Don't spend it until you have it.
I'm on a tight budget & still want a trials bike. Better crash protection than engine bars.
And I've still got a CRM to get off the wharf & on to the road. Not looking forward to the rigmarole.

[R650R]

Wonder what commission I'm going to get for selling all these KLR's :eek:

Sounds like your happy with it. Does it have 6 gears or just 5? As that's the only thing about the DR that I'd like for longer trips is tall top gear for cruising at slightly faster than 99kph.
Would be interesting to have a play on the Marine corps version that runs on diesel although I suspect the conversion is about it being able to run on it and not any performance gain that could be had.
Only another 6hp to be had from the extra weight and crash damage risk of watercooling too.
That's the DRs trump card, reliable (touchwood), can throw it down the road and still ride home with nothing broken, well on the bike anyway.

[pete376403]

According to the owners manual there are 6 gears but I've never been able to find more than five. (maybe they counted neutral)

Standard gearing is good for a relaxed 110-115km/h cruising speed, thats around 5000 rpm. Any more than that and it starts burning too much oil - but thats because of the piston ring problem mine has. I've kept up with the other guys in my regular riding group (KTM 950, BMW 800, etc) at much faster speeds but it's not what the bike was made for.

A 17 tooth front sprocket will (apparently) fit which will drop the revs a bit.

Lots of people would like to try the HD (Hayes Diversified) diesel conversion but there's only one dealership - the US Army.
I believe that Hayes have been sold to some Indian manufacturer so maybe they will become a bit more available. about all you'd be getting would be a much greater fuel range, but at a cost of even more weight and less power.

[Waihou Thumper]

:not: You must have a big frikkin garage....
Still, the price you paid for this, you could have bought my DR800s...:)

[10bikekid]

Sounds like your happy with it. Does it have 6 gears or just 5? As that's the only thing about the DR that I'd like for longer trips is tall top gear for cruising at slightly faster than 99kph.
Would be interesting to have a play on the Marine corps version that runs on diesel although I suspect the conversion is about it being able to run on it and not any performance gain that could be had.
Only another 6hp to be had from the extra weight and crash damage risk of watercooling too.
That's the DRs trump card, reliable (touchwood), can throw it down the road and still ride home with nothing broken, well on the bike anyway.

I don't think anyone is going to argue against the virtues of a DR650 (and I have the 750 Dakar version) but the KLR is a different kettle of fish all together.

I listed all the feature I was looking for at the beginning and to get even close to that the DR would be more expensive and unless you invested in a 4k dakar fairing set up would still not be as good for my purpose's

I simply strolled into the shop signed the papers and rode off (had to put fuel in mind you after it reached reserve at 375km :shifty:)

This thing could sing along all day at 130k in complete comfort and is as smooth as butter at that speed, then you can whip up the beach for a bit of an extra thrill, yer the DR might be a bit lighter on its feet there but for my 80% road usage it make sense to give up a touch on the 20% to be more comfortable the rest of the time

PS, am used to a bike 40kg heavier than a KLR so to me the weight was a bonus not an issue (and wouldn't want anything much lighter as it would move around to much for my liking on the road)
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/1909_zps5fdc8f0f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/1909_zps5fdc8f0f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1909_zps5fdc8f0f.jpg"/></a>

[10bikekid]

:not: You must have a big frikkin garage....
Still, the price you paid for this, you could have bought my DR800s...:)

Arh, you only live once man (well at least in this mortal body :rolleyes:) and it wouldn't be 13 as consider that unlucky (you have to buy two at once at 12 ;) 0

You don't like your 800 ?

Picture from memory lane to follow
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/IMG_0108.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/IMG_0108.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0108.jpg"/></a>

[R650R]

I don't think anyone is going to argue against the virtues of a DR650 (and I have the 750 Dakar version) but the KLR is a different kettle of fish all together.

I listed all the feature I was looking for

The DR would happily cruise at 130 too especially with the flatslide carbie but I don't like to sustain those higher revs for long time and it sounds like the gearing on KLR is about the same too so maybe better balanced/quieter.
Hear you about weight, had a gsxr1100L, sometimes extra weight is better for soaking up all the big bumps/wind etc
Guess I will have to have a go on Waipuks one when he gets it :)

[Waihou Thumper]

You don't like your 800 ?


If someone offered me a fair price I would let it go....$4800 would do it.
Spread the good work please Mark :)

[10bikekid]

If someone offered me a fair price I would let it go....$4800 would do it.
Spread the good work please Mark :)


Kripes, is it cosha to change ones name to 15bike

[JATZ]

Kripes, is it cosha to change ones name to 15bike
Absolutely :D it's got a nice ring to it.

Congrats on the new Gonzo bike too

[george formby]

:laugh: Definitely a mud guard fetish rearing it's head here.

Dunno about the weight / stability thing. The wee DT is like a scalpel up to, er, em, the legal limit. Bounces on gravel ruts, though. The TDM starts to wallow at enthusiastic speeds on private roads. Ahem. Apart from the new rubber it never bounced, anywhere.
Ok, the bigger bikes are more compliant until you go into a corner hard on the anchors and then have to use big throttle. Then they go all drunken hippo.

Just sayin.

[10bikekid]

Absolutely :D it's got a nice ring to it.

Congrats on the new Gonzo bike too

Thanks Fellow DRBig appreciator

Its got similarities only its new, which makes a difference
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/1906_zpscbab6b85.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/1906_zpscbab6b85.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1906_zpscbab6b85.jpg"/></a>

Its really quite a Good bike and the New Editions mods make it doubly so

PS, think I will stay incognito at 10 for now :sweatdrop

[10bikekid]

Just saw this thread lots of info http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/100977-KLR-riders-out-there

Gona try a TKC80 front tire for the Summers powdery sand but hope its close as nice on the road as the OME tires
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/572_zps2c379cc7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/572_zps2c379cc7.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 572_zps2c379cc7.jpg"/></a>

[Waihou Thumper]

Geez! Were your hands shaking so much from the vibes or something...
I need my +4 bi-focals on to view this....:)

[10bikekid]

Geez! Were your hands shaking so much from the vibes or something...
I need my +4 bi-focals on to view this....:)

KLR is so fast even standing still that its hard to capture on film, (skid marks as evidence :msn-wink:)

[10bikekid]

Spose I should update this a bit

Done nearly 7000k now, fitted a new pipe, Shinko 244 rear tire and geared it up one tooth at the front (16)
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/047_zps88a866e9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/047_zps88a866e9.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 047_zps88a866e9.jpg"/></a>