KLR riders out there

[Woodman]

Aren't those things like 30 something hp? Only thing it's likely to stomp is a piece of wet clay.

Aaaah such wit.

That looks interesting!! Any write ups about them on any of the KLR forums?

Too new, only came to market a few days ago as far as I can tell.

[pete376403]

When I was riding speedway bikes i had a jawa 2v with a 36mm DellOrto (factory) - went ok. I swapped that for a 38mm round slide Mikuni and the difference was like night and day - easier starting, no hesitation or flat spots, would even idle (sort of). Probably got better fuel economy, too

[chopperT]

@ wee pirate:

Springs are available from all over as mentioned above. In NZ, Cardwell Racing can supply Eibach springs in 9" x 2.25" for the KLR. You will need to figure out your required rate. I'm 120kg dressed to ride, and a 450lb/in spring puts me at 30% sag at max preload, (yep shoulda bought a 500!).

As for tyres, theres a thread in itself. For me Michelin T65 Sirac gave 14000km, Mitas E07 10000km, but if you keep it spinning on gravel expect much less.

[pete376403]

ADV rider (I think) has a thread on "which bike is best for the zombie apocalypse"

naturally KLRs are the preferred option
Heres proof

[pete376403]

@ wee pirate:
As for tyres, theres a thread in itself. For me Michelin T65 Sirac gave 14000km, Mitas E07 10000km, but if you keep it spinning on gravel expect much less.

Wow, youre easy on tyres. I had a Sirac, and it was good, but i didn't get anywhere near 14000. Is that commutng only?

[Woodman]

Wow, youre easy on tyres. I had a Sirac, and it was good, but i didn't get anywhere near 14000. Is that commutng only?

Maybe his front and back wheels do the same kilometerararage ?

[chopperT]

Thats a 450km a week commute, plus gravel rides on weekends. So pretty easy miles really, (though those E07s went over the Motu a couple of times). I think I'd be poor if I could only get 4000km from a tire! It'd be like a new one every 8 weeks.
After a good gravel ride you can see the wear, so if thats what you do for 4000km it's completely realistic.

[wee pirate]

@ wee pirate:

Springs are available from all over as mentioned above. In NZ, Cardwell Racing can supply Eibach springs in 9" x 2.25" for the KLR. You will need to figure out your required rate. I'm 120kg dressed to ride, and a 450lb/in spring puts me at 30% sag at max preload, (yep shoulda bought a 500!).

As for tyres, theres a thread in itself. For me Michelin T65 Sirac gave 14000km, Mitas E07 10000km, but if you keep it spinning on gravel expect much less.

Thank you for the info Chopper - you did better on the E07 than me. I only got about 8500km, must be that gravel. Can you remember how much the spring cost? I'm guessing that Cardwell will help me work out best spring rate for me. Also you just changed spring and kept the original shock?

[pete376403]

I went to a presentation last night by the two riders from http://2ridetheworld.com/ - over (nearly) the past 10 years Simon and Lisa have been on a continuous 425,000 km ride around the planet on 1150 and 650 BMWs.

They used pretty much exclusivley TKC80s. One of the questions was "how many tyres so far?" and the answer was surprisingly few. Lisa on the 650 got over 12000km from one.

Perhaps non-aggresive riding has it's advantages

[Woodman]

Just nipped down to the shed and fitted the contents of a parcel that arrived today from Procycle (yay more stickers).

Superbrace fork brace and progressive fork springs. Used a couple of imperial sockets to set the preload. Perfect fit, the new springs are a hell of a lot longer than the old ones. also got a billet choke cable nut cos the plastic one was on its last legs.

will report on how the brace and springs work later.

That's the end of any farkles for this bike.

[NordieBoy]

Why progressive springs?

[Woodman]

Why progressive springs?

Wanted a bit of comfort, and if I had just got 30% stiffer which is what is recommended for aggressive riders, it would have been all bouncy on the road. Progressive just seemed a better compromise for a dp bike. The originals used to bottom out constantly, and the wallowy front has been accentuated since the IAS rear shocky with the stiffest spring available was fitted.

I will mess around with spacers and oil level if needed.
Probly should have just used your USD front end.

[NordieBoy]

Is that 30% for stock damping or taking into account emulators/Intiminators?

[NordieBoy]

The DR Intiminators were designed to work with the stock progressives.

[chopperT]

Wee pirate, Cardwells are an NZ agent for Eibach, primarily speedway stuff, so you have to figure your own rate.

Use the rate calculator on the Racetech suspension website. It lists the KLR.

Price was about the same as the landed US price, so I decided to support the local guys, around $160 IIRC.

Stock shock with the new spring. There seems to be enough damping adjustment on the stocker to handle the increased rate.